Car Buying Advice (First Bought Car)

[SynicalFox]

So I'm at the stage where I'm looking at purchasing my first owned vehicle (not my first car but first I'll own).

I'm looking for some advice and open to consideration on what to get.
I'll provide all details below to go off of:

Location: based in Durban (KZN)
Preferred mileage: Under 130000km
Preferred year: 2016 or newer (planning to keep the vehicle for up to 5 years)

Current Daily Driver:	VW Up 2018 1.0 Move Up
Pro's	Con's
Driver Package (Average fuel usage, distance travelled, time travelled, distance to refuel, etc.	Size / Boot Space
Cruise control	Engine Size and Performance (Easy to push the limits especially on highway commutes)
Hill Assist
Highly economical (6.2l/100km for urban & 5l/100km for highway)

Cars of interest:
BMW 118i / 120i
Ford Ecosport 1.5tdci
Ford Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost

Cars driven:
Polo Sedan 2017 1.6 Trendline
Honda Jazz 2018 1.2 (This thing has less power than my Up)
Ford EcoSport 2015 1.5tdci Titanium
Ford Fiesta 2005 1.4

I want to stick to a hatchback/SUV shape as much as possible but open to others like fastback/sedan.

Due to location I'm looking to avoid high risk vehicles like the Polo / Polo Vivo's.

TL : DR - I want something that feels more powerful/engaging with a bit more space than the VW Up between R180k - R250k)

 

[SynicalFox]

Updated with a table to make it easier to read and a Bolder TL : DR!

 

[brakpanpolisie]

@SynicalFox have you checked out the Honda Jazz 1.5 Sport models?
Should give you a lot more power and combined with the Jazz's Magic Seats make for a really practical small car.
We've had about 4x Honda's in our family and they are supremely reliable, only reason for the change was upgrade due to age.
Good luck!

 

[disipher]

Dont buy high end second hand in that price range, that BMWs repairs costs are kak, my Audi clutch was 32K including labour after 80K on the clock, even VW to be honest, anything German. The Honda Jazz is really good for what you get, also the Kia's. Japanese, Korean. Try avoid the Indian and Chinese Brands unless you are going brand new.

 

[bythecantloads]

Boot space on an EcoSport is non existent, unless if you put down the seats and then you might as well just buy an M6 cabriolet.

 

[Some_Guy21]

Have you looked at the Mazda 2? Or the Cx-3 also.

 

[disipher]

Boot space on an EcoSport is non existent, unless if you put down the seats and then you might as well just buy an M6 cabriolet.

that escalted quickly ...haha

 

[SynicalFox]

@SynicalFox have you checked out the Honda Jazz 1.5 Sport models?
Should give you a lot more power and combined with the Jazz's Magic Seats make for a really practical small car.
We've had about 4x Honda's in our family and they are supremely reliable, only reason for the change was upgrade due to age.
Good luck!

I didn't realise they had a sport model.
I'll have a look into it.

Dont buy high end second hand in that price range, that BMWs repairs costs are kak, my Audi clutch was 32K including labour after 80K on the clock, even VW to be honest, anything German. The Honda Jazz is really good for what you get, also the Kia's. Japanese, Korean. Try avoid the Indian and Chinese Brands unless you are going brand new.

Yeah, that's one of my concerns. I have looked into maintenance and running costs and would be able to judge fine for that but I've heard repairs can end up being costly but this is due to the nature of the parts used. They aren't cheap cars in any case.
As for the Honda Jazz, seems to be reccomended a lot and for good reason. We have one in the family and personally it's a great car for practicality and probably reliability. However it's not at all engaging and the 1.2 model we have has less power than my up. So I'm sort out leaning away from them at the point.
All in all thanks for the tip!

Boot space on an EcoSport is non existent, unless if you put down the seats and then you might as well just buy an M6 cabriolet.

Yeah it actually is quite measly for the size of the car. However it's still an upgrade from the Up.

Have you looked at the Mazda 2? Or the Cx-3 also.

I actually forgot to mention that. I have been browsing these and even the 3 series.
Mazda seems like a Japanese BMW with the interior styling. Just curious to see what performance on these is like.
I've heard reliability is fairly great as well (being a Japanese car and all).

Thanks for the feedback so far!

 

[mea407]

Have a look at the Suzuki Swift Sport and last model of the Toyota Auris 1.6

 

[Spiritzz]

I bought a 2013 Audi A3 1.8T Quattro for R230K a few years ago. Still had like 1.5 years of warranty and service plan and was on around 85k KM. I guess car prices have rocketed, and I know I got a deal, but hell I wouldn't settle for a Ford for that money :L

 

[Hobo Joe]

Dont buy high end second hand in that price range, that BMWs repairs costs are kak, my Audi clutch was 32K including labour after 80K on the clock, even VW to be honest, anything German. The Honda Jazz is really good for what you get, also the Kia's. Japanese, Korean. Try avoid the Indian and Chinese Brands unless you are going brand new.

If you only use the dealerships for servicing and maintenance, then you will always get shafted. I've owed an Audi S3 for 6 years now and it costs me less to maintain than my dad's Honda Civic that he used to service at Honda.

There are plenty of RMI approved workshops and garages that I would personally trust far more than any manufacturer dealership.

Real-life examples:

• Audi charge R4k+ for an oil change service... I get it done for R2k at a performance workshop (this is usually annually, or bi-annually if you do lots of mileage), and this includes more items changed/serviced than Audi do at their service intervals.
• Audi wanted to charge me R20-30k for front discs and brake pads, I bought the parts and including labour, spent about R5k; again at an RMI approved workshop.
• I broke my rear diff a while back and Audi quoted R90k just for the part, excluding labour... bought the part and had it fitted for around R10k all inclusive.

@OP TL;DR - If you are semi-knowledgeable about cars in general, you will be just fine even with a high-performance/high-end vehicle in your price range... Just be willing to do some research. However on the other hand if you prefer dealer maintenance and servicing; definitely stay away from anything German, out of motorplan.

 

[Snyder777]

@SynicalFox I have a 2016 Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost Titanium. It has been an absolute DREAM these last few years. 0 issues and one of the smoothest cars I have driven. Sure, when people think 1l cars, they assume they are slow. But this car is so nippy I honestly have no trouble putting pace when needed. Super comfortable on long drives and effortless to just put cruise control on drive.

Also, no problems with pushing engine on highway commutes. I genuinely believe this car can be a rocket if you want and have no problems. Plus, fuel economy is pretty impossible to beat with other cars. Average around 6ish in the city, and 4.2-5 on highway commutes. Can get roughly 750km from its tank on a long drive - which I got this December.

Personally have 0 issue with boot space and have found it is all the space I have needed. Recently took a trip from JHB to Cape St Francis, and was able to fit my bag and wifes bags in the boot no prob. Worst case if you have extra luggage I find it can just slip between the passenger seat and driver chair no prob.

I'm in the process of selling mine if you are interested? Know you in Durbs and I'm in JHB but that could always be tackled if the convo led to you liking the car.

Only reason I am selling is because I have 6ft 7, and decided my love for hatchbacks will need to come to an end as I start a family, and will need to get a 'family' car for the foreseeable future. But the fact that I am 6ft 7 and drive this car with no problems, is a feat in itself.

Anyway, highly recommend this car. It is the best of both worlds: Fast and nippy due to turbo, and highly fuel economic. Great car
Pop me a DM if you want to find out more info