2002 Ford Bantam

Ford Bantam

Ford’s Bantam was always the bakkie for those who needed a tool, not a trophy. You’d spot them everywhere from Joburg side streets to the odd Klein Karoo dorp, hauling paint tins or plumbing gear, not impressing anyone at the robots. On paper at least, it squared up against the Nissan NP200 and Opel Corsa Utility, but Ford’s petrol-only lineup — 1.3i or 1.6i, manual or a rare semi-auto — meant choice was limited even when new. Today? With just three units for sale between R90,500 and R103,500, you’re not picking spec, you’re just hoping for a decent service history. Those listings tell you everything you need: a R90,500 1.6i A/C base, a mid-spec 1.3i at R99,950, and a top-spec 1.6i XLT for R103,500. All are more than ten years old, with mileage pushing 197,159 km on average. You can’t ignore the looming cost of maintenance, because age and mileage don’t lie. Still, there’s a reason the Bantam isn’t just scrap metal fodder. It’s what the Bantam should have been from the start — dead simple, cheap to fix, and still more pleasant to drive than an NP200 if you care about the occasional highway stint. You’re not buying features; you’re buying freedom from monthly repayments. That matters.