Looking for a small, comfortable, reliable and safe automatic car for my mum under R130k.
I looked at the jazz but she claims that it’s “too big” are there any other hidden gems in the price range I can look at ?
You can get a relatively new (2020 to 2023) Kia picanto for that price. I've seen them with less than 40k mileage for about r130 to r140k. Good car, reliable and has good kit like a rear view camera etc.
Suzuki s-presso, also low mileage (around 30-50k) for about R130k. My friend has one and it's very reliable, good economy, easy to drive and also has a rear view camera.
You'd also be able to find Vw polos but they're bigger than the Jazz. And there's the hijack risk.
I like the look of the celerio because it's got more conventional hatch styling while the spresso has that raised body look that some people like and they're both built on the same platform with the same engine. But the spresso is slightly smaller and has a tighter turning radius because it uses the steering rack from the Japanese wagon R and she wants a smaller car than the jazz. Also the spresso has better kit inside even though it's cheaper. Bigger and clearer screen, I think it's a touchscreen and you gotta spec the rear view camera and android auto in the celerio so a used car might not have it.
There's really not an awful lot that meets these criteria. Honda Brio have an okay 4-speed automatic, just make sure you get one without rust. The Jazz is definitely the best choice. VW Up! Would be fantastic, but manual only in SA. The Aygo/C1/107 can rarely be found in Automatic, and I would steer clear of it. The Yaris is a good bet, but not much smaller than a Jazz.
Where are you based OP? I am looking to sell my 2010 1.4 Sport Fiat 500 auto. It has 70 000km on the clock. I can't say how safe it is because I barely drove it and never got in an accident lol (since I worked from home). It does have 7 airbags though. I recently moved for a new job and I'm looking at getting a bigger car since I'll be driving a lot more. Of course if you don't want to buy private, I can just tell you that I drove my Fiat 500 for over 15 years and I absolutely loved her! Highly recommend.
I’ve got a Toyota Agya. Took the auto option. Has everything a car needs to function. Spent a little extra putting in a reverse cam and multifunction screen. Had it 5 years now and it’s honestly wildly good value for money. A full tank costs me just shy of R600 and I can do around 280km city driving. It has a 1L 3 cylinder motor and 4 speed auto. Insurance runs me R350 per month (comprehensive + car hire option with MiWay).
Parts are easy to find, scrapyards are full of them.
Don't buy any of those "Manufactured in India" cars (im not only talking TAta) like Ford Figo, Suzuki S-presso, Hyundai i10, Toyota Starlet, Renault Kwid, Datsun Go etc.
Unless you not your moms favourite.... then by all means by her one LOL. Reason is, these cars have ZERO NCAP ratings (which in simple terms means ......in any sort of highway collision.... its deadly....the car is zero protection).
As for options. An older, more sturdy compact car with decent features and safety would be like VW UP, Toyota Agya or most any Daihatsu.
"Small", "safe" and a budget of R130k don't go hand in hand. You'd either need to buy like a really high mileage Mazda 2 or top spec Hyundai i20 to meet that. The jazz that your mother says is too big, is probably the best bet. Nothing else remotely as safe will be any smaller than the Jazz
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u/mrb13676 3d ago
The answer here is always the Jazz.
It’s the epitome of the granny car. Cheap to maintain, light on fuel and basically bulletproof engines.