7 used family sports cars you can buy for under R400,000

·17 Oct 2021

The fastback body style has enjoyed something of a renaissance in modern times. In fact, a number of premium automakers have filled perceived gaps in their portfolios with models featuring a single, distinct slope from roof to rear.

Some of these products have resonated more strongly with consumers than others, says AutoTrader.

Citing inhouse data from the first eight months of 2021, the used car marketplace compiled a list of fastback models South African consumers most search for on the used market, with a budget set at R400,000 – the most popular price bracket when searching for such models.

“When it comes to the fastback body style in this price bracket, our data clearly shows local shoppers are most interested in two particular German brands,” said AutoTrader CEO George Mienie.

The first is from Ingolstadt, with the Audi A5 Sportback proving the most-searched-for model of all.

The higher-performance Audi S5 Sportback has a lower average list price (just over R240,000 compared with around R256,000), likely explained by its older average registration year – 2011 versus 2014.

The larger Audi A7 Sportback is also among the most searched for fastbacks, though its average mileage is the highest at almost 140,000km.

The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé boasts the lowest average mileage (just over 90,000km), just ahead of the since-discontinued BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo.

The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo – a nameplate that was shifted into the 6 Series range in 2017 – also makes an appearance, with an average list price of under R270,000.

The only other brand to make the top seven hails from Zuffenhausen, with the Porsche Panamera squeezing in just under our price cap (R399,599).

Judging by the average registration year of 2011, these are first-generation examples, though the average mileage is still not much more than 100,000km, AutoTrader pointed out.

“A budget of R400,000 – where the most searches for fastbacks are performed – looks to be the sweet spot for buyers. And it’s interesting that Audi and BMW dominate this space,” said Mienie.