Category: Used Car Review

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FIAT PUNTO 2006 – 2014

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2013 Fiat Punto Lounge

Italian carmaker Fiat is very big in Europe but had been quiet in the Australian passenger car scene for years before re-entering our market in July 2006 with the Punto, a small-medium hatchback. However, Punto was pretty expensive and didn’t sell particularly well at the time, to the extent that it was pulled from the new-car market in 2010; some may not have been sold new till early 2011, check the compliance plate as it’s the build date that counts when you come to resell the car and 2010 models… Read more

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SUBARU FORESTER 1997-2014

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2011 Subaru Forester

When the Forester was introduced to Australia in 1997 it was closely related to the Subaru Impreza hatch. It also reminded Subaru lovers of the Subaru 4WD station wagons. Over the years the Forester morphed into a medium SUV in styling. However, even as it entered the crossover era the Forester still had useful ground clearance so can tackle tougher than average conditions in the bush and on the beach. Forester’s suspension has longer travel than Impreza’s and more rugged specs with semi-off-road tyres. The latter may have been replaced… Read more

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VOLVO XC90 2003 – 2014

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2003 Volvo XC90

Never a company to rush into things unnecessarily, Volvo has had its XC90 on sale since 2002 (2003 in Australia), albeit with many significant upgrades and changes along the way. An all-new model is finally on the way and incorporates some fascinating new technology, obviously safety heads the list, but there are many other high-tech items on their way. The new XC90 is likely to lead to a rush of existing ones being traded in, so there may be a glut in used-car yards – and some good deals on… Read more

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FORD FAIRLANE, LTD 1997 – 2007

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2005 Ford LTD

Fairlane and LTD are long-wheelbase versions of the Ford Falcon. For decades these super sized Fords had their own specific shape to make them stand out from their shorter – dare we say lesser? – brothers. However in the early years of the 21st century, Ford Australia decided to save money by having the Fairlane and LTD share most visible body components with the Falcon. Potential buyers didn’t appreciate the looking as though they were driving a Falcon not a more prestigious LTD or Fairlane. They stayed away in droves… Read more

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MITSUBISHI LANCER 1995-2014

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2000 Mitsubishi Lancer

Japanese designed and built to a high quality, Mitsubishi Lancer is at the forefront in the reliability stakes, so has long been popular on the used-car scene in Australia. The Lancer began life as a small car, then gradually morphed into a medium model. From the new model launched in October 2007 it can be used as a family car if the kids aren’t yet into their hulking teenage years. Interior space is good in the front seats in all models. Rear seat headroom can be tight in the older… Read more

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KIA CERATO 2004 – 2014

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2013 Kia Cerato hatch

Kia Cerato is a small-to-medium South Korean model that has been overshadowed in the past by its big brother Hyundai’s i30 and Elantra (Kia is controlled by Hyundai these days). However, when the ultra-stylish gen-three Cerato was launched in Australia in April 2013 buyer interested greatly. Sales lifted immediately and quite a few of the third generation cars are starting to appear on the used-car scene. The South Korean car makers are coming up with some excellent lines, and the Cerato is arguably up with the best of them. Interestingly,… Read more

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PEUGEOT 206 1999 – 2007

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2006 Peugeot 206 CC

The recent revival of interest in Peugeot in Australia following the launch of the European Car of the Year, the Peugeot 308, has apparently drawn attention to the rest of the French marque’s range. Cars to benefit from this new focus on Peugeot here include one of the most popular of all, the small-medium 206 that’s the subject of this used-car review. Introduced here in 1999 the Peugeot 206 sold well for the best part of 10 years, before being replaced by the Peugeot 207 in February 2007. The 206… Read more

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HOLDEN ASTRA 1996 – 2010

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2007 Holden Astra CDX three-door

Holden Astra is a small medium car that was popular in Australia for many years. Astras prior to 1996 were Australian-built and were closely related to Nissan Pulsars. From 1996 until 2010 Astra was imported from Europe where it was made by Opel, the German division of General Motors. In this review we will only look at the German-made cars as the Aussie ones are getting long in the tooth and possibly past their use-by date. Holden Astras were discontinued in 2010, but the nameplate was revived in September 2012,… Read more

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JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 1996-2014

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2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Jeep Grand Cherokee is a large 4WD that nowadays is aimed more at buyers of luxury station wagons rather than full-on off-road enthusiasts. However the Grand Jeep is true to its roots and is a genuine 4WD that can tackle rugged off-road work that would stop most of the crossover wagons sold by its competitors. On sealed roads, the older Jeep Grand Cherokee models aren’t as competent as later ones. The steering needs a fair bit of work and isn’t all that precise. Things improved with each new model and… Read more

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LEXUS LS 1990 – 2014

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2009 Lexus LS460 Sport

The most noticeable feature of the Lexus LS series models is their near-silence and comfort. Features that put them very much in the upmarket limousine class. First rate materials are used throughout and these are assembled with meticulous care. Though aimed very much at the Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series and Audi A8, the topline Lexus hasn’t quite managed to reach their high status in the image stakes despite 25 years on the market. But they’re reasonable close and will obviously keep trying ad infinitum. Lexus tells us ‘LS’ stands… Read more