Used Car Discourse

While the South African automotive market sees the introduction of new models from Chinese automakers almost monthly, there are hundreds of other brands on offer from the Far East nation. Here are four taking the world by storm. MG If it sounds like that familiar name and badge, it is! While officially of British origin, MG has become one of the most globally recognized car brands, predominantly under SAIC ownership since 2006. In 2022, it emerged as the most popular “domestic” brand beyond China’s borders. Its potential lies in its capacity to manufacture appealing and highly competitive electric vehicles suitable for both developed and developing economies. Notably, in the first half of 2023, MG secured its position as the fourth best-selling Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) brand in Europe, surpassing established mainstream competitors like Renault, Peugeot, and Hyundai. With nearly a century of history in the automotive industry, MG’s recent success can be attributed t...

Used cars can be expensive. Here's how to finance your purchase without paying more than you have to. Used cars for sale in Johannesburg can offer big savings over new ones, but if you need to finance your purchase, you may not save as much as it seems at first blush. For starters, the average price of a used car is almost R170,000—much higher than in pre-pandemic times. Interest rates for used cars can be double what you would pay for new-car financing, which is often subsidized by the manufacturer to make higher-priced new cars more attractive. With interest rates on the rise, a higher rate could cost you thousands. “The price of the used cars for sale you’re looking at in Jozi may still be pretty elevated, so it’s a good idea to avoid high-cost financing and dealer add-ons,” says Chuck Bell, a financial policy advocate for CR. “It may be better to arrange your own financing, or consider buying from a private seller, which can be more of a hassle but can result in a better pri...

The 2023 Kia Sportage impresses with excellent cargo space, a high-tech and well-crafted interior and a balanced ride and handling. However, it falls short in terms of engine performance, and many common tech and safety features are only available in higher trims. Is the 2023 Kia Sportage a Good SUV? Yes, the Kia Sportage for sale is a good compact SUV . It features a spacious cabin, class-leading cargo space and rear-seat legroom, cutting-edge interior tech and a long list of standard amenities. It’s not without issues, though, notably that its sole engine offering is underpowered. Should I Buy the 2023 Kia Sportage? The 2023 Sportage is a great choice if you need a family-friendly compact SUV with lots of standard features and cargo room. The highly ranked Hyundai Tucson offers a similar set of standard features, as well as comparable pricing and plenty of cargo space. Rivals like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 also offer good cargo space, as well as better fuel eco...

A moment’s silence please, for the passing of the rear-wheel-drive BMW 1-series. But hang on a second, because does anyone actually care? Chances are if you’re into cars, then which axle is driven probably does matter, a bit . But it has been said, anecdotally and perhaps by driving enthusiasts peering down their noses, that many 1-series drivers were never really aware of their car’s sporting rear-drive credentials anyway. So BMW’s switch to FWD – and all-wheel-drive in the case of the M135i xDrive – for its latest premium hatchback isn’t as sacrilegious as it might sound. Despite the switch to FWD, BMW still markets the 1-series as a ‘sporty’ family hatch . And luckily for BMW, the rear-to-front switcheroo hasn’t diluted the formula. It’s still a cracking steer. Woah, before we get into pre-loaded anti-roll bars, let’s talk tech You’re as qualified as we are to judge the One’s styling, so we’ll save you a subjective critique on that rather fussy grille and skip straight to things l...

When browsing for a great used car to buy - take some time to read the latest owner reviews about the Kia Rio for sale . This vehicle was the least expensive car for which I could fit. It drives like a small Audi. It is very comfortable for a big (tall and heavy) car fanatic. I’ve owned Lexus, Acura, Honda, GMC sedans and SUVs, Toyota, Volvo, VW and Chrysler, sedans a Miata and a Chevy Silverado. Never drawn to Ford's interior or driving dynamics, tried, but never took. This 2018 Kia Rio is worth more than I paid. If it is as reliable as the warranty suggests, it will be the best money I’ve ever spent. It gets hybrid-level gas mileage, it is fun to drive mostly due to the manual 6-speed. Handles like a much more expensive brand and very comfortable, secure handling. I can understand why Kia sells over 200,000 of these WW. As an Older lady, I took over a year looking @ all the compacts as loved my old dodge neon. I couldn't find anything as comfortable esp since almost all of th...

  Both the saloon and a newly introduced  Chevrolet Cruze for sale  underwent changes to their fascias, including revisions to the dual-port grille, headlamps and front and rear bumpers. The 1.6-litre model rolls on a set of revised 16-inch alloy wheels while the diesel features 17-inch items. On the powerplant front, the 1,6-litre petrol engine now produces 91 kW (up from the previous car’s 80 kW) while the 2,0-litre diesel sees its outputs climb from 110 to 120 kW and 360 N.m of torque, up from the previous unit’s 320 N.m. The 1,8-litre petrol unit’s outputs remain unchanged at 104 kW and 176 N.m of torque. Both petrol units are coupled with a five-speed manual gearbox, while the diesel is offered with a choice of a six-speed manual for the LS model and a six-speed automatic transmission for the higher-spec LT. Among the standard features on the 1,6  base model   Cruze hatchback , are a Headlamp levelling system, ABS, dual front airbags, power steering, cruise...

  This is the sixth generation of Volkswagen Polo if you can believe it – it’ll be knocking on for 50 if it’s still around in 2025. Yikes. This version of the  VW Polo for sale  was launched back in 2017 - making it fairly old by car industry standards - and facelifted in 2021 with some of the latest mod cons, including updated infotainment and LED lights. It even gets that weird full-width DRL treatment that Volkswagen is a bit obsessed with – polarises opinion, that, but you don’t have to look at it when you’re in the car at least. That seems to be how the Polo has evolved – it’s all very sensible and conservative in there, and the car has all the sophistication and refined road manners of its larger sibling. It just has a bit less space.  Having said that, the Golf has lost its way a little in its  eighth-generation guise , so the Polo might actually have more to recommend it these days. Just bear in mind that this is an unrepentant combustion-only zone, with...

 If you are in the market for a used Toyota Corolla , this guide is for you. The Toyota Corolla for sale is one of the most well-known and beloved sedan models ever produced by any automaker. To get one of your own, you should know about all the different trim levels, the features you can expect to see, and the most common model years. Continue reading the rest of this entry to learn more. What Do the Toyota Corolla Trim Level Names Mean? Toyota doesn’t like to come right out and use a descriptive name for the trim levels on their vehicles like other automakers. With a few exceptions, Toyota simply uses a few letters to indicate which trim levels are which. Generally, the trim levels will follow the scheme described below in every model year: L: Base Trim Level LE: Slight Increase in Available Features SE: Middle-Ground Trim with More Technology and Some Premium Features XLE: An upgraded version of the LE, Including Some Luxury Features XSE: ...