Technical Specifications you must know when buying a bakkie

Buying a new vehicle can be a daunting task. After all, there are hundreds of different vehicle brands to choose from. The problem many of us face is that after settling on a specific vehicle brand, we then need to analyse the different models the brand offers.

So how, for example, do you buy the right bakkie to suit your needs?

When buying a bakkie, you need to focus on the technical aspects of the vehicle in terms of how you plan to use it. For instance: buying a small single cab Datsun bakkie is probably not ideal for heavy off-road driving trails, and buying a massive off-road bakkie is probably not a wise move if you are looking for a fuel-efficient run-around vehicle.

When buying your next bakkie, have a look out for these three technical specifications – the engine, the security and the warranty:

The engine

There are two important factors that you need to take into account when looking at a bakkie’s engine: the displacement and fuel system.

The engine displacement is generally an indicator of the size and power of the vehicle. The displacement figure represents the total air displaced by the pistons in all of the engine’s cylinders, and is expressed in litres. The new Isuzu bakkie, for example, has a displacement value of 2400cc or 2.4 litres. This means that the crankshaft of the vehicle will inhale 2.4 litres of air through two complete revolutions; an indication of the vehicle’s pulling power.

When you’re looking at the fuel system, decide if you want petrol or diesel. In order to properly assess this, you need to look at three key areas:

• Characteristics: In the olden days, diesel was far more sluggish and did not allow a vehicle to deliver the maximum power from the motor to the wheels. However, in modern times – with turbo chargers and better low range torque – diesel provides a vehicle with more power to manoeuvre over obstacles and through 4×4 courses.

• Maintenance: Traditionally, petrol motors require a service every 15 000 kilometres and diesel cars one every 10 000 kilometres. This is because petrol burns cleaner than diesel. While diesel engines use turbo-chargers to improve speed, the excess use in the motor means that you’ll need to service your diesel motor on a more regular basis.

• Economy: Diesel remains the working choice for farmers, miners, rail road industries and other off-road users. Standard tests have indicated that a diesel motor is 20% more fuel efficient than a petrol engine, allowing you to travel 20% further on the same tank of fuel.

The security

Security is an important part of any vehicle. While security may not relate to the vehicle performance, this is vital considering that a car is the second largest purchase decision – after a home – that a person makes. Ensure that you purchase a vehicle with remote locking, anti-theft and vehicle tracking.

The vehicle warranty

The last thing that you need to look at is the vehicle’s warranty. The greater the vehicle’s risk, the more important the warranty becomes. Ensure that you speak to the dealership you’re buying from about vehicle coverage. Say you plan on using the vehicle for off-road driving, for instance – then ensure that the warranty covers dirt road driving and any accidents or vehicle break-downs that occur whilst on a 4×4 trail course.

Remember – the more information that you acquire about the vehicle’s usage, the easier the purchasing decision is. So don’t be afraid to ask questions or insist on answers to help you make up your mind.