@gamefabrique No car should be seen as an investment ever.
Minimum liability?
Don’t buy a new car, and aim to spend only 1/3 of the payout on a vehicle if the need for one exists. Put the other two thirds in an investment account and forget about it.
You can find and buy a clean 2008 Polo 1.9TDi 74kW (5door) with a full service history, decent mileage for a diesel (180-200,000km) and one prior owner for around R80k or less.
https://www.ultimatespecs.com/car-s...wagen-Polo-4-(9N3)-Highline-19-TDI-100HP.html
Why the 5door? It’s more practical, has 15” wheels from factory so tyres are going to be affordable. The 2-door sportline model will not only have a significantly higher cost of ownership (turbo, injectors, tyres to name a few all cost more) but it’ll likely have had more owners and modifications affecting reliability, it’s less practical and more likely to be a target of theft. Not to mention it’ll fetch a higher price regardless of condition. Finding a really clean example is borderline impossible and if you manage to, expect to pay R100k-R120k for one. Both cars have the same motor.
This motor & transmission is incredibly overbuilt and as long as you make sure to give it new oil once a year or every 5000mi (as well as filters) it will outlive you. In addition to fuel and insurance budget, put R1500pm aside for annual major services, emergency maintenance OR annual mechanical overhauls if that money is still available at the end of each year (new brakes, suspension rebuild, turbo replacement, AC repair etc.) then you have an incredibly fuel efficient vehicle that has enough torque to tow a trailer, low insurance premium, easy to work on and perform minor services yourself and has enough creature comforts to keep you happy.
You’re welcome to DM me for further support if you’d like.
Edit: this car will retain its value decently if maintained well. No new polo will retain its value even nearly as well. Unless you bought an Audi A3/S3 or other VAG hatchbacks or desirable high demand vehicles of that class for cash during the peak of the silicon shortage in 2020 - 2022 you won’t make a profit or decent return selling a used 2023 polo.
Chris fix has a great series about how to inspect and test used cars. Link below.