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document.write("USER COMMENTS >");
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Different view
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document.write("My view depends on how long you intend to keep the car. For example if you finance a 3 or 4 year old car by the time you have paid it off it will be 8 or 9 years old and most likely time to get another one before the repairs amount to the value of the car. If you buy brand new, the first 5 years you have paid it off and for the next 5 years you save the money you would have spent on another car and then go and buy it cash and save the money in interest and you can probably get a bargin deal because cash talks.. Tom");
document.write("But........
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document.write("Remember that the older the vehicle, the more likely it is to breakdown, and the more expensive it'll be to maintain & repair. So forget about that backpacking adventure! In addition, unless its a Merc S Class, a vehicle 3 yrs old is unlikely to have the latest gadgetry. You'll have to cough up more for that.. tedious");
document.write("Mazda
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document.write("I drive a 1990 Mazda that I bought in 2000 for a pittance. It has 395 000km on the clock (Of which I drove about 150 000).
I get 14km per litre and it's running fine. I've replaced a couple of things in the past few years, but really it's been a dream and I'm laughing all the way to the bank and back (like the author says).. Ann Billings");
document.write("Awesome article
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document.write("Very helpful, eye-opening article!. Pieter Harmse");
document.write("Opportunity costs
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document.write("I was thinking about buying a new car, but things are so unsure right now. This article openened my eyes! Not likely to buy a new one now... (the backpacking in Asia did it for me). Nina");
document.write("Agrees
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document.write("I agree with Kabous. I bought a two year old Focus 1600 at the end of last year and havent looked back. Paid cash for it so dont have any finance costs, its got all the latest gadgets(unless you are trying to compensate for something...) and everybody I see compliments me on the purchase, so I get constant reinforcement. plus it still has its maintenance plan. Dont waste your money, pay off your debt and buy second hand from a repuatable source.. Very happy");
document.write("Old cars
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document.write("I bought my 1996 City Golf in 2006 for R20000. It's super reliable and frugal. I paid cash and when it finally bites the dust, I'll buy another old car with cash.
I laught at the dumb assez that slave away at work to afford their cars!. Golf lover");
document.write("Question
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document.write("I have about 80k cash, sold my old car for 50 and have exta 30. I am looking to go 2nd hand and would like to take advantage of other peoples financial misfortune (nasty I know) by checking out the car auctions. What is my best option here? I have a new bond and need to be clever.
Any ideas??. Ashleigh");
document.write("Answer
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document.write("My girlfriend recently bought a manual VW Passat 1.8T. Reliable, cost effective to maintain and (as above), all the other benefits. She paid 75. Yes, the mileage wasn't low, but if well looked after it's still a bargain.. Matt");
document.write("Buy used cars, but be careful...
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document.write("I fully agree with buying a used car as I am aware of the costs associated with buying a new car. But buying second hand can be really dangerous, especially if you know very little about cars. In my opinion, it's best to buy a car not older than 2 years, with low mileage, from that car dealer brand (i.e. buy an Audi from an Audi dealer). These cars typically have still 3 years or perhaps 60 000 km left of their maintenance plans, are still under warranty and the dealers are far less likely to sell you a dud than generic second hand car dealers, particularly as they have to maintain the vehicle. And read those JD Power surveys and that - buying a \"cheapie\" can cost you a lot more in the long run - in money, stress and not having your own vehicle available to drive. The key is finding the balance.. ");
document.write("agree with Old Cars
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document.write("i bought a 2yr old city golf model for cash and haven't looked back. risking crime and sacrificing performance for affordability, economy, durability and reliability is a no brainer. Alan");
document.write("Car Costs
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document.write("I did the sums a few years ago, and found that the true cost of buying a new car for R350k, by finacing it over 54 months, as opposed to keeping on driving my 18 year old Merc (which is in perfect nick), amounted to about R190k/year! I was staggered. This takes into account depreciation, insurance, and the effect of putting the payments into a money market account instead of paying interest to the car financiers. That's what \"investing\" in a depreciating asset, instead of an appreciating asset, actually does. Interest rates have risen since I did the sums, and my depreciation figures were less than Moneyweb's survey, so today's difference could actually be larger. R1m every 5 years? And we wonder why so many of us retire poor.
. Dave");
document.write("Beware....
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document.write("My motorplan ran out - now I have engine problems that Audi can't fix (they are pretty useless). So maybe used is better - but a motorplan is essential. The less you have left of the motorplan, the less you will get for your car if you sell it. Right now I am spending more monthly than I would on a brand new car - with a car that is still not going properly. With new I would have had no such problem.. DontBuyAudi");
document.write("2nd hand cars
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document.write("A lot of ifs and buts but my first new car, bought when I qualified for a car allowance, actually cost me more to maintain over a 140,000km life than a second hand car purchased at 70,000km and driven to 140,000. New car depreciation is a nightmare and second hand Hyundais are excellent buys - I speak from 230,000km experience with 3 of their products and will buy again. Check out the excellent 2nd hand value.. Greybeard");
document.write("Different view: pro-Tom
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document.write("I agree with Tom. Or maybe it depends on what car you wanna drive. I have an Audi 2.0tdi that has gone 160,000km. I generally like diesel cars and if it means buying a second hand, I would rather keep mine coz I know its history. Much better than committing myself to what i don't know. Yes, and I'm prepared to keep it for another 6 years in addition to the last 3years.. Raymond");
document.write("Old is the new new
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document.write("I've been driving my 38-year-old car for the past seven years. Creature comforts? I don't think so. Reliability? Not as bad as people seem to think. And repairs and maintenance? I take care of the smaller stuff myself and have a mechanic friend who helps me out with any biggest issues. My car is in better condition today than when I bought it and I'd defintely get more than my money back if I was to sell (which simply won't happen!). But I must admit I really enjoy driving my gf's brand new Fiesta every now and then .... Bob");
document.write("my 12 year old car
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document.write("I cannot understand what the purpose is of buying a new car every 2-3 years. If you are buying a new car every 3 years then that means you are constantly for the rest of your life paying off a car. I own a 12 year old Carolla (RSI look) that runs beautifully after more than 360 000km. Because I have LOOKED AFTER IT, all that has been replaced is: 1 cv joint, 1 set of shocks, 1 exhaust manifold and 1 radiator. I have no payments per month, service per year is about R2000 and every 2nd year it gets a new set of tires. Anything else that breaks I fix myself or take it to a specialist. The problem is vanity. Everyone wants the newest, fastest, shiniest, most powerful, most gadget packed car there is. Buy a proper car once, pay it of and keep it. It is wonderful to have NO car payments.. Stephan");
document.write("New Cars are a complete rip-off
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document.write("I agree 100% - new cars in SA are to be polite ridiculously overpriced. And only because the consumer is so gullible. I will never buy a new car - and will offer less than asking on used cars too!. Mark");
document.write("Old And Low
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document.write("I like to buy the oldest car possible with no more than 20 000km
. John");
document.write("2nd hand vs. new
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document.write("Hey Kabous
I am proud to say my dad taught us to practice that from our first car & you are right: it has saved me a small fortune. The peer pressure to buy the latest new car, especially while working in advertising was more difficult to withstand but I managed.
Cheers
. Wayne");
document.write("Another on-liner
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document.write("Hi Kabous,
Imperial Select het nou ook ‘n aanlyn, motor koop webtuiste en hul pryse is goed.
Grte
. Pierré");
document.write("second hand rocks!
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document.write("Absolutely agree with Kabous here because my Mazda 1.3 is 10yrs old and carried me safely over the 4000km I covered this festive season with no squibbles.My advice is service your car every 10 000, dont ride with your tyres too flat, dont ride on empty and appreciate every day that you arrive home safely cause it's not just your car on the road - happy driving!. Mazda bokkie");
document.write("I do agree.
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document.write("I have to comment the writer of this artical. I have tried to explain just this to many family members, but to no avail.
Nealy 5 years ago, our household decided to buy a vehicle. We arrived home in our 1999, Opel Corsa Lite. It might not have any fancy gadgets, but does better than most other vehicles.
Now, after the almost 5 years we have owned the second-hand Corsa, I can greatfully say thank you. The family member have since had 5 vehicle,4 was brand new. He complains about them every day.
. Debbie");
document.write("buy used
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document.write("In Dec 2008 I bought a Nissan Almera (35 000km) for R85 000 cash which saves me approx R70 000 on the new price and no interest. Its a pleasure to drive the car and has all extras you need. An extra is the auto gearbox great, car drives by itself.. leslie");
document.write("Oh No!
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document.write("I drive an Uno 1100 which I've had for 12 years! Best thing about the Uno is that its dirt-cheap to run & only costs R200 to fill the tank.
Next best thing...you're definitely not at risk of being hi-jacked!. Sandra");
document.write("Crazy to buy new
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document.write("You have to be out of your mind to buy a new car in SA - what an absolute ####ing RIP OFF.. Mark");
document.write("Idea
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document.write("Our company - SMD - sell accident damaged, stolen recovered and repossessed vehicles. This market is great since you have negotiate the price on a vehicle, pay the money in the account and the car is yours. You buy a vehicle for much MUCH less than market/trade or retails value, fix it up (if you have to) and drive it!
The nice thing about this is that what you see on our floors, is what you get. If the thing is damaged because of an accident, we dont fix it - we leave that to you.
SO - if you're looking for cheap cars look no further - all they need are love and care and someone to drive them! We also have auctions country wide, and this option is also yours to consider.
Have a look at our website www.smd.co.za - we have branches all over the country and you'd be suprised, maybe this is just what you need. Just take a minute and explore.....you have to try anything to save money...and this will definately save you LOTS!. Esme");
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