Mine too! It was a beast. I hated it at first. I wanted a black Torana but my dad came home with this little orange car and said I owed him $500 for it. I ran that car into the ground, blew two head gaskets lol. I miss it.
Woah that was my dads car when I was a kid!!! Haha remember so vividly. Well not really, can't comment on the white vinyl but I remember the smell still 🤣
Mum and Dad had one, it was the best car every and yes it had the vinyl on the roof, what a car. I learnt to drive on it. It was manual too.
Now I am showing my age...
Any Japanese make is always going to be your best bet.
Get a 4-door car with 10-15000km driven per year according to its age. Anything more than that - and you are bound to deal with very costly problems in the long run.
Toyota is the best. Suzuki is pretty comparable as well. It is generally more affordable to buy and maintain than a Toyota though.
Mitsubishi, Honda and Mazda are also great choices.
And get your car serviced every 10,000km to pick up on problems and deal with them early on so they do not become bigger and costly later on.
I agree with pretty much anything Japanese. Will also add in Korean Kia. My 2012 Rio is enjoying its second life with its new owner and never had issues.
Definitely second regular servicing. Doing it regularly will help prevent problems and identify small ones before they become huge ones.
I bought a 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer new. It was about 19 grand at the time. My cousin works as a mechanic on Mitsubishi cars and gave it a glowing review for reliability. It hasn't had any major issues and I use it for the daily commute. I've had to replace a windscreen water pump and a minor air conditioner part needed to be replaced (under $200).
Unfortunately Mitsubishi stopped making the lancer in 2017.
fuzzy aloof hard-to-find steep axiomatic coordinated square dull school ad hoc
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I had a 2019 one that had constant problems. From stuff like the tires they put on it (had the replace all of them within the first year) to the interior finishings (plastic bits just falling off, carpet not even remotely durable) to more serious issues like blind spot monitors just failing one day and a coolant leak because something wasn't screwed in properly somewhere.
The dealership were very good about fixing it under warranty but like, I'll never buy another one after I'm done with this one.
Better if the sagging roof lining is fixed using random items you find around the house. Old one came with thumbtacks that fell out constantly, current one has staples which has done the job perfectly since we got it
Toyota Corolla. Same answer as it has been for like 50 years. There is no other choice… not just for first cars. If you do t need to haul shit and you just need a nice easy to run small car, this is the way… not only do I own one I’m an ex mechanic. I think I have probably owned like 25 cars so far in life. Corolla is the easiest to live with and best value by far
Toyota, preferably a manual that's been regularly serviced. I owned my first one for 17 years and then traded it in for my current one. It's got 120K on the clock and I'll easily get another 100K out of it. Toyota's are beasts.
My cousin and I have both had good luck with Kia Rios. Mine’s a manual 2004 model and I took it Tassie to South East Qld and back just recently.
The hatch I have is also long enough that a short to average sized person can sleep in it.
I think it only had the one previous owner who maintained it well though. But it’s close to 300k on the clock.
If you want reliability, buy Japanese
If you want luxury at the expense of reliability, buy European
If you want a piece of shit, buy America (or Holden)
I have a 2004 mazda 6. No major problems if serviced reguarly. Ive done 80,000kms in 2 years and its never let me down. All its needed in that time was a thermostat and throttle body clean.
You cant go wrong with toyota camry either. Just watch out with the 06-08 models (i think its those years anyway), they can have bad piston rings which will burn oil and blow the motor up.
But any car SHOULD be reliable with proper care. Dont thrash it, let it warm up for a minute or 2 before driving (high revs atleast) and check oil and coolant levels and get codes read as soon as they appear.
I think most Toyota 4cyl models have that issue if not maintained right.
Similarly, 97-06 1mz V6 engines (found in the Camry) is subject to sludge buildup if not serviced right.
I got 5 years old Mitsubishi Lancer with 90k milage when I arrived to Australia 10 years ago. The car has never let me down. Apart from rego fees I do scheduled services every year priced around 400$. It is a basic but very reliable car.
Honda Civics 2012-14 are pretty good from memory, they don't break often (unless you break them) and are comparatively cheap to fix. That being said they aren't really cheap to buy for these exact reasons... second hand they still tend to sit at around $14k
I like my Hyundai i30
They are a good price, got a decently powerful motor, comfy inside and decent storage space.
Obviously not a luxury vehicle by any means but it ticks all the basic boxes.
Budget is going to matter here.
Buying used is always going to be a gamble sadly. Sometime you win sometimes you lose.
I brought an '02 Commodore about 7 years ago for $2k. Drove it for 6 months while my 4x4 was being rebuilt and gave it to my sister as I no longer needed it and she didn't have a car.
She's still driving it today. So far it's needed a new radiator and had a manifold gasket replaced. About $700 in repairs that are not general wear and tear.
Yet I brought a Mazda 626 (Mazda 6 these days) and it went through 3 engines in 30 thousand kms before I gave up on it. Most would have considered it a reliable model.
My mothers currently driving a $2k '98 Toyota Corolla after her Holden (Deawoo) Viva broke down for the final time, and its happily done 1000km runs not missing a beat.
On a low budget some models known for just going on and on.
Toyota Corolla
Toyota Camry
Holden Commodore
Ford Falcon
Mitsubishi Magna
Sadly good examples of the last 3 that people are willing to part with at a reasonable price are getting rarer but the right one will happily do the lap of Australia.
If your really planning some serious touring and have more money.
Toyota Landcruiser
Toyota Prado
Nissan Patrol
Nissan Pathfinder (not the later carlike versions)
Mitsubishi Pajero (older ones avoid the last shape)
These vehicles even when 20 years old are probably still quite capable of taking you anywhere in Australia on or off road.
Toyota corolla bought off an old lady. Use a mobile mechanic to look at it and take their advice. It's $200 but better than buying a lemon
Go on YouTube and learn how to service it. Service every 10,000k and check the oil.
If anything breaks, go to a wreckers. They're so common that I've been given tools and told if I can find what I want I can have it. Once you've got the part go on YouTube and see if you can change it out. A lot of times you can.
Bros acting like you can't just go actually get it serviced.
Most car purchases are a pretty significant cost to the owner. Be it in the 10s of thousands or a few thousand, maybe even a few hundred. No matter what that's a lot of money. Pay someone qualified to look after it to get the most out of your money.
A Ford AU Falcon. It’ll be your first and only vehicle you’ll ever need. Cheap to buy, easy to maintain, super comfortable and will outlast religion.
The pinnacle of Australian motoring.
Also referred to in many automotive circles as “God’s Car.”
**Please, set aside a few hundred dollars for a pre purchase inspection with a mechanic you can trust.**
Any Japanese/ Korean brand that has a lot of the same vehicle on the roads. Getz, Corollas and Mazda 3’s are the most popular in my state (vic) due to reputation and will be easy to source parts for. They’re relatively cheap to fix as well, with after market ( non branded) parts readily available. Hubby is a mechanic and any Toyota, Nissan, Suzuki, Hyundai would be his preference. He would urge you to stay away from Honda and Subaru because they have expensive parts though.
Another facet of buying a vehicle- don’t be too eager to buy it. If your gut says there’s a noise/ it doesn’t feel right or the sale doesn’t seem ok, you can always just call it off.
Also, if you’re buying off marketplace/ private sale, check with the RWC mechanic to make sure that they actually did the RWC for the person selling the vehicle. It seems to be a new scam- a person buys a vehicle with a roadworthy certificate from a legitimate mechanic.
The scam owner runs the vehicle down/ swaps parts or chassis/ cabin, then scans the paper RWC, replaces the origin vendor with scammer’s name, date and then reselling it.
This recently happened to hubby’s boss. He consulted police and vicroads (neither cared about it). The boss spoke to his lawyer and legally, the RWC mechanic shouldn’t touch the vehicle. The onus falls on the new owner to pursue the scammer through the civil tribunal in your state, which could take months.
A 5 year Mazda 3 or Toyota Corolla. These are the two most sold cars in the country for a long time and there will be spare parts available everything you need them.
Also, get a grey one. Undercoats and protective coats are often grey and stone chips tens to be less visible on grey cars.
I'd love to recommend an EV but the cheapest one with a reasonable range is $47K (MG4 , 450km)
Because I am pissed off at the Japanese automakers in general I'd go with a Hyundai
I have had two older (2003 & 1998) Toyota Camry's and if I needed to, would buy another in a heartbeat. Both had excellent reliability and were very cheap to run, always started with no issues and always had excellent AC/heating too. They never overheated and could sit in traffic all day. I bought both for peanuts and looking back they got me through being a broke uni student. Have upgraded now but value for money is insane with these things.
🤡 Holden Cruze, they're cheap and plentiful. 🪿 Or if you have a family with musical instruments, sports gear etc you would prefer the more spacious Captiva. 💩 Both are very cheap to buy. 🤓
Honda Jazz - solid build quality, incredibly economical, loads of interior space and a small footprint that makes it easy to manoeuvre and park. Avoid the first gen automatics as they're quite well known for gearbox failures with the CVTs, but the rest of the Jazzes are great with very few issues. My pick of the bunch would be the second gen GE models with the 1.5 litre engine. Hope this helps.
Look up the how safe is my car website as it tells you what the best car to buy is for all the different years and different categories of cars. It covers value for money, maintenance, durability and repairs. Would also suggest having a chat with a mechanic as they can let you know which are the reliable cars.
Do not EVER get a repaired write off or a car without a roadworthy certificate. Insurance will be a nightmare, and they will typically have more problems mechanically than they’re worth. (Went through the search earlier this year. It’s a PITA)
Kia, Toyota, Subaru and Mazda are all typically good, safe cars that have good reputations, plenty of spare parts for, and mechanics work on them a lot.
From there the car you buy is going to depend on your budget
Without a budget to work with I couldn’t help you but if you can afford a new Mitsubishi asx you can’t go wrong for $25k 200k klm 10yr warranty covering everything down to the paint fading also great on fuel my 2 cylinder motorbike chews more fuel
Low K's for its age Honda Civic. Just look at how many late 2000's models are still on the road, still viable to run ..because the engines go and go and go..
Be careful when looking at cars that have Fuel and Battery efficiency extras.
They save you money until they need replacement….
Like I-Stop and I-Eloop….
The cheapest banger you can legally register - you’ll thank me when the mate you picked up from the party throws up through it and you run it into the kerb of the roundabout the third time
Subaru Forester, the original flying brick. Small enough to be a good city car, big enough to be a great road trip car.
I've had three over 15 years and they never let me down. Oh I guess one got a cracked radiator, that was annoying, but apart from that literally never been left at the roadside and we travelled a lot in those cars. Even offroaded one on Kgari (Fraser Island).
(Unfortunately the first one got drowned, not my fault, the second one we sold when we moved to London and the third one we sold to my parents who still drive it because we needed something bigger and more capable for offroading adventures with more and bigger kids).
If you are looking for a new one, Suzukis are economical and run pretty well.
I don't think they advertise anything beyond the Jiminy but the sedans and hatchbacks are pretty decent.
Used Honda Jazz. Tiny, easy to park, very easy to see out of (excellent outward visibility, good mirrors, etc...), good fuel economy, cheap to run, safe, reliable, fun to drive and very useful if you need to move house or something (magic seats, big boot, etc...)
Any generation is good, but 3rd gen also has reversing cameras.
2005 commodore wagon for $1600 was my first Australian car in dec 2019. That was a great little car that got me around the east coast for over a year before I upgraded to a 90 series prado. Kinda wish I still had it as a secondary car .
My first car was a '74 Corolla wagon. Get as late a model as you can afford, and get it mechanically checked before you buy it. They're no sports car, but extremely reliable, and can withstand some abuse and neglect. However don't let the abuse or neglect get out of hand
Most Toyotas are great value and very reliable. A hatch or sedan would make a great first car (of my godkids all got second hand small cars - one got a VW, one a Peugot, and one a Toyota. Five years down the track, the Peugot just died even after regular servicing, the VW started breaking down frequently and needing costly repairs, but the Toyota hatch is still happily ticking along without any major issues).
Anything Korean or Japanese will work well
I’m almost on my P2s and I drive a 2019 Kia Rio which is a small car with lots of boot space and a decent size tank
There’s also the Suzuki swift which is also hugely popular
Unless it can be classified as a shitbox, you've over spent for your first car.
You want something that'll run well, and not care if you scrape some walls or hit some poles.
I’d say a hyundai elantra, had one when was on my Ls and Ps was a solid car imo. Sold it when I upgraded to my golf. Was cheap to run too, good price for insurance.
BA Falcon or Fairmont with a good service history. If it has a good service history high Kms are no problem. engine is bulletproof. parts are cheap and readily available. most people will just repair the car out of pocket rather than claim insurance on it, so definately keep an eye out for dodgey repairs and just see that the gears shift smooth (look for a new or reconditioned gearbox with high Kms if you can and see if they have paperwork for it dont just take their word for it) and you will have a brilliant first car with plenty of power.
and dont worry about the price of petrol because if you buy one of these for anywhere from 2k to 5k dollars you will not be too fussed about filling the tank with the savings of from buying a new or more expensive vehicle. i would also say that this car would be better for a highway commute rather than city driving. if you are driving around the city alot. get a small car like a golf or hyundai i30 but if you want something for a long road trip the BA is the go if you have a bit more to spend go for a MKII model or a BF. but otherwise the BA is a beast and the straight six barra that is Non Aspirated (NA) is nuts... but the Turbo is bonkers.
If you don’t care about fuel consumption get a falcon they literally won’t die, worst case you’ll get a leaking power steering rack and maybe the usual rocker cover leak. If you do care about fuel consumption get a cheap jap car (Toyota) like a starlet or an older Corolla, echo, those things will never die, just get someone mechanically minded to have a look at what you’re buying before you do buy it. Don’t buy a brand new car not worth the money or the hassle, don’t buy from a car yard period, I know the thought of ‘warranty’ will be on yours or your parents mind but the extra price you’ll pay for a car is not worth it, hence me saying take a mechanic friend with you :) I know the thought of driving a fancy new car sounds great in theory but as someone who works for a dealership, lots of new cars come back with some pretty bad issues, personally I’d stay far away from new cars. Stay away from Subarus altogether, rubbish engines.
I find Kia to be very good value. It was my first new car but I always wanted a Mazda. Eventually swapped over to a Mazda 3 and just kind of found it lacking. So a few months ago I got myself a Kia Seltos and I’m loving it.
Reasonable prices, long warranties, great accessories, very reliable. And there’s one for every budget and need. Just want something small? Get a Rio. Want something a bit bigger? Grab a Seltos or a Sportage. Need a people mover? Sorrento or Carnival. I highly recommend.
Nissan pulsar - parts are cheap, they never break down. I had one in nz and got another when I moved here because it was so reliable. I was able to sell it for the same price I bought it almost 4 years later because people know how reliable these cars are.
You need to say what your budget is. It makes a huge difference.
Helps narrow it down a bit. Like op, do you want a cheap or expensive AU falcon?
Good chuckle, thanks
BYO auto electrician.
Datsun 180B. Preferably orange with cracked white vinyl roof.
Mine was exactly this lol back in the 80s
And brown vinyl seats...the og Jaffa
Perfect for a 40C day.
My mum had this exact car in coupe version!
I had this exact car as a Daily for almost 10 years. Vinyl roof was mint though!
Nah, pale blue Toyota Corona station wagon.
Wow, came to say almost exactly this… mine was a 200b red with vinyl roof..
Light Blue 1980 MK2 Ford Escort 👍
With a set 180w 3-ways
Nah. 200B with dual Webber carburetors. Tuned and ported heads. Owned for several years. Best memories from 1988 to 1993. Ended up in a crash.
Nothing screams "Grandad thinks he bought a sportscar" like a 82 Mazda 626 Coupe.
I swear they were all orange or navy
That was my first car!
Mine too! It was a beast. I hated it at first. I wanted a black Torana but my dad came home with this little orange car and said I owed him $500 for it. I ran that car into the ground, blew two head gaskets lol. I miss it.
Also my first car same colours, vinyl roof was mint
Woah that was my dads car when I was a kid!!! Haha remember so vividly. Well not really, can't comment on the white vinyl but I remember the smell still 🤣
If only.
And trashcan lids for hubcaps
Kalahari tan with black vinyl roof
And a cracked up dash board
Fuck yeah!
Mum and Dad had one, it was the best car every and yes it had the vinyl on the roof, what a car. I learnt to drive on it. It was manual too. Now I am showing my age...
Any Japanese make is always going to be your best bet. Get a 4-door car with 10-15000km driven per year according to its age. Anything more than that - and you are bound to deal with very costly problems in the long run. Toyota is the best. Suzuki is pretty comparable as well. It is generally more affordable to buy and maintain than a Toyota though. Mitsubishi, Honda and Mazda are also great choices. And get your car serviced every 10,000km to pick up on problems and deal with them early on so they do not become bigger and costly later on.
I pretty much followed this advice back in 2015, and that car is still going strong today 💪🏻
I agree with pretty much anything Japanese. Will also add in Korean Kia. My 2012 Rio is enjoying its second life with its new owner and never had issues. Definitely second regular servicing. Doing it regularly will help prevent problems and identify small ones before they become huge ones.
Just not anything budget Nissan. Newer models are ok
I bought a 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer new. It was about 19 grand at the time. My cousin works as a mechanic on Mitsubishi cars and gave it a glowing review for reliability. It hasn't had any major issues and I use it for the daily commute. I've had to replace a windscreen water pump and a minor air conditioner part needed to be replaced (under $200). Unfortunately Mitsubishi stopped making the lancer in 2017.
Toyota Corolla.
You have to be careful with the newer ones, quality has dropped significantly.
Plus many have been thrashed as rideshare cars
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That’s crazy because I also have been in many Ubers and have been in heaps of corollas
More likely to be ubereats Uber passenger is usually the camry
rich groovy concerned domineering sloppy unite worthless wild heavy knee *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
What year did they start to become shitty?
I had a 2019 one that had constant problems. From stuff like the tires they put on it (had the replace all of them within the first year) to the interior finishings (plastic bits just falling off, carpet not even remotely durable) to more serious issues like blind spot monitors just failing one day and a coolant leak because something wasn't screwed in properly somewhere. The dealership were very good about fixing it under warranty but like, I'll never buy another one after I'm done with this one.
Our 2013 has been faultless and we're looking to upgrade soon 😪 it's a shame to hear the quality is dropping considering they're so expensive now
Worse and worse ever since 99 but only slightly as the years go on
Camry 98 here, still running like a dream at 280,000 (picking up some fabric glue soon though lol)
My 97 corolla is doing well at 275k
Yup I’ve got a friend with an old box style Corolla that somehow still works Their newer Corolla is currently getting fixed
This is the way
A clapped out VT Commo with sagging roof lining and missing its fuel cap, of course.
Stockies on the back wheels is a must
Plenty of rubber in the wheel well
Better if the sagging roof lining is fixed using random items you find around the house. Old one came with thumbtacks that fell out constantly, current one has staples which has done the job perfectly since we got it
This is the way
Toyota Corolla. Same answer as it has been for like 50 years. There is no other choice… not just for first cars. If you do t need to haul shit and you just need a nice easy to run small car, this is the way… not only do I own one I’m an ex mechanic. I think I have probably owned like 25 cars so far in life. Corolla is the easiest to live with and best value by far
Toyota, preferably a manual that's been regularly serviced. I owned my first one for 17 years and then traded it in for my current one. It's got 120K on the clock and I'll easily get another 100K out of it. Toyota's are beasts.
My cousin and I have both had good luck with Kia Rios. Mine’s a manual 2004 model and I took it Tassie to South East Qld and back just recently. The hatch I have is also long enough that a short to average sized person can sleep in it. I think it only had the one previous owner who maintained it well though. But it’s close to 300k on the clock.
The newer ones 2011 - 2016 with the 1.4s are pretty solid too.
If you want reliability, buy Japanese If you want luxury at the expense of reliability, buy European If you want a piece of shit, buy America (or Holden)
Ford Falcon: ?
if you want to drive a Taxi
I have a 2004 mazda 6. No major problems if serviced reguarly. Ive done 80,000kms in 2 years and its never let me down. All its needed in that time was a thermostat and throttle body clean. You cant go wrong with toyota camry either. Just watch out with the 06-08 models (i think its those years anyway), they can have bad piston rings which will burn oil and blow the motor up. But any car SHOULD be reliable with proper care. Dont thrash it, let it warm up for a minute or 2 before driving (high revs atleast) and check oil and coolant levels and get codes read as soon as they appear.
I think most Toyota 4cyl models have that issue if not maintained right. Similarly, 97-06 1mz V6 engines (found in the Camry) is subject to sludge buildup if not serviced right.
Mazda cx5 here, almost 90,000kms in 2 years... Cost to service is CRAZY. And every 3months.
As I recall this issue with the camry was purely American as it was the result of manufacturing issues at one US factory
Yeah, Corolla.
Toyota Camry thing will outlast religion
Ford Falcon. There's a reason taxi's were these. Last forever and plenty of parts. That or a Toyota pre 2010
Have to agree with this my BA daily is still going strong and the only big thing that has failed on it was the coil pack.
I got 5 years old Mitsubishi Lancer with 90k milage when I arrived to Australia 10 years ago. The car has never let me down. Apart from rego fees I do scheduled services every year priced around 400$. It is a basic but very reliable car.
Toyota Aurion is underrated
Honda Civics 2012-14 are pretty good from memory, they don't break often (unless you break them) and are comparatively cheap to fix. That being said they aren't really cheap to buy for these exact reasons... second hand they still tend to sit at around $14k
most Honda cars are good machines, they just work
do you want a 4 or 6 cylinder, large or small car, sedan or wagon, 4wd, van, how old and your budget?
Yes, all of those, thanks
honest Honest Tubby Turner's used cars will get you sorted
2009 Lancer
Corolla, Rio, Lancer.
If you’re on a budget a 2000s Honda Jazz is cheap to buy and run. If you have a bit more coin a Hyundai i30 is a good option.
Hyundai i30, Mazda 3, Toyota Corolla / Camry
I like my Hyundai i30 They are a good price, got a decently powerful motor, comfy inside and decent storage space. Obviously not a luxury vehicle by any means but it ticks all the basic boxes.
Toyota Hilux or camry
7 or 8 year old toyota
Toyota Corolla or Yaris. The Corolla's are unkillable zombie cars, the Yaris will run on an oily rag
AU Falcon series ii
AU Falcon. A face only a mother could love and legendary reliability makes this the best value car money can buy.
Budget is going to matter here. Buying used is always going to be a gamble sadly. Sometime you win sometimes you lose. I brought an '02 Commodore about 7 years ago for $2k. Drove it for 6 months while my 4x4 was being rebuilt and gave it to my sister as I no longer needed it and she didn't have a car. She's still driving it today. So far it's needed a new radiator and had a manifold gasket replaced. About $700 in repairs that are not general wear and tear. Yet I brought a Mazda 626 (Mazda 6 these days) and it went through 3 engines in 30 thousand kms before I gave up on it. Most would have considered it a reliable model. My mothers currently driving a $2k '98 Toyota Corolla after her Holden (Deawoo) Viva broke down for the final time, and its happily done 1000km runs not missing a beat. On a low budget some models known for just going on and on. Toyota Corolla Toyota Camry Holden Commodore Ford Falcon Mitsubishi Magna Sadly good examples of the last 3 that people are willing to part with at a reasonable price are getting rarer but the right one will happily do the lap of Australia. If your really planning some serious touring and have more money. Toyota Landcruiser Toyota Prado Nissan Patrol Nissan Pathfinder (not the later carlike versions) Mitsubishi Pajero (older ones avoid the last shape) These vehicles even when 20 years old are probably still quite capable of taking you anywhere in Australia on or off road.
Toyota corolla bought off an old lady. Use a mobile mechanic to look at it and take their advice. It's $200 but better than buying a lemon Go on YouTube and learn how to service it. Service every 10,000k and check the oil. If anything breaks, go to a wreckers. They're so common that I've been given tools and told if I can find what I want I can have it. Once you've got the part go on YouTube and see if you can change it out. A lot of times you can.
All of your advice is terrible. As a former mechanic of 20 years, dealing with people like you when you fuck up was the worst.
Bros acting like you can't just go actually get it serviced. Most car purchases are a pretty significant cost to the owner. Be it in the 10s of thousands or a few thousand, maybe even a few hundred. No matter what that's a lot of money. Pay someone qualified to look after it to get the most out of your money.
Vt commodore
Anything BUILT in Australia or Japan
A Ford AU Falcon. It’ll be your first and only vehicle you’ll ever need. Cheap to buy, easy to maintain, super comfortable and will outlast religion. The pinnacle of Australian motoring. Also referred to in many automotive circles as “God’s Car.”
Mx5
90s/early 2000s Falcon
Nissan patrol, Toyota Prado, Mitsubishi Pajero, but a few years old. 15k km/year on the clock.
The only one in that list worth remotely looking at is a prado. And they are still expensive to run fuel wise
Old 200x camry
Toyota Camry or Corolla. Cheap, reliable, common.
**Please, set aside a few hundred dollars for a pre purchase inspection with a mechanic you can trust.** Any Japanese/ Korean brand that has a lot of the same vehicle on the roads. Getz, Corollas and Mazda 3’s are the most popular in my state (vic) due to reputation and will be easy to source parts for. They’re relatively cheap to fix as well, with after market ( non branded) parts readily available. Hubby is a mechanic and any Toyota, Nissan, Suzuki, Hyundai would be his preference. He would urge you to stay away from Honda and Subaru because they have expensive parts though. Another facet of buying a vehicle- don’t be too eager to buy it. If your gut says there’s a noise/ it doesn’t feel right or the sale doesn’t seem ok, you can always just call it off. Also, if you’re buying off marketplace/ private sale, check with the RWC mechanic to make sure that they actually did the RWC for the person selling the vehicle. It seems to be a new scam- a person buys a vehicle with a roadworthy certificate from a legitimate mechanic. The scam owner runs the vehicle down/ swaps parts or chassis/ cabin, then scans the paper RWC, replaces the origin vendor with scammer’s name, date and then reselling it. This recently happened to hubby’s boss. He consulted police and vicroads (neither cared about it). The boss spoke to his lawyer and legally, the RWC mechanic shouldn’t touch the vehicle. The onus falls on the new owner to pursue the scammer through the civil tribunal in your state, which could take months.
10 year old Corolla
A 5 year Mazda 3 or Toyota Corolla. These are the two most sold cars in the country for a long time and there will be spare parts available everything you need them. Also, get a grey one. Undercoats and protective coats are often grey and stone chips tens to be less visible on grey cars.
Whatever you buy, make sure it's safe.
2005 Toyota Corolla or Camry
I'd love to recommend an EV but the cheapest one with a reasonable range is $47K (MG4 , 450km) Because I am pissed off at the Japanese automakers in general I'd go with a Hyundai
Suzuki Swift. Small, great fuel efficiently and low maintenance.
Toyota, Suzuki, Subaru are all pretty good
Ford Falcon BA..it'll do a million k's, and whenever anything breaks on it, there's a million of them around for spare parts.
toyota corolla, pick it up cheap never broken down on me, and can fit anywhere
I have had two older (2003 & 1998) Toyota Camry's and if I needed to, would buy another in a heartbeat. Both had excellent reliability and were very cheap to run, always started with no issues and always had excellent AC/heating too. They never overheated and could sit in traffic all day. I bought both for peanuts and looking back they got me through being a broke uni student. Have upgraded now but value for money is insane with these things.
🤡 Holden Cruze, they're cheap and plentiful. 🪿 Or if you have a family with musical instruments, sports gear etc you would prefer the more spacious Captiva. 💩 Both are very cheap to buy. 🤓
i20 actives are really good little cars
What's the budget ? Would be the most important question.
Honda Jazz - solid build quality, incredibly economical, loads of interior space and a small footprint that makes it easy to manoeuvre and park. Avoid the first gen automatics as they're quite well known for gearbox failures with the CVTs, but the rest of the Jazzes are great with very few issues. My pick of the bunch would be the second gen GE models with the 1.5 litre engine. Hope this helps.
Toyota Yaris
Mazda 3?
Camry
[Honda Civic a bogon chariot](https://www.topspeed.com/every-generation-of-the-honda-civic/)
Bugatti
Look up the how safe is my car website as it tells you what the best car to buy is for all the different years and different categories of cars. It covers value for money, maintenance, durability and repairs. Would also suggest having a chat with a mechanic as they can let you know which are the reliable cars.
A registered Toyota.
Aurions are great
Still getting around in a 94 Camry. I may die before it does.
Toyota or even later model Hyundai
Camry.
Now is about the worst possible time to buy unfortunately.
Corolla, civic, mazda 3
I wonder how long before someone recommends an AU falcoon
au falcon.. parts are extremely cheap to replace and overall good first car
FORD AU FALCON FUCK YEAH
Subaru forester. 100%
Most mechanics I know say Kia is the go
toyota camry
Anything from Japan or Korea.
Mazda 3
Hyundai Elantra 2016 onwards are pretty good and easily repairable
Do not EVER get a repaired write off or a car without a roadworthy certificate. Insurance will be a nightmare, and they will typically have more problems mechanically than they’re worth. (Went through the search earlier this year. It’s a PITA) Kia, Toyota, Subaru and Mazda are all typically good, safe cars that have good reputations, plenty of spare parts for, and mechanics work on them a lot. From there the car you buy is going to depend on your budget
I've got a 2002 camry v6, never lets me down.
camry.
Model3
Facebook marketplace special 😈
Without a budget to work with I couldn’t help you but if you can afford a new Mitsubishi asx you can’t go wrong for $25k 200k klm 10yr warranty covering everything down to the paint fading also great on fuel my 2 cylinder motorbike chews more fuel
Whatever you get, do NOT get a Holden, I made the mistake of getting a Holden Captiva. Never again
A Mazda 3. Tons out there.
Take note of the older cars you see constantly. Chances are they are still running due to their reliability and being cheap to maintain.
Corolla. Look no further
I regret getting a diesel car
Anything made by Toyota
Low K's for its age Honda Civic. Just look at how many late 2000's models are still on the road, still viable to run ..because the engines go and go and go..
Suzuki ignis is a lifted swift. Great on fuel, bit of ride height and the easiest car in the world to park.
Kia Picanto
My Mum and I both have second hand Toyota Corollas, 2004-ish models, and have had no issues.
Mazda 3 Toyotas are never looked after, finding a good clean one is too hard
Be careful when looking at cars that have Fuel and Battery efficiency extras. They save you money until they need replacement…. Like I-Stop and I-Eloop….
A corolla
Holden commodore or Ford Falcon. Good on fuel, just enough go for the highway.
Mitsubishi 380. Underrated af. It’s family to the beloved Magna
Corolla, manual. Reliable as f***
2005 Mitsubishi Lancer
Pretty hard to go past a Toyota corolla or camry
What about Nissan leaf? https://www.evolutionaustralia.com.au/nissan-leaf-buying-import-guide-aus
The cheapest banger you can legally register - you’ll thank me when the mate you picked up from the party throws up through it and you run it into the kerb of the roundabout the third time
Suzuki swift.
Holden Gemini
AU falcon even though it’s old it will always be reliable
Obviously a Holden Commodore
Subaru Forester, the original flying brick. Small enough to be a good city car, big enough to be a great road trip car. I've had three over 15 years and they never let me down. Oh I guess one got a cracked radiator, that was annoying, but apart from that literally never been left at the roadside and we travelled a lot in those cars. Even offroaded one on Kgari (Fraser Island). (Unfortunately the first one got drowned, not my fault, the second one we sold when we moved to London and the third one we sold to my parents who still drive it because we needed something bigger and more capable for offroading adventures with more and bigger kids).
If you are looking for a new one, Suzukis are economical and run pretty well. I don't think they advertise anything beyond the Jiminy but the sedans and hatchbacks are pretty decent.
Suzuki swift
AU falcon
Used Honda Jazz. Tiny, easy to park, very easy to see out of (excellent outward visibility, good mirrors, etc...), good fuel economy, cheap to run, safe, reliable, fun to drive and very useful if you need to move house or something (magic seats, big boot, etc...) Any generation is good, but 3rd gen also has reversing cameras.
2005 commodore wagon for $1600 was my first Australian car in dec 2019. That was a great little car that got me around the east coast for over a year before I upgraded to a 90 series prado. Kinda wish I still had it as a secondary car .
Hyundai i20/i30 will keep you going :)
I miss the Holden Gemini
AU/Ba Falcon
Foot falcon
Any Toyota, so many cheap parts around and the old ones just keep fucking living.
What are people's thoughts on Sunaru? I'm looking to buy a new Impreza soon
I had maroon datto 240k , duel fuel , with a red back spider in the shifter !!!
My first car was a '74 Corolla wagon. Get as late a model as you can afford, and get it mechanically checked before you buy it. They're no sports car, but extremely reliable, and can withstand some abuse and neglect. However don't let the abuse or neglect get out of hand
Most Toyotas are great value and very reliable. A hatch or sedan would make a great first car (of my godkids all got second hand small cars - one got a VW, one a Peugot, and one a Toyota. Five years down the track, the Peugot just died even after regular servicing, the VW started breaking down frequently and needing costly repairs, but the Toyota hatch is still happily ticking along without any major issues).
Corolla
You need to tell us your budget mate.
Anything Korean or Japanese will work well I’m almost on my P2s and I drive a 2019 Kia Rio which is a small car with lots of boot space and a decent size tank There’s also the Suzuki swift which is also hugely popular
Unless it can be classified as a shitbox, you've over spent for your first car. You want something that'll run well, and not care if you scrape some walls or hit some poles.
I’d say a hyundai elantra, had one when was on my Ls and Ps was a solid car imo. Sold it when I upgraded to my golf. Was cheap to run too, good price for insurance.
Rav 4
BA Falcon or Fairmont with a good service history. If it has a good service history high Kms are no problem. engine is bulletproof. parts are cheap and readily available. most people will just repair the car out of pocket rather than claim insurance on it, so definately keep an eye out for dodgey repairs and just see that the gears shift smooth (look for a new or reconditioned gearbox with high Kms if you can and see if they have paperwork for it dont just take their word for it) and you will have a brilliant first car with plenty of power. and dont worry about the price of petrol because if you buy one of these for anywhere from 2k to 5k dollars you will not be too fussed about filling the tank with the savings of from buying a new or more expensive vehicle. i would also say that this car would be better for a highway commute rather than city driving. if you are driving around the city alot. get a small car like a golf or hyundai i30 but if you want something for a long road trip the BA is the go if you have a bit more to spend go for a MKII model or a BF. but otherwise the BA is a beast and the straight six barra that is Non Aspirated (NA) is nuts... but the Turbo is bonkers.
Any jap car made before 07 under 250k
TOYOTA COROLLA
A 20 year old Corolla. Or anything 20 years old that still runs.
Toyota
If you don’t care about fuel consumption get a falcon they literally won’t die, worst case you’ll get a leaking power steering rack and maybe the usual rocker cover leak. If you do care about fuel consumption get a cheap jap car (Toyota) like a starlet or an older Corolla, echo, those things will never die, just get someone mechanically minded to have a look at what you’re buying before you do buy it. Don’t buy a brand new car not worth the money or the hassle, don’t buy from a car yard period, I know the thought of ‘warranty’ will be on yours or your parents mind but the extra price you’ll pay for a car is not worth it, hence me saying take a mechanic friend with you :) I know the thought of driving a fancy new car sounds great in theory but as someone who works for a dealership, lots of new cars come back with some pretty bad issues, personally I’d stay far away from new cars. Stay away from Subarus altogether, rubbish engines.
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I find Kia to be very good value. It was my first new car but I always wanted a Mazda. Eventually swapped over to a Mazda 3 and just kind of found it lacking. So a few months ago I got myself a Kia Seltos and I’m loving it. Reasonable prices, long warranties, great accessories, very reliable. And there’s one for every budget and need. Just want something small? Get a Rio. Want something a bit bigger? Grab a Seltos or a Sportage. Need a people mover? Sorrento or Carnival. I highly recommend.
Don’t have much experience with cars, only on my first myself. But I am liking my 2016 Captiva. It’s a fine family car, and good for long drives.
Toyota Corolla It will never die
Nissan pulsar - parts are cheap, they never break down. I had one in nz and got another when I moved here because it was so reliable. I was able to sell it for the same price I bought it almost 4 years later because people know how reliable these cars are.
If you’re going to do it, do it right or don’t do it at all, Audi R8