Category: Used Car Review

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TOYOTA AVENSIS VERSO 2001 – 2010

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2001 Toyota Avensis Verso

You would go a long way to find a more versatile passenger vehicle than the Toyota Avensis, a seven-seat people-mover that drives more like a car than a van or SUV. When launched in December 2001 Toyota told us it hoped the Avensis would appeal to the many people using 4WD vehicles around the suburbs. That appeal was a failure, Toyota apparently not realising that drivers like to be seen in rough ’n’ tough SUVs and 4WDs and consider vehicles like Avensis to be rather sissy. However, those who are… Read more

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CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE 2003 – 2009

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2004 Chrysler Crossfire coupe

Want to buy a used Mercedes-Benz sportscar at a pretty modest price? Then take a look at this Merc with a different body. An American one. Daimler and Chrysler were partners for a while and Chrysler Crossfire sits on underpinnings of a Mercedes SLK. The shape is great, featuring a huge grille, strakes on the long bonnet, vents in the front guards, and a short cabin that runs all the way to a curved-down tail in the coupe. And the roadster’s minimalist top looks great. Simply stunning and real head-turners… Read more

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TOYOTA KLUGER 2003 – 2015

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2010 Toyota Kluger

Toyota has dominated 4WD and SUV markets in Australia for many decades. In October 2003 it introduced yet another vehicle to its range, the Toyota Kluger. It sits neatly in the gap between the smallish RAV4 and the relatively serious chassis-mounted Prado. Kluger is based on a car platform, similar to that of the Camry at the time. It was toughened up to let it take part in mild to medium off-road driving. Initially it was driven by all four wheels, but a 2WD (the front wheels) was added to… Read more

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SUBARU XV 2012 – 2016

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Subaru XV is a compact SUV from the Japanese company that has featured AWD in virtually ever model sold in Australia for the last 25 years. The model launched here in January 2012 features an all-new body and rides 30 mm higher than others in the Impreza range. Note that there was an XV model in the Impreza range prior to the one being covered here, but it was in a different category. The second generation Subaru XV is about to be released downunder and we have already driven it… Read more

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AUDI TT 1999 – 2016

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2015 Audi TT Roadster

Audi TT was launched to a startled world in 1998 with an ultra rounded shape based around its fascinating wheelarches. It looked like nothing else on the road and grabbed a huge amount of attention, virtually all of it positive. Few outside the industry had heard of the Audi TT’s designer, German Peter Schreyer, but since that time he has become something of a legend – and was later headhunted by the South Korean car makers. But that’s another story. The fascinating domed theme of the original TT’s body carries… Read more

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VOLVO C30 2007 – 2013

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Volvo C30 is a small coupe from the renowned Swedish car marque. Designed as part of its plan to get away from its ‘sensible but boring’ image it had styling that harked back to the P1800 of the 1960s and ‘70s . The C30’s styling was polarising, particularly the large sloping back window, when introduced in March 2007, but found favour later and sales on the used-car market are strong these days. There’s a fascinating model range, including a pretty quick T5 and an ultra-economy special. The C30 may be… Read more

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BMW 1 SERIES 2004 – 2015

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The smallest vehicle in the BMW car range, the 1 Series uses sporty engines driving the rear wheels. Like everything else produced by the German auto maker it’s aimed at those who enjoy driving, rather than people who treat it as a chore. However rear-drive inevitably steals cabin and boot space, something that’s more noticeable in the 1 Series than the larger models in the range. It’s probably better to regard a 1 Series as a two-plus-two rather than a full four seater. There’s good legroom in the front seats,… Read more

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BT-50 MAINTAINS STRONG MAZDA CHARACTER

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We might have seen the last of the Mazda BT-50 as we know it because Mazda is about to get together with Isuzu to produce their next generation pickup trucks. Isuzu already makes Mazda trucks for the Japanese market, now it is going worldwide. The current BT-50 shares many components with the Ford Ranger and much of the design was carried out by Australians. When the BT-50 was launched in 2011, Mazda went down a new track, creating a utility with the personality of a passenger car – well, sort… Read more

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RENAULT KOLEOS 2008 – 2015

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2011 Renault Koleos

Renault Koleos is a crossover, both in the where it can be driven – as well as where it is built. It is a French design using a drivetrain sourced from Nissan in Japan and is built in South Korea at the Renault-Samsung manufacturing plant. Launched in Australia in September 2008 it followed the increasingly common feature of being offered in 2WD (front wheels) or 4WD. Koleos’ rear tailgate has a clever ‘clamshell’ design allowing many options for access and load-carrying. You can fold the front passenger seat back to… Read more

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JEEP WRANGLER 2007 – 2015

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2010 Jeep Wrangler

Jeep Wrangler is a real 4WD off-road vehicle that can take you to rough ‘n’ tough places that will break other so-called 4WDs. In JK format, sold from February 2007 the Jeep Wrangler is more aerodynamic, quieter and more stable than its old-fashioned predecessors. Thankfully, it’s still a bit raw around the edges, which is exactly what owners are looking for. These are the models we are surveying in this used-car feature. Ride comfort could be better, which appeals to many typical owners, but it’s an idea to have all… Read more