Used Car reccomendations?

[Gleu]

Hi everyone. I need your help please.

My mom wants an automatic transmission vehicle. She is hoping for a small SUV but open to other suggestions.

Only real issue is her budget.
She has around 100k. Could probably go up to 115k absolute Max. I don't know what cars to look out for within this budget.

Age etc doesn't matter.
I think reliability is the main concern. Especially at that price point, even a CR-V would be very high mileage and maybe not viable.

Can you guys suggest some options?

 

[Signor65]

Honda Jazz is pretty noice to be honest, and should be close to that price range.

 

[Nyt Ryda]

R100k, for an SUV, with an auto gearbox, in Knysna. Probably not going to happen.

Even the Honda Jazz is going to be 10-15 years old with 130000km-170000km in JHB and CPT.

Autotrader's cheapest Knysna vehicle is a 12 year old Fiat 500X Auto with 122000km for R109k and I wouldn't touch that at all.

 

[Gleu]

R100k, for an SUV, with an auto gearbox, in Knysna. Probably not going to happen.

Even the Honda Jazz is going to be 10-15 years old with 130000km-170000km in JHB and CPT.

Autotrader's cheapest Knysna vehicle is a 12 year old Fiat 500X Auto with 122000km for R109k and I wouldn't touch that at all

I'm in Knysna but she's from Limpopo and close to Gauteng border.

 

[Nyt Ryda]

I'm in Knysna but she's from Limpopo and close to Gauteng border.

Even worse, you'll not be able to inspect the car for her.

 

[Gleu]

Even worse, you'll not be able to inspect the car for her.

She has lots of family there who can, it's not an issue.
Just need vehicle suggestions.

 

[Nyt Ryda]

She has lots of family there who can, it's not an issue.
Just need vehicle suggestions.

Renault Duster, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage.
Avoid Jeep, Chev, anything German, anything with a CVT gearbox that's not a Toyota or Honda (aka Nissan, Mitsubishi and Subaru).

At that mileage and age there's a very high chance of buying a dud, good luck.

 

[KangarooMike]

I bought a 2008 Subaru Forester XT auto in 2022 from the devil himself (WBC)

I had an OK buying experience. I got it for 72k after fees
110k km and in decent condition (already had a replacement turbo)
I then did a major service on it (13K)

I now have 130k on the clock and it is a very nice car to drive
It does not have a CVT (4EAT 4 speed)
It gets around 10l/100km with average driving but if you are careful you can get to 8.5L mixed city and highway, if you are not careful (or like going fast) you can get 15l/100

I have not driven the N/A ones (xs) but those will be even more bullet proof but slower

P.S
For context I have put about 3000km towing cars and 600km of track time and she runs well. All I have replaced is a wheel bearing and 1 suspension bushing but you will get that running semi slicks on 15 year old suspension

 

[yourang]

I bought a 2008 Subaru Forester XT auto in 2022 from the devil himself (WBC)

I had an OK buying experience. I got it for 72k after fees
110k km and in decent condition (already had a replacement turbo)
I then did a major service on it (13K)

I now have 130k on the clock and it is a very nice car to drive
It does not have a CVT (4EAT 4 speed)
It gets around 10l/100km with average driving but if you are careful you can get to 8.5L mixed city and highway, if you are not careful (or like going fast) you can get 15l/100

I have not driven the N/A ones (xs) but those will be even more bullet proof but slower

P.S
For context I have put about 3000km towing cars and 600km of track time and she runs well. All I have replaced is a wheel bearing and 1 suspension bushing but you will get that running semi slicks on 15 year old suspension

You be replacing head gasket very soon

 

[skyscraper116]

If she isn't set on a SUV, I can highly recommend the Suzuki Swift. Yes it is more than 100k but damn. Fuel efficient, got some oomph for a car it's size, safe and not low to the ground like a Polo Vivo or another Hatchback. Plus I recently did a 60000km service which worked out to just under 2.5 at the Clearwater dealership.

I got a 2021 model but the previous versions should be reliable as well granted you get a decent one.

 

[shavenmotley]

If she isn't set on a SUV, I can highly recommend the Suzuki Swift. Yes it is more than 100k but damn. Fuel efficient, got some oomph for a car it's size, safe and not low to the ground like a Polo Vivo or another Hatchback. Plus I recently did a 60000km service which worked out to just under 2.5 at the Clearwater dealership.

I got a 2021 model but the previous versions should be reliable as well granted you get a decent one.

Suzuki Swift… safe? 😅

 

[KangarooMike]

Suzuki Swift… safe?

Safe against a truck, no, but neither would those SUV's be safe
Safe against normal traffic (excluding the enormous bakkies built in the last 5 years), yes.

I do have one problem with the auto swifts. Their gearboxes suck. So uninspiring and uncertain on shifts. I know a few people that like them but most absolutely hate them, and they are not car people either. If I were to compare it to something it would be the following. Imagine a brand new driver trying to shift a manual car, slow, unsure and hesitant of what to do, that is what it feels like.

 

[BlueCrayon]

I doubt you will find what you're looking for at that price.

I would suggest a mazda 2 Auto, they last forever and are light on fuel.

 

[AntonG]

If she isn't set on a SUV, I can highly recommend the Suzuki Swift. Yes it is more than 100k but damn. Fuel efficient, got some oomph for a car it's size, safe and not low to the ground like a Polo Vivo or another Hatchback. Plus I recently did a 60000km service which worked out to just under 2.5 at the Clearwater dealership.

I got a 2021 model but the previous versions should be reliable as well granted you get a decent one.

My GF has one - i didn't like the look of it at all initially but as she insist i do all the driving when we use her car it has seriously impressed me.

So much so i'm thinking of getting one for my eldest who will start driving in the far too soon future (*terrified screaming*)

 

[Arkhamknight88]

My advice being in motor spares for a long time is hyundai or kia or suzuki. Parts are easy and maintenance is cheaper than most other brands.

 

[souljazk]

If she isn't set on a SUV, I can highly recommend the Suzuki Swift. Yes it is more than 100k but damn. Fuel efficient, got some oomph for a car it's size, safe and not low to the ground like a Polo Vivo or another Hatchback. Plus I recently did a 60000km service which worked out to just under 2.5 at the Clearwater dealership.

I got a 2021 model but the previous versions should be reliable as well granted you get a decent one.

Ex had 1, my cousin (female) had the sport one and both of them were really happy with the car over all - reliable, maint was fair, fuel consumption was decent to good etc. I personally dont like the look of the car - too feminine - but thats prob who they are targeting.

 

[TheJudge]

I think @SteveIndeed has lots of Swift experience.

 

[TheJudge]

Just remember that old SUVs will still cost a bit to service. Before we ditched our 2013 Qashqai with just under 200k km we did maintenance which ended up at around R40k.

A fuel pump and sender unit for one iirc is around R11k before install (an X-Trail has two pumps) and cost the same as it cost me to replace my Polo Clutch.

Proper tyres for them cost more as well, think we dropped around R10k plus on four a few years back on a special. Polo cost around R5k I think.

If you're gonna buy a bigger vehicle second hand your budget should have an associated repair fund else it'll be a driveway ornament.

 

[SteveIndeed]

Thanks @TheJudge. I would happily recommend a 2012-2017 Swift Sport to anyone. Epic, epic little cars. Light on juice, lots of power when needed, a joy to drive, easy in traffic and tremendously simple - because there's no turbo. The only trouble is the lack of space. It is NOT a family car.

Been a happy owner of my 2013 Sport since 2015 and don't regret my decision at all. In your budget, you'll be able to find a slightly older Swift, perhaps a 2012 model.

DO NOT BUY THE 1.2! They're horrifically (Indian) built and rust just as badly.

If you want Swift reliability but more space, get an SX4 from the same era. It's basically a Swift that someone attached to a tyre pump.