The Steed ( GWM? ) looks ok, but I'm not sure if i'd get one over one of the more established brands. My Navara ( legroom problem aside ), has been a star.
Not cricket /soccer / tennis .... but Bakkies !
my view, stay away from the Chinese made vehicels.....unlike the Japanese vehicles that imporved rapidly the Chinese vehicles have not...thy just kuk.... only time they look attractive is in the monthly repayment, rest of the time they kak..... none of them go thru the euro ncap tests either ....there is a reason for that.......
but they are cheap and they do get ppl mobile ...
but they are cheap and they do get ppl mobile ...
I used a GWM as a company car for 70,000kms. My business partner was the agent and we had a workshop together selling and maintaining them. Inner door handles snapped, regularly. Worse, suspension ball joints failed often (as in broke) at 60,000kms. Brake and fuel pipes cracked, oil pump drives sheared before 20,000kms. Of 11 vehicles that left Maputo for Tete, only nine made it. The response from the main agents in Maputo and SA left a lot to be desired (understatement). It seemed as if there was just not enough quality control in general. I'm sure that in time they will improve but, personally, i wouldn't like to have to use one again until they do.
Edit: The Mahindra Scorpios seem to be doing well up here. One of the mining concerns bought them and planned on writing them off after two years. Five years later they are still running and not looking too bad st sll.
Edit: The Mahindra Scorpios seem to be doing well up here. One of the mining concerns bought them and planned on writing them off after two years. Five years later they are still running and not looking too bad st sll.
Find out about service costs and parts availability.
Some imported brands are OK on those fronts - EG Hyundai.
But some others sell the cars cheap but hook you into expensive service and some (and not just the Chinese brands) you struggle for parts.
TCO - Total Cost of Ownership.
I used to work in fleet hire and had access to all the figures. Now all I can do is tell you to research the figures.
Also... some of these brands don't have much support outside the big cities. I got stuck in Ficksburg with a Hyundai. You know how much support there is for Hyundai down there? You have to go (or get towed) to the BMW dealership in Bethlehem who have an arrangement with Hyundai but that doesn't extend to stocking spares.
If I'd had a Toyota there'd have been no problems. They have dealers and service, with spares, all over the show.
Some imported brands are OK on those fronts - EG Hyundai.
But some others sell the cars cheap but hook you into expensive service and some (and not just the Chinese brands) you struggle for parts.
TCO - Total Cost of Ownership.
I used to work in fleet hire and had access to all the figures. Now all I can do is tell you to research the figures.
Also... some of these brands don't have much support outside the big cities. I got stuck in Ficksburg with a Hyundai. You know how much support there is for Hyundai down there? You have to go (or get towed) to the BMW dealership in Bethlehem who have an arrangement with Hyundai but that doesn't extend to stocking spares.
If I'd had a Toyota there'd have been no problems. They have dealers and service, with spares, all over the show.
On the Other Hand,. The Ford Ranger seems to be one of the most popular vehicle in this class in the country at the moment.Joe Moore wrote: Thanks very much for all the input guys. 8)
I was really hoping for a more positive response tbh .
It seems I unintentionally ommitted Ford ?, ... but, from past bad experiences I've had with them , that doesn't really matter. Lol . ?
Bakkies for April 2014
1. Toyota Hilux - 2457
2. Ford Ranger - 1804
3. Chevrolet Utility - 1367
4. Isuzu KB - 1325
5. Nissan NP200 - 1223
6. Nissan NP300 - 407
7. Toyota Land Cruiser PU - 359
8. Volkswagen Amarok - 282
9. Mazda BT-50 - 237
10. Mitsubishi Triton - 101
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