lynnbrooks

What are the main and popular makes of car in Oz(WA particularly)?
Are cars cheaper to buy or is that an illusion?
We are looking to having either a peoplecarrier or a 4x4 because my 3 growing kids are sick of squashing into an Opel/Astra! This is for them!
(bless 'em)
Lynn

JJ

I'm not over there myself yet but am sure there are plenty of Japanese imports available. Depending on your budget you could go for a used Mitsubishi Delica (correct spelling I think) these are basically a 4x4 Mitsubishi Shogun/Pajero with a people carrier body. These are readily available in this country from your local Jap Import specialist if you want to try one over here first.
Hope this helps

Flying Banana

The most popular cars over here are probably Holden Commodores, Ford Falcons and Toyota Camrys but they probably aren't what you're looking for.

Plenty of 4WD type tanks available, Mitsi Pajeros, Nissan Patrols probably the two most common I've noticed.

Have a look on www.drive.com.au , www.carsales.com.au , www.tradingpost.com.au , www.carsguide.com.au should give you an idea of what's available.

By British standards second hand cars are expensive but generally they hold their value extremely well. I think this is due to the fact there isn't the huge company car/ex rental market here which there is in the UK, all those nearly new cars being dumped on the market regularly forces down the resale values. As an idea some friends of mine in Sydney recently bought an 8 year old Mercedes 2.3 Ltr Estate. In perfect condition from a private sale they paid nearly £11000, checked Autotrader in the UK and there it would fetch about £3000.

Would suggest the best thing to aim for would be a decent 2-3 year old motor which won;t depreciate too much and will be in brand new nick. If you're in WA and the car you're looking at doesn't have tinted windows bargain with the dealer and get them to throw it in, it really is essential out here.

Hope this helps.

Siren & Brian

How much money you got to spend on a car?

Amazulu

Go for Mazda/Toyota/Nissan/Honda/Subaru.
Avoid Holden/Ford.

sj oldfield

Hi Lynn,

get yourself a Rav 4. Mine is beautiful, and in a lovely emarald green colour.
all the best

Amazulu

My wife has a Rav4 & agree that it's a great car.

zx10r_aus

Had a ford for 10 years put 750,000 k's on it, changed usual stuff like plugs leads and brakes when needed. No problems with it. Sold it to a friend and is still going strong. Bought another ford Falcon AU made it from Canberra to Melbourn 115km/h most the way on cruise control. Got to Melbourne with 1/4 of a tank left. Yeah don't buy a ford!!!!

Amazulu

I reckon you got lucky

RogerUK

I do not believe there are any bad cars made today. Merely bad drivers, bad or neglected servicing, bad mechanics/technicians.
Mazda is and has been for some time owned by Ford.
Nissan is owned by Renault.
My money will go on a Nissan X-Trail when we arrive in Oz in a couple of weeks. A Kia Sorento is good value but too big and thirsty.
Roger

Don

Rover make (amongst) the world's worst cars.

RogerUK

Sadly, yes I have to agree they are less good than most. Howver I know of very high mileage Rovers still going strong.
Roger

hevs

They are lovely. But how old are the kids? Friends of ours have an 11 and 9 year old and are certainly not finding it roomy enough for the kids legs!

We are in a similar position with our X trail and will be looking to change cars in a while Blinkin kids grow so fast

sonictigger

Yep, RAV4's are great....thinking of taking our's with us.

Badge

Have to say, can't take the RAV4 seriously.. just can't. It is just not big enough for a growing family, and although it has been demonstrated to be quite adequate over terrain it just does not have the clearance to be really effective - you might as well buy a 4x4 Scooby Wagon.

Just my opinion.

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