STYLISH ECONOMY
HI Morgan,
I am in the market for a new car something under R200 000 for my wife and two young kids.
Fuel consumption and safety are the main decision factors but my wife also wants something with a bit of style which I know is not easy to find at the price.
She quite likes the new Kia Rio 1.4-litre but we are also considering the Nissan Micra 1.5-litre Tekna or the Suzuki Swift.
Can you help us? Greg Siddall, Edenvale
Hi Greg, You said fuel consumption is important but you haven’t mentioned any diesel models.
The Chevrolet Sonic 1.3-litre diesel and the Polo 1.2-litre Bluemotion are both economical and offer a sporty drive.
The Micra is also available with a diesel engine at a very competitive price.
Of the petrol models the Nissan Micra’s big 1.5-litre engine is the most powerful but the car’s styling and interior build quality look a bit passé against its modern competition.
The Suzuki Swift handles very well and though the engine has been downsized from a 1.5-litre to a 1.4-litre it’s almost identical in performance with better economy.
The interior has also been refreshed to feature slightly more passenger space and new mod cons like USB and a more advanced climate-control system.
The Kia Rio is my recommendation because it’s the most spacious and has the largest boot. It’s also the best visual package while the interior features are among the best in its class. The 1.4-litre engine isn’t as zippy as the Swift or Micra but is adequate, while the six-speed manual gearbox will reduce the fuel bills on the open road.
If you want even more space and a powerful petrol engine take a look at the latest Hyundai Accent.
Dear Morgan, I’m a new buyer and I’m clueless about what to look for when buying a new car.
Please give me the ins and outs to consider in getting my new car as this will be the biggest decision I have made in my life. Lebo Sefelo, Irene
Dear Lebo, This can be a daunting process and sales people will always tell you what you want to hear.
You need to decide what is important: performance, spaciousness, economy or safety? Then you need to decide whether you want a petrol or a diesel engine and a manual or an automatic transmission.
By setting these guidelines you will eliminate a lot of cars, leaving only the ones you need to do further homework on.
Next step is to look at the cost of insurance for that particular vehicle
– look out for any deals dealerships might be offering.
It’s also important to see what service and warranty plan is sold with the vehicle and the convenience of the dealership to your home or work place when your car needs to go in.
Don’t be in a rush and don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you need to.