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.

Buying used: Alfa Romeo 156 (1998–2007)

SUPERSEDED by the 159 only towards the end of 2006, the Alfa Romeo 156 was well received due to its stunning styling and sporty powertrains and enjoyed a long production run of nine years. Clever design characteristics include hidden rear door handles that make the four-door saloon look like a coupé. ...

Buying used: Kia Sportage (2005-2010)

KIA has been marketed in South Africa since 1998 and since then the manufacturer has become a sister company to Hyundai following a major downturn in the Korean economy. Fortunes have changed and the brand is now a well-respected member of the motoring establishment, helped in no small way by the success ...

Buying Used: Daihatsu Sirion (2005-2010)

THIS was the second of Daihatsu’s Sirion range to be introduced into South Africa, the first having been on sale from 1998 and having totally different styling that most would agree was rather ugly. In 2005 the funky new range arrived with just two offerings, a base model and a Sport version. The Sport ...

Buying used: Mini (2002-2008)

A HIT right from the start, Mini’s modern retro flicks all the right toggle switches. In fact, toggle switches formed part of the retro package design. Sales were consistently strong (faring better than the VW Beetle) and completely vindicated the theory that such a theme can work rather well.It should ...

Buying Used: Citroën C3 (2004-2010)

THE first-generation Citroën C3 found a following amongst those who yearned for something different, something with style and something French. Nine years is a long production run (the car appeared in SA three years after its world introduction) in these days of new models with multiple facelifts being ...

Buying Used: BMW X3 (2004-2010)

STYLING appreciation is a very personal subject, but we can safely say that BMW has come in for much criticism for its designs over the last decade. Not much has been aimed at the shape of the X3 mind you, with most observers admitting that this is one desirable and spunky SUV (or as BMW prefers to call ...

Buying Used: Chevrolet Aveo (2003-2009)

WHEN GM took over control of Daewoo, little did the world know how important the brand would be for the company in the future. The decision to use the Chevrolet name was controversial at first, but is now widely accepted and sales of the Korean-based vehicles are a vital part of the stable. To make ...

Buying Used: Volvo S40/V50 (2004-2009)

VOLVO caused quite a stir in 2004 with its new S40 range. It looked so different to anything else and, mindful of the custom of Scandinavians to excel in modern yet simple designs, the real coup de grace was the elegant, flowing facia centre stack housing the audio and air-conditioning controls.Seat ...

Buying Used: Nissan X-Trail 2001-2007

Popular family SUV proves to be a good bet, if you choose wisely. X-Trail, the first soft-roader to exit the Nissan factory, arrived locally in 2001 in 2,0- and 2,5-litre petrol versions plus a 2,2-litre turbodiesel, all four-cylinder engines. The public soon took a liking to the newcomer with its lineup ...

Buying Used: Toyota Prius eCVT

Leading the drive to make hybrids and plug-in electric cars everyday transport. Although the Toyota Prius went on sale in Japan back in 1997, the first model to arrive in South Africa was the second generation (NHW20) in 2005. It caused quite a stir, with its sleek styling (0,26 drag coefficient) and ...