Small, yet comfortable

ECONOMICAL: SUZUKI CELERIO WON’T BREAK THE BANK TO GET YOU THERE Only problem is the Bluetooth interface is not so user-friendly.

If you’re a young professional in Gauteng, invariably chronically busy and broke like me, you have probably found yourself in the dreadful tornado of stupid suggestions, adverts and mom’s opinion on what your first car should be.

The market for entry level cars is inundated with tiny hatchbacks claiming to be perfectly apt for the notoriously heavy traffic conditions on the dreary daily commute to and from work.

Dealerships might throw in words like “fuel-efficient”, “snazzy” and “zippy” and other terms from the 90s. The dirtiest word, I was told, was “used”. And in my journey to finding a dirt-cheap, brand new car (in real life), I was given an opportunity to drive a 2015 Suzuki Celerio.

Of course, I had already been through the entire cycle of doom, test-driving cars I couldn’t afford, staring into the abyss of despair and public transport when I was handed the keys.

It looked good enough not to be downright ugly (based on the impossibly high standards of broke middle-class Joburgers) and I suppose grey is a colour between stylish and bland, so I felt confident enough as I hit the N14 heading for Centurion.

I was sure my friends would approve of my “purchase” and I needed a second opinion. The Celerio is purported to have an operating range of 750km from a single 35-litre tank.

I don’t have a big enough social life to cover that in seven days, but my full tank, which was valued at around R450, lasted me the whole week. I mostly drove to and from work.

In fact, it would have lasted even longer had I not taken an impromptu joy-ride on the Randfontein road towards Krugersdorp one morning, because I simply loved how comfortable I felt behind the wheel.

For a small car, it handles speed well, which is to say it doesn’t feel like I’m about to veer off the road when I reach R120km/h.

What did my friends think? Screw them, they hated it, because in Joburg, the pressure is immediately on, when you start working, to drive luxury brands, even if your fridge has more empty space than your boot.

A brand-new Suzuki Celerio 1.0 GL will set you back around R150 000. Coupled with the low fuel consumption, this would translate to a far more affordable option than say a VW Polo Hatch or Hyundai Grand i10, which promise you the same things for more.

On the way back, my USB – filled with shamefully cheesy 90s hits – brought the interior to life. The sound system is great for drowning out the rude speed-demons on the freeway.

I tried connecting my phone to the car’s Bluetooth, but to be honest the interface is less userfriendly than that of its competitors. I had to stop at a garage to get it right and make a call.

I don’t know how engines work and I kind of know why safety features like ABS are important, but I want a cheap car I can respect. Arrogant BMW drivers will try to bully you out of their lanes, but at least you can park between two poorly aligned SUVs at Spar.

Traffic cops seem to pity you as they wave you by to stop the arrogant Porsche Cayenne mom behind you. You pose no threat, you’re rarely ever out of petrol and hijackers probably didn’t even see you go by (they want those luxury brands, you see).

Perhaps this could be you, young, broke Joburger, it could very well be you. – simnikiweh@ citizen.co.za