CAR sellers report that new car buyers are increasingly buying down as higher costs bite into budgets.
Below are five cars surprisingly roomy that run on fumes, do not cost the Earth to maintain and have good dealer support.
In an ideal world, this list would have a car that combines the Nissan Micra’s high road clearance, the Tata Bolt’s impressive power, the Mahindra KUV100’s diesel frugality, the Honda Amaze’s reliability and all of it weighing as little as a Suzuki Dzire.
An asterisk shows the cars nominated for the 2018 SA Guild of Motor Writers’ annual Car of the Year, which for the first time allows owners to vote for the semi-
finalists on www.autotradercoty.co.za
finalists on www.autotradercoty.co.za
Anyone can vote for a chance to win one of five R10 000 cash prizes.
* The handsome Suzuki Dzire GA 1,2 sells for under R162k, making it the cheapest 1,2 litre here. The engine, with its five-speed manual transmission, makes 61 kW and 113 Nm at 4 200 rpm for a combined fuel economy of 5,2/100 km. A 145 mm road clearance on 14-inch tyres makes it more road hugging than speed-hump jumping, but at 1 315 kg it is the lightest on this list. A warranty of five years or 200 000 km allows for long-distance visits. Note: There is very little to choose between the Dzire and the Swift hatchback.
The Tata 1,2 Bolt has only one weak point — few dealers. For the rest, this is a best-kept secret in SA. Selling for under R170k, the 1,2 engine makes the same power as the Dzire at 66 kW, but the 140 Nm from a low 1 500 rpm and a five-speed manual box enable this 1 562 kg car to deliver a combined consumption of 6,5/100 km. Made for India’s frugal drivers, the Bolt will exceed all Saffers’ expectations when they get over their preconceptions and just drive it. Riding on 14-inch tyres, the Bolt has 165 mm road clearance and a 5-year or 100 000 km warranty.
The Nissan Micra 1,2 Active sells for under R178k. The petrol mill is now dated and makes the least power here — 56 kW and 104 Nm at 4 400 rpm — but the combined fuel economy is still good at 5,2/100 km, if the five-speed manual gears are used wisely. Riding on 14-inch tyres, the Micra has impressive road clearance of 180 mm, which helps over the speed bumps. Its weight of 1 478 kg is also lighter than average, and the warranty of six years or 150 000 km still sets the standard. Note: The Micra’s main compeition is the Datsun Go, which gets a new model in November.
* The Honda Amaze 1,2 Trend retails for under R179k. The engine makes 66 kW at high revs and a rather measly 110 Nm at 4 800 rpm, but such conservative numbers add to reliability. A relatively light weight of 1 380 kg gives a combined fuel consumption of 5,7/100 km, and 15-inch tyres give a useful 170 mm road clearance. The five-year or 200 000 km warranty is up there with the best. This robust sedan will outlast most families.
The Mahindra KUV100 Nxt 1,2 diesel is the most expensive here, selling for just under R205k, but this buys a tough little diesel that makes 57 kW and a whopping 190 Nm from only 1 750 rpm. For families who often go on long drives, the combined consumption of only 4,3/100 km will soon offset the higher price, if the driver uses the five-speed manual to keep the revs low. The KUV100 rides on 14-inch tyres that keep its relatively heavy 1 650 kg body 170 mm off the road. A new warranty of five years or 150 000 km is up there with the best.
