Best car deals for R12 000 per month: Double-cab bakkies

By Chad Lückhoff

If you have a budget of  R12 000 per month to spend on a car repayment and you're looking at getting yourself a double cab, here's a list of what you can look at.

Using the AutoTrader finance calculator  and a little bit of creative maths, we've deduced that you would be able to shop for a double cab for no more than R590 000.

Our finance model is based on a typical finance deal and your deal may differ depending on your personal profile which may see a variation in the interest rate and will also depend on how much you put down as a deposit.

We've calculated it on a 10% deposit of R59 000. This could be a trade in or money that you have set aside for it. Should you have more to put down for a deposit, your monthly instalments will be less than the R12 000, but if you are needing to finance the deposit amount your instalment will increase to well over R13 000 per month.

Using a formula of 10% deposit and on a term of 60 months, the longest term that an individual can structure a finance agreement for, with no balloon or residual and with an interest rate of 12%. Your personal interest rate may very well be lower; it may be higher too.

Maxing out your R12 000 a month budget, you would be able to get into a Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 double cab 4x4 Raider for a purchase price of R587 600. We wouldn't recommend this though as this won't leave you with a lot of room to spec an option or two. Instead, we're going to drop the amount a little so that we can get a few luxuries and check a few options.

Here's our list:

Ford Ranger 3.2 double cab Hi-Rider Wildtrak auto

List price: R580 100

For your R12 000 per month, you can indeed get yourself a Ford Ranger Wildtrak. Sadly, it's not going to get you into a 4x4 Wildtrak, but if you don't need the 4x4 capability and you're looking for one of the most stylish double-cabs on the market, R12 000 can get you that.

Isuzu KB 300 D-Teq double cab 4x4 LX

List price: R 580 100

The Isuzu KB 300 D-Teq is the one you want if you're looking for the perfect blend of go-anywhere 4x4, rugged workhorse dependability and a respectable measure of comfort and convenience. You'll get the higher spec LX and still have approximately R10 000 for some accessories or options.

Mitsubishi Triton 2.4DI-D double cab 4x4 Xtreme auto or Mitsubishi Triton 2.4DI-D double cab 4x4 Athlete auto

List price: R 579 995

Mitsubishi has two derivatives of their 2.4 DI-D double-cab 4x4 on offer for under R590 000, the Xtreme and the Athlete, both with automatic gearboxes. Both have been fitted with some extras, the Xtreme has a more rugged approach while the Athlete has a more modern, stylish approach.

Volkswagen Amarok 2.0TDI double cab Comfortline 4Motion

List price: R 575 900

There are two options for you to choose from when it comes to the Volkswagen Amarok, you could get the Comfortline 4Motion with a little fewer creature comforts but all-wheel drive, or you could get more comfort by going with a Highline, but then you will only get two-wheel drive. The Highline 4x2 is auto as well.

Nissan Navara 2.3D double cab LE auto

List price: R 559 900

The new Nissan Navara is a great all-around solution to the double-cab question. The twin-turbo engine is super smooth and powerful while the new rear suspension makes it extra comfortable. It's well equipped but in this price range you'll only be able to get the 4x2, but you do get it with a good spec level and automatic gearbox. The heated seats are a nice touch.