2005 Hyundai Getz

Hyundai Getz

Remember the Hyundai Getz? This was the hatchback that quietly filled South African parking lots back when first jobs and varsity commutes dictated your car choice. On paper at least, it went head-to-head with the likes of Polo Vivo, Yaris, and Swift, but its real appeal was how it stretched every rand. Engines were simple: 1.4 and 1.6 petrols, plus a 1.5 CRDi diesel if you liked the smell of paraffin. You’d get a manual or a clunky semi-auto, but either way, it was about keeping things cheap, not chasing Nürburgring lap times. Now, with just three Getz listings left—priced at R64,500 to R88,900—it’s slipped into that oddball space where you don’t plan to buy one, but if you see a tidy example, you might just grab it for the nostalgia. Those listings pretty much sum up the state of play: a 1.6 HS for R64,500, a 1.5 CRDi HS at R65,900, and a 1.4 sitting oddly at R88,900. All used, all far from fresh, and none pretending otherwise—these are 2005 to 2010 models with an average of 161,000 km showing. You’ll want to budget for the usual wear and tear, because spares aren’t as easy to find as they once were. The diesel’s the clever buy if you’re counting every cent at the pumps, and that matters when you’re trying to stay under R70k for a set of wheels. Sure, the Getz can’t touch the Polo Vivo for long-term value or spares support, but it’s cheaper upfront and still offers more cabin space than you’d expect. If you pack smart, it’s a city runabout that’s aging better than it has any right to.