LISTEN | Buy new or drive the jalopy into the ground

There are 11m vehicles on SA’s roads, with an average age of 10 years. In 2022, there will be more vehicles, and they will be getting older, especially in Eastern Cape. So, if you’re in the aging vehicle category, do you trade in on a new machine, buy a good pre-owned one, or bite the bullet and drive your old jalopy into the ground?

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Peter McNorton, of Kelston Motor Group, in discussion with Ted Keenan, Daily Dispatch business correspondent, said: “Take the foot off the accelerator when it comes to a decision.”

Passion must be tempered with common sense and tough financial questions.

What’s the old machine costing, with repairs and expensive maintenance mounting along with the kilometres on the odometer? What will a new or used vehicle cost? What’s the trade-in? What if the family’s financial position had a nasty reversal?

Kelston Group has nearly 30 outlets in Eastern Cape, and recently added Kelston Chery in East London.

“With all the new brands, do the research. There are great deals. But know your budget.”

Then there is another confusing area. Fossil fuel or electric?

Winstone Jordaan, MD of GridCars said one in forty vehicles sold globally was electric. By 2030 every second sold in the USA will be electric.

If the statistics pan out, Jordaan will be in the pound seats, with nearly 300 charging stations on the main routes.

He said SA cannot buck the electric trend, because the vehicle suppliers to the SA manufacturers are from Europe and Japan.

“In a few years, our exports will be electric, and not too soon. It’s great for the environment.”

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