The salary you need to afford South Africa’s cheapest automatic car

If you are looking to buy South Africa’s cheapest automatic car, you will need to earn at least R21,000 per month to afford a finance plan, according to TopAuto’s calculations.

The Suzuki S-Presso, especially in its 1.0 GL Auto derivative, is a hatchback that offers its drivers the great convenience of not having to change gears.

There are three variants of the model that are fitted with automatic gearboxes. These are the GL Auto at R192,900, the GL+ Auto for R203,900, and the top-spec R219,900 S-Presso S-Edition.

Conveniences fitted as standard in the S-Presso are electric front windows, central locking, and manual air conditioning.

Also fitted for the driver’s benefit are a multifunction steering wheel, electric wing mirrors, an engine auto start/stop system, and electronic stability control that regulates wheel slip around corners.

Safety features include rear parking sensors, ABS, dual front airbags, and ISOFIX child-seat mounts.

In terms of entertainment, the GL derivative features radio preparation, which means it comes with two speakers and an antenna, but a radio unit must still be installed at an additional cost.

Upgrading to the GL+ means upgrading to a 7-inch central touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth, as well as 14-inch alloy wheels.

The top-spec S-Edition features a larger 9-inch infotainment system, reverse camera, and a model-exclusive styling kit with more pronounced side sills and silver bezel inserts on the front and rear bumpers.

All of the variants are sold with a 5-year/200,000km warranty and a 2-year/30,000km service plan.

What you need to earn

The following formula outlines the monthly repayments on the Suzuki S-Presso’s automatic line-up:

• Car price – R192,900/R219,900
• Payment term – 60 terms (5 years)
• Interest – 10.25% (prime lending rate)
• Deposit – 0%
• Balloon – No balloon payment
• Extras – No optional extras

According to the formula, repayments on the base trim level automatic S-Presso will be R4,217 per month, and R4,794 per month for the S-Edition.

Financial experts recommend not spending more than 20% of your gross monthly salary on vehicle payments.

This means you’ll need to earn at least R21,000 per month to afford South Africa’s cheapest automatic car, or upwards of R24,000 per month for its top-spec sibling.

These costs do not include monthly insurance premiums, maintenance costs, or fuel expenditure, all of which need to be factored in when calculating affordability.