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- If you'd like to spoil your partner this Valentine's Day, you could consider one of these pre-owned models.
- We've selected some old some new, but there are 100s of worthwhile cars to choose from under R250 000 on AutoTrader.
- We list an Abarth hot hatch that costs half of what you'd pay for a new one, and it's in excellent nick.
- For motoring news, go to Wheels24
Valentine's Day is less than two weeks away, and if you were planning on doing something special for your loved one, why not go all out and get them a pre-loved vehicle? We've already tackled a list of new models for the ultra-rich, but in this list, we're focusing on more realistic purchases - prices capped at R250 000.
We turned to AutoTrader and set our search parameters to include sporty coupes and convertibles (cabriolets, roadsters, spyders, you name it). After all, if it's a Valentine's Day gift, it should have a bit of character, right?
Here are five pre-loved models, some golden oldies and some newer, but all with decent mileage and in seemingly good nick:
1. Hyundai Veloster
The Hyundai Veloster didn't sell in huge numbers when it arrived as a new model, possibly due to its odd styling (but we think it's pretty cool looking). You get a single door on the driver's side and two doors on the passenger side. While that might seem odd, it makes sense if you want some sporty character when you approach the vehicle from the driver's side. The two doors on the passenger side make it more practical than a traditional two-door coupe.
READ: Here are 5 older (quirky) cars you can still buy in South Africa for less than R100 000
We found this clean yellow example on AutoTrader for R239 900. A naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine powers its front-wheel-drive architecture through an automatic gearbox. With 103kW and 167Nm on tap, it's a zippy little car but does require revs to really make haste. Fortunately, the vehicle sips a claimed 6.8-litres/100km in a combined cycle, which should be good enough for up to 735km from a full tank of petrol. Packed with comfort, convenience and safety features, you'll struggle to find a more unique vehicle with such low mileage (32 518km) under R250 000, so it might be worth a look.
2. MG MGB GT
As the motoring world rapidly moves towards electrification, cars like the MG MGB GT might not be on the road much longer. However, if your partner loves classic cars, you can buy them this one to ensure at least one of these cool cars live on into the future. The key challenge when purchasing a classic car, especially one that's been restored, is that you might never know the full extent of the quality of the vehicle. This is why it's recommended that you stick to dealerships when shopping in this segment.
READ: R1 000 difference - would you buy this range-topping hatchback or entry-level SUV?
This MG MGB GT has 35 800km on it (priced at R219 950), according to the dealer, and it is finished in a heritage dark blue paint scheme with its original interior intact. You even get those traditional wire-spoke wheels, which will require a specialist to maintain, but they look really cool. This car is listed as a 1.8-litre petrol model, and it comes with a manual gearbox. While it might not be the ideal vehicle for daily driving, it's a fantastic car for long weekend drives to your favourite coffee shops and restaurants.
3. Mercedes-Benz SLK
The Mercedes-Benz SLK brought the folding hard-top style convertible into the mainstream in the 1990s with its uniquely designed Vario roof. Since then, numerous manufacturers have delved into the world of folding metal rooves, although many have now reverted to the fabric style. Nevertheless, according to the dealership, this SLK 230 Kompressor we found is in pristine condition, and it only has 37 000km on it.
Read: From R340 000 to R755 000: Listing the three most affordable convertibles in SA
The car came with a fantastic supercharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine that punched out 142kW and 280Nm, which gave it spirited performance in the 90s, which still holds today as it's able to gallop from 0 to 100km/h in just 7.4 seconds. The automatic gearbox fitted to the vehicle was a bit sluggish, but you must remember its 1990s torque convertor technology at play, so it's not a deal breaker. As a daily driver or as a weekend runaround, the SLK can work well, and it has this retro charm to it without being too old like the MG we mentioned earlier. Expect it to sip around 10-litres/100km in a combined cycle.
4. Nissan 350Z Roadster
Nissan showed off its all-new Z car last year, which we'll get in South Africa at some point, but that car is going to cost more than a million rands. There's nothing wrong with the Z model that ignited South Africa's passion for Nissan sportscars again, the 350Z. We found this excellent example on AutoTrader with 32 000km on it, according to the dealer, and it's priced at 229 950.
READ: Premium alternatives - 5 Hatchbacks you can buy in SA for less than R450 000
Now, these cars do sell for more than book value (like the Honda S2000) if you find good ones with low mileage, so keep that in mind when you're shopping around. It might be worthwhile to negotiate with the dealership to see if you could get some discount on the car, as there's undoubtedly wiggle room here. Regardless, a 3.5-litre V6 with 216kW and the ability to rocket you from 0-100km/h in 6.2 seconds is more than adequate. However, the 350Z isn't a frugal car, so if your partner plans on daily driving it, the fuel bills might add up fast.
5. Abarth 500
The Abarth line-up has been on sale for some time already, although it has enjoyed several facelifts over the years. Last year, the company introduced another facelift version, adding a special edition "Monster" derivative. We love this car for its compact dimensions, ease of living with nature in congested cities, and ability to nip about through traffic with zestiness. Unfortunately, we don't like how it's priced as a new model, as the really nice ones cost nearly R500 000 these days.
We found this one from 2014 with a low 34 000km on it, and it looks to be in pristine condition for its age. The best part, it's priced at R189 900, making it relatively affordable compared to a brand new one. As far as ultra-compact sporty hatches go, the Abarth hardly spars with competition in South Africa, so it's quite a unique purchase, and it's different to the tried-and-tested Polos and Audis (not that there's anything wrong with those models). This one offers 99kW, 180Nm, 0-100km/h sprints in 7.9 seconds, and a claimed combined cycle fuel consumption of 6.5-litres/100km.
If you consider buying a pre-loved vehicle for your loved one this Valentine's Day, consider the cost of comprehensive insurance too. Also, consider those older models like the MG we mentioned will require special maintenance and mechanics (parts might be challenging to find if the vehicle is bumped or has a mechanical breakdown).
Which car would you buy for your Valentine if you could afford to splash out on a vehicle as a gift this Valentine's Day? Let us know in the comments section, or please send us an email here.
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