2019 Datsun GO

Datsun GO

Datsun’s GO has always been the no-frills answer for first-timers or anyone who just wants something to get from Sandton to Braamfontein without the drama or the price tag. You’re looking at a 1.2-litre petrol under the bonnet, paired with a CVT, which—on paper at least—should take the pain out of crawling through Pretoria’s rush hour. At R149,950, there’s not much left to say: Datsun’s out, new stock is gone, and what you see is the dregs of a brand that’s packed up shop. If you’re trawling for a new-car deal, you’re basically hunting fossils at this point. This lone 2021 GO 1.2 LUX CVT clocks in at just over 41,000 km, which is barely run-in for a city hatch. The LUX badge means you get the highest spec, so you’re not stuck with wind-down windows or an AM radio—important if you want your car to feel less like a rental. The GO’s skinny width is still a win for squeezing into overloaded Parkhurst pavements, and the featherweight steering makes Joburg’s gridlock slightly less soul-crushing. But here’s the catch: now that Datsun’s pulled the plug, Suzuki and Renault have them beat on parts and backup. So while the price is tempting, you’ll need to ask yourself if short-term savings are worth the long-term question marks. And that’s the point.