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9 Things We Seldom Think Of Doing When Buying A Car

vuyi on January 7, 2022

By H&H Admin

Buying a car is an exciting time, but to ensure you don’t regret your purchase you’ll have to look beyond the shiny paintwork and glistening rims.

Although cars are produced en masse, finding one which suits your individual needs takes time and effort. Some people want lots of legroom, others, luggage space and there are those whose highest preference is the latest technology and driver convenience.

Here are a few other considerations to consider:

Safety features that are connected to reducing one’s insurance premiums, should be high on every car buyers’ list of priorities. These include, airbags (the more the merrier), electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, lane departure warning, blind-spot detection, forward and rear cameras, collision alert monitors and electronic stability control, to mention a few.

Ergonomics are critical for operating a vehicle with ease and comfort so when you get behind the wheel, make sure you can effortlessly reach the car’s primary controls.
Open and close both the front and rear car doors to test their weight. It is important that all family members including minors can enter and exit the car stress-free. Similarly, check the weight of the boot door.
Make sure that items you use regularly fit in the car. These could include golf bags, strollers and car seats.
Sit in the rear seats and test leg and headroom.
Ensure that the rear seats are comfortable, supportive and adjustable. Also check if they fold down effortlessly, to increase the luggage space area.
Check that the display screens are easy to read.
Test that the pedals aren’t too soft or hard and that the steering wheel can easily be adjusted upwards, downwards, towards and away from you.
Satisfy yourself that your smartphone and other devices connect quickly and easily to the car’s Bluetooth system.
Check that the car has a modern, or updated GPS which is easy to use.

Because a car is a long-term purchase it is well worth your time to assure yourself that you are as comfortable as you can be with your decision. Once you’ve signed on the dotted line you are bonded to the vehicle for at least 60 months and that’s a long time to drive a car you are entirely happy with.

New Cars On The Tarmac

vuyi on June 25, 2020

Here are a few of the latest cars available on the market in South Africa.

DATSUN GO

Anilda van Heedern attended the launch of the new Automatic CVT (continuous variable transmission) versions of the Datsun GO and GO+ which now have improved power and fuel economy.

The new Datsun Go models are equipped with a three-cylinder engine which delivers 57kW of power (7kW more than in the manual) and 104Nm of torque. They also come with dual airbags, ABS with EBD and BA, reverse parking sensors, follow-me-home headlamps, front and rear power windows, battery saving features, remote key, power steering and 14” machined Alloy wheels. The vehicles are available in a range of exciting colours including Red, Silver, Grey, White, Orange and the new colour Vivid Blue (additionally we have Sandstone Brown for GO+).

Anilda’s most memorable impressions are:

LIKES

USB port
LCD touch screen
Apple/Android interface
2 cup holders in front of handbrake area
Very fuel efficient (around 5L per 100km)

DISLIKES

Lack of quick acceleration e.g. to overtake a truck.
Petrol gauge is small and not that visible.
Seat belts don’t adjust up or down.
The boot only opens with a key, and there is no door handle on the boot door either
Using the handbrake is a must even when the car is in Park as it does not hold a dead stop but continues to run either back/forward for a few centimetres.

Starting price: R

PEUGEOT 5008

The all-new PEUGEOT 5008 breaks new ground as a large seven-seater SUV. Featuring a raised ride height, it’s striking front includes a prominent chrome grille with decorative chrome inserts, signature headlamps with LED daytime running lights, slanted rear windows and a three-claw LED lights, integrated into the rear black panel.

Offering an exceptional on-board experience for occupants and a myriad of smart features for additional driving ease, the Peugeot 5008 boasts a compact steering wheel, an 8” touchscreen, and a 12.3” high-resolution digital head-up instrument. Seven central satin chrome dashboard switches offer quick access to functionssuch as: Radio, Air Conditioning, Satellite Navigation, vehicle settings, telephone, apps, and hazard warning lights.

Ideal for families, the 5008’s has aninnovative seating configuration- three matching, separate, folding and tilting seats in the second rowand two removable, separate, folding seats in the third row; as well as a practical hands-free smart electric tailgate.

The Peugeot 5008 is available in two petrol engines – 1.6L THP 121kW six speed automaticand 2.0L HDI 110kW six-speed automatic.

Starting Price: R534 900-00 incl. VAT

TOYOTA QUANTUM VX

Signalling new territory for the Toyota Quantum range, the Quantum VX enters the luxury-people-carrier arena with an impressive array of luxury and comfort features. It features17” alloy wheels, a large chrome-finished radiator grille, chrome exterior door handles and power adjustable, auto-retracting mirrors, with blind spot monitoring functionality.

The 9-seater Quantum VX provides a limousine-like degree of cabin comfort for up to eight passengers, including a large captain’s chair, independent rear climate control and multiple USB ports, quilted leather upholstery, power-adjustment for the backrest and a fold out “ottoman” leg-rest. Other features consist of an array of driver assistance features as part of the Toyota Safety Sense suite. These include Pre-Collision Safety system (PCS) with pedestrian detection (day and night) and cyclist detection (day only); high-speed active cruise control; lane departure alert; road sign assist; as well as a 4.2” multi-information display, rain-sensing wipers, LED room lamps, tilt and telescopic steering adjustment, power windows and rear sunshade, to mention a few.

Powering the Quantum VX is a 6-speed automatic transmission linked to Toyota’s proven four-cylinder 2.8 GD-6 turbodiesel engine, with outputs of 115kW and 420Nm.

Priced at: R 843 600

MAZDA2 FACELIFT

Featuring a new, more sophisticated design, new Skyactiv-Technologies and enhanced i-Activsense safety features, an upgraded version of the popular hatchback, the Mazda2, is now available.

With a very capable 1.5L petrol engine in both manual and automatic transmissions, the G-Generation Mazda2 range consists of six derivatives made up of the Active (Entry spec), Dynamic (Mid spec) and Individual and Hazumi (High spec) grade levels.

Comfort and convenience on board have been improved through the availability of the Bluetooth hands-free system across the range, from the Dynamic model; an auto- dimming rear view mirror, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), for smoother vehicle movements and handling.

An expanded range of advanced safety features now includes LED headlamps fitted as standard across the model range. Side and curtain airbags, auto dimming rear-view mirror from the Dynamic model. Auto fold mirrors, reverse camera, rear parking sensors from the Individual model and Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Hazumi.

Starting price: R254 300