Sedan/Wagon recommendations

[Ranga]

Looking at swapping the current Vitara for a nicer/safer sedan or wagon.

I really miss our Forester we had, so maybe another might be OK.

So, I'm open to ideas. I want to keep it between $5,000 and $10,000. Service history is a must, and reputable reliability is preferable. I imagine air bags would be the safest bet, but am curious about maintenance/replacement regimes.

Any suggestions?

[robbotd5]

Gday Ranga.
Any Volvo.....safe, reliable, well made and cheap to buy. Yeah, I know "a Volvo!!!" but they are good. The later, I say, 1995 on are not a bad thing at all. All have multiple airbags and are the safest of their time. We have a V4o T and it has been a great car. 2.o turbo 4 speed auto leather wood and everything in between.
Regards
Robbo

[Ranga]

Interesting - a mate's brother bought a mid-2000s model (not sure which one), and he says they're very underrated, hence great bang for buck. Might be worth a look.

I'm indifferent to brand/looks etc - it's function over form for me!

[d2dave]

For 10K you can get a realy nice BA Mk 11 with under a 100,000 on the clock. If you want cheap running there is a gas one for $11K.

2004 FORD FALCON FUTURA BA Mk II Sedan Private Cars For Sale in VIC - carsales.com.au (http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/ford-falcon-2004-12680997?base=1216&vertical=Car&cr=0&eapi=2&__N=4294739845%204294950836%201246%201247%201252%2 01282%204294966463%204294966285%201216%20938&silo=Stock&Range=Price:Min,Max%7E1%7CYear:2001,2004&sort=default)

Dave.

[Ranga]

For 10K you can get a realy nice BA Mk 11 with under a 100,000 on the clock. If you want cheap running there is a gas one for $11K.

2004 FORD FALCON FUTURA BA Mk II Sedan Private Cars For Sale in VIC - carsales.com.au (http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/ford-falcon-2004-12680997?base=1216&vertical=Car&cr=0&eapi=2&__N=4294739845%204294950836%201246%201247%201252%2 01282%204294966463%204294966285%201216%20938&silo=Stock&Range=Price:Min,Max%7E1%7CYear:2001,2004&sort=default)

Dave.
After something a little smaller, as will mostly be SWMBO driving. Also, 4 cylinder rego is much cheaper here in QLD. Looking at maybe a Corolla wagon or similar, but something with a bit more... soul. :)

[tomalophicon]

You'll get a million opinions, but I don't think you can go wrong with a Peugeot.
You can get a nice 406 diesel wagon for way under 10k, even some with 7 seats.
They're fairly small, good on fuel and a 4 cylinder.

[Sleepy]

What will the vehicle be used for?
Daily km's average.
Number of people carried regularly.

My first thought is a Mazda 3 or Ford Focus.

Yeah, a little boring but nice enough cars. I find the Focus (of mid 2000's) has a very cheap feel inside but is a nice drive. Mazda 3 is pretty much they same car - with a Mazda version of cheapo interior.

Both would have plenty of options for service and maintenance, . Insurance and Fuel fairly cheap.

I drove a Corolla recently (admittedly it was a hire car :whistling:) and found it crappy. Felt cheap, harsh ride and noisy. Had 36,000km on it and it felt like 236,000km.

I like the Subarus too. You might need to stretch your budget to get a good Forrester . Seems to be quit a few in the 10 to 15K bracket that look ok.
Perhaps bid hard, in this buyers market, and you may get lucky.

I am looking for a car for the Missus too. :angel: (Although she wants a FIat500....Abarth!)

[Ranga]

Basically the wife's drive, and our on-road chariot. The Defender is for adventure, and my BMW F650GS is my commuter/escape :)

The only vehicle I've driven for black-top only is the wife's previous Civic coupe (go-kart), and our previous Forester (lovely car, but thirsty).

Before I start hitting the car-yards or inspecting private vehicles, I thought it wise to mine the extensive AULRO knowledge-base :)

SWMBO is adamant she doesn't want a car worth more than $5k. I've explained the reality of what that will buy, so hence the search for options more expensive than that.

I hate spending money on cars. I reckon if I ever won the lotto, I'd still be driving the current Defender, and probably still be looking at the same price range. So much better things to spend your money on IMHO ;)

The older Peugot's worry me a little. Probably fear of the unknown, and concern about maintenance costs. Like many, I'm sucked into the reliability/low running costs of a Jap (even though it may be a myth!).

The other issue is wanting a safe car for the family. AFAIK air-bag technology is great, but needs to be checked/replaced at certain intervals. Therefore, probably a vehicle no more than about 7 years old might be good, but I also need to be realistic about price.

Maybe I'll just make them catch the bus :angel:

[frantic]

You could always look midsize : mondeo camry liberty or VW passat. All of which will give you enough space or you could look at the golf or audi A4.
For reliability go the scoobydoo or fridge oops mean camry :D but the germans are similar just more expensive parts and a bit more soul.

[d2dave]

Ranga. After your last post I would suggest a Camry. Having never owned one I can't go by personal experience, but I do regulary read the Herald Sun cars guide, and although they are described as very bland(as with most Tojo's) they always get very good raps, and any one who owns one will tell you how good a run they get out of them.

Have a look at this.

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/toyota-camry-2002-12475836?base=1216&vertical=Car&cr=0&eapi=2&__N=1246%201247%201252%201282%204294962861%2042949 62464%201216&silo=Stock&Range=Mileage:Min,100000|Price:Min,10000~1&sort=default

Dave

[Grumbles]

That Camry looks and sounds to be "too good to be true".

[UncleHo]

G'day Ranga :)

Nice looking Camry, and being NSW it is getting due for rego, and their yearly inspection,so if it has any issues now would be the time to unload it,BUT,it could also be an older owner who is now giving up driving,so could be a good buy,they are a very nice and well constructed vehicle, my friend has recently had his written off,and when he recovered he went out and bought another Camry same model and year,early 2000's

My Daughter has a Madza 3 auto hatch, about 2008/9 a very nice car to drive, the hatch having more usuable space than the sedan,as with the seats down has no trouble fitting 2 border collies in crates with room for gear as well ;)

cheers