5 Cheap cars under R4000pm with insurance

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kingr
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5 Cheap cars under R4000pm with insurance

Post by kingr »

Amid all of the escalating costs and also frequently high new-car costs in South Africa, is it possible to still buy a great car and pay it off affordably without balloon payments and big deposits? Is every car inevitably an over-expenditure? Thankfully, as we’ll demonstrate below, it’s possible to shop the private used car market and, if you have a little bit of info and do some homework on what to look for, still pick up a great car on a very manageable deal.

Related: 3 Cons Of Balloon Payment Finance


Interest rates and insurance costs differ for all of us, based on age and other determinants. Understanding that, we can nonetheless average out the customary inputs any privately financed deal would include. With the cars below, we have adopted an annual interest rate of some 13.55 percent and allowed for R300pm towards an extended warranty. We’ve also taken car insurance of R900pm as being an average across the board, although individual profiles will determine costs here, especially if you’ve been fond of changing cars by crashing the old one!

Finally and most importantly, we’ve assumed a purchase budget of no more than R128,000, and this figure has been finely tuned, for the purposes of the article, as we arrived at it through documenting real-world, recent deals that Wheel Index has concluded. So this is fact, this happened, and in spite of our anticipation at seeing the bottom section of the market squeezed, while looking through a few years’ figures, we have to admit that there’s still hope!

The monthly debit on all five of these cars, looking at average resale prices, would be around R3100 on finance with an extended warranty, and R900 for insurance, making for a monthly total of R4000.

Financed over 60 months, with no deposit and no balloon payment attached to the deal, here follow five great cars you can afford and expect to give great value for money, and a fair touch of style too.

2012 Volkswagen Polo 1.4 Comfortline 5dr Manual
Average private selling price: R120,000

Although all of these cars are hatches, sedan models from various manufacturers also float in and out of this price range at times, but “hatch” has come to define modern style and sporty performance for many motorists. South Africa is also the international Polo playground, being the only right-hand drive Polo maker in the world, and here we seem to just love this zippy all-rounder from Germany.

Smart shoppers will look out for the 1.4 Comfortline versions of this year, as improvements and extra touches littered this model. Buying at around R120,000, cars are generally in a good condition and also give the feel of a luxury vehicle in many places. Improved power steering on previous models is a pleasure, while the cars are fairly economical to drive too. With 63 kW of power, you won’t be the fastest to overtake, but who needs all that power anyway in our congested cities? Fuel economy on these 1.4’s are excellent, your wallet be smiling from the savings!

With chiseled front headlights, a more imposing and less “cute” shape, Comfortline models also have alloy wheels, power wing mirrors, electric windows throughout and fog lamps. The multi-function leather steering wheel and AC complete the feeling of snug zippiness so enigmatic of Polos.

Due to the popularity of Polo’s in SA, you won’t have a problem selling this car and even getting a good trade-in offer when you decide to change cars in the future, making this is a great all-round car!

2013 Kia Rio 1.4 Tec 5dr Manual
Average private selling price: R118,000

A finalist for car of the year in 2013 and full of luxury touches, this little hatch from Kia established the automaker as a committed presence in South Africa. Pitching within the highly competitive modern hatchback space, this model is economical to run, zippy enough (79 kW) for most and a straight-up competitive offer to many others in the category.

It has a surprisingly good interior, at least meeting or exceeding the designs of its competitors. A leather steering wheel, AC and automatic wipers and lights often surprise those a little out of touch with this manufacturer. Great LED running lights, electric side mirrors and windows, as well as a smart interior design means that there are lots of luxury touches and more than enough legroom.

Economy is among the highest for its class, and Kia had the stated aim of marrying economy with style in the production of this hatch. Not hard to find secondhand, the cars retain a modern look and feel, with enough handling, cornering and other sass to appeal even to those who demand a bit of a kick from A to B.

2012 Audi A1 1.4T FSI Attraction 3dr Manual
Average Private selling price: R120,000

Yes, it’s true, any A1 looks smaller inside than its maker’s Golfs or Polos, but that solid Audi feel and promise of being a pocket-rocket makes it all worthwhile! Packing 90 kW, this is one fast little hatch that will see you blasting past others on your daily commute. The A1 is for many the definitive sassy hatch, and what can one say about any modern Audi model?

With no compromise on interior Audi luxury, this A1 more than maintains the brand’s reputation and is certainly far more suited to city living than many of the bigger sedans. It’s nippy and superbly engineered, and the interior trim and electronic subtleties are also copious.

Although you might occasionally find an older A3 model in this price range, an all-round marriage of performance and price comes home in this A1 model. Literally a mini version of its more posh sedans, the A1 is decidedly sporty and has enough kick and handling to push you back in the seat at times. The A1 came with a 100 000km or five-year maintenance plan, so you’ll likely be able to pick up a very well cared for car with all required maintenance done, when shopping for a used A1.

2013 Mini One 1.6 Manual
Average private selling price: R120,000

In spite of only subtly different looks, when this model emerged as the improvement on its predecessors, it lived up to the promise. The 2013 model came with an improved drive chain and a zesty engine co-developed with Peugeot-Citroen, producing 72 kW. The Mini One 2013 not only upheld the manufacturer’s reputation for sprinty little hatches, it improved upon them.

Smart inside, with a remarkable comfort not anticipated by some who view the cars as small overall, you can find this model with loads of electronics and paddle-shift gears too. Although Minis have earned a reputation as high-jinks city runarounds, there is a lot of genuinely good engineering behind this model particularly. Looking at our cost considerations, you can insure and buy an extended warranty for one of these dynamos all within budget. Looking past the fashionable label, the Mini One is a gutsy hatch that provides years of comfortable driving.

Much like the Audi A1, this model typically came with 100,000km or five-year maintenance plan, so you will also likely be able to find a looked-after car with the needed maintenance having been performed over the years.

2013 Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost Titanium 5-dr Manual
Average private selling price: R125,000

We’ve reviewed this car before, and Ford’s 3-cylinder little wonder engine has found wide, successful application across the automaker’s range to date.

A different take on things, the 1lt turbocharged engine competes remarkably well against many 1.6lt models, and is both economical and comfortable to drive. As solid as a Polo, for example, in all the right ways, this model features hill-hold and a supremely well engineered chassis. Although it’s not a chicanes racer, handling is good because of the design work, and inside this Fiesta is quality too. Mostly hard plastics, the interior is nonetheless stylish and with extensive electronics on mirrors and windows and the Ford SYNC system, driving is a pleasure.

Related: Ford Fiesta EcoBoost Review

Seven airbags come as standard, and there’s no reason to let the young target market have all the fun! With steering wheel controls, central locking and a surprisingly deep boot, this hatch has become popular for good, legitimate reasons.

Conclusion

There is still a large contingent of South African motorists unaware of the sea of options the private car market can provide, with a very smart, upmarket top end where you can pick up a very smart, well maintained car.

In summary, all five of these cars depicted above can be found in great condition, within the budget and metrics outlined in this snapshot. While many might assume that a purchase price of around R128,000 is too low, the reality is that it’s commonplace for you to be able to pick up one of these fine hatches, within budget, covered by insurance and a motoring warranty, all for around R4000pm.

Related: Guide To Buying A Car Privately In SA
Kurt #3337

Current:
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