Lifestyle

5 things you need to know about the Peugeot 5008

Having recently spent the holidays driving the Volvo XC90, I am dead keen to get my hands on the new Peugeot 5008. The XC90 might be more than double the price of the 5008, but they are both seven-seaters and I like to put myself in the buyer’s shoes no matter what the car or what the cost. The 5008 will be arriving next week and so ahead of that, I wanted to give you some info on it. Here are 5 things you need to know about the Peugeot 5008: 1. IT HAS SEVEN SEATS BUT… Ok, I realise you already know it has seven seats because I mentioned it in the first paragraph, but what is good to know is that those last two seats at the back can fold completely flat in to the loadbay or they can removed altogether. It means you will have a massive boot when it is in a five-seat configuration. Do you want to know how massive? Of course you do. 780-litres is what you will get! That is 100-litres more than its predecessor. 2. THERE ARE TWO ENGINES AVAILABLE This is important because you need to know whether you want to drive a petrol or a diesel engine. The new 5008 offers you both. You can either opt for a 1.6-litre turbopetrol which produces 121 kW and 240 Nm. Your fuel consumption is claimed to sit around 7.0l/100 km with this engine. Or you can opt for a 2.0-litre turbodiesel with its 110 kW of power and 370 Nm of torque. Fuel consumption is claimed to be far lower at just 4.8L/100 km Both engines are mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. 3. THERE ARE TWO TRIM LEVELS AVAILABLE You might be familiar with these trim levels if you are fan of any other Peugeot models, such as the 3008. You can opt for either the Allure or the GT Line guise. The Allure comes with features such as: Dual-zone climate control A hands-free tailgate Tyre-pressure monitoring sensors Cloth/leather trim Auto headlamps and wipers Daytime running lights Parking sensors Keyless entry USB/Bluetooth connectivity Apple CarPlay/Android Auto 18-inch alloy wheels The GT Line adds Front-seat massage function Wireless charging pad Full LED headlamps LED fog lights Nappa leather upholstery 180 degree camera SAT Nav Upgraded audio system LED Lion puddle lamps Black diamond roof 19-inch alloy wheels Semi-autonomous safety package 4. THE PEUGEOT 5008 WILL COST: Peugeot 5008 Allure 1.6 THP – R534 900 Peugeot 5008 Allure 2.0 HDi – R554 900 Peugeot 5008 GT Line 1.6 THP – R579 900 Peugeot 5008 GT Line HDi – R599 900 5. IT COMES STANDARD WITH PEUGEOT PRIDE What is Peugeot Pride? I hear you ask. Let me tell you: A 5 year / 100 000km comprehensive warranty A 5 year / 100 000km comprehensive service plan Customer support: roadside assistance, 24-hour Customer contact centre, Licence renewal reminder, Service plan and warranty expiry notifications. Peace of Mind Service and Repairs: Complimentary health check. Courtesy transport for all warranty repairs for 48 hours. Peugeot Parts basket that will always be competitively priced. Safety film option; tracking solution option; MicroDot; My Peugeot App This is just to get you warmed up for the video that will come out soon – well once I have actually driven the 5008 and filmed it, so not that soon. But keep your eyes peeled (such a gross saying). And if you are interested in buying a new Peugeot 5008 head on over to Carmag.co.za for a list of new cars. You can also try out the used car list.

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This is what I was doing in November #CARshootout

Lifestyle / julzmcg

You guys know the annual #CARshootout, right? Well, don’t be jelly, but I joined the team this year on their epic performance shootout road trip and it was, well, it was epic. I got to drive all 12 performance cars back to back over a three day road trip and on Aldo Scribante Racetrack. It was not a terrible few days I have to tell you. Here is a list of the Shootout cars in the order I rated them 1. Porsche 911 Carrera S 2. Audi RS4 Avant 3. Toyota Supra 4. Suzuki Swift Sport 5. Ford Mustang Bullit 6. BMW X3 M 7. Renault Megane Cup 8. Hyundai 130 N 9. Jaguar F Pace SVR 10. Merc-AMG A35 11. Merc-AMG GT63 S 12. BMW M135i xDrive And now for the Shootout video that will make you want my job even more: The January issue of CAR magazine is on sale now so be sure to get it for all the results.

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An interview with my spirit animal in Ireland

Lifestyle / julzmcg

A few years back at a launch in Spain, I had the honour of meeting the wonderful Caroline Kidd, editor of one of Ireland’s leading motoring blogs called Changing Lanes. Not only is Caroline just the most fantastic person, but she also happens to do the exact same thing that I do (she just does it far better). I also think we look rather similar, but maybe it is just the blonde hair? Caroline contacted me to do an interview for her blog and I thought, “Oh my gosh, here is my chance to feature her on mine!” So here is the interview I conducted with Caroline. If you pop over to her website, you will see my face smiling back at ya. 1. Can you introduce yourself in a couple of sentences? Hi, my name is Caroline Kidd. I’m a motoring journalist and the editor of Changing Lanes, one of Ireland’s leading motoring blogs! I’m also a juror for Irish Car of the Year since 2016. 2. How did you start your career testing cars? I studied journalism in college and when I graduated I was looking for writing jobs. An opportunity to write about cars for an online magazine presented itself to me and the rest is history! I’ve loved cars since I was a small child so it turned out to be a perfect fit for me. I set up Changing Lanes in 2014 and the site has gone from strength to strength ever since. As well as reviewing cars for my website, I also write articles and motoring content for a number of publications and make the occasional video for YouTube. I love my work and feel really blessed to have this as a career. 3. What inspires you? For me every car that arrives in my test schedule is an opportunity to tell a new story. Through words, unique photography and a few cheesy selfies I try to convey something different with each car. I love the variety of my career and particularly the creative side of creating content for my site and social media. I want to make people feel something when they interact with my content – from “whoa I really want that car” to “that’s the ugliest car I’ve ever seen”! It’s all good in my world if I can move someone somewhere to feel something. Creating art in my small way is what truly inspires me. As well as good cars, good roads, good wine, good books, good music and good chocolate! 4. What would be in your dream 3 car garage? Well this changes all the time but right now if money was no object I would be running out the door to order a new Audi A6 (black, S line, 3.0 litre V6 diesel), a Hyundai i30 N and a Mazda MX-5 RF. I think I’ve everything covered there. 5. Favourite music to drive/sing to? In the car I love to hit the high notes along with Kate Bush. There’s loads of dodgy cheesy stuff in my playlist along with some cooler indie, pop and rock. 6. Best moment of your career so far? Meeting Peter Schreyer was pretty awesome. I’d spent years reading about his career. He’s a superstar of car design. His influence is apparent on some of my favourite cars like the first generation Audi TT and Volkswagen Golf IV and I love what he has done for the Hyundai and Kia brands. Then one day I was given an opportunity to meet and interview him. That was a pinch yourself moment for me. I created Changing Lanes in my bedroom in a little corner of Ireland and it’s brought me some amazing opportunities. This creation of mine continues to surprise me with the cars and people it gives me access to. 7. Favourite place in Ireland for a road trip? Ireland has a lot to offer keen drivers. We have some stunning coastal routes and national parks. My favourite is the Wicklow Mountains National Park. After I pick up a test car in Dublin, I sometimes take a sneaky detour home through it. I’ve had some memorable driving experiences on these roads, the most recent being with the Renault Mégane R.S. Trophy. 8. What advice do you have for anyone who wants a career as a motoring journalist? Start writing or practising whatever your medium is. Work hard. Celebrate the small victories. Stay grounded. Be consistent. It’s not enough just to like cars. You’ve got to be able to communicate effectively and tell a story. Have an opinion. Know your value. Be passionate, enthusiastic and ambitious. Enjoy it. It’s the most magical ride you’ll ever take! Follow Caroline on Instagram

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Financing a car? Let me tell you what you need to know

Lifestyle / julzmcg

I often wonder how people can afford to buy cars. Especially when they are over the R200 000 mark. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to live beyond my means and if I had to finance a R400 000 car, I certainly would be. But there are ways and means of owning the car you really want. It just might mean being a little clever about it. The head of Auto Information Solutions at TransUnion Africa, Kriben Reddy, lists three options when it comes to financing your car. Each one has its advantages as well as disadvantages, so you should take note of his guidelines. My only advice is, be really smart about your choice of car. Work out your spending limit and stick to it. INSTALMENT SALE This is the most popular option but one should understand that not all deals are created equally. You can lower your monthly premium by taking out a balloon payment, BUT, it will cost you a lot more in the long run. The same goes for if you decide to make the repayment term longer. Paying off a R200 000 car in the shortest amount of time, with a deposit, could save you more than R60 000 over 6 years – over 30% of the purchase price of the car. The upside It’s all yours when you make that last payment. Financial freedom – until you buy the next one, that is. No limitations to vehicle use. It’s yours – and as long as you’re happy to pay for the services and fuel, you can drive it how you like. The downside Depreciation. A car’s value starts dropping the moment you drive it away from the dealership. It’s not an asset. Hassle. It’s up to you to dispose of it or sell it when you want to trade up. Maintenance and insurance. Because it’s yours, the responsibility of insuring and servicing it is yours too. Balloon payments. If there’s a balloon payment, you’ll have to come up with a big chunk of money – or refinance the amount, which can get you caught up in a debt spiral. FULL MAINTENANCE LEASE A Full Maintenance Lease (FML – and not the F my life version) is whereby you rent the vehicle for an agreed period of time. You pay a monthly fee, which covers all maintenance costs (including services, tyres, oil filters, wiper blades etc), and at the end of the term, you hand back the car and get a new one. This is provided you have stuck to the terms of the agreement. The upside: The monthly repayments are often lower on an FML than on an Instalment Sale. You get a new vehicle more often. No hassles around getting a trade-in on your old car, or having to sell it privately. No nasty surprises at the end of the term with balloon payments. The downside: Even though you pay for it every month, you won’t ever own the vehicle. You aren’t able to go on long road-trips. There are strict limits on the maximum number of kilometres allowed, with severe penalties for exceeding them. There is a penalty to get out of the contract early. GUARANTEED BUY-BACK This is when the bank and the buyer agree on a value that the car can be ‘bought back’ for at the end of an agreed period. The upside: You can possibly end up paying lower monthly payments than an instalment sale. You can shorten the period of ownership – which again means a new car more often. The downside: Like the FML route, deals like this come with strict terms around the upkeep and mileage of the car, and you could be subject to penalties if these conditions aren’t met. You pay insurance for the car. If you are in the market to buy a car, have a look at CARmag.co.za’s list of cars for sale. And if you are selling your car, be sure to download the FirstCheck app to get all the information you need about your car. As soon as you have found a car you want to buy, use this app to find out everything you need to know about the car’s history.

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7 things to keep you safe over the holidays

Lifestyle / julzmcg

Just last week I brought you my tips on how to stay safe on our roads over the festive season. Now, they were of course, a bit unorthodox in their approach, but I am sure you got the sentiment. Who wants to read boring blog pieces anyway? It is not only on the roads where one needs to be vigilant. I don’t know about you, but I tend to suffer from a bit of anxiety leading up to the December break. There is always so much going on. Not to mention being concerned about all my loved ones who are traveling. I felt these tips on keeping safe over the festive season were ones we should all take note of. Yes, they can seem obvious, but sometimes, if you find yourself in a situation, one of these tips will come to mind because you had only recently read it. So please, take note! 1. Share your travel plans Whether you’re packing everyone in the car and driving a few hours to the coast or you’re just quickly going to the mall, you should always let friends or family know where you’re going and when you expect to be back. I wish people would always do this. My husband and I do this so that if we haven’t heard from the other one by a certain time, we know where to start looking. 2. Download an emergency response app 911 Response24 is a genius app that connects you to rapid, reliable emergency services when you need them most. It gives you the peace of mind of knowing that wherever you are in South Africa, whatever you’re doing, if you need armed or medical response, help is on the way fast. Click here to download 911 Response24 for Android, or click here to download 911 Response24 for iOS. 3. Double check those Christmas lights If you’re decorating with lights on a tree and around your house, it’s important to check that everything’s in working order before they go up. The last thing you need over the holidays is for a fire to start in the living room! Especially with loadshedding up and running again, all electrics must be checked. Better to be safe than sorry. 4. Carry a first aid kit From insect bites to skinned knees and everything in-between, you’ll never regret having a well-equipped first aid kit with you. Also include some basic medicine in your kit – there’s nothing worse than having to deal with a fever or snotty nose when you’re far from home without the right treatment for the job. This is also very handy to have when traveling on a long road trip. 5. Don’t let the holidays go to your head Even when you’re away, you shouldn’t forget about those basic security measures that are almost second nature when you’re at home. Lock doors, put away valuables and be aware of your surroundings. Always be aware! Do not let your guard down. 6. Respect the sun Anyone who’s ever felt the pain of a bad sunburn knows that it can really stop you from enjoying your holiday. But even worse, just one serious sunburn increases your risk of skin cancer. Don’t take chances with your health: lather on the sunscreen, wear protective clothing and stay out of direct sun between 10am and 3pm. I cannot go to the beach without a brollie umbrella. 7. Be part of a community South Africa is full of amazing people, and if we look out for each other, we’ll all be safer together. Whether you’re planning a staycation this festive season or an epic local holiday, keep an eye on the people around you and see what small things you can do to help them stay safe.

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My version of festive season road safety tips

Lifestyle / julzmcg

How many articles have you seen from boring press releases sent about tips on road safety over the festive season and blah, blah, blah? Now look, I am all for being safe on the roads. The stats on road deaths is alarming. What I don’t love is the same old boring articles that no one reads. I am guilty of posting such content. But not anymore! Well, until I run out of ideas that is. I am just going to give you a few pearls of wisdom from my buckets of free advice and then you add yours in the comments section on my social media pages and together we can teach idiot drivers how to drive properly. MY ROAD SAFETY TIPS 1. DON’T BE A DOOS I mean, this should go without saying. But if everyone was less of a doos on the road, we would have fewer accidents. You are not the only person who knows how to drive. And I can assure you that you are not the best driver on the road (that position has already been taken by yours truly). Everyone is just trying to get to their destination safely. So be kind, be considerate and just don’t be a doos. 2. DON’T SPEED LIKE A TOOL I know you have to get to your destination “like right now,” but this does not give you the right to drive over the speed limit. The only time you can is if someone’s life is in danger and you are taking them to hospital. I think that is really the only time I will tolerate speeding. And do not give me the argument that speed doesn’t kill, only bad driving does. These can go hand in hand, my friend. And if you want to see the death toll rise, combine bad driving with speeding. 3. HAVE A KIT KAT Take a break! If you are heading out for the holidays and driving long distances, be sure to stop often. I know this sucks. Even I hate this one because I just want to get to my destination and crack open the bottle of wine. I hear ya. But, I cannot begin to explain to you how just this one little tip could actually save your life. You might feel fine, but your reflexes will not be as they should be if you are fatigued. Just stop, walk around the car, and get back in. But either way, stop and take a break. Have a Kit Kat. 4. YOUR CAR IS NOT FINE Don’t just assume that because you had a service done in March that all is hunky dory. No sirree! You need to check that all those tyres are in good nick, that your battery is alive and well, that your windows aren’t cracked or chipped, that your oil is oily, and all those other checks that will ensure you a) don’t break down on a scary road, b) cause a traffic delay for everyone else, c) don’t get in an accident that could have been prevented by checking your tyres, or d) get to your destination safely and on time. 5. PATIENCE IS ACTUALLY A VIRTUE It is always better to be patient rather than impatient, especially on the road. I know you want to get to where you are going (refer to the bottle of wine in tip 3), but if you really think about it, will the extra minute you gained by overtaking on a blind rise really make a difference at the end of the day? I can tell you when it will make a difference; when you are lying in the hospital thinking, “What the hell was I thinking, I should have just waited that extra minute.” 6. RISK TAKING IS FOR BUSINESS VENTURES AND OTHER SUCH THINGS It is NEVER for the road. If you feel like you are about to take a risk while you’re driving then you are and stop yourself. Overtaking on solid lines or on blind rises, overtaking when visibility is bad, driving over the speed limit, driving when you’re tired, or doing anything that is against the law is a no go zone! Taking a risk on the road has to be one of the most idiotic things you could do. 7. GET FEZZY BUT DON’T DRIVE Look, it is no secret that I love a bit of wine (ok a lot, but who is counting the bottles glasses?), but one thing I refuse to do is drink and then drive. There really is no excuse these days. Uber and the likes have made it so that we can really enjoy ourselves with no catastrophic consequences. Plan your day or evening. Don’t assume you won’t drink. Rather plan to drink and then if you don’t, yay for no hangover the next day. Either way, you will be a responsible human being who I would very much like to be friends with. If you’re a drink and driver, you go in the ‘No Friends’ bin. And hopefully to jail a swell. 8. USE YOUR COMMON SENSE At the end of the day, you are not an idiot. Are you? Only an idiot will drive like a doos or do any of the stupid things I have mentioned in this article. Be the driver you would want your loved ones to be. If you have kids, drive like you would want your kids to drive. Think about it, if you witness them overtake on a solid line or get behind the wheel absolutely trollied, I am certain you would want to kick their ass (not in a violent way, obviously). So there you have it. I could go on and on, but I assume you already know all of this and I am not going to bore you with any more obvious tips. Let’s bring that festive season death toll right down. Imagine a holiday time where not one person dies on our roads. Wouldn’t that

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Cars are just so expensive these days, aren’t they?

Lifestyle / julzmcg

My husband is currently in the market for a new car and you would think with me being a motoring journalist and all, it would be an easy task. Well let me tell you, it is not! The process is not the issue, the pricing of cars is. I remember when he bought his current car about five years ago, back then his brand new Polo cost around R220 000. To buy the equivalent new Polo now will cost R287 000. When you look at it, that isn’t exactly a massive jump over five years, but for some reason, it really feels like it. UNDER INFLATION According to a report by TransUnion Vehicle Pricing Index (VPI) for Q3 2019, new cars sales has seen a decline despite new vehicle price increases staying under inflation for the past two years – which is the longest consecutive period since the creation of the index in 2000. Used vehicle price increases have slowed, which is indicative that the used market is also taking the strain. FINANCING AND STUFF Despite lower price increases, the number of new vehicles financed in Q3 fell 7% compared to the same period a year ago, while the number of used vehicles financed showed a 1% increase. This is not surprising, I guess, when you consider that just about everything else has soared in price…has anyone else noticed the fewer bags of groceries one can buy with the same amount of money a year ago? Two minute noodles anyone? Head of Auto Information Solutions for TransUnion Africa, Kriben Reddy, said the sluggish market reflected ongoing low consumer and business confidence, reiterating the weak domestic demand conditions. Although interest rates fell by 25 basis points in July, which offered consumers additional spending power, many consumers have opted to delay vehicle purchasing decisions due to the ongoing economic uncertainty. “The bad news for the industry is that local market conditions are not likely to change in the foreseeable future. The industry is trending in a downward direction, and unless certain structural changes take place in the economy, the picture is not going to change for the local auto industry,” said Reddy. WHAT TO DO? WHAT TO DO? The best option is to probably opt for a second hand car. My husband is looking at demo models. The VPI report shows the used-to-new vehicle ratio increased from 2.08 in 2018 Q3 to 2.26 in 2019 Q3, which means that 2.26 used vehicles were financed for every new vehicle financed. The make-up of used vehicle sales is also shifting, with 36% of used vehicles financed under two years old, with 6% of those being ex-demo models – which indicates consumers are opting for older vehicles as pressure on disposable income increases. Yup, the pressure is real people! “The percentage of cars (new and used) being financed at key price points – below R200 000, R200 000-R300 000 and over R300 000 – has been fairly consistent over the last six quarters. This shows that consumers’ purchasing power and their ability to purchase more expensive vehicles is not changing,” said Reddy. ARE YOU BUYING OR SELLING? The one part of this whole car buying process that can be a bit of a pain, is selling your current car so that you can afford to buy the new one, obviously. But it can be tricky! How do you know how much you should be getting for your current car? What is the trade-in value etc. A flippen cool app to help you with that is First Check. It will tell you all the info you need for selling and buying a car. Things such as vehicle market value and extras, theft and ownership details and even the current finance information on a particular car. If you’re looking to buy a car, whether new or used, check out CARmag for some great deals. Look, it is a huge amount of money to spend when buying a car and it is not a decision to take lightly. My poor husband has me constantly in his ear about all sorts of things to look out for. In fact, we are about to go a test drive a car right now because he knows he is not allowed to consider a car without driving it first. If you haven’t read any of my car buying tips, you need to. I can also be the nagging wife in your ear if you so choose. Just give me a shout on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

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6 reasons I love Volvo

Lifestyle / julzmcg

This is quite a controversial move on my part. As a journalist I should remain objective at all times. But the problem is that even when being objective, I still love the Volvo brand. I figured that this warrants doing a post to give you the exact reasons why I love it so much. And let’s be frank, I don’t generally play by the rules anyway. DISCLAIMER: This is NOT paid for or sponsored by Volvo. In case you were wondering. 1. SAFE AS HOUSES This is possibly the number one reason I love the Volvo brand. The carnage that lashes our roads on a daily basis is terrifying to say the least. I want to know that I am as safe as I can possibly be when I am in a car. Volvo offers this. Not one person has been reportedly killed in an XC90 since it launched. That is quite a stat, hey?! Did you know that it was Volvo who first introduced the three-point safety belt back in 1959. It is estimated to have saved over one million lives globally, not just in Volvos but in other cars too. And this is because it share the safety love. Volvo Cars has made its safety knowledge easily accessible in a central digital library which it urges the car industry to use, in the interest of safer roads for all. “We have data on tens of thousands of real-life accidents, to help ensure our cars are as safe as they can be for what happens in real traffic,” says Lotta Jakobsson, professor and senior technical specialist at Volvo Cars Safety Centre. “This means our cars are developed with the aim to protect all people, regardless of gender, height, shape or weight, beyond the ‘average person’ represented by crash test dummies.” TAKING SAFETY EVEN FURTHER Earlier this year, Volvo Cars announced that it plans to install “in-car cameras and other sensors” to monitor the driver and allow the vehicle to intervene if a “clearly intoxicated or distracted driver” does not respond to warning signals. This is just another step in the Swedish brand’s ambitions to end fatalities in its cars. This comes after it revealed plans to limit the top speed of its new vehicles to 180 km/h. The aforementioned “intervention” could involve limiting the car’s speed, alerting the Volvo on Call assistance service and, as a final course of action, actively slowing down and safely parking the car. VOLVO ON CALL VOC is an app-based service that can facilitate a multitude of tasks that helps you communicate with your car. You can remotely lock or unlock the doors, check the fuel level from your office desk, and cool or heat your car before you get into it – you can do this all via your smartphone, smartwatch, tablet or desktop. South African motorists will particularly appreciate the associated safety and security benefits. If you forget to lock your car you will get a notification message. This cool service will also automatically contact the emergency services if you are involved in an accident and tells them where you are. Other remarkable capabilities of VOC include the ability to provide an in-car WiFi hotspot, which can be accessed by everyone in your car. You can stream music and films to the car too. VOC is a standard feature in South Africa with effect from model year 2020 Volvo derivatives. It is entirely free of charge for five years. ONE YEAR FREE ELECTRICITY Did you know that a Volvo Cars global incentive scheme, branded the Recharge campaign, is available in South Africa? All buyers of all new Volvo hybrid plug-ins will receive a full refund for all electricity used in the first year of ownership. In South Africa, this offer applies to the Volvo XC90 T8. Motorists will be able to monitor electricity used via the Volvo on Call app. The refund is based on data received from Volvo on Call. This is not just something that benefits you, but it will also benefit the environment. Volvo is dedicated to an all-electric future and that means a manufacturer that is kinder to our planet. Yet another reason to love this brand. OVERALL PRODUCT OFFERING Whether it is the XC90, the XC60 or even the V40, I love driving a Volvo. It is easy, comfortable and fuss-free. I think it is clear by now that the Volvo XC40 is one of my favourite cars on the roads at the moment. It is a car I would happily own. I do not say this lightly. To drive a car every single day means it has to be pretty darn incredible. It also has to meet certain needs. Every Volvo model does this for me. If you haven’t yet, you need to get your bum in to a Volvo seat. PARENTAL LEAVE This doesn’t have much to do with what I do for a living in terms of test driving new cars, but I have to add this to my reasons to love Volvo because it is just plain awesome. As part of a global initiative, it launched a paid gender-neutral parental leave policy offering mothers and fathers a total of six months leave with 80 percent pay also applicable to same-sex and parents of adopted children. Doesn’t that not just make your heart sing? THERE YOU HAVE IT What are your reasons for loving Volvo? Do you drive a Volvo? If so, please tell me why you chose to buy one and if you’re happy with your decision. Tell me on Facebook,Twitter, and Instagram. And subscribe to my YouTube channel obviously. If you’re interested in buying a Volvo, new or used, head on over to CARmag.co.za to check out some awesome deals.

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61 per cent of second-hand tyres sold in SA are illegal

Lifestyle / julzmcg

It’s not often that I post from press releases sent my way, but this one caught my eye. It’s because I have written a bazillion stories on tyre safety over the years and yet it is still one of things people forget to check. A recent report conducted by a major tyre manufacturer, revealed that more than 60% per cent of second tyres sold in South Africa are illegal.* “This is a staggering statistic,” says chairperson of the South African Tyre Manufacturing Conference (SATMC), Darren Hayes-Powell. “One that has fatal consequences for road users, especially when you consider that the only part of the car touching the road is a piece of tyre tread the size of your hand **. This Transport Month, October 2019, we are urging drivers to only purchase tyres, new or second-hand, from reputable dealerships, ” he says. Second-hand tyres are often sold to customers looking for a way to save money on replacement tyres. However, unless they visit a reputable dealership or know what to look out for, buyers may purchase a second-hand waste tyre, intended for the scrapheap. Hayes-Powell says that the choice between the a waste-tyre and a safe-to-use tyre could be a matter of life and death. “The consequences of fitting second-hand waste tyres can be dire. They reduce the performance of a vehicle by increasing stopping distances, raising the risk of skidding and increasing the risk of blow-outs.” Second-hand tyres are safe-to-use you when you see: Visible tread wear indicators below tread across the whole tyre. No exposed fabric, cuts, lumps or bulges. A second-hand tyre is NOT safe to use when you see: Tread depth across any part of the tyre that is below the level of the tread wear indicators. No tread wear indicator, due to carving the rubber on tyres to create more tread depth (regrooving). Damaged rubber that exposes fabric or cord. Cuts, lumps or bulges. “More concerning is the fact that we have even seen tyres that have been damaged beyond repair for safe service on the road but have been superglued so that the repair is not visible anymore. This will certainly be cause for a blow out on the road and potentially an accident,” says Hayes-Powell. Fitting second-hand waste tyres can also have an impact on insurance pay-outs. According to the Automobile Association (AA), in the event of a crash, an insurance claim could be refuted if it is found that the tyres were in poor condition and were the cause of the crash.*** “While the onus of labelling and destroying of second-hand waste tyres lies with retail tyre fitment centres, the catastrophic effects lie with drivers. If you have any doubt about the quality of a used-tyre, do not purchase it. It could save lives,” Hayes-Powell concludes. References * Sumitomo Rubber South Africa’s Used Tyre Survey, 2017.** https://www.dunloptyres.co.za/safer-than-safe*** AA Tyre Safety Demonstration, October 2019. Presentation issued by AA spokesperson Layton Beard.

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These are currently the best cars in the country

Lifestyle / julzmcg

As you guys should know by now, I am a judge for the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards powered by Wesbank. It is a job I take very seriously because it is up to me (not alone, obviously) to choose the best cars this country has to offer. And believe me, it is no easy task. Just think about it for a second; you have to take your head out of your backside, put all your personal feelings aside and judge based on what is truly the best car offered in a certain segment. It sounds easy, but like the millions of you who think you can referee a rugby game better than the actual referees, this is harder than you think. But we managed to do it, being the professionals that we are, and we now have a list of the finalists in this year’s #CarsAwards. At the end of this month I will head up to Gerotek to test drive the finalists back-to-back and then give them a score. THE #CARSAWARDS FINALISTS ARE Budget Car Kia Picanto 1.2 Style Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX Volkswagen Polo Vivo Trendline Compact Hatch Ford Fiesta 1.0 Trend Auto Mazda2 1.5 Individual Auto Volkswagen Polo 1.0 TSI Comfortline Auto Premium Hatch Mazda3 2.0 Astina Mercedes-Benz A200 AMG-Line Volkswagen Golf GTI Executive SUV BMW X3 xDrive20d M-Sport Range Rover Evoque D180 R-Dynamic SE Volvo XC60 D5 R-Design Compact Family Car Renault Duster 1.5 dCi Prestige Suzuki Vitara 1.4T GLX Auto Volkswagen T-Cross 1.0 TSI 85kW Highline R-Line Family Car Mazda CX-5 2.0 Dynamic Auto Peugeot 3008 2.0 HDI Allure Toyota RAV4 2.0 GX Auto Adventure SUV Ford Everest 2.0 Bi-Turbo 4WD Limited Haval H9 Luxury Toyota Fortuner 2.8GD-6 4×4 Auto Premium SUV Audi Q8 55 TFSI Quattro BMW X5 xDrive30d M-Sport Range Rover Velar D300 R-Dynamic HSE Crossover Audi Q3 35 TFSI S Line Jaguar E-Pace D180 AWD R-Dynamic Volvo XC40 D4 R-Design Leisure Double Cab Ford Ranger 2.0 BiTDi Wildtrak 4×4 Auto Toyota Hilux 2.8 GD-6 Legend 50 4×4 Auto Volkswagen Amarok 3.0 V6 TDI Highline 4Motion Business Class BMW 320d Sport Line Mercedes-Benz C300 AMG Line Volkswagen Arteon 2.0 TSI 4Motion R-Line Fun Hatch Mini Cooper S Sports-Auto Suzuki Swift Sport 1.4T Volkswagen Polo GTI Performance Car BMW M2 Competition M-DCT Ford Mustang GT 5.0 Toyota Supra 3.0T YOU CAN ALSO HAVE A SAY The findings of the 21 judges will only count for half of the finalists’ total scores – the remaining 50% will be based on rankings that the respective vehicles’ brands achieved in the Cars.co.za Ownership Satisfaction Survey, which is conducted in partnership with leading data specialists Lightstone Consumer. The data incorporates feedback from thousands of vehicle owners, based on their experiences of their own vehicles, which are less than five years old and serviced through franchised outlets. “The #CarsAwards is designed to be a guide for all new passenger vehicle buyers, not only those who follow motoring publications,” says Cars.co.za Consumer Experience Manager Hannes Oosthuizen. “With 50% of the final scores determined by brands’ rating in the survey, a vehicle only really stands a very good chance of winning if it is a good product in the eyes of the judges and if its brand delivers solid after-sales service. In the 2018/19 programme, the experiences and perceptions of South African vehicle owners determined the final outcomes of 5 of the 13 #CarsAwards categories. And, importantly, their feedback will completely determine the 2019/20 Brand of the Year, which has been won by Toyota and Suzuki before (each of which has won it twice). So keep your ears and eyes open early next year when we will find out which cars take the top spots in their respective categories. WHAT DO YOU THINK? And? What do you think? I know you’re going to have an opinion! Let me know on all my socials, you know, Facebook,Twitter, and Instagram.

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