2012 Nissan Micra

Nissan Micra

Right now, the Nissan Micra lives in the classifieds, not the showroom – a reality check for anyone expecting to find a new one at their local dealer. Six used units up for grabs, spanning R79,900 to R144,950, paints a clear picture: this is a B-segment hatch for those chasing value, not badge snobbery. It rubs shoulders with the Suzuki Swift, VW Polo Vivo, and Toyota Agya, all gunning for the same urban rands. You get a choice between a 1.2 petrol and a 1.5 diesel, both offered with either a manual or a lazy semi-auto. Most sellers are hanging onto their Micras until they can squeeze out close to R134,245, so don’t expect to walk away with a steal—unless you’re sharp-eyed and quick on the draw. Two of the six are 1.2 Active Visia models, both hovering near R130k, but the single 1.5 dCi Acenta at R104,500 is where things get interesting for anyone chewing through kilometres on Gauteng’s highways. These aren’t fresh-out-the-box cars—year models run from 2012 to 2020, and the average odometer sits at a chunky 136,408 km. Compared to a Polo Vivo, the Micra feels featherweight and a bit more nimble in tight city spots—think Sandton parking garages—but you trade some big-road composure. That diesel, on paper at least, promises running costs that could make a real dent in your monthly fuel bill if you pack smart. If you’re willing to live with higher mileage and yesterday’s infotainment, there’s real affordability here, and for most of us, that matters.