Almost as good as new
The VW Passat 1,8T is assured and luxurious.
Volkswagen Passat 1.8T
The poor man’s Audi
R94 900 (2002 model, 98 319 km).
New: R247 000 (TSi Comfortline)
Okay, a 2002 model is hardly spunky, but on 100 000 km a well-looked-after Volkswagen with a complete service history is just nicely run-in. You’re more likely to lie awake worrying about your bond than about the reliability of this 20-valve 1800 turbo engine with its excellent reputation.
This VW has heaps of legroom even for the back-seat passengers. There’s lots of luggage space too: The boot capacity is 475 litres (the contents of one large fridge), which can be increased to 800 litres (make that two big fridges) if you fold the rear seat flat.
The Passat comes with cruise control and climate control.
The cons? Its factory guarantee has expired and the 105 000 km service is around the corner. It’s a large family sedan and it handles like that, so don’t try to fling it round a hairpin bend.
Why? You get a Volkswagen that’s more luxurious than a Jetta, but at the same price… even less. Ever since its return to South Africa, the “new” Passat has not been very successful, even though it has the same chassis and engine as the previous Audi A4. A similar Audi will cost you between R10 000 and R25 000 more.
Go! says: These Passats were built in Germany. The build quality is markedly better than that of the cars built in South Africa or South America.
(Note: Prices accurate in May 2009)
From a salesman’s perspective
We asked two salesmen to recommend second-hand family and touring cars in the R100 000-to-R200 000 price range.
Elandré Olivier
EC Auto, Newton Park, Port Elizabeth
“I’d go for the Volkswagen Transporter 1.9 TDI Crew Bus, the one with the long wheelbase and sliding doors.
“You can now buy a 2005 or ’06 model for about R180 000. It is reliable, fuel consumption is good (just over 7ℓ/100 km) and it is exceptionally spacious. I don’t think there is a better holiday car in the world.”
Jacques Windell
Auto Pedigree, Paarden Island, Cape Town
“The launch of the latest Toyota Corolla last year means that the older model is now relatively cheap. You’ll pay about R130 000 for a 2006-model 160 GLE. It has just about all the luxury features, and everybody knows how reliable a Toyota is.
“For about the same price you can get a Volkswagen Caddy 1.6, which easily carries five people and all their luggage.”
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