Category: Used Car Review

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FORD MONDEO 2007 – 2015

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2007 Ford Mondeo hatch

Ford Mondeo is a full-size family car from Europe. The earlier models weren’t particularly successful in Australia but from the new, larger model of October 2007 it gained more respect in this country. It comes as no surprise that the European designed Mondeo has steering and suspension dynamics that appeal to the Australians who enjoy driving, even in their family oriented cars. Ride comfort is good and even rough country roads don’t upset the Mondeo’s feel. However, they aren’t as good as Aussie-designed Falcons. In particular, interior noise on coarse-chip… Read more

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HYUNDAI VELOSTER 2012 – 2015

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2012 Hyundai Veloster

Hyundai Veloster is something right out of the ordinary: a coupe on the driver’s side and a hatchback on the other side. Not only does that make it an instant talking point and grab plenty of sales, but also makes it more usable. The bane of two-door coupes is getting passengers in and out of the rear seats. Veloster overcomes this by having a small back door on the left side. It’s forward hinged and makes access to the back easy. The diving roof line and expansive hatch give it… Read more

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PEUGEOT 308 2008 – 2016

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2008 Peugeot 308

Peugeot 308 is a small-medium French car that’s well regarded for style and comfort. It has never reached the sales heights of the likes of models in its class from Hyundai, Mazda and Toyota and so on. But those who like driving something out of the ordinary should put a Peugeot 308 somewhere on their short list. Despite its styling flair the 308‘s designers hadn’t forgotten about function, it has a good-sized rear seat for its class, and sensible luggage space. Indeed, European owners regard cars in the Peugeot 308… Read more

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MERCEDES-BENZ M-CLASS 2006 – 2015

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2005 Mercedes-Benz M-Class

  B. C. 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class BODY COPY Most Mercedes-Benz M-Class SUVs are bought as prestigious station wagons rather than a 4WD, though some are use in off-road conditions and there’s a package for those who want to get really serious – more about it in a moment. The first M-Class model had true 4WD body-on-chassis construction, all others have a monocoque body with some underbody strengthening to make it more suited to off-road running. Mercedes-Benz M-Class first arrived in Australia in September 1998 and has sold well in the… Read more

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KIA SPORTAGE 1996 – 2016

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2002 Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage was a real 4WD when launched here in 1996. Its ladder frame chassis and dual-range 4WD system meant it could carry out genuine off-road operations. Indeed its relatively light weight and smallish size meant it could sometimes squeeze into tight spots where big truck-based 4WDs couldn’t fit. Sportage owners just loved that. From May 2000, the Kia Sportage had basically the same front as the 1996 model, but gained a significantly longer tail to provide a lot more boot space, though the back seats had much the same… Read more

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SUZUKI SWIFT 2005 – 2016

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2006 Suzuki Swift

Suzuki Swift is a stylish Japanese small car that’s been popular in Australia since its re-introduction in February 2005. It’s a tough little critter that’s well regarded for reliability and long life. It’s popular on the Australian used-car scene and holds its value well. Indeed, dealers sometimes complain to us that they can’t get their hands on enough used Swifts. Swift has a better sorted suspension and steering than most cars in its class and is appreciated by keen drivers. Good throttle response from the engines is another fun factor…. Read more

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FORD FALCON 2002-2016

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2006 Ford Fairmont Ghia

In October 2016 the last Ford Falcon left the assemble line, not long after its 56th birthday in Australia. What does this mean on the used-car scene for the period being examined here, 2002 – 2016? At this stage the answer is we simply don’t know’ though speculation suggests the sporting models may become desirable as years go by, perhaps even increase in value. That is the Falcon XR6, XR6T, XR8, Sprint, GT, and any with supercharged or turbocharged engines (except for the four-cylinder turbos). Trouble is, there are so… Read more

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MITSUBISHI ASX 2010 – 2016

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2010 Mitsubishi ASX

By EWAN KENNEDY CAPTION: A. B. C. 2015 Mitsubishi ASX BODY COPY Mitsubishi has long been a major player in the Australian 4WD and SUV sales race. Beginning with the ground-breaking Pajero almost 40 years ago when it was the first affordable 4WD designed with comfort, not just off-road ability, in mind. Though Pajero was, and still is, a success the Japanese giant dabbled in the small SUV field in Australia in various ways for many years without a huge amount of success – until it began to import the… Read more

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SUBARU IMPREZA 2000 – 2016

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2009 Subaru Impreza

It seems to have taken a long time, but in recent years Subaru has finally found style. For many years it was functional first and fashionable second. Until the fourth generation of February 2012 it was on the bland size, though that didn’t hurt it in the sales race as the no-nonsense Japanese car appeals to no-nonsense Aussies. An all-new Impreza, gen-five will hit the streets downunder at about the time this story goes to press. The 2017 model is virtually all-new, being built on a lighter, stronger platform and… Read more

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PEUGEOT 207 2007 – 2012

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2007 Peugeot 207 GT

Peugeot 207 is a small-medium French car and is substantially larger than the 206 it replaced in February 2007. People looking to keep clear of the madding crowd of car owners frequently opt for something from the Peugeot range. Though most 207s in Australia are owned by singles and couples, they can be used by families with young children. It goes without saying that French flair is a major feature of the 207’s body and cabin styling. Yet interior space hasn’t been sacrificed for the sake of fashion. Peugeot designers… Read more