Finding the best wheels for your needs
DEAR Edwin
I want to buy a Ford Focus 1.6 and would like to know if it is a good buy. I also intend trading it in after two years and want to know if I will get a good deal out of it. The car I am looking at is going for R247 000. Please advise. – Dawn Zwane Dear Dawn The Ford Focus 1.6 is in a class of its own in terms of performance and quality.
A feather in its bonnet is the fact that it was recently named as the world’s bestselling passenger car. Given the tough competition, the new Focus 1.0 EcoBoost is said to be more powerful than the first-generation Ford Focus with a 1.6-litre engine from less than 10 years ago producing 47% less carbon dioxide, showing that the ongoing development indeed has positive spin-offs for motorists. More than 1 million Focus owners around the world show that the car’s popularity is not in doubt.
The return on trading in the vehicle after two years is less certain and would depend if you buy it cash.
If you finance the vehicle, after a year of paying instalments you normally would start seeing a decline in the capital amount, but often this is still high and a deterrent to when trading it in.
Closer to the time you should check with dealerships what the book value of the car is and how much they would be prepared to pay or settle with the bank. It may be best to keep it. Dear Edwin I want a van to carry my installation tools (stepladder, machine and tools) for fixing and installing satellite TV. I have R80 000 and I am looking to get a van that I can use for work and as a family car. Which van should I go for that is strong enough and has the looks? – Maureen Moloto Dear Maureen The Nissan NP200 is the market leader in the field. If you look around even at a dealership, you might find a second-hand one in the price range.
A new one is around R120 000, but you can also consider a Ford or Corsa bakkie.
Many seem to believe that the Nissan is best suited for your requirements. It is really a vehicle for a small business and not the ideal vehicle for a family as it seats two, and one would caution against putting children in the back without proper seating or seatbelts. Dear Edwin I ’ d like to buy the ix35 but also like the Sportage and the new RAV4. I intend buying secondhand. Would you recommend that and which car would you recommend for fuel economy and maintenance? – Annah Matras Dear Annah Many of our readers are torn between this trio. It would depend on your budget and the best deal on the table. Although there is little to choose between them, the Kia Sportage often pips the ix35 and pretty functional RAV4.