Cheapest Porsche in South Africa – and how much you must earn to buy it

Anyone who aspires to take home a brand-new Porsche in South Africa will need to earn nearly R150,000 per month, according to a calculation by TopAuto.

The cheapest Porsche in the country is the Macan SUV, which has a starting price of R1,346,000.

Under the hood is a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol powerplant, which generates a considerable 195kW and 400Nm.

This power is sent to all four wheels via a seven-speed automated dual-clutch gearbox, lending base-model Porsche a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 6.4 seconds and a top speed of 232km/h despite weighing 2.5 tonnes.

Like any model bearing the Stuttgart automaker’s insignia, the Macan also comes with a generous amount of kit befitting its luxury status.

This includes alloy wheels ranging from 19 to 21 inches, depending on buyer preference, automatic LED headlights and daytime running lights, and rain-sensing wipers.

Inside, you can expect eight-way electronically adjustable comfort front seats, leather upholstery, three-zone climate control, keyless entry and start, a multifunction sports steering wheel with paddle shifters, and a 10.9-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Furthermore, the Porsche is fitted with assistance features like cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, a reverse camera, hill assist, and lane-departure warning.

Each purchase includes a 2-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and a 3-year/100,000 maintenance plan.

What you need to earn

We can use the following formula to work out what the monthly payments will be on the Macan.

• Car price – R1,346,000
• Payment term – 60 terms (5 years)
• Interest – 11.75%
• Deposit – 0%
• Balloon – No balloon payment
• Extras – No optional extras

According to this, the SUV will require a minimum payment of R29,867 per month.

Financial experts then recommend that you do not spend more than 20% of your gross monthly salary on vehicle payments.

This means that anyone aspiring to own a Porsche in South Africa will need to earn at least R149,335 per month, translating to an annual salary of roughly R1.7 million.

However, this figure does not include insurance, fuel, and maintenance, which needs to be factored into your budget.