As a car lover, and a youth, I'm finding that there seems to be a sort of divide amongst some car enthusiasts. It's obviously there, because even non-enthusiasts can see it. When people find out I'm a gearhead, the most common question isn't "Do you like American cars or imports?" It isn't, "Do you like sports cars or pickup trucks?" It isn't even, "What is your favorite car?" No, the first question I get asked most often, by gearheads and non-gearheads alike is,

Do you like new cars or old cars?

New or old? Classic or Contemporary? High-tech or high-style? It surprises me that, even amongst gearheads, hell, even amongst Jalops, there is so much discourse regarding which is better. As though one must definitely be superior and one must be declared the loser. On one side, you have people like me, who argue that old cars embody the soul and the passion of the automobile as an entity. The raw, unadulterated experience of driving an old car is what creates an emotional bond between man and machine, and according to some, that bond can't be created when there are so many computers helping you guide the car down the road. You have people like me, who aren't impressed by the Nissan GT-R and vomited into their own mouth when the heard about BMW's new "exhaust sound".

On the other side, you have mostly younger people. People like me, who have limited experience driving older cars. People like me who love the fact that modern technology is constantly pushing the limits of what's possible, and who can't understand why you would want to commute in a manual. People like me who want their car to start up every morning and get them where they're going quickly, comfortably, and safely. The past is the past, and while it's nice to remember and reminisce, I wasn't there, and I am perfectly happy to plow on towards the future.

I damn near bought an old car for my first daily driver. I spent the longest time lusting over the late Jeep Grand Wagoneer. This was a car built in 1965 in 1990, so old-fashioned that even just after it ended production, it seemed like a relic. Keep in mind some of the other stuff being made in 1990. Yet I was so smitten by the style of the thing, and the chunky, trail-truck way it drove that I wasn't prepared to be happy with anything else. My dad and I looked at three of them around town, but alas, they were just too pricey. I was sad to cross that car off my list, but I have promised myself that I will someday own one.

Then, up until a few days before I actually ended up buying what I ended up buying, I thought I was getting a 1976 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham. It was twenty feet long, had an eight point two liter V8 and got eight miles to the gallon, downhill, with a tailwind. But it was triple red, had seventy thousand miles on the clock, and nothing could convince me that it wasn't the coolest car in the world. We drove an hour out of town to go see it, and I fell even further in love when I saw it in person than I did when I saw it on line. It was spotless, it was brash, and it was big. I don't care how big you are thinking "big" is, it's bigger than that. The hood felt like it was eight miles long, it had a bellowing foghorn to warn mortals in small modern economy cars to get out of the way, and a large hood ornament for aiming if they didn't. It was perfect. And then I drove it.

Even with the size, and the weight, and the technology, and the catalytic converters, I cannot believe that the car with the largest mass production V8 in history could be so slow. It was like waiting for Christmas in January. That's probably a good thing, though, because when I stepped on the brake pedal hard at just thirty miles an hour, all four tires locked up, and the car slid off the side of the road, a considerable distance from where I had first decided I wanted to stop. Even going down the two lane country road normally at 40 miles an hour, with traffic piling up behind me, I was amazed how little I had to do with where the car went. "How is it possible," I asked myself, "that this car is drifting over the center line and drifting off the side of the road at the same time?" Don't get me wrong, I loved how it floated along and commanded other road users to get out of its way, but that being said, it was horrible.

And so I ended up with a much newer land barge. This land barge is German and has all wheel drive, a shiftable automatic (which for some people appears to be the work of Satan), many air bags, traction control, antilock brakes, stability control, and power steering. It is also beige, and should therefor provide the same soulful driving and ownership experience as a riding mower. But I don't mind that. I'm okay with giving up the spirit and the sensation of driving the Caddy for the much newer, safer, and better equipped A8L.

Now I realize that the two cars I picked aren't what all the fuss is about. The Cadillac has some of the worst driving dynamics of any car for the last 60 years, old or new. And the Audi was in no way ever intended to send a chill down your spine, warm the cockles of your heart, or make your pants feel funny. It was meant to get you from point A to point B as quickly, safely, and comfortably as possible. Neither of these cars are where the real battle rages. Oh no. The real battle rages in a category which itself has been the topic of much debate, down to its very definition: sports cars.

The Jaguar E-Type, which nobody appears to remember was also called the XK-E here in the states, is a prime example. Hand-built in England before any modern safety features existed, it is a jaw-droppingly beautiful work of art. At the time, automakers weren't concerned with making cars look angry or aggressive. Safety standards didn't make the car bulky looking, or heavy. And because it was prior to the advent of driving aids, the big straight six engine and four-speed manual were your responsibility to keep in check. And the noise they produced was pure mechanical music, a direct result of a fantastic engine being routed to a simple, functional exhaust. There are downsides to an E-Type, though. It is famously unreliable, not particularly safe, especially in wet conditions, and not nearly as fast as a modern car.

A modern car, such as its own grandchild. One of the most critically acclaimed (and I do hate that term) cars of the last few years, the Jaguar F-Type is a thoroughly modern interpretation of the E-Type, down to its name. It is built in 2014, by machines, using computer-designed blueprints. The designers deliberately tried to make it look aggressive and angry, as the times call for. It has a hood height dictated by pedestrian safety standards and mandatory crumple zones on all sides. Yet despite this, it too, is an astonishingly beautiful car, as was the XK before it. It also has ABS, traction control, air bags, a supercharger, an aluminum body, an electronic limited slip differential (on the V8), and a transmission which is sacrilegious to any purist. It's an eight-speed (that's way too many) automatic (no driver's car can be automatic) with paddle shifters (the work of Satan, as I said). The only way this car could be less like the E-Type is if it were front wheel drive. I imagine that if it were, every classic sports car aficionado would simply melt into a shrieking, angry puddle, like the Wicked Witch of the West. But still, the F-Type has car enthusiasts and the media alike tugging at their leashes. It is, as I said, one of the prettiest cars of the 21st century, along with the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, the Rolls-Royce Wraith, the Audi A7, the original Mercedes CLS, and others. And as anyone who has driven one can tell you, it is a proper driver's car.

It's the same story with the new 911, the new Corvette Stringray, the Lamborghini Aventador, the Ferrari 458, the Dodge Viper, the Audi R8 and the Mercedes SLS. All of them are full of computers, automatic transmissions, safety systems and tuned exhaust valves that should make them ugly, soulless appliances which evoke no passion, no desire, no emotion from their owners or from passersby. They can be bought by anyone with money, regardless of taste, driving skill, mechanical inclination, or interest in cars. And yet, they are more than that. They are all very, very good looking cars. Some beautiful, some just striking and exciting. They all sound good, great in fact. They sound mechanical, and the fact that they were designed to sound that way doesn't matter, once you hear them. And, if you ask anyone who has driven one, they will tell you that it puts a huge smile on your face, and makes every car-loving fiber of your being feel all warm and fuzzy.

What I'm trying to say is this. Old cars are great. I adore them, I respect them, I appreciate them, and I want one in the worst kind of way. But to those who say that new cars don't have any soul, don't evoke any emotion, don't create a sense of passion, and don't make for an entertaining, enjoyable, and most of all, engaging driving experience, I'm sorry, but that just isn't true. It's not true that a car must have a manual transmission and no driver's aids to be considered a driver's car. It's not true that a true car enthusiast must turn their nose up at any modern car that is too computerized, too safe, too helpful to those who don't know what they're doing. And it's simply not true that you can't love a modern car. Modern cars may be growing, and changing, but don't fear the change. Because as long as there's people like us, who love automobiles and want them to love us back, the driver's car won't die. It will simply evolve. So please, stop comparing old cars to new ones, and trying to convince people which is better, because both can be completely awesome.

The only way to keep your vehilce looking its best is to get it steam cleaned by a professional detailing technician. How frequently you do this is entirely dependent on your own preference and where you drive your vehicle. If you want your vehicle to shine and sparkle all the time, you will have to wash it more often. Where as, if you do not care much about your car’s exterior appearance, you do not have to bother washing the exterior at all.

You should wash your car often if you want it to look clean but also to protect it!

If you drive in the winter where it snows, you are going to get lots of salt and sand on the vehicle and that will eat away at your paint job. So, in this case washing your car once a week is a must. In the springtime there’s lots of pollen and other stuff floating around in the air. Once a week then is a minimum, too. The same goes for vehicles in high humidity locations. Moisture attracts contaminants and promotes a variety of chemical reactions that can destroy your car’s chrome and painted surfaces. In seasons or climates less conductive to corrosion, a wash every two weeks or so is adequate. In areas with acid rain, a wash every ten days is advised. Of course, these estimates may vary depending upon whether your car is kept in a garage or out in the elements.

You should get your vehicle professionally steam cleaned a minimum of once a week, due to the fact that your vehicle is constantly bombarded with contaminants such as tree sap mist and bird droppings. If the contaminants are not removed quickly they have the possibility to bond to the paint and even etch the paint.

Can You Wash Your Vehicle Too Much?

Though it may seem impossible because it seems less harsh than a car wash, it is possible to have too many hand car washes. Washing a vehicle this route tends to be very thorough which can result in water finding its way behind fender trims and into the engine to cause damage. Whether you take the risk yourself or use a car wash, the more often you have your car washed, the higher the risk of it not being done properly. Putting your car through too many washes can put it at risk of suffering rust spots from being in contact with water too often. This is why we recommend you get your vehicle professionally steam cleaned by professional detailing technicians.

The Top 20 Cheapest New Cars in SA 2019

Despite the Rand continuing to strengthen and the economy looking slightly less bleak since Ramaphosa took over the reins, South Africans are still cash strapped in general and the situation will probably remain throughout 2019.

Due to the fact that households inevitably have less disposable income, the majority of car buyers look for good second-hand options, or the very bottom end of the new car market. For those who can still afford a new car in this economic climate, we’ve compiled list of SA’s Top 20 cheapest new cars your hard-earned cash can buy your in South Africa in 2019.

The Chery QQ3 remains the only new car in SA that you can get for a cool R100k… Actually, the price is R99,995, but what can you do with R5 these days anyway? (Even car guards seem to turn up their noses at a R5 tip lately!) The Chery QQ3 offers a 3 Cylinder 0.8L engine which kicks out 38kW (70Nm torque) of tyre spinning power coupled to a 5-speed gearbox and a 35-litre petrol tank. Unfortunately, you don’t get any airbags, but aircon comes standard to keep you from breaking out in a sweat!

The top ten cheapest cars quickly go up from R100k to R150k with offerings from China & Japan mostly dominating the scene, whereas the subsequent ten cars (position 11-20) are from more established brands and range from about R150k to R180k.

The average power output of the top twenty cheapest cars is about 57kW and the first 5 on the list does not offer any safety features except for the FAW, which offers 2 airbags & ABS as standard. At the top end of the list, the Fiat 500 Pop offers 7 airbags and a power output of 63kW and 145nm torque.

SOUTH AFRICA’S TOP 20 CHEAPEST NEW CARS 2019:

(Only the cheapest model(s) from each marque is listed.)

1 – CHERY QQ3 0.8L TE – R99,995

The little Chery claims the sought-after title of the ‘Cheapest Car in SA’ – Unfortunately no safety features, and limited power output. In our opinion an ideal offering for the ‘penny wise dollar foolish’.

2 – DATSUN GO 1.2 MID – R106,900

The Datsun brand was relaunched in SA back in 2014 and the Go has proven to be quite a popular budget choice. The cheapest of the bunch is this one, the Go hatch Mid spec. There is A/C but unfortunately no safety features on offer.

3 – FAW V2 1.3L DLX – R114,995

Although not very good-looking, the Chinese FAW V2 offers quite a lot. There are 2 airbags as well as ABS as standard. Other luxuries such as electric windows and mirrors, remote central locking, and a sound system including a USB port makes this car a pretty good offering at this price point! The FAW also has the highest power output of the top 9 cars.

4 – TATA INDICA 1.4L LGi – R118,995

With so many new budget options from China over the last few years, Tata is one of the more established brands on this list. Not a whole lot on offer here, a bare-basics car that will get you from point A to B in relative comfort, but without airbags or ABS.

5 – RENAULT KWID 1.0L EXPRESSION – R124,900

A looker indeed, and the only brand on the top 10 list which originates from Europe. Even though it might resonate well with heritage-snobs, it still lacks safety features such as ABS, but at least the driver is protected with an airbag. Also, a digital instrument cluster with large colour touchscreen is offered together with Bluetooth and USB connectivity.

6 – KIA PICANTO 1.0L LS – R129,995

This car has a lot of character and has proven to be a popular choice. What the Kia lacks in the boot department (extremely small) it makes up with a rather nice cabin, especially at this price! Still no ABS brakes, and only one airbag, but features a 5-year unlimited warranty.

7 – SUZUKI CELERIO 1,0L GA – R132,900

From this position onwards, all the cars on the list features ABS and 2 airbags, so you can say the Celerio sets the benchmark for safety here. Other than this fact, there is not much to say here – You get A/C, but no radio or any other ‘luxuries’.

8 – CHEVROLET SPARK 1,2L CURVE 140,700

The Chevy Spark is rather well specced, has some safety features in the form of ABS and two airbags, niceties such as A/C, central locking, radio and lots and well… lots of charm!

9 – MITSUBISHI MIRAGE 1,2L GL – R149,900

Despite its advanced age the Mirage still looks relevant compared to the newer models here. The car has been around since 2014, but seemingly hasn’t proven to be very popular in SA. It has 2 airbags, ABS brakes, A/C, central locking and a radio.

10 – BAIC D20 1,3 COMFORT – R149,990

The unproven newcomer, but with a shape slightly resembling a Mercedes B-class and Baic’s slogan ‘happiness can be easy’, it sure looks promising. :-p Quite well specced – and with 75kW / 128Nn on tap, it is the most powerful car you can buy for below R150k in SA at the moment.

11 – HONDA BRIO HATCH 1.2 TREND – R151,600

Recently refreshed, the Brio boasts a 1.2 i-VTEC engine delivering 65kW at 6000rpm and 109Nm torque with a choice of either 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. Safety features include dual front airbags, ABS and EBD and the Brio comes standard with a not too shabby 2 year/30 000km service plan.

12 – HYUNDAI I10 1.1 MOTION – R154,900

The i10 is ever-so-popular for a good reason. It comes with a good amount of ‘bells-and-whistles’ at this price point and the 1,1L engine only consumes 5.7litres/100km. Couple this with Hyundai’s Automotive SA standard five-year/150 000km warranty, as well as a five-year/150 000km roadside assistance and you have a winner!

13 – TOYOTA AYGO 1.0 – R157,600

Dramatically styled and futuristic looking Aygo offers buyers more opportunities for personalisation than its rivals. The 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine is nippy and frugal but this entry-level Aygo does not offer a lot in terms of technology. At least it comes with AUX and USB connections and two speaker radio system… and remember it’s a Toyota!

14 – NISSAN MICRA 1.2 VISIA+ – R159,900

The Micra Active offers great value for money with an extended standard spec list and a variety of safety features such as ABS, EBD, remote central locking and 4 airbags. The 1.2-litre engine, offers a respectable 54 kW / 105 Newton metres of torque. Nissan’s also offers a very respectable 3 year / 90 000km service plan and 6 year / 150 000km warranty!

15 – TOYOTA ETIOS HATCH 1.5 XI – R163,900

A very sensible option from Toyota. Together with the Ford Figo, it offers the biggest engine capacity on this list with a good amount of torque. Fuel consumption is 6.0 l/100km. In terms of features and safety, it comes with everything that you might expect in this price range as well as a good service plan.

16 – VOLKSWAGEN TAKE UP! 1.0 5-DR – R166,800

Volkswagen’s Up! offers impressive build quality and great driving traits in an affordable package, albeit a little pricey compared to rivals. Interior fit is good but VW offers no standard service plan on the Up adding to the cost if you would like to have it included. The Up! is a great little package, but for a few thousand rand more, the Polo is a better package.

17 – VOLKSWAGEN POLO VIVO 1.4 CONCEPTLINE – R173,800

The Polo Vivo is also well thought out and sensible little everyday car. When it comes to transporting luggage, the practicality is easily seen. The standard 270L boot and can be expanded to 635L by folding down the rear bench. The1.4 litre 55kW/132Nm engine accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 12.9 seconds and has a top speed of 171km/h.

18 – PEUGEOT 208 1.0 POP ART – R174,900

The little Frenchman’s interior features good quality materials and creature comforts. The engine has been replaced in the new model with a more efficient 1.2-litre three-cylinder with 50kW and a claimed, but impressive consumption figure of only 4.4 litres/100km.

19 – FORD FIGO HATCH 1.5 AMBIENTE – R175,700

The Figo, which is essentially a toned-down Fiesta is Ford’s ever-popular budget hatchback entry. That stands to reason, because it offers most of the bells and whistles without the much more expensive price-tag of a Fiesta. Couple this with a very lively engine and good service plan, and it is clear to see why this little hatchback is so popular.

20 – FIAT 500 0.9 TWINAIR POP – R179,900

With its innovative two-cylinder petrol engine, Fiat’s 500 TwinAir is notably frugal kicking out 63kW and 145nm torque! (The highest on this list) This trendy little Italian city car has retro charm in buckets, and with 7 airbags and ABS brakes with EBD, the 500 scores a 5-star EuroNCAP rating. If you just have to have a super-mini for below R180k, this is it!