Buying my first car

[EnderZ]

Hey guys,

I need some advice.
I'm 19 and I want to buy my first car, second hand because my budget is quite tight. But I don't know where to start? My parents don't know much about it since most of our cars have been given by other people or purchased new.
I've heard horror stories of friends cars being a victim of car cloning and impounded by the police, which I really don't want to happen to me, especially as my first car.

I'm in Johannesburg, pre-owned cars are dealerships prices seem insane, especially compared to cars on cars.co.za or Autotrader.

My budget is around R95,000. I'm looking into a Ford Fiesta, preferably 2012+.

If someone could point me in the right direction, or even if I can make contact with someone who knows about this stuff that would be amazing, and I can pay you for your advice and assistance.

 

[Toxxyc]

Honda Jazz. Find one with low kms in your price range. And whatever you do, don't buy from WeBuyCars or those backyard dealerships. I'll see if I can find something.

 

[Toxxyc]

Honda Jazz 1.5 Ex-s For Sale In Johannesburg - Autotrader ID: 1153889

Honda Jazz 1.3 Comfort For Sale In Fairland - Autotrader ID: 1304261

 

[Shadow]

If you need to find out anything about a vehicle just let me know, is that R95 000 cash? There are loads of dodgey places in JHB so just be careful as we have seen a few vehicles there that we were interested in but after doing checks it was actually so bad, so many garages also have like 2 or 3 different names.

Feel free to ask me anything as well, I'm an F&I at a 2nd hand dealership.

 

[ThatGuy_ZA]

The Jazz is a great car. Also have a look at an i10 Grand but I don't know if you'll find one in your price range.

Avoid the Ford Figo.

Also, whatever you do, don't buy from a backyard dealer. Spend a bit more and buy from a reputable dealership. It will save you time, money and your sanity in the long run.

 

[PancakesZA]

Avoid any and all french cars.
Avoid Hijacking targets, Polo/Golf/Ford Ranger (Not only for safety reasons but for insurance cost as well)
Don't buy any BMW/Audi/Mercedes/Volvo in this price range.

Cars to look at:

Hyundai i20/i30
Honda Jazz
Honda Brio (Newer models)
Suzuki swift (Newer models)
Ford Fiesta (Might struggle finding a newer one in this price range)

 

[Areola Grande]

YGPM

 

[SantaMuerte]

Don't buy any BMW/Audi/Mercedes/Volvo in this price range.

I dunno bud, my beemer is still going strong

Then again I did know the seller for many many years so yeah there’s that.

 

[PancakesZA]

I dunno bud, my beemer is still going strong

Then again I did know the seller for many many years so yeah there’s that.

Yeah very different experience than buying it from a dealer/seller you don't know.

 

[SantaMuerte]

Yeah very different experience than buying it from a dealer/seller you don't know.

Personally never heard horror stories from friends and family buying from dealerships. What i do know though is to stay faaaaaaaar away from Lisa Cars.

 

[PancakesZA]

Personally never heard horror stories from friends and family buying from dealerships. What i do know though is to stay faaaaaaaar away from Lisa Cars.

So many dodgy dealers out there...Even big name franchised dealers.
I know of a few people that got screwed over.

 

[Toxxyc]

Personally never heard horror stories from friends and family buying from dealerships. What i do know though is to stay faaaaaaaar away from Lisa Cars.

I bought a "demo car" from a "reputable dealer". Turned out it was an Avis rental. It was stuffed. Sold it less than a year later. Since then I check out the cars I buy with a microscope.

 

[stacerasus]

Honda Jazz. Find one with low kms in your price range. And whatever you do, don't buy from WeBuyCars or those backyard dealerships. I'll see if I can find something.

I cannot agree more with the suggestion on a Honda Jazz - honestly believe this is the BEST value for money in the second hand market at that price range.
My wife drives a 2012 Jazz that we bought as a demo from Honda Bedfordview in 2013 (it had around 30 000kms on and we paid R130 000 I think) and it is incredibly solid, surprisingly big, nippy and fun to drive little car.

In my experience (I've got 4 friends also driving Jazzs ranging from a 2006 model through to 2016), they are reasonably cheap to maintain, light on fuel, unlikely to break and practical AF!

If I had to replace my beemer for whatever reason (I've got an X1), I'd probably just go find me a Jazz and rock it - love that little car that much.

Don't let the soccer mom vibes associated deter you man, it's a solid car.

 

[Tatty]

If you need to find out anything about a vehicle just let me know, is that R95 000 cash? There are loads of dodgey places in JHB so just be careful as we have seen a few vehicles there that we were interested in but after doing checks it was actually so bad, so many garages also have like 2 or 3 different names.

Feel free to ask me anything as well, I'm an F&I at a 2nd hand dealership.

Are you able to find the history of a vehicle? Like accident history?

 

[EnderZ]

If you need to find out anything about a vehicle just let me know, is that R95 000 cash? There are loads of dodgey places in JHB so just be careful as we have seen a few vehicles there that we were interested in but after doing checks it was actually so bad, so many garages also have like 2 or 3 different names.

Feel free to ask me anything as well, I'm an F&I at a 2nd hand dealership.

Yes it is, I will definitely send you a PM when it comes to the time. Just looking around for now.

 

[EnderZ]

The Jazz is a great car. Also have a look at an i10 Grand but I don't know if you'll find one in your price range.

Avoid the Ford Figo.

Also, whatever you do, don't buy from a backyard dealer. Spend a bit more and buy from a reputable dealership. It will save you time, money and your sanity in the long run.

I love the i10 grand, I drive our neighbors i10 during the week, very comfortable and smooth driving, it's my second choice over the Fiesta.

 

[EnderZ]

Avoid any and all french cars.
Avoid Hijacking targets, Polo/Golf/Ford Ranger (Not only for safety reasons but for insurance cost as well)
Don't buy any BMW/Audi/Mercedes/Volvo in this price range.

Cars to look at:

Hyundai i20/i30
Honda Jazz
Honda Brio (Newer models)
Suzuki swift (Newer models)
Ford Fiesta (Might struggle finding a newer one in this price range)

Hyundai i10 to i30, Fiesta or the Swift are my top choices, they have a nice design, and I love the way they drive. They definitely win the award for the best typical student car.

 

[SILTECH786]

i10 low risk vehicle they dont jack them in a hurry nor use it for any getaway scenarios I would know have national stats at my disposal haha

 

[shamalh]

My advice.. Do your research, not just the generic model, research the engine reliability specific to the model, parts prices too.

Check the regular maintenance items on the car, tyres, shocks any major services too.

This will help you compare prices on different cars so you know if they are like for like and the price is comparable.

 

[mark121m]

Suzuki Swift 3.8ltr/100km
1.2Ltr filled up yesterday 530rand
best i got was 25.3km/ltr (had the car now for 2months)

Electric windows, central locking
Bluetooth (B&W screen) - steering wheel functions for the radio working great
Car has a 3 click function when wanting to change lanes - i like this feature.
smooth comfy drive
695per a month Insurance
3k per a month

bad#
-Going over humps feels like the car is bottoming out.
-engaging on the clutch during higher revvs then normal has some lag to it.
-car doesnt stay clean, airflow on the sides isnt nice
-try not to overload like have 4/5 ppl in the car (you have a stanced car after this is done)

 

[mark121m]

2nd option if you have 5k to spend on the car and 1k insurnace
Nissan Micra 900cc

drove this car for a week.
cruise control , colour display radio, dials is really nice
fuel economy is amazing better then the swift
car has abit more punch but slow to get upto boost.
inside is sooo nice you will love the cabin

in the categories
these were my 2 options
150k
i10, i20(2nd), vw up, aygo, swift

250k
fiesta, polo, i20, figo, micra, mazda2, kia rio

 

[Erohann]

snip/
a stanced car
/snip

Learnt something new today, thanks

 

[CaptainSlow]

pick up a Jazz, i20 or a yaris .

especially if its your first car. you wont regret either when it comes to maintenance or repairs.

you can pick up a decent one on low mileage for your budget. all 3 are cheap to insure too.

trust me, dont get a ford. there is a reason everyone sells it after the waranty and service plan is up.

 

[Shadow]

Are you able to find the history of a vehicle? Like accident history?

I can only found out from roadworthy centres and the traffic. Also it will only be listed if it was reported and if insurance was used, I will also be able to find out which insurance company.