Hatchback vs Sedan – Which One Is For You

Posted by on 16 Mar 2020 under Car Buying Tips, General

Volkswagen Hatchback & Audi Sedan

Hatchback Versus Sedan

My first car was an old-school Mini 1100. I think its body shape was technically a 2-door saloon. Thereafter I always drove hatchbacks, until my family needs moved me to SUVs. But what about the sedan, the familiar three-box family-car I grew up with? Did the first VW Golf in the ‘70s prove so superior that it killed off the sedan?

Let’s look at the hatchback vs the sedan.


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Is This Car Affordable? 5 Ways to Tell.

Posted by on 20 Jan 2020 under Blog, Car Buying Tips

Black Sedan

Identifying Which Cars Are Really Affordable

If you’re planning to shop around for an affordable vehicle in South Africa in 2020, we have excellent news – there are plenty of great options on offer from Group1 Cars dealerships throughout the country. However, when you’re faced with this amount of choice, it can become a bit of a headache to figure out which pre-owned vehicle is right for you. After all, when you drive that car, bakkie or SUV off the lot, it needs to suit your lifestyle, not the other way around.


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A Summary Of The Different Gearbox Options

Posted by on 17 Jan 2020 under Blog, Car Buying Tips, General, Group 1 Cars

Gearbox

Gearbox Options Explained

You are scrolling through Group1cars for your next ride and everything looks great, but what does MT and AT and AMT mean? CVT and DCT? Let’s have a look.

MT stands for manual transmission and was the original way to transfer engine power to the wheels optimally, according to the speed of the car. The driver pushes in the clutch pedal to manually disconnect the transmission from the clutch plate, selects a gear, releases the clutch again to engage the selected gear. Until quite recently this was the most efficient way to change gears, and many drivers still believe it gives the most driver engagement.


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The Best Time to Buy a Car in 2020

Posted by on 03 Jan 2020 under Blog, Car Buying Tips, General, Group 1 Cars

Car in Dealership

Top Tip: When To Buy That New Car

Buying a new car is a double-edged sword if ever there was one – it’s extremely exciting, but it can also be rather nerve-wracking to make such a big investment. As such, it makes sense to evaluate all your options very carefully before you sign on the dotted line and drive off in your new vehicle.


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Seven Pre-owned SUVs To Think About

Posted by on 03 Oct 2019 under Asx, Car Buying Tips, Car Reviews, Ecosport, Ford, Group 1 Cars, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Renault, Toyota, X-Trail

SUV in Woods

Seven Great SUVs

There is no such thing as a typical SUV. Some are bigger, some are rather cramped. Some are a bit too grand for anything but parking on a pavement, while some are at home in the bush. You cannot really compare cheap with cheap or large with large and get a meaningful answer.


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Tips To Avoid A Shoddy Car Dealership

Posted by on 30 Jul 2019 under Car Buying Tips, General, Group 1 Cars

Used Car Dealership

How To Avoid Unreliable Used Car Dealerships

Far too often we hear horror stories about unsuspecting buyers being fooled by a shoddy car dealership. It all starts off well as people think they are getting a brilliant deal which only turns out to be a total waste of time and money. Everything comes down to trust but with so many car sharks out there, how do you know which car dealership to use?

An obvious solution is to only buy from a reputable dealership directly associated with the brand you want or those with accreditation from the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer). Most of these dealerships also sell used cars which are typically the safest bet.


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New VS Used: The Benefits for First-Time Buyers

Posted by on 19 Jul 2019 under Blog, Car Buying Tips, General, Group 1 Cars

Used Vs New Cars

Buying Used vs New

Buying your first car is one of those big life moments you will always remember. After all, a car is a symbol of personal freedom. When you have your own set of wheels you can (for all intents and purposes) set off into the sunset, chasing new horizons and seeking thrilling adventures whenever you choose. Well, in real life most of us have to pitch up for work in the morning, but you get what we’re saying.


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Helpful Advice When Buying Secondhand Cars

Posted by on 12 Jun 2019 under Blog, Car Buying Tips

Second hand Cars

Tips When Buying A Second hand Car

According to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers South Africa (NAAMSA), sales of secondhand cars have increased steadily in South Africa over the past few years. Considering the high prices of new cars and the fact that more students are looking for their own means of transport, pre-owned vehicles play an important role in the economy.


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Which SUV Is Safer, Toyota, Isuzu or Mitsubishi?

Posted by on 15 Apr 2019 under Blog, Car Buying Tips, Car Reviews, Group 1 Cars, Isuzu, Mitsubishi, Toyota

Toyota, Isuzu & Mitsubishi

Toyota, Isuzu & Mitsubishi

This is the type of information many people want to know and we’ve gone the distance in answering that very question. It literally is the battle royale as we compare the Toyota Fortuner 2.4 GD-6 RB AT, the Isuzu mu-X 3.0 4×2 AT6 and the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2.4 D4.

While all three are large, automatic SUVs with comfortable seating for seven people, which one tips the scale in terms of the all-important safety features? To ensure a fair fight, we’ve chosen the slightly more affordable 4×2 variants since the whole idea is to compare the list of standard active and passive safety features.


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Why Buying A Pre-Owned BMW X5 Is Still Worth It

Posted by on 20 Feb 2019 under BMW, BMW X5, Car Buying Tips, Car Model History, Car Reviews

BMW X5

Buying second-hand cars can be a daunting task but if you want quality and reliability, look no further than a pre-owned BMW X5. It has brought pure enjoyment to all who have owned one and proved an exceptional contender in the new and used car segments. In fact, at Group1, our showroom floor often plays guest to several quality pre-owned SAVs (Sports Activity Vehicles) just like the BMW X5.


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