Price consideration is a vital factor in any purchasing decision, especially when it comes to a car, and careful planning can buy you a surprising amount of quality and specification.
There are several options for new, or first-time, car buyers on a tight budget to get the freedom of mobility for a monthly instalment payment of less than R3 500 - and we look at four of these in this article.
The monthly repayment figure we are using is a straight Hire Purchase quote and buyers are urged to study all finance options carefully before putting pen to paper, ensuring they fully understand all the terms and conditions of the deal.
All the major finance houses have a range of packages on offer for car buyers that allow some ‘wiggle’ room in terms of being able to afford the monthly repayments over the desired period, which may be from three to five years.
Without going into massive detail on the finance packages, we would urge buyers to try and avoid the Residual Value (RV) trap. This allows buyers to determine the future value of their car in order to reduce the monthly payment.
Even without any major incident, the longer the car is out on the road, the more chance there is of general wear and tear, nicks and scrapes - all of which rapidly reduce that predicted Residual Value, leaving you with a growing final payment when you do trade in the car.
However, for the purposes of this comparison, we are using a calculation based on a 35% RV (Residual Value) with the finance taken over 72 months and a 10% upfront deposit.
Increased concerns on a global scale about the standard levels of safety in modern vehicles mean manufacturers need to keep pace with those demands or lose sales as buyers move to brands that do conform.
So, inexpensive does not mean cheap!
The four cars on our buyer’s list are:
Here's the comparison of our FOUR vehicles below R3 500 per month
Suzuki S-Presso 1.0 GL MT
Price: R178 900
Repayment: R2 599 pm
Engine: 1.0ℓ Dualjet K10C
Power: 49 kW @ 5 500 r/min
Torque: 89 Nm @ 3500 r/min
Fuel Consumption (avg): 4.6 ℓ/100 km
Powered by a three-cylinder petrol engine driving through a five-speed manual gearbox the Suzuki S-Presso rides on 165/70 R14 tyres and comes with a full-size spare steel wheel.
Standard features include front electric windows, front speakers with LCD meter cluster, power steering, 12V front power socket, child-proof rear door lock, immobiliser and it has a luggage capacity of 239 litres, depending on seat configuration.
Safety equipment comprises SRS front dual airbags and anti-lock braking with electronic brake distribution (EBD). It has a 5-year/200 000 km warranty and service intervals are every 15 000 kilometres. Book a test drive today, and see how the S-Presso handles.
Suzuki Swift 1.2 GL MT
Price: R219 900
Repayment: R3 199 pm
Engine: 1.2ℓ Z12E
Power: 60 kW @ 5 700 r/min
Torque: 112 Nm @ 4 300 r/min
Fuel Consumption (avg): 4.4 l/100 km
The Suzuki Swift is powered by a fuel-efficient 1.2ℓ engine, delivering an impressive fuel consumption from just 4.4ℓ/100km and a maximum output of 60kW @ 5700 r/min. This innovative hatchback is built on Suzuki's HEARTECT platform, enhancing stability and safety while offering a driver-orientated cockpit designed for maximum comfort and control.
Key features include halogen projector headlamps, a segment information display, and advanced safety systems such as ABS with EBD functionality and hill hold control. The Swift is as reliable as it is stylish, backed by a 5-year/200 000 km warranty and service intervals every 15 000 km.
Experience practicality with a luggage capacity of up to 953 litres, and enjoy the confidence that comes with cutting-edge technology and design.
Book a test drive today, and #FeelIconic in the new Suzuki Swift.
Suzuki Dzire 1.2 GA MT
Price: R217 900
Repayment: R3 099 pm
Engine: 1.2ℓ VVT
Power: 61 kW @ 6 000 r/min
Torque: 113 Nm @ 4 200 r/min
Fuel Consumption (avg): 4,9 l/100 km
The Dzire now stands on its own as a Suzuki derivative aimed at car owners who prefer, or need, a sedan body style. The five-speed manual has anti-lock braking with EBD standard as well as Brake Assist (BAS) and it has a space-saver spare wheel.
It comes with air-conditioning, variable-assist power steering, an adjustable steering column, an onboard computer, and remote central locking as standard features.
A high-level brake light and daytime running lights add to the safety items and it has a 378-litre boot capacity. The warranty is 5 years/200 000 km and a 2-year/30 000 km service plan is included. Book a test drive today, and maybe you'll give in to Dzire.
Suzuki Celerio 1.0 GA MT
Price: R188 900
Repayment: R 2 699 pm
Engine: 1.0ℓ Dualjet with VVT
Power: 50 kW @ 6 000 r/min
Torque: 89/3 Nm @ 3 500 r/min
Fuel Consumption (avg): 4,2 l/100 km
Also a five-speed manual, the Celerio offers comfort such as air-conditioning, rear parking sensors, a 3-spoke steering wheel with audio controls, and front console with 12 V accessory socket is standard across all models.
The load capacity for Celerio is 295 litres. It has a full-size spare wheel and comes with a 5-years/200 000 km warranty and a 2-year/30 000 km service plan.
Need to know more? Find out what one of our customers thinks about their Celerio.
Book a test drive today, and experience the Celerio for yourself.
Buying Decision
Naturally, the buying decision will be driven by affordability. However, it is important to consider what you want from your Suzuki, what it will be used for, and the kind of mileage it is likely to cover and finally –most importantly – just how comfortable you feel in the driver’s seat.
Since there are many ways to finance a new car, it is worthwhile to visit our car ownership calculator. It allows you to insert variables such as increases in interest rates. This will help you get a clear idea of how your monthly repayment could change and how this will affect your budget.
Buying a new Suzuki is an exciting adventure but, like most adventures, comes with risks for the unwary. It is always advisable to shop around and look at all the options such as those outlined in this comparison guide before making a final decision
Want more advice on how to get a great deal from your car dealer? Download our guide on questions you should be asking your car dealer when you plan to buy a car.
