If you’re a new motorist looking to buy your first car, or if you’re a veteran behind the wheel looking for a change for 2022, now might not be the right time to buy a vehicle. Just look at the economic situation, the rising interest rates, the increasing new car prices. We love cars here at Wheels24, and sometimes even we battle to come to grips with the cost of motoring in SA.
To lighten things up amidst the doom and gloom of the rising cost of mobility in South Africa, we went in search of cool cars that you can buy for less than R100 000 that have low mileage. We found five cars on AutoTrader that proved that you can still find interesting vehicles in South Africa for less than R100 000.
1. Alfa Romeo Spider
This 2002 Alfa Romeo Spider is listed on AutoTrader for R95 000. Now, it might not have the V6 powerplant that Alfistis rave about, but it does offer a decent amount of poke (115kW/180Nm) from its 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine. The dealer says this Spider retains its original alloy wheels and that its interior is in good shape, with no cracks in the dash, no rips in the original cloth seats and no stains on the carpet. They also say that the car drives well with no pull in the steering, and the brakes work correctly, and so does all the equipment in the vehicle, including the aircon, electric windows, electric side mirrors and electrically adjustable headlights.
The dealer has also highlighted that the car’s soft-top roof opens and closes manually and is not operated electrically. The Spider retains its original spare wheel, jack and other critical equipment. “The engine starts every time with no smoking and pulls strongly. The transmission is in good working order, shifts through all the gears without popping or slipping and changes smoothly under load,” they add.
The Spider’s safety features include dual front airbags, ABS brakes and power steering; decent for the 2002 vintage. This car represents an excellent opportunity for a sports car enthusiast who wants a classic roadster, daily driver or weekend cruiser. The 2.0-litre engine won’t use too much fuel compared to a V6 version of this car, and you get all the looks and the appeal that come with a rare sight on the road these days.
2. Nissan 1400 Champ bakkie
This Nissan 1400 is, arguably, what they refer to as hen’s teeth. With 29 000km on the odometer and from 2003, it looks as though it’s been preserved in bubble wrap. The dealer wants R99 995 for it, which is by no means cheap considering what they sold for new back then.
The Nissan 1400 was once the most popular half-ton bakkie on sale in South Africa, favoured by entrepreneurs, logistics businesses, artisans and even the Automobile Association (AA). Its fuel-efficient 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine was the star of the show here as it proved highly reliable. The versatile nature of the Nissan 1400 means you can use it as a vintage daily run-around, or you can use it in your business.
As this bakkie is nearly 20 years old and its design is even older than that, it’s not going to be the safest vehicle you can buy in 2022, nor does it have any form of creature comforts. This one does have a CD/Radio system, but that’s it. The Nissan 1400 remains a cool car, and it’s a rare sight on the roads these days, and you can use it for work or play. Due to its rarity, you might have a genuine collectable on your hands here if you keep the mileage low and maintain it properly.
3. Suzuki SJ 410
If you can’t afford the new Suzuki Jimny, but you really want to go on off-road adventures next year, you might want to consider this awesome vintage 1984 Suzuki SJ. According to the dealer, this model has a mere 33 400km on its odo, and it’s fitted with a few off-road accessories.
Priced at R95 000, the SJ 410 is not cheap, but it’s a rare example that looks to be in good shape. It’s not often that you see these vehicles for sale at dealerships, which does add some peace of mind as it’s an older vehicle. The car comes with a 1.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and a four-speed manual gearbox with a low range mode.
Period reports of the SJ 410’s capabilities prove that it is a capable 4×4 despite its diminutive proportions. It can also carry up to 350kg of payload, so you can use it to transport adventure gear or supplies or use it as a mascot vehicle for your artisanal business. The SJ 410 driving experience might be dated, but it’s one heck of a cool car that we hardly see on the road anymore, and it might be just the right thing to bring some cheer into your life in 2023.
