Quality used cars over R500 000?

As a follow up to the article I wrote last week on Quality used cars for under R30k, I thought it would be only fair to write something on some of the options in a slightly more expensive range. And by ‘slightly’ I mean ‘quite a lot more than slightly’. It is however a far more difficult topic to write about, as there are so many more options of used cars over R500 000 at Cars.co.za to look at. That said I have picked out three which for one reason or another just make you feel good.

Hummer H2 S.U.T

As for any kind of used car at or around this price, you will expect it to be at least fairly new. There will be some exceptions that will be from the 90’s but its going to be rare. As for the Hummer, it’s probably the coolest of the 4x4 range. There is obvious competition from the likes of Land Rover and Jeep etc, but those vehicles actually have a use and a purpose. Hummer vehicles on the other hand are made simply as … I’m not even sure, but that’s the appeal.

The Hummer slogan is ‘Like nothing else’ and I think that about sums it up, the sheer audacity and ridiculousness of the Hummer is what makes it a worthwhile buy. If you happen to have R899 000 lying around and are going to be attending movie premiers with your fishing rods in the back and a canoe on the roof, then this is the car for you.

Mileage: 27 098km

Year: 2008

Cost: R899 000

As for any kind of used car at or around this price, you will expect it to be at least fairly new. There will be some exceptions that will be from the 90’s but its going to be rare. As for the Hummer, it’s probably the coolest of the 4x4 range. There is obvious competition from the likes of Land Rover and Jeep etc, but those vehicles actually have a use and a purpose. Hummer vehicles on the other hand are made simply as … I’m not even sure, but that’s the appeal.

The Hummer slogan is ‘Like nothing else’ and I think that about sums it up, the sheer audacity and ridiculousness of the Hummer is what makes it a worthwhile buy. If you happen to have R899 000 lying around and are going to be attending movie premiers with your fishing rods in the back and a canoe on the roof, then this is the car for you.

BMW Z4 2.5 si Roadster

Mileage: 3563km

Year: 2009

Cost: R529 000

The BMW has the prestigious honour of being the cheapest car on this list, at just over half a million, ‘cheap’ is a relative term. When looking at used cars valued at over R500 000 you would probably expect to find a list of supercars, but the BMW Z4 hardtop holds a special place in my heart. I’m not sure what it is, but I just really like it, which is strange because I don’t like the convertible soft top at all. I can’t actually imagine why anyone would buy the convertible version over the hardtop, my imagination apparently stops before the ‘wanting to drive with the top down’ part.

At a paltry 3563km this car is practically new but you will be saving around R70k on a brand new version which definitely seems worth it. You won’t be able to fit your canoe on the roof, like the Hummer, but you will have a lot more speed and with almost no seating at all, you will at least never be asked to pick up kids from school.

Lamborghini Gallardo

Mileage: 20 201km

Year: 2006

Cost: R2 500 000

I think it’s only fair that in an article of this nature I include at least one car that for all intents and purposes has no intents and purposes and exists purely as a sick joke. You could never logically justify purchasing this car and assuming you can afford to buy one; you won’t need to ever justify it. By simply owning this car you automatically win every argument, become the sexiest person on earth and are the best friend ever to anyone you take for a drive in it. That right there is probably justification for the price, in fact when you look at it like that, it’s actually quite cheap.

Volvo Cars tests new, unique safety technology in Copenhagen - in a disguised S60 prototype

Recently, sharp-eyed citizens in Copenhagen have had the opportunity to get a sneak preview of the upcoming, sporty Volvo S60 - which won't be introduced to the world until next year.

A disguised prototype of the new sedan model has been rolling through the streets of the Danish capital in order to test a groundbreaking new safety technology that can detect a pedestrian in front of the car and brake automatically if the driver doesn't react in time, to avoid an accident.

The new technology - Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Detection - will be introduced together with the all-new Volvo S60 in 2010. Volvo Cars' safety experts have been working with Pedestrian Detection technology for ten years and test cars have been rolling all over the world - most recently in the busy streets of Copenhagen.

"Factors like traffic behaviour, road conditions and climate must be taken into account in the design of the final system. All told we have collected more than 500,000 kilometres of real-life data. We can also use the information from these traffic tests to conduct advanced computer simulations," says Thomas Broberg, Senior Safety Advisor at Volvo Cars.

Recently, sharp-eyed citizens in Copenhagen have had the opportunity to get a sneak preview of the upcoming, sporty Volvo S60 - which won't be introduced to the world until next year.

A disguised prototype of the new sedan model has been rolling through the streets of the Danish capital in order to test a groundbreaking new safety technology that can detect a pedestrian in front of the car and brake automatically if the driver doesn't react in time, to avoid an accident.

The new technology - Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Detection - will be introduced together with the all-new Volvo S60 in 2010. Volvo Cars' safety experts have been working with Pedestrian Detection technology for ten years and test cars have been rolling all over the world - most recently in the busy streets of Copenhagen.

"Factors like traffic behaviour, road conditions and climate must be taken into account in the design of the final system. All told we have collected more than 500,000 kilometres of real-life data. We can also use the information from these traffic tests to conduct advanced computer simulations," says Thomas Broberg, Senior Safety Advisor at Volvo Cars.

First a warning, then automatic braking

Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Safety consists of a new dual-mode radar unit integrated into the car's grille, a camera behind the inside rear-view mirror and a central control unit. The radar and camera continuously monitor the road in front of the car. The radar's task is to detect objects and measure the distance to them. The camera determines what type of objects they are.

In an emergency situation, the driver is first alerted by an audible warning together with a flashing light in the windscreen's head-up display. In order to prompt an immediate, intuitive reaction, the visual warning is designed to look like a brake light coming on. If the driver does not respond to the warning and the system assesses that a collision is imminent, the car's brakes are applied with full braking power.

"Active brake deployment requires that the object is confirmed by both the radar and the camera. Thanks to state-of-the-art sensor technology, it is now possible to engage full braking power," explains Thomas Broberg.

Source: Volvo

Progress Through Efficiency : The New Way Forward

First in the premium segment in SA: Audi of South Africa introduces start/stop models at no extra cost.

Audi is synonymous with being the leader in progressive technology and pioneering new innovations. The 21st century brings in a new era of challenges, predominantly the challenge to become more environmentally conscious and reduce CO2 emissions. One of our most important tasks in the future is to increase efficiency even further.

Energy management also offers huge potential for efficiency – for the air conditioning system, for example, energy recovery and termo management. The intelligent assistance systems such as the on-board computer with efficiency program also offer valuable support to the driver.

Last but not least, the new Start/Stop system which switches off the engine when the vehicle is stationery is now being introduced locally by Audi in a number of its models – a first for the South African premium segment.

2009 also saw Audi South Africa making significant strides by further enhancing the efficiency of the Audi models. This is clearly highlighted by the transition to Euro 4 & 5 emission levels of all cars in May.

THE START/STOP SYSTEM

The Start/stop system helps to save fuel and and reduce CO2 emissions, and realises its efficiency potential in urban traffic especially.

Energy management also offers huge potential for efficiency – for the air conditioning system, for example, energy recovery and termo management. The intelligent assistance systems such as the on-board computer with efficiency program also offer valuable support to the driver.

Last but not least, the new Start/Stop system which switches off the engine when the vehicle is stationery is now being introduced locally by Audi in a number of its models – a first for the South African premium segment.

2009 also saw Audi South Africa making significant strides by further enhancing the efficiency of the Audi models. This is clearly highlighted by the transition to Euro 4 & 5 emission levels of all cars in May.

The Start/Stop system

The Start/stop system helps to save fuel and and reduce CO2 emissions, and realises its efficiency potential in urban traffic especially.

Simply put, the engine switches off automatically when you stop the car at, for example, a traffic light …and starts up again automatically when you are ready to drive off.

When the vehicle stops, the engine is switched off. The vehicle’s electrical system is supplied with electricity from rapid power storage devices called supercaps. As soon as the driver presses down the clutch, the engine is started. By the time the clutch pedal is released, the engine has reached idling speed.

An intelligent engine management system ensures short engine starting times and eliminates all negative effects of switching off and starting the engine with regards to exhaust emissions.

Source: Audi

Quality used cars for under R30k

With the recession under way and everyone feeling the economic strain, the popularity of used cars has increased greatly as most people can no longer afford to buy a new car. Consequently there is also a big demand for cars under the R30k price bracket and even at such a low price, quality vehicles can still be found.

The obvious factors to note when looking for a used car are: mileage, condition and year. These factors are somewhat more important though when looking for a car this cheap as you want to avoid being sold a dud.

Cars.co.za lists a number of cars in this bracket and they can be searched for by entering the maximum amount as R30k and pressing “Go” or clicking here to see cheap vehicles under R30k. There are many vehicles listed, but I have pointed out a few that come across as good deals.

Volkswagen Citi Chico 1.3



Mileage: 118 985km

Age: 1998

Cost: R26 000

The ever popular small VW car has been a hit in South Africa for the last 30 years at least. So many people start off with one of these as their first car, and they never seem to go out of fashion. They also don’t seem to lose much resale value at all, people tend to buy one second hand, drive it for a few years and then sell it again for much the same that they paid for it. This Chico has a rather small number of Kilometers on the clock considering its age and price which definitely bodes well for it. There doesn’t seem to be a used car that is more of a staple than the Volkswagen range of small cars.

Ford Lazer Tracer 1.3



Mileage: 192 000km

Age: 1998

Cost: R23 995

While not as popular as the Volkswagen range of small used cars, the ford Lazers and Mazda 323’s are still always seen on used car sales everywhere. While the Ford does have an extra 80 000km on the clock compared to the Chico it is slightly cheaper. I have first hand experience driving a Lazer 1.3 with this many kilometers on the clock and it seems as reliable as ever. It still feels quick enough and has never broken down, attesting to Ford’s long standing reliability.

BMW 3 Series 316i



Mileage: 177 562km

Age: 1996

Cost: R25 000

Unlike the previous two entries, it is rare to find a BMW in the less than R30k bracket. The BMW offers a lot more style and looks than any other car you are likely to find in such a cheap bracket. It is also obviously a lot bigger and will have more utility, however its probably not as well suited as the other two smaller cars as a first car. It won’t be as forgiving, and could be more expensive to run. That said though it is not a common occurrence to find a car like this for so cheap and would be hard to pass up.

Ford Ranger Offers New Advancements For 2009

The Ford Ranger has been a popular choice in the one-tonne market for over 25 years. For 2009 the Ford Ranger line-up will be further enhanced with new styling features, and an upgraded interior.

The new Ranger has undergone extensive development under extremely severe testing conditions by engineering teams at proving grounds throughout the world, to confirm its Built Ford Tough heritage.

In design terms, the 2009 Ranger has been enhanced with an even more muscular and distinctive look. The horizontal three-bar grille embossed with Ranger lettering, the functional twin black vertical nostrils, the new hood and power dome design and the large headlamps that wrap around each front corner effectively establish a new design benchmark for the one-tonne segment. It is a fresh transformation that highlights perfectly the strong character of Ranger.

The interior ambiance has also been updated. The instrument panel now features the contemporary and relaxing appeal of red illumination of its three large, individual gauges – each set within its own binnacle – ensuring excellent visibility day and night and also giving the Ranger’s interior a dynamic feel.

The Ford Ranger is available in 4×2 and 4×4 drivetrains. The popular Ranger 4×2 Hi-Trail offers a unique combination, being 4×2 and using the robust components and the higher ground clearance of a 4×4, it offers a great deal of versatility.

Single Cab, Super Cab and Double Cab models continue to be on offer. The Super Cab is a unique four-door system providing freer access to the cabin by featuring two forward-hinged doors and two rear-hinged access panels. The Super Cab provides unobstructed access to the spacious interior for ease of entry and cargo loading and an uncompromised side-impact safety structure that replaces the centre pillar of a traditional Double Cab.

The Ranger has become known for its true 4×4 capabilities, its 1.8 tonne towing capabilities and its payload, which is in excess of one tonne. Whether at work or at play the Ranger is perfectly equipped for the task.

-Source: Ford

2010 MAZDASPEED3: TAKING SIBLING RIVALRY TO THE EXTREME

Exterior

• Design based on the all-new MAZDA3 5-Door, evolved for a sportier, more aggressive appearance
• New air intake to optimize intercooler efficiency
• Front fender and front bumper designs exclusive to MAZDASPEED
• The front grille and lower bumper sections share the same black metallic paint finish
• Wedge-shaped, curving character lines on the side panels and side under spoiler for a lower-looking center of gravity
• New, large floating rear spoiler
• New 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels with the same three-dimensional design theme as the Mazda RX-8 R3 wheels

Interior

• Driver-oriented dashboard design gives a roomy, wrap-around, sporty feel
• New tachometer with red MAZDASPEED logo
• New LED turbo boost gauge between the driver meters
• Semi-bucket front seats with superior fit
• Seat upholstery in black base color with a red graphic design and red stitching
• Black interior color with an organic red graphic design throughout the cabin and red stitching for the steering wheel, shift boot, door trim, center console

Powertrain

• Acclaimed MZR 2.3L DISI Turbo producing high power of 263 horsepower at 5,500 rpm, and 280 ft.-lb. of torque at 3,000 rpm
• In-cylinder cooling effect from direct injection realizes ca. 10 percent more torque compared to conventional-intake turbo engines
• Top speed of 155 mph
• The world’s first single-nanotechnology catalytic converter helps to reduce the amount of precious metals needed
• Advanced boost pressure control suppresses sudden torque peaks for linear torque development
• Left and right drive shafts optimized to minimize torque steer
• Torque-sensing conical limited-slip differential (LSD) standard
• Specially-designed, 6-speed manual transmission with wider gear ratio than before
• Triple-cone synchronizers for first, second and third gears and a double-cone synchronizer for fourth gear for optimized gearshift operation
• Low-viscosity transmission fluid reduces shift effort when the engine is cold

Chassis & Safety

• Special reinforcements inside the front cowl member gussets and a large tunnel member for increased body stiffness
• Modified coil spring rates for MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension
• Larger diameter stabilizers with longer mount spans achieve greater roll linearity
• Special dampers with increased damping strength contribute to higher roll stiffness
• Now three highly rigid steering gear mount bushings instead of two used on the previous model for improved response to steering wheel action
• New wider Dunlop 18-inch tires with improved grip, more rigid sidewalls and damping strength for more direct steering feel and a stronger one-with-the-car feel
• Electro-hydraulic power assisted steering (EHPAS)
• Large diameter 12.6-inch ventilated front disc brakes and 11-inch rear solid discs, 8+9-inch tandem brake booster and 1-inch large diameter master cylinder for powerful and stable braking
• Newly-introduced electronic brake assist added to four-wheel ABS and DSC as standard equipment

-Source: Mazda Media

Honda announces revised CV-R with more upmarket looks and first ever diesel auto

New features:

Cleaner, more powerful 2.2-litre diesel engine
Automatic gearbox now available for diesel models
Revised, more premium styling
Built in Britain at Honda’s plant in Swindon
A new-look Honda CR-V will go on sale in January 2010, with a new diesel engine and an eagerly-awaited automatic gearbox for diesel models.

The CR-V has consistently topped the SUV sales tables since launch in 2007, with its ample cabin and large, split-level boot offering useful practicality and its low centre of gravity giving the CR-V ‘car-like’ handling characteristics.

For 2010, the CR-V’s popular looks have been refreshed to incorporate a distinctive new front bumper and grille, a revised rear bumper, and colour coded bumpers on EX grades. There are newly-designed 17-inch (SE) and 18-inch (ES and EX) alloy wheels and upgraded fabrics and plastics inside, giving the CR-V interior an even more premium finish. A new audio console design has also been introduced, while improved sound deadening around the engine and cabin makes the CR-V an even quieter and more relaxing car to drive.

The revised version of the CR-V will continue to be built at Honda of the UK Manufacturing in Swindon, where British workers proudly produce the SUV for over 60 countries.

New i-DTEC and diesel auto transmission
Honda’s 2.2-litre i-DTEC diesel engine, which debuted in the latest Accord in 2008, will be available in the new CR-V. The diesel produces 150PS at 4000rpm (up 10PS) and torque of 350Nm at 2000rpm (up 10Nm). It can be paired with either manual transmission or the new 5-speed automatic gearbox that has been manufactured in-house by Honda.

The smooth and refined diesel automatic transmission is available on all CR-V model grades from launch in 2010 and all engines in the CR-V line-up are designed to meet Euro 5 legislation.

Advanced safety technologies

Two active safety systems continue to be available on the CR-V and are unique to the SUV segment. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is a radar-controlled cruise control function which maintains a set distance to the vehicle in front, while Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) predicts collisions and warns the driver, before applying braking and retracting the front seatbelts if the situation becomes critical. These systems are optional on EX models.

Full specifications, pricing and the exact on sale date will be announced later in the year.

-Source: Honda

Cars.co.za top 3 most searched for car brands (August 2009)

With thousands of searches being made for new and used cars on the Cars.co.za portal, here are the top 3 most searched for car brands.









While car sales world wide have been hit by the recession, the worst is seeminly over as these top 3 brands have all shown strong figures and are recovering month to month. And sales in the local and used car markets are on the up from figures earlier in the year.

BMW notes that: “The decline in sales slowed for the fifth consecutive month” and that: “We are heading in the right direction – since April we have continually regained ground month-on-month” according to Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing. – Source BMW group

VolksWagen’s August stats have shown a similar trend, and South African car buyers have shown there has been no drop in popularity for VW’s mainstays, as noted by Mike Glendinning, Director of Sales and Marketing at Volkswagen of South Africa: “the Polo range sold 1 621 units and Citi Golf 1 162, spearheading our market dominance”. – Source VW South Africa

Toyota rank as the most popular searched for vehicle make on the Cars.co.za database. Entrenching themselves in the South African market, Toyota’s wide range of cost effective and fuel efficient cars, have proven to be the most popular choice among South African’s looking to buy new and used cars.

WASA monthly statistics updated

The Website association of South Africa recently released their updated statistics for the month of August and www.cars.co.za is sitting in 115th position. Each month Wasa updates the list, displaying the top sites in the country and their various demographics and statistics, you can follow the progress of Cars.co.za at: http://www.wasa.co.za/sites/p/v/cars/437

The CMH group added to www.cars.co.za

Further adding to our already comprehensive stock of new and used cars; www.cars.co.za now includes the CMH group. CMH has 80 dealerships across the country and have added over 2200 vehicles to the cars.co.za database.

The cars database now exceeds 2500 vehicles, ranging from new and used cars, bikes and leisure vehicles. Further more, the list of privately owned used cars on the database continues to expand with more and more vehicles being added every day.