Category: Used Car Review

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VOLVO XC60 2009 – 2017

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2013 Volvo XC60

When launched in Australia in late 2008 the Volvo XC60 was described by the Swedish company as being a cross between a coupe and an SUV. But, we feel it’s a genuine SUV, certainly by the definition of SUVs today. Keep in mind that the XC60 is designed for use on Swedish roads that are likely to be snow and ice covered for months at a time, particularly in the northern areas of that country. However, it’s also suited to Aussie bush conditions, and obviously to snowfields in Australia. Almost… Read more

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LAND ROVER FREELANDER 2007 – 2015

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2007 Land Rover Freelander

Though it’s generally used only as a suburban wagon, Land Rover’s Freelander is capable of tackling mild to moderate bush, beach and desert conditions that would strand just about everything else in its class. Which is hardly surprising as it comes from the company that gives us everything from the down-and-dirty Land Rover Defender to the highly competent (and very expensive) Range Rover. Freelander first went on sale here early in 1998 making it arguably the first upmarket compact SUV, several years ahead of the big name Germans. These originals… Read more

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HONDA JAZZ, CITY 2008 – 2017

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2017 Honda Jazz

  Jazz is the smallest Honda model that’s sold in Australia. It was initially launched here in October 2002, but we will only cover from the second generation of September 2008 in this review. Not only is the 2002 getting on years but the 2008 is significantly larger to make it more suited to adults in the rear seats. It has better in-cabin refinement and overall equipment levels. Handling was given a slightly more sporty feeling though, as it’s intended as a city car, the emphasis still leans to the… Read more

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SUZUKI GRAND VITARA, VITARA 2005 – 2017

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2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara

Unlike many ‘toy’ 4WDs in the so-called SUV class, the Suzuki Vitara is the real deal. Popular with those who like to have fun away from the beaten track, the Vitara works well on the beach, on forest trails and even in reasonably serious off-road conditions. Though the names ‘Grand Vitara’ and just plain ‘Vitara’ were used in different series most people simply refer to them all as Vitara. Basically, the Grand title was used on the 2005 models being reviewed here, but from the model change of 2015, it… Read more

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JAGUAR XK 2006 – 2015

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2006 Jaguar XK

By EWAN KENNEDY, Marque Motoring CAPTION: A. B. C. 2015 Jaguar XK BODY COPY Jaguar XK is a large British sportscar with styling that’s unashamedly based on that of the almost legendary Jaguar E-Type. From the nose with its big oval opening, to the rounded tail the XK’s design works exceptionally well. In this review we will look at the all-new Jaguar XK launched here in July 2006, partly because those before it are getting on in years as it’s made entirely from aluminium, with panels rivetted and bonded using… Read more

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MAZDA MX-5 1990-2017

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1998 Mazda MX-5

Normally in our used-car reviews we look at models covering about five to 12 years old, using a major series change to set the dates. However, in this feature we are looking at Mazda MX-5s going back 30 years as they are almost latter day classics. A warning though: though almost all MX-5s are looked after well, but some are not and could be at the stage where expensive repairs are close. Also, many are driven hard. Naturally! I hear you say, but that can also means money rapidly departing… Read more

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MITSUBISHI CHALLENGER 2009 – 2015

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2012 Mitsubishi Challenger

Back before SUVs became the flavour of the year and cars were king of the sales charts, Mitsubishi launched its Challenger in 1996. It was a seriously tough vehicle, virtually a Triton pickup with a wagon body it was very good off-road, though often on the harsh side in daily road driving. It became smoother as gradual changes were made. However, the virtually all-new Challenger of 2009 being reviewed here, while still based on the pickup, is more sophisticated and tuned to suit family SUV buyers. Testing and tuning of… Read more

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NISSAN NAVARA 2005 – 2017

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2014 Nissan Navara

Nissan Navara has built up an excellent reputation over many years as a tough, no-nonsense vehicle when worked hard in rugged Aussie conditions. Nissan Oz was arguably ahead of the field in realising that dual-cab pickup trucks were going to be major sellers in Australia, the modern day family car. From November 2005 it began importing a second Navara model, designated the D40 Navara, it sat aside the existing workhorse D22 Navara. Nissan D40 Navara is sold in a variety of bodies, everything from a bare cab-chassis, though single cab… Read more

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HONDA ODYSSEY 2009 – 2017

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2016 Honda Odyssey

Honda Odyssey is a practical vehicle that makes a lot more sense than the large seven-seat SUVs. While the Odyssey doesn’t give its owner the feeling they can conquer the Simpson Desert, it does offer a smooth, quiet ride and excellent interior space. In the fourth generation, where we pick up the long history of the Honda Odyssey, is actually lower than some station wagons. Inside it’s positively futuristic, with a sweeping-wave dash and instruments that sit in no fewer than four layers. Access to the rearmost seats is easier… Read more

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BMW Z4 2009 – 2018

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BMW Z4 and its predecessor the Z3 are genuine sportscars not simply convertibles, meaning they have a long bonnet and the occupants sit close to the rear wheels. The Z4 first reached us Downunder in 2004, but in this used car checkout we will begin with the introduction of the second generation from September 2009. While it continued the same theme as the original the 2009 model was tamed slightly. Certainly not to the point of being subdued, but to be easier to live with on a daily basis. Previously… Read more