r/CarTalkZA

Hi everyone, help needed please.
We have a 7 month old baby and have decided we desperately need to upgrade from our 2019 grand i10, for space and safety.
We would be buying cash and top of the budget is 550k. The top priority is safety wanting a 5 star score. An SUV for space for the family. Reliability and durability wanting something we can drive for 15 years, but easy maintenance. As good fuel economy as reasonably possible, currently commuting PTA East to Randburg 2/3 times a week.
We do want leather seats and a rear camera.
Is a hybrid a good option or will that cost too much down the line with battery maintenance and replacement?

Currently have looked at the Corolla cross, but a bit worried about the high jack risk.
Do I look at that or a Chinese car new or something else second hand rather?

All help very appreciated.

Hi. I Ideallv want to spend 350k approx. Current top contenders are new Suzuki Across 1.5GL and demo Honda Elevate 1.5 Elegance.

Any other options?

I prioritise long term reliability. Must be a family car.

Thanks. Any opinions or recommendations are welcome

Good Afternoon everyone, I would like to know your opinion on the Tata Taigo, im looking to purchase a new car and also if you have other options please advise. Thank you

Howzit

As the title states - looking to buy a used car and want to understand if there are advantages to buying a 2nd hand car from a franchise as opposed to other used car dealerships? Also does it matter if you buy a used car from a franchise dealership of the same brand?

Asking because I was about to buy a car from Weelee, but had a View4You report that found an accident that was never disclosed by the salesperson so now I am trying to find out if it's worth sticking with franchise dealerships

Thanks!

Hi guys. I’m curious, how important is a sunroof / panoramic sunroof in your decision when buying new or used? I see so many guys posting photos with sunroofs open, but when I had one hardly used it. Plus cars like Toyota hardly offer them, you have to step up to models near BMW in price.

Edit:
Forgot about the Asians:
- Honda Civic Type R ( still available at R1m+)
- Civic RS (R700k - Not a bad alternative just never seen any around)
- Subaru WRX STI
- Nissan 350/370z

I obviously understand that there’s inflation, interest rates, economies, salaries blah blah.

But I feel that you just can’t walk into a franchise dealership and buy an affordable performance car off the floor.

In 2026. You can have a:
- Polo GTI (R600k)
- Golf GTI / R (R700k - R1m+)
- S3 / RS3 (R1m+)
- M135i (R1m+)
- GR86 (R900k+)
- GR Corolla (R900k - R1m+)
- GR Yaris (R900k+)

Cars that have been killed off or discontinued:
- BMW 128ti
- M140i
- Megane RS
- Focus ST / RS
- Fiesta ST
- Clio RS
- Megane RS
- RunX
- 308 GTI
- Corsa / Astra OPC
- Hyundai i30N

Edit- Forgot to Add:
- A35 / A45 AMG

I’m 25 now, and I remember going with my brother to pick up his new 7.5 GTI. It was around R500k brand new and relatively affordable at the time.

Most people on a decent salary could afford them and subsequently our roads soon became flooded with the 7/7.5 GTI & R. (Not to mention the street cred)

Fast forward a couple years and a new 8.5 GTI costs around R800k - R900k.

The target market can’t afford it and the market that can afford it doesn’t want it.

(Assuming we’re all making good financial decisions LOL)

But realistically, a majority of people that can afford a 900k-1m car will probably buy a bakkie or SUV to haul the family around in. Any higher in the tax bracket and people are moving into M3s, AMGs or Porsches.

Honourable Exception
- The Suzuki Swift Sport (R400k+)

Is that it? Only 1 car on our market that can deliver a fun drive under 500k that’s not a hybrid family crossover?

Hi all,

I am a complete novice when it comes to buying cars and I recently got burned on a purchase of a Merc A45 that has now made me somewhat paranoid in buying my next car.

Long story short, I am looking at a 2023 RS3, low mileage, 26 000km's still under plan till 2028.

I pulled a paid report on it and noticed that there was a claim for an accident that happened in 2024 when the car only had 1355km's - here is a screen grab from the report:

https://preview.redd.it/2k32048yf6bh1.png?width=877&format=png&auto=webp&s=4af879bc78be912c508c638044094230e9931160

I asked Audi to give me a full report on the car from their system which they did, they told me that there are no flags on their system for the vehicle. I won't share the whole thing for brevity but here is a snippet of their records around the time this happened:

https://preview.redd.it/8f1gcnf9g6bh1.png?width=852&format=png&auto=webp&s=9cf59b77782120d5f8582fcc6b163ff80d995b4a

Warranty claims for this period (the odometer reading of 35724 is a typo I suspect by the Audi tech):

https://preview.redd.it/23vcjfndg6bh1.png?width=853&format=png&auto=webp&s=b36d46af0aa0c92318fe53b465b5cb5554715aff

The car itself looks great and the price is fair. I have asked the dealership to get an 80 point check done by Audi and send me the report - they agreed to it.

Just some things strike me as odd and wanted to pick peoples more experienced brains here. The "accident" happened according to the report at 1355km's in May 2024, the next service was Aug 2024, 3 months later and the car only did 1km?

I am trying to understand the damage report, its basically saying that the car got hit from almost every angle, meaning it was involved in something serious? Is there any other possible explanation? I don't know how these reports are constructed. It also reports mechanical, what defines mechanical - I assume if a steering arm needed to be replaced as an example that would be mechanical? Just trying to assess how serious this could be.

Any other insight on this would be appreciated.

Hi all, first time poster on this great sub. Looking for some advice from those with experience on buying older vehicles.

I need a new car for the family and I've identified a 2018 BMW X1 for a good price with all the extras (M sport, sunroof etc). This particular model is a 20d. I've never owned a diesel but have heard great things about this engine.

My only concern is the mileage, which is about 135 000km. This may not seem high to some but I've never bought a vehicle with such high mileage before. This car seems well maintained with full franchise service history.

My question is whether there are any risks with buying a vehicle with mileage this high, or am I being paranoid? Amy thoughts would be appreciated

I am looking at purchasing an old 86.

How dumb is this financially?

The specific one I am looking at is a 2012, with 135 000 km on it.

Going for R239 000.

I understand these cars would have been driven with some vigour.

You would hope enthusiasts who buy these cars would maintain them well though.

But at 14 years the car is becoming quite old.

I want something fun without breaking the bank.

What type of maintenance costs could one expect from these?

I am not concerned about the lack of practicality, I don't need it.

Any input will be greatly appreciated.

I drive a JAC T9, where can I buy custom fitted car mats, I see it's all over the place now, lot of businesses selling it, with different perspectives and selling points, so just want to buy right the first time, open to thoughts...because it is expensive, does it actually help with resale?

With the popularity of Chery as well as the many Jetour, Oomoda and more. I am curious those who own a Chinese car, how is it going?

Do you regret it? If so why? If not why?

What did you wish you knew before buying one or why would you encourage someone to get the same?

Do you use it for city driving only? do you go to the bush as well? is it hardy or will it fall apart at the first pothole?

Hows the fuel consumption going? I hear Chery cross and Tiggo 4 can be quite heavy.

Would love to hear the reviews that are not a car magazine but experience.

I know spares are a nightmare but apparently that is happening across all brands as well.

I'm wanting to improve the sound isolation in my car, specifically wheel wells and door cars, possibly fire wall and floor. Are there any recommendations for places that can help with the installation Cape Town/SWest side?

Hello car peeps of SA!

I've been lurking this sub for a while, and I would like some honest opinions on a purchase I want to make.

It's a 2012 Figo with 120 000km on the clock for R75,000.

I've seen a few Figos in this price range and sometimes a bit less/more. The one I'm looking at has an amazing interior and exterior condition, and my personal mechanic took a look and could not find anything obviously wrong mechanically.

The biggest pro is probably that I don't have to make debt for this, but it's obviously an older car.

Do you think this is a good choice?

Any recommendations on reputable places to get ppf installed on a CX5?

Would appreciate some feedback.

I currently commute between Paarl and Stellenbosch, and go via the Helshoogte Pass. Hardly spend any time in traffic—get to work, and then the car remains parked until I head home again. I will occasionally drive into town (Paarl) over weekends for a shop at one of the local malls, but not far/frequently. Very occasionally drive around our housing estate, where the speed limit is 40 km/h.

My understanding(?) is that a hybrid really comes into its own when you are in traffic, or if I worked from home, and spent plenty of time driving around the estate (given the speed limit). But I don't. So, would that long trip (+/- 30-35 km) in the morning and evening, with a not-insignificant climb up the Helshoogte, really be a good use scenario for the hybrid?

Surely that smaller engine (when not on battery power) is now pulling the heavier car (with the hybrid battery) up the pass, and therefore it's not really seeing efficiency in terms of fuel consumption? Sure there is regenerative braking (I presume) on the way down, but again—I'm not really spending any time in traffic with stop-start driving, before getting to work?

Currently rocking a 2019 Toyota Corolla D4D (diesel), with over 100k on the clock (but with extended service plan). Nothing special, but a solid engine. Only thing I would really enjoy from a newer car, would be CarPlay. That, and savings on fuel—but that's the crux of my query: Not sure this is likely, given my weekly commute?

Any ideas?

I'm looking at buying a recent used car from a dealer (cash purchase). The price seems good.

Although the car looks pretty clean (full service history, basic VIN check, test drive), I still planned an independent pre-purchase inspection for next week, just to be safe.

The dealer isn't willing to hold the vehicle without an Offer to Purchase because there are other interested buyers, which is understandable.

So it basically comes down to this: if I want to avoid another buyer snapping up the car early next week, I need to sign the OTP first thing monday morning, one day before my inspection was/is planned. Not ideal...

The salesperson says they'd allow me to back out of the OTP if the inspection isn't satisfactory, but that isn't part of their standard form—it's just a verbal reassurance.

Signing the contract outright without any written protection seems a bit risky. So I'm considering asking for a separate signed addendum (or signed email) stating that I may cancel the OTP if the inspection report is unsatisfactory to me. No idea whether they'd agree to this.

Am I looking at this the wrong way? What would you do in my position?

Or if anyone has been in a similar situation:

• Did your dealer agree to an inspection (or whatever else) addendum or even a clause within the OTP?
• If not, have you ever signed an OTP and later cancelled? Did the dealer accept it, or was it messy?