Top 12 Used Best Buys
LET THE FIRST BUYER TAKE THE DEPRECIATION HIT BEFORE YOU SIGN FOR ONE OF THESE GEMS
The criteria:
Vehicles no older than three years, plus one six-year-old moneysaver option.
The context:
Tough market conditions over the last few years have seen manufacturers launch a number of new, keenly priced entry-level vehicles in South Africa. The positive knock-on for consumers looking for used cars is that you are geing a lile more bang for your buck.
The advice:
Following the categories of the main Top 12 Best Buys awards (page 44), here are the cars we think will make sensible second-hand buys in 2019.
01 BUDGET SUZUKI CELERIO 1,0 GA The least expensive new cars have breached the R130 000 price point, so our used ceiling has risen to R110 000. Our best new buy for 2017 and 2018, the Suzuki Celerio, takes the top spot. There is a reasonable supply of used vehicles looking for new owners and all models have anti-lock brakes. 02 SMALL VOLKSWAGEN POLO The fifth-generation Polo was locally manufactured to high standards and is our pick of the bunch. With so many available, you can pick and choose engine and trim levels. While prices peak at over R200 000, there are many within this budget. 03 MIDSIZE TOYOTA COROLLA This new category combines hatchbacks and sedans, as sales of the latter have dwindled in the past decade. The one exception to this trend is the Corolla. For between R190 000 and R230 000, you have a choice of four engines. Luggage capacity is between 416 and 1 112 litres. 04 PREMIUM BMW 3 SERIES The facelifted F30 BMW 3 Series is our pick. Most would be automatic, which is the wiser option, and both quality and driver enjoyment are top notch. The 320i strikes a fine balance at less than R375 000. 05 LUXURY MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS As SUVS continue to dominate this segment, there are fewer saloons arriving on the used-car showroom floors. If your heart is set on a grand sedan, though, look for a Mercedes-benz S-class to impress your friends (and yourself). 06 PERFORMANCE MERCEDES-AMG A45 This vehicle has four-wheel drive to tame the 280 kw and 475 N.m of torque. Lowmileage units are available for less than R600 000 ahead of the vehicle’s replacement later this year. 07 SMALL SUV/CROSSOVER RENAULT DUSTER With two- or four-wheel drive and a choice of economical petrol or diesel engines coupled with excellent dirt-road manners, the previous Duster should be on your shortlist. There is a wide variety on offer but look for one with a full service history. 08 MIDSIZE TOYOTA RAV4 You can’t go wrong with the previous vintage of the Toyota RAV4 at around R300 000. You may have to be happy with a front-wheel-drive 2,0-litre since prices do rise somewhat for the 2,5-litre petrol and 2,2-litre diesel. 09 PREMIUM MIDSIZE SUV/CROSSOVER JAGUAR F-PACE Beautifully proportioned, spacious and a joy to drive, at second-hand prices the F-pace is a far more fierce competitor than when new, where it outprices competitive rivals. Your likely bet here is a 2,0-litre turbodiesel. 10 LARGE TOYOTA FORTUNER The Fortuner does it again. This time you have a choice of the previous-generation 2,5- or 3,0-litre at a lower price point starting at R300 000, or the option of the current 2,4- or the top 2,8-litre diesel models if your cap is R450 000. 11 LUXURY BMW X5 With the latest X5 just released, we are reminded of the impressive lineage of these premium SUVS. There are a great number of 30d models for sale at R800 000 with impressively low mileages and indulgently high spec levels. 12 DOUBLE FORD RANGER Ford Rangers have been selling strongly and the used-car market now has a plentiful supply of the most recent version. Prices are rather keen and run the gamut of specification levels and engine options.