Category: Used Car Review

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JAGUAR XJ 1998-2014

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1998 Jaguar XJ6

The XJ Jaguar is a British sports saloon that can be divided into three quite different stages in its recent history. Those built until July 2003 had traditional styling that looked great and made a real statement both inside and out. These are getting on in years, but those who love Jags swear by them. Though their age, combined with quality control that wasn’t the best, could cause hassles. The 2003 restyle kept many of the established lines, but now moulded onto an aluminium body to significantly reduce weight and… Read more

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AUDI A3 1997-2015

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2001 Audi A3

Audi is often in the forefront of vehicle design and the A3 is a classic example. The company was the first of the upmarket German marques to make the bold, some thought foolhardy, move to smaller, relatively affordable cars. Prior to the Audi A3 you had to spend upwards of $60,000 to get into one of the big make Germans. The A3 dropped the starting price to under $40,000 (keep in mind we are talking 1997 dollars, here). Many predicted small cars would devalue the prestige rating of the large… Read more

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HONDA CR-V 1997 – 2015

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2010 Honda CR-V

When the Honda CR-V was first sold in Australia in October 1997 it was a considered to be a genuine 4WD, albeit one intended only for mild conditions. That was almost 20 years ago and the SUV situation has changed markedly in the meantime. Today so-called small SUVs are really station wagons, are frequently driven by two wheels not four, and have relatively low ground clearance. Honda CR-V followed the trend, indeed often led the way, and today’s CR-V’s are still selling well on the new-car market, with have a… Read more

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LEXUS IS 1999 – 2014

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2010 Lexus IS350 F Sport

By EWAN KENNEDY CAPTIONS: A. B. C. BODY COPY The Lexus IS range of sports sedans was aimed squarely at the BMW 3-Series when launched in Australia in 1999. Later, the Mercedes C-Class was also in Lexus’s sights as Mercedes quietly moved it from the boring sedan into the sporty sedan segment. All Lexus are immaculately finished inside and out in a tradition that has been with the marque since day one in 1989. The quality of materials and workmanship not only makes the car a delight to look at… Read more

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BMW 7 SERIES 1994 – 2014

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2009 BMW 760Li

The BMW 7 Series is the largest model in the sedan lineup from the prestigious German marque. Interestingly, many 7 Series owners say they buy a used 7 that’s a few years old instead of a new Holden Caprice or the like. While the BMW and Holden are similar in size and performance they differ greatly in service and repair costs. Unless your budget can handle the occasional huge slug it might be best to steer clear of the Bimmer, but if you can afford one you will enjoy a… Read more

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TOYOTA AVALON 2000 – 2006

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2003 Toyota Avalon Grande

Toyota Avalon was a failed attempt by Toyota to get into the big six-cylinder family car market that in July 2000 was totally dominating sales in Australia. To keep costs down Avalon was based on an early-1990s design for an American Toyota so it was already dated before it was launched here. Not only did Avalon fail to gather sales, Toyota Australia found it necessary to close down Corolla production in Melbourne to make room for the Avalon. Hindsight is wonderful – telling us Australians lost interest in big cars… Read more

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JAGUAR XK 1996 – 2014

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1996 Jaguar XK8 Coupe and Convertible

Jaguar XK is a large, powerful sports machine. More GT (grand tourer) than sportscar it returned to Australia in October 1996 after an absence of many years. Our preference is for the all-new model XK launched in May 2007 as it’s considerably lighter than the older one thanks to its all-aluminium body. It’s till not exactly nimble but holds the road well and provides plenty of driving pleasure. Generally these cars are fine on Australian roads, but aren’t always happy on the really rough stuff. Try it for yourself if… Read more

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HOLDEN SUBURBAN 1998 – 2001

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Holden Suburban is a very large 4WD, good towing workhorse and spacious people mover. The Suburban can seat up to nine adults, though a more realistic use is seven adults and two children – nothing else comes close in this designed-for-the-USA giant. It can also carry their luggage, whereas other big 4WDs can seat eight people, but lose most of their luggage room when the rear seats are occupied. A rebadged Chevrolet, the Holden Suburban was only imported from February 1998 until January 2001, though the last of them weren’t… Read more

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JEEP CHEROKEE 1994 – 2014

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1997 Jeep Cherokee

The introduction of the all-new Jeep Cherokee KL Series in July 2014 has resulted in quite a few people upgrading from their old Cherokees. Resulting in many trade ins waiting to be shifted from used-car yards, so there might be some good prices on offer as dealers try to clear their stocks. No promises, but why not see for yourself? Official imports of Jeeps to Australia didn’t begin 1994 but many were brought in privately for years before that. These older models are probably best left to Jeep enthusiasts (of… Read more

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VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1995-2014

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2008 Volkswagen Passat R36

Volkswagen Passat is a medium-large car aimed at those looking for a solid machine that should stand the test of time. Stylish it’s not, but that’s the way VW does its shapes, intending them to be timeless. There’s an exception in the Passat range, see the upcoming notes on the model tagged the ‘CC”. Passat shares quite a few out of sight components with upmarket Audis as that prestige marque is controlled by the Volkswagen Group these days. In the earlier days almost all Passat imports were four-door sedans but… Read more