ASH CAR SALES
February 11, 2016
Witness
s Catch u live on 04 l 1 Capita
Dealers in Superfine Exotic and Sports Cars Tel: 033 345 1971, 033 342 4717 Fax: 033 342 2900 - www.ashcarsales.co.za
WHEELS
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CarS wanted fOr CaSh...
Instant payments. Bank finance settled immediately. Insurance and tracker accounts sorted out same time. No hassles, no stress. Contact ash 083 786 3377 550 Church Street, Pietermaritzburg 3201 PO Box 8390, Cumberwood 3235
INSIDE: SANTACO’S TAXI DRIVER OF 2016, BIKE EVENTS IN KZN, A PLUSH EURO MOTORHOME
Buy a new or a used car? A RELIABLE motor vehicle is a necessity in a country like South Africa where public transport is often unreliable and expensive. The recent massive decline in the purchasing power of the rand is driving up the price of new ve hicles. Depending on their country of origin, costs have risen be tween 2,5 and 17%; and there is little importers can do about these rises. Car purchases have further been complicated financially by interest rate rises and I read this week in a reliable financial maga zine that the country can expect a further two or three interest rate hikes this year. In the case of motorists, who have financed
motor vehicles, it is possible that their repayments will rise with the interest rate. All motorists should check on this with their banks. OH FOR ALL THAT SHINE! We all love a new car. It has not been driven by anyone else, it comes with a guarantee and dealership staff attend to your every need, while telling you what a good choice you have made. As you drive off with your bas ket filled with champagne and sweets, the salesman who sold you the car gives a sigh of relief. He can now pay his children’s school fees. You, unfortunately, have just lost a quite considera
ble amount of money in depreci ation and the longer you keep the car the less it will be worth. If you retain the car for a long period of time, say 10 years or more, it will have paid for itself and so you will be able to live with the small tradein price you will get for it. Most of us, however, get bored with the cars we drive, we lust after the turbocharged, newer model with leather seats and builtin GPS and we end up at the dealers, begging for a better trade in and hoping for a dis count or, as they say these days, trade in assistance; and the cycle starts again. Continue on page 2
BRIAN BASSETT investigates the dilemma of the SA motorist in a depressed economy
Metro Cars’ Elvis Naidoo (left) puts a preloved Polo through a 50point checklist with Brian Bassett who advises buying used cars from a reputable dealer is a sound financial decision, but do get the additional warranty and discuss any problems with the sales staff. PHOTO: ALWYN VILJOEN
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