Single cab or double cab?
Students or young drivers who are still footloose and fancy-free, probably won't need a family-friendly double cab, unless you plan on driving your friends around on a regular basis. If your dad or employer is perhaps looking to buy one for you to assist with the family business or on the farm, and you need to transport employees, that's another story. In that case, a double cab will be better than having people riding in the back, which is an open invitation for accidents and potential lawsuits.
If you (or your boss, or your dad) can afford it, recommended bakkies include the Isuzu KB/D-MAX, VW Amarok, Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, GWM P Series, Mazda BT-50, or Mitsubishi Triton. Our technical expert, Martin Pretorius, says he would rather opt for an old Isuzu than a new JMC Vigus, Foton Tunland, or GWM Steed...
Our best buy? The Isuzu KB Fleetside Safety or D-Max Fleetside Safety. It offers all the most important safety features that new drivers require, and it won't break the bank. Look for a used or demo model.
Search for single and extended cab Isuzu D-Max models here.
On a tight budget: Will a pre-loved half-tonner do the job?
If it's just you and your best friend/girlfriend and your surfboards, kite surfing/scuba diving/ equipment, there's no need to go bigger. Driving a smaller, lighter bakkie will also keep your running costs low. AutoTrader can recommend the Opel Corsa Utility bakkie. Also consider the VW Caddy and Ford Bantam.
The NP200 springs to mind, too, but it's not known to be terribly safe, in fact, none of the bakkies listed above are going to score many points in safety crash tests... (both the NP200 and NP300 scored zero).
According to Martin Pretorius, Opel Corsa Utility bakkies are more solidly built than the Chevy UTE (and on a better platform, too) and feature better under-the-skin gubbins overall. However, the Chevrolet UTE remains a sought-after model, and you can check out the best deals on Chevrolet UTE bakkies on AutoTrader, here.
Bear in mind that all older models will need more upkeep, so you need to factor this in as well. Bakkies tend to suffer plenty of abuse during their lifetime!
Search for used single cab bakkies from R50 000 to R200 000 here.
Search for single cabs from R200 000 to R400 000 here.
Do you really need a bakkie after all?
As we've mentioned earlier, smaller, more affordable bakkies may not be up to standard with regard to safety equipment, which is non-negotiable for new drivers — or it should be. Many moons ago, when I was about 19, my company car was a small bakkie, but the brakes failed partially while I was driving it. This was before the days of airbags in entry-level cars and brake assist. I pumped the brakes and eventually came to a stop. It could have ended badly, yes, but, in the same breath, most of us who drove old 'skedonks' or rust buckets are still alive today. But, is it imperative that you drive a bakkie? If the answer is 'yes, you don't have to read any further.
What about something entirely different?
Why not opt for a used SUV with enough boot space... or even a sedan, panel van, or an MPV?
Take a look at older Kia Sportage/Sorento models, the Hyundai Tucson, Hyundai ix35, Renault Duster, Opel Mokka, Opel Meriva, a Toyota Rush.
You certainly should also consider the Toyota Corolla Quest, older Corolla models, Polo Vivo sedan and Polo sedan, Suzuki Ciaz, and Nissan Almera (not pretty, but huge).
You can always have the seats removed if you opt for something bigger like a Ford Tourneo Connect, Toyota Fortuner, Opel Combo Life (see image below), Volkswagen Caddy, Volkswagen Kombi, Kia Grand Sedona, Ford Everest, or even a Chevrolet Orlando or Trailblazer.
Search for all of these used cars on AutoTrader, here.
How about a panel van instead? Search all panel vans on AutoTrader, here.
Watch out for cheapies
It's tempting to go for high-mileage models, but usually, this is where the maintenance costs start (or continue). Be very careful that you don't buy yourself a lemon that is nothing but a drain to your finances. Personally, I wouldn't easily buy a bakkie with more than about 70 000 kilometres on the odometer.
Verdict
Bakkies can be good first cars depending on what your requirements are. Ultimately, it's your budget that will dictate how safe and reliable your first bakkie is going to be. While the higher-spec bakkies such as the Hilux even have semi-autonomous safety features these days, an old Nissan 1400 Champ bakkie is not going to offer you much in terms of safety.
