Sister blog THE Driver Digest was recently asked what bakkie was a good buy if one could not afford an entry level Hilux of some R180 000.
After advising the asker on how to choose an engine for Newton
metres to move a heavy load, or kilo-Watts to move light loads fast, we
suggested three answers.
Based on mileage and load, readers can pick the best
course of action to find a budget bakkie or van that will meet their business
needs.
Rent a bakkie
For ad hoc jobs, just rent it. Commercial vehicles must earn their keep
by carrying a payload, and if your need is to have one for a few days in
a month, rent it rather than carry all that wear and tear.
There are many companies let out bakkies in South Africa for less than
R400 a day excluding fuel and mileage after the first 200 km. But watch
out for fly-by-nights who ALWAYS try to sting the renter
after the deal with damages that suddenly appeared. Avoid this
unpleasentness by making a thorough inspection of the car before taking
delivery.
For those lucky enough to live in KZN, Key Group have good deals and excellent service.
Kick tyres at an auction
 | |
| Tata Xenon Fleetline |
When it comes to doing long distances with heavy loads, South
Africa has two kinds of bakkie drivers, those in a Hilux — and those in “other
bakkies”.
The good news is that even a Hilux can be had for less than
R180 000 at reputable auctions this close to financial year-ends.
If the badge is not a problem, budget bakkie seekers will do very
well to go kick the tyres of a Tata Xenon Fleetline. Then hang around the
dealers’ waiting room for a while. Not all Tata dealers give equal after-sales
service, and unsatisfied customers will soon reveal all in the waiting
room.
Go lesser-spotted for best
prices
 |
| Mahindra's Bolero |
South Africa offers a slew of lesser-spotted bakkies and vans
costing well below the R180 000 budget. They range in size from tiny Chinese to
proven Koreans.
These days, the only potential drawback of buying a very affordable
bakkie or van is that dealers may be few and far between on long-delivery
routes. But for doing business in town, the low price of the lesser-spotted
Chinese bakkies make them very attractive for even the most hardened Hilux
fan.
The Tata Xenon offers the most Newtons for the least money, but by
all accounts, Mahindra, Foton and JMC dealers are trying harder to keep their
customers pleased.
Vans make more cents
If the load can easily be stolen, we advise a panel van. For
delivering in and around town, the Chinese mini vans are a bit cramped for
bigger drivers and will baulk at heavy pay loads, but for light, bulky loads,
they offer fantastic value.The DFSK mini van, going for less than R100 000, runs on an oil rag and has a good record in China.
For longer deliveries, either the Kia 2,7D Workhorse or Hyundai
H100 Bakkie have long earned the respect of all fleet managers. Both sell for
just over R170 000 and offer a very comfortable seating position.
South Africa's top 15 most
affordable bakkies and vans
DFSK
single cab mini bakkie
R79 990
DFSK
mini van
R99 990
Foton
1-ton bakkie
R122 950
Tata
3L Worker
R123 995
Chevrolet
Utility Club
R124 100
Mahindra
Bolero
R129 900
Tata
Xenon Fleetline
R136 995
JMC
Boarding
R139 880
GWM
Workhorse
R139 900
Daihatsu
Gran Max
R139 995
FAW
Sirius
R150 000
Renault
Kangoo Express
R169 900
Isuzu
KB200
R170 200
Kia
Workhorse
R171 995
Hyundai
H100 Bakkie
R173 900
For heavy loads, pick from this list:
Tata
Xenon Fleetline
300 Nm
Mahindra
Bolero
238 Nm
JMC
Boarding
235 Nm
Foton
193 Nm
Tata
3L Worker
180 Nm
