Heels & Horsepower Magazine

Moving from public transport to car ownership is easier than you think

Owning your own set of wheels is very liberating and isn’t as far fetched as some might believe. We got some intel from Motus Retail on how to go about it.

Public transport is not necessarily cheap and the monthly travel expenses of a commuter using multiple taxis, trains, and busses or traveling long distances might very well be on par with the cost of an entry-level car. Besides the cost, owning a car is a dream for many public transport commuters.

“Research indicates that COVID-19 and the associated health and personal safety risks that commuters are exposed to when using public transport has encouraged many commuters to explore buying their own vehicle,” says the CEO of Motus Retail and Rental, Corné Venter.

Owning your own vehicle gives you the freedom to go where you want when you want safely

– CORNÉ VENTER, CEO OF MOTUS RETAIL AND RENTAL

“Owning your own vehicle gives you the freedom to go where you want when you want safely. Buying a car is a serious commitment but with a myriad of finance options to consider, buyers might be pleasantly surprised at what they can afford,” commented Venter.

Everyone’s financial situation differs, but as a general guideline, one should not spend more than 25% of their monthly net income on their total vehicle expenses. It is important to be realistic about what you can afford and just as important to stick to your monthly budget. A car loan is a long-term commitment and car-buyers should thus consider both current and future expenses when estimating their budget.

Buying a car is a serious commitment but with a myriad of finance options to consider, buyers might be pleasantly surprised at what they can afford.

– CORNÉ VENTER, CEO of Motus Retail and Rental

If you earn less than R7 000 per month, monthly installments may still be a little too much for your current budget. However, if you earn between R8 000 and R10 000 per month, you could certainly look at buying a pre-owned vehicle, keeping in mind that your total monthly vehicle expenses should not exceed R2000 to R2500. Saving up for a deposit will also help lower your monthly installments.

Motus promotes a variety of specials monthly that offer exceptional value for money

– CORNÉ VENTER, CEO OF MOTUS RETAIL AND RENTAL

Online calculators help in determining the cost of finance and the cost of ownership, permitting consumers to make an informed decision. Car-buyers can even apply for finance online, and finance applications are sent to all major banks ensuring that the customer gets the best deal in terms of repayments and interest rates.

Factors that influence your credit rating include how long you have been working for your current employer, how long you have lived at your current address, whether you own property and whether you are married.

Banks make it possible for you to structure your finance contract in a way that suits your affordability. This means that you can choose the contract term, the type of interest rate you want, whether you want to pay a deposit and if you would like to use a balloon payment.

“Motus promotes a variety of specials monthly that offer exceptional value for money,” concluded Venter.

The most important thing to do when looking to buy your first car is to shop around to ensure that you get the best deal possible. 

WATCH: Ignition GT promo – Vuyi Mpofu chats about the VW Mswenko and Peugeot 2008

Thank you so much for being part of the panel Vuyi. We appreciate it and hope to see more of you throughout the year. 

– Zimkhita Kweza, Junior Producer, Ignition gt

The next episode of Ignition GT featuring our Editor Vuyi Mpofu debuts on Saturday 20th Feb at 10:30am on DSTV channel 189.

In it, she has a hilariously animated discussion with the panel about the decals on the VW Mswenko and gets taught how to pronounce ‘Peugeot’ when talking about the Peugeot 2008.

Read about the VW Mswenko here: https://heelsandhorsepowermag.com/polo-vivo-range-gets-a-stylish-special-edition-derivative/

Other broadcast dates of this episode are as follows:

SAT 20 Feb 10:30 IGNITION GT
SUN 21 Feb 16:30 IGNITION GT
MON 22 Feb 00:30 IGNITION GT
MON 22 Feb 10:30 IGNITION GT
TUE 23 Feb 04:30 IGNITION GT
WED 24 Feb 05:30 IGNITION GT
WED 24 Feb 20:30 IGNITION GT
THUR  25Feb 08:30 IGNITION GT
THUR 25 Feb 17:30 IGNITION GT
FRI 26 Feb 14:30 IGNITION GT