Tag: Used

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FORD FOCUS 2011 – 2022

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  Ford Focus is a small-medium European model that has never had the success it  deserves in Australia. That’s probably because dual-clutch automatics sold from 2011 till  2015 had many problems and these led to the complete car being given a poor reputation.   The dual-clutch was replaced by a six-speed conventional torque convertor automatic  transmission in September 2015 as part of a major makeover of the complete range.   Ford Focus is pretty well made these days, though generally not to the extremely high  standards of the Asian models…. Read more

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TOYOTA KLUGER 2007 – 2021

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  CAPTION: A.   B.  C. 2018 Toyota Kluger   Toyota Kluger isn’t a serious off-road vehicle designed to conquer the great  Australian outback. Rather it’s aimed at those looking for a medium to large station  wagon to carry the family.    However, it does have a moderate off-road ability in some models. It’s probably best  that you don’t test this ability unless you’ve got some mates in ‘proper’ 4WDs in your  convoy and there’s a snatch-um strap in the boot.   Initially Toyota Kluger was driven by all four wheels,… Read more

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PEUGEOT 2008 2013 – 2022

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  Peugeot 2008 is a small crossover SUV based on the Peugeot 208 hatchback. It arrived in  Australia in 2013 and offered an interesting alternative to vehicles that chiefly came from  Asian countries.    It is relatively conservative in its style, unlike that of what is probably its closest competitor,  the Renault Captur which, of course, is also from France.    Interior space is good for a wagon of this size, though it’s better suited to couples with pre- teen children rather than four adults. Changes to the seat design… Read more

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LAND ROVER FREELANDER 2007 – 2015

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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 were… Read more

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BMW X3 2011 – 2021

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  BMW calls its X3 is an SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle) rather than an SUV (Sports Utility  Vehicle) because the German maker realises that most people are looking for a  practical station wagon not a bush bashing off-road beast.    So, the suspension engineers have gone for handling and comfort. While not really in  the BMW 3 Series class in its on-road behaviour it’s impressive the way it handles. It  also provides the good feedback that keen drivers love.   The BMW X3, was one of the early players in… Read more

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PEUGEOT 308, 2008-2021

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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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FIAT FREEMONT 2013 – 2017

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The Italian Fiat Freemont was introduced in Australia midway through 2013. Its shape was somewhere between that of a people mover and SUV so buyers looking for the tough look of a 4WD didn’t have the Freemont on their shopping list. The Fiat Freemont comes with five or seven seats. The second row of seats can slide forward by up to 100 mm for relatively easy access to the rearmost seats. Theatre-style seating in seven-seat Freemonts ensures pretty good visibility for all. Built-in booster seats for children are standard on… Read more