Let’s face it, the price of cars have gone up by so much that if my dad sold his car, he could get more than what he bought it for back in 2011. Which is crazy. So if you are planning to buy a car in 2018/2019, it is important to find something that won’t break the bank.
Datsun are here to save the day with the Datsun Go Flash which sells for just over R138K. So the question to ask now is, is the Datsun Go Flash worth the price? Let’s find out.
Exterior:
The Datsun Go Flash is the limited edition version of the Datsun Go. What makes the Go Flash so special? For starters you get hood, roof and body graphics turning the ordinary Go into something unique and sporty. You get a silver exhaust tip which gives the Go that extra bling it needs. The Go Flash also has customised mud flaps so you can get dirty in style. I love the honeycomb grille with chrome detailing as it reminds me of something you would find on the latest Ford Fiesta. Available in white or grey, the Go Flash is a sporty little vehicle.
Interior:
On the inside, the Go Flash is rather simple yet for a change I like it. These days cars have lots going on and it can get a bit distracting with all the tech that modern cars have. So, it is rather nice to drive a car that doesn’t have loads to distract you. As standard you get a radio with bluetooth, auxiliary and USB. In keeping with the exterior theme, you get silver contrast interior accents to add a bit of sportiness. There is space for 2 adults in the front and 3 adults in the rear. With a tall passenger in the front, leg room in the rear can be a bit cramped. The boot has capacity for 265 litres and there is a handy parcel shelf to protect your goods as well.
Engine, Performance and Fuel Efficiency:
The Datsun Go Flash comes with a 3 cylinder 1.2L petrol engine which produces 50 kW and 104 Nm of torque. With a top speed of 161km/h, the Go Flash is not the fastest car I have driven. With the price of fuel, I’d opt for something more fuel efficient over a performance car. With a 5.2L per 100km fuel efficiency, I’d say the Go Flash is pretty fuel efficient and certainly counts where it matters. The Go Flash is a front wheel drive vehicle and only comes with a 5 speed manual gearbox which aids to the fuel efficiency for city driving.
The Drive and handling:
The Datsun Go Flash is a bit sluggish on the get go but if you increase your revs in the lower gears, you should be able to get a bit of oomph out of it. The 5 speed manual gearbox is smooth and gear changes are quick. I did find the drive a bit bumpy which means the suspension must be firm. Road noise is not bad for city driving though when on the highway the road noise was a bit overbearing. Thanks to the power steering and tight turning circle, making turns and parking in the city was a breeze.
Standard Features:
The Go Flash comes standard with a drive computer, digital tachometer, speed sensitive electric power steering, intelligent wipers, aircon, follow me home headlamps, front power windows, mobile docking station, amplifier and driver airbag.
What I didn’t like about the Datsun Go Flash:
- No remote central locking
- Weird pull hand brake – I touched the extension pole for the hand brake and got grease on my hand..
- Radio didn’t detect my USB drive – My USB drive works in every car I have driven
- No key place on passenger door – If you want to unlock for someone, you have to run around the car.
PS: Datsun have launched a new Datsun GO which has fixed everything I didn’t like about the Datsun GO. Read my review here
Pricing:
The Datsun Go Flash sells for R138,900 which is R1700 more than the standard Datsun Go. If the difference between the price of the Go Flash and the Go was larger, I would say it is not worth paying more for some vinyl and an exhaust tip. But for only R1700, I’d say you get a much sportier looking vehicle so it is worth the extra expensive. The Datsun Go Flash is a fair vehicle for its price but I do feel that it is missing a few important features such as remote central locking which hopefully the new Go will have.
Verdict:
The Datsun Go Flash is the perfect car for those looking to get from A to B. There are a couple of essentials which I feel should have been included such as central locking to make the vehicle easier to use on a daily basis. Overall the drive quality is pretty decent and with a good fuel efficiency, the Go Flash is pretty cheap to run and maintain. For just over R138K, you are getting lots for your money!
