Buying Used Cars

It’s essential to know the pros and cons of buying a used car, specifically which year and model of a vehicle will deliver the best long-term ownership experience. We discuss, in detail, when a particular model range was launched, updated and discontinued. We also delve into which engines provide the best performance and fuel consumption, as well as insights to the suspension, brakes, wheels and build quality.

BMW 7 SERIES (2001 - 2008)

WHEN CAR tested the BMW 735i in July 2002, the team’s reaction mirrored those from around the globe. Designer Chris Bangle’s fussy headlamp clusters and horizontal bootline were widely criticised and the rest was only slightly more pleasing to the eye. But the passage of time was kind to the E65; ...

Renault Sandero (2009 to 2014)

WHEN the first Renault Sandero (badged Dacia Sandero is some other countries) arrived, it caused interest due to the keen pricing combined with a decent level of spec.Two petrol engines were offered. The 1,4-litre delivers 55 kW and 112 N.m, while the 1,6 has a lowly 65 kW and 128 N.m of torque. The ...

5 ways to increase the value of a used car

The advice provided in this special ad feature should not be construed as advice from Santam but rather from experts in the field of business.Before buying a new car, you will likely need to sell your old one. You can easily increase its value by keeping maintenance up to date and sprucing it up with ...

Buying Used: Volkswagen Passat (2001 to 2005)

Looking at buying a used Volkswagen Passat? This German sedan boasts D-segment comfort and refinement at bargain prices...THE D-segment is a slow-selling sector of our market and has been largely usurped by soft-roader SUVs in terms of popularity. Conversely, this results in relative bargains for those ...

Buying Used: Jeep Patriot (2006 to 2014)

SOME people need a full-on 4x4 with low range, but the majority of SUV owners merely desire a vehicle that will cope with poor/wet/muddy/sandy road conditions. And so, over the last decade, soft-roaders have taken the market by storm.One of our picks when it was new was the Jeep Patriot. It has rugged ...

Buying Used: Honda Jazz (2008 to 2013)

With the first-generation model already proving a firm favourite in the local market, the second-generation version of the Honda Jazz added a new 1,3-litre engine to supplement the 1,5-litre. Although the styling did change subtly, the original design concept was thankfully retained (with the fuel tank ...

Buying Used: Mercedes-Benz S-Class (1999 to 2005)

Similar to Mercedes-Benz S-Class models that went before and after, the W220 was another showcase of the latest automotive designs and patents in electronics and electro-mechanical devices. Like the new W222 generation, this range was the benchmark for large luxury sedans and the facelifted version that ...

Buying Used: Daihatsu Terios (2005 to current)

WHILE the first-generation Terios was really small (consider the contemporary Zotye Nomad for a new take on Daihatsu’s original design) and had somewhat limited appeal, its successor grew in dimensions and found appeal with family-minded buyers.Powered by a 77 kW 1,5-litre engine, the Terios is not ...

Buying Used: Hyundai Atos (2005 to 2012)

NOT that those buyers weren’t initially left slightly confused by the odd name… Hyundai decided to change the name of its already tricky-to-pronounce-correctly runabout, the Atoz (for “A to Z”), to Atos. This coincided with the new model, introduced in our April 2005 issue, and the one featured ...

Buying Used: Audi A3 Sportback (2005 to 2012)

It was a clever tactical move by Audi to add two more doors to its sporty three-door compact hatchback and lengthen the body by 80 mm. This not only widened the A3’s target market and boosted sales, but started a trend to match sportiness with a compact station-wagon shape.WHICH MODEL?The Quattro models ...