The Hun

What's the script with the cars in Oz? Are there any decent ones or what? I've had a look at a few cars on autotrader and they all seem to be weird cars I've never heard of. No VW's or stuff like that. What's the general census of opinion on the type of vehicles that are the best to have, maybe a 4x4? Help..........

trehere

Hi, there are laods of different cars here but also basically the same as the UK!!
I am driving a new Ford Fiesta which they have just started selling here - there are also the usual VW Golfs / Polos, Vauxhall Corsas etc - all Vauxhalls are Holdens though and some just have different names, Corsa is a Berina for example.
Basically, in Melbourne anyway, loads of people drive 4x4's, Holden Utes are popular and Subarus. Big engines are essential - my 1.6 Fiesta just doesn't do it although fuel consumption is fantastic!

hevs

There are veedubs etc, but they just arn't as common as in the uk. The euro cars don't hog the market, obviously! The more common cars here are Nissan, toyota, mitsubishi, suburu etc (cos they're made closer i guess.)
The other thing to note in the case of ford there are some eurpean models overhere, but they are not common, the Aussies tend to go for much bigger models such as falcons for example.
Its just a case of getting used to it all........

wombatboy

dont buy a hyundai - they are sh*t.

if u get a 2nd hander - go on revs site. put in chassis no and rego and u can find out whether cars been in a major accident . I just missed out on buying a repariable rightoff this way

bondipom

So far my Hyundai Accent has gone OK but I am not a petrol head. It doesn't shift but neither does the traffic down the Parra road. Did you have a bad experience? What do you drive?

The Hun

What's revs site please?

bondipom

http://www.revs.nsw.gov.au/

As wombat boy says essential when buying a second hand car in NSW. Shows up stolen cars and those with outstanding finance.

gedge

Anyone got any views on:[list=1][*]Subaru Forester[*]Honda CR-V[*]Toyota RAV4[/list=1]

Looking at buying 2nd hand. Must be 4 dr manual with low clicks for ~20k

Badge

RAV4's a bit girly.

BM



Get a ute, man.

Mine has been worth its weight in gold.

gedge

Yeah, they are all a bit like that. The other comment is that they are all family man cars.
I'm thinking to when the family come and visit.

Yep I'm sure I can see the in laws hanging on in the back as we speed down a dirt track. Won't do that relationship any good at all.
I could stick some makeshift benches in the back and then we could fit the entire clan in!

hevs

Had a lift in friends CRV the otherday and its not a patch on our X trail inside It felt thin and plasticy in comparison. You wouldn't pick one up for $20k though

gedge

Ok so any alternatives to carry 4 adults in comfort, not too big, not too small. Good to drive like the scubie, yet not over $25k. Something that can taken off road, but not bothered full on 4wd. And not a ute. Although I like the idea, Jules would never buy it.

bondipom

Some colleagues were talking about the Suburu Outback but I don't think they come cheap. The bloke was a surfer who goes down remote rough roads. He also said it drove well on normal roads.

hevs

I'm petty sure you'd be able to get a CRV for that money cos they are older than the Xtrail. They look pretty much the same on the outside.
Happy hunting

The Hun

Is a 4x4 worth thinking about?

I'm just thinking about when you get out of the cities, what are the roads like?