seremify007
Junior Member
Saw this article on SMH and whilst I don't necessarily agree with the choice of cars, it does provide a good starting point for people in the market, who don't really care much about performance and are more interested in reliability and everyday driving, etc...
URL: http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/safe-and-sound-20110211-1apho.htmlBargains do exist for P-platers who don't want dents in their cars or their wallets, writes Toby Hagon.
There has never been a better time to buy a new car, according to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries. The good news for those who can't or who don't want to buy new, is that used cars are also a bargain.
"There's really good value at the moment [in the used-car market] mainly because new-car prices have been pretty soft over the last couple of years," the managing director of used-car bible Glass's Guide, Santo Amoddio, says.
"The effect that had on the used-car market is that used-car values have softened over the last couple of years."
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Even better is that competition from new cars that cost as little as $13,000 - such as the Holden Barina Spark - has intensified pressure on used cars around that price. Perfect if you're a P-plater looking to buy a good quality set of second-hand wheels. Amoddio says there's a plethora of keenly priced used cars, many of which are ideal for first-time drivers.
"Used cars [generally] are excellent value at the moment," he says. "[Prices have] come down right across the board but the large-car market's probably copped it the worst. But small cars are good value now as well."
With that in mind, Drive has scoured the used-car market to come up with the best cars for P-platers.
Sure, we've looked at value, affordability and reliability, but we've also taken into account safety (relative to the price level) and considered the fact not all young drivers will want a small car.
Some may need the space of a family car or want the practicality of a small four-wheel-drive, or SUV. We've also considered a range of budgets, from below $5000 up to $20,000.
Small: Less than $5000
Top Pick: Mazda 121 Metro
It may not have been the sexiest car on the road but the Mazda 121 Metro's upright, boxy stance meant plenty of space inside - especially for mates. That's great for Twittering, Facebooking teenagers who love their socialising. The 121 Metro (above) arrived in 1996 and was available with a 1.3- or 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine.
Neither is particularly powerful but they're honest engines known for their robustness. The 1.5-litre is the pick and shouldn't cost any more, if you can find one.
Safety was light on in the 121 - as it is in everything at this price level - but there was a standard driver's airbag.
Later models adopted the Mazda2 moniker and got standard ABS and dual airbags but none are likely to dip below $5000.
Other notables
Mitsubishi Mirage The three-door-only Mirage was popular in the mid-1990s. Early models didn't have power steering so you needed to make sure the tyres were correctly inflated to make it easy to park. Great 1.5-litre engine and practical interior for two people sealed the deal. Make sure it's not blowing smoke, though. Find a 2001 update model and it'll have dual airbags.
Nissan Micra Sourced from Britain, the Micra was the first car sold here with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It was a clever auto option and made the most out of the perky 1.3-litre engine - but took some getting used to. Available in three- and five-door variants, it was short-lived in Australia (1995-97) so unloved in used-car land, making it a bargain now. Look out for rough idling that can lead to stalling on some cars.
Small car: $5000-$10,000
Top pick: Toyota Yaris
The car that replaced the Echo has gone on to be a huge seller for Toyota, so finding one isn't an issue. Available in sedan, three- and five-door body styles with either a 1.3- or 1.5-litre engine, the Yaris (above) had funky extras such as a digital speedo, albeit mounted in the centre of the dash.
The boot was small but the rear seats could be slid back and forward to trade some rear legroom for additional load space.
Both engines are very willing, with the 1.5 providing some additional oomph (80kW versus 63kW).
Problems are rare, with one of the most annoying being a digital fuel gauge that can leave you short.
Optional curtain airbags were rarely added but one well worth seeking out. You'll have to search harder to find a sub-$10,000 five-door (they do exist) but three-doors are more common for those on a budget.
Other notables
Ford Laser It was once one of Ford's best sellers but has since been replaced by the Focus. That doesn't mean the Laser is a bad thing - anything but. Other than the unique noses, it was a twin of the Mazda 323 of the late 1990s, meaning mechanicals and quality were both great. Being a discontinued nameplate means prices have dropped more than on the Mazda, so there are some great buys for less than $10,000.
Mitsubishi Lancer Coupe One of the last of the relatively stylish, affordable two-doors, the Lancer Coupe was a hit with younger people who didn't need the practicality of rear doors but wanted more visual pizazz. Steer clear of modified examples (there are plenty) or those that have had a hard life. Also look out for faulty instrument clusters. The 1.5-litre engine was a bit snoozy, with the 1.8 better living up to the sporty looks.
Small: $10,000-$20,000
Top pick: Hyundai I30
The i30 (above right) cemented Hyundai as a mainstream player. Sharp styling and pricing were key to its appeal but the i30 was also a decent driver with well-sorted steering and suspension. Sure, the 2.0-litre engine can be buzzy when revved but with 105kW of power, it punched above many in its class.
Cheaper examples should now be kicking around for $11,000 or $12,000, making them a bargain buy.
Even better is that even the older ones (it went on sale in 2007) will still be covered by Hyundai's excellent five-year warranty. Keep an eye out for notchy first-to-second gear shifts in the manuals.
Other notables
Honda Civic Hybrid The Honda Civic sedan has always been a reliable used car but it's the Hybrid that is the real bargain and can be had for as little as $15,000, less than half its price as new and sometimes only a few years old. Performance was only average but fuel use was frugal.
Mercedes-Benz A-Class Shop around for an A140 or A160 from 2000 or 2001 and you could spend less than $10,000, which is good buying for a sensibly sized car that included stability control as standard.
Stretch the budget beyond $10,000 and there are plenty of well-priced A160s and A170s and most will have been gently driven and well maintained.
Family: Less than $5000
Top pick: Hyundai Grandeur
In the late 1990s, Hyundai had grand plans to spread its wings beyond the drive-away small cars for which it was known. And what better way to tackle the establishment than by mimicking what they do best - large cars?
It sounded great in theory but the Grandeur (right) that carried the flag wasn't close to what the market expected. Bland styling and un-Hyundai-like pricing were enough to make it an instant struggle.
By the time of the Grandeur, Hyundai had sorted the quality glitches that haunted the brand in the 1990s but they still hadn't (and indeed still haven't) mastered the finer points of suspension tuning.
The result was a pretty awful driving experience, save for the smooth 3.0-litre V6, with the bonus being most people drove them sedately. Dual airbags and traction control were a plus for the era (traction control only made it on the base model from an update in 2002) while the XG came with such luxuries as leather trim.
Other notables
Mitsubishi Magna What it lacked in rear seat space it made up for in value and below-average resale values mean good circa-10-year-old examples of the Magna can now be had for less than $5000. The TH model got a 3.5-litre V6 but the 3.0-litre V6 that sold until 2002 delivered more than enough, albeit slurping its fair share of unleaded.
Mitsubishi Nimbus One for the young families, the Nimbus delivers seven-seat functionality for those who need it. A proven 2.4-litre four-cylinder worked OK when the people-mover had only one or two on board but needed encouragement with a full house. You'll likely have to look at pre-2000 models to spend less than $5000 but they're still good buying, even better for another couple of grand.
Family: $5000-$10,000
Top pick: Toyota Avalon
The Avalon borrowed styling from a car sold in the US and the brand tweaked the underpinnings for Australian tastes. The result was one of the blandest sedans produced but it was surprisingly capable.
Even better was that the people who bought them drove them gently. The 3.0-litre V6 delivered respectable performance, although the grey interior was less endearing.
Generally reliable, check the rear power windows are operating; they were prone to failure and can be costly to repair. Engines not serviced properly are also prone to sludging of oil, which can lead to exhaust smoke. The Avalon (right) never held its value as well as other Toyotas and you can expect to get a really good example for less than $10,000, with some dipping as low as $6000.
Other notables
Ford BA Falcon The BA arrived in 2002, bringing more cohesive styling and vastly improved refinement and dynamics over the unloved AU. The old six-cylinder engine is fairly bulletproof as well. Updates (Mark II and, later, BF) progressively improved safety, adding side airbags and stability control. Make sure you pop the bonnet because the release cable was prone to breaking. Some cars can also idle roughly and even stall, which can be expensive.
Toyota Spacia Discontinued in 2002, the Spacia brought serious practicality, with seating for up to eight people. While it may be tempting to go for the 2.2-litre engine of earlier examples, it was the more powerful (but still modest, at 94kW) 2.0-litre from 1998 that was the pick. Only consider if you really need to carry lots of people.
Family: $10,000-$20,000
Top pick: Mitsubishi 380
The last car to be produced at Mitsubishi's South Australian production line before it was shut down in 2008, the 380 (right) that arrived in 2005 was the replacement for the Magna and more luxurious Verada. The name referred to the punchy 175kW 3.8-litre V6 that was more than a match for the rival Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore large cars.
The 380 wasn't a sales success but it was a quality bit of gear loaded with equipment. Disappointingly, it missed out on potentially life-saving curtain airbags and stability control, which can help control a skid. It was a notable oversight at the time, although competitors only offered the features as an option, which was rarely taken up.
These days some 380s have dipped below $10,000 but the best buying is between $10,000 and $13,000, where you'll get plenty of car for a bargain price. Search well and you could still find one under Mitsubishi's five-year warranty, although expect to pay more.
Other notables
Volvo V50 Forget the Volvo V40 because it was a pretty horrible thing but the V50 (and its S40 sedan sibling) that arrived in 2004 were a very different story. The 2.4-litre five-cylinder engine is filled with character, while the stylish interior works well. A decent 2004-05 model can be had for about $15,000.
Nissan Maxima Generally unloved for its awkward styling and bland appeal, the Maxima is well built with great engines. For less than $20,000 you're looking at models that could still be under the three-year warranty, including the previous generation (discontinued in 2009) 3.5-litre V6 or the current shape 250 ST-L with a 2.5-litre V6 mated to a continuously variable transmission. Lashings of equipment are key to the appeal of the Maxima.
SUV/4WD: Less than $5000
Top pick: Subaru Forester
The popularity of compact soft-roaders means they're generally holding their value pretty well. Among them, Subaru Foresters are some of the best on resale so you'll have to look back more than a decade to find one that's selling for less than $5000. Even then, it's slim pickings (another $1000 makes all the difference).
The original was not particularly stylish or brisk but it was functional and tough (save for front drive shafts that could give up on cars driven harder).
The sorts of cars you'll be looking at will have high kilometres but the 90kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder was a durable - if uninspiring - unit.
Check servicing has been regular, though, because they'll struggle if the oil hasn't been changed often enough. Also look out for clutches that vibrate on take-off, indicating wear and/or hard use by the previous owners.
The simple but highly effective all-wheel-drive system was a bonus, particularly on wet roads.
Other notables
Toyota RAV4 An instant hit when it arrived on the scene in 1994. Three-door versions were bouncier due to their shorter wheelbase but the five-door was a more complete unit with added practicality. Models up to 1998 or 1999 should be selling for less than $5000.
Suzuki X-90 Finding one could be your biggest challenge. Unloved from the day it arrived - it was a restyled, two-seat version of the popular Vitara of the 1990s - the X-90 (above) was never a big seller. But it used traditionally strong Suzuki running gear and while its 70kW 1.6-litre wasn't at all inspiring, well-maintained versions should cope with big kilometres under their belt.
SUV/4WD: $5000-$10,000
Top pick: Honda HR-V
Sold from 1999 as a three-door only, then with a set of rear doors from 2000. The longer five-door had extras such as split-folding rear seats and rear air ducts.
The smaller cousin to the hugely popular CR-V, the HR-V (above right) dipped out on the engine department, with a modest 1.6-litre, 77kW four-cylinder. Progress was leisurely, although the optional CVT automatic helped shuffle things along.
Beware, though, that CVTs can give untold trouble; failures are common and Honda is providing warranty (and, therefore, fixes) on cars up to 10 years old. After that, though, you're on your own, which could make the manual more appealing.
Inside, there was more of the quirky look, although it was practical and comfortable enough, albeit with a bouncy ride in the three-door models.
Dual airbags were standard, while the short-lived Sport model also came with anti-lock brakes.
Other notables
Daihatsu Terios Never the most stable-looking vehicle - it was tall and skinny - the Terios was effectively a hatchback on stilts with some weird styling. Its perky 1.3-litre engine was willing and you can still get pre-2002, high-kilometre models for less than $5000. Dealers don't exist these days but Toyota dealers still stock many parts.
Mitsubishi Pajero iO Pitched as the baby brother to the more serious Pajero, the iO range included 1.6-litre three-doors and 1.8-litre five-doors, neither of which was particularly inspiring, although they were surprisingly capable off-road. You'll have to search for one that sneaks below $5000 but there are examples out there. Just check underneath to make sure it hasn't been been doing any bush bashing.
SUV/4WD: $10,000-$20,000
Top pick: Mitsubishi Outlander
Mitsubishi arrived later on the scene than the class leaders (Subaru, Honda and Toyota) so it had to work harder, which meant there was often more equipment than some competitors in the rival Outlander (below). A willing 2.4-litre four-cylinder was joined by a 3.0-litre V6 in 2006, although V6 variants are unlikely to be selling for less than our $20,000 limit.
Still, there's plenty of good four-cylinder buying. If you're lucky you could even sneak a seven-seat model (they arrived in 2007, along with a mildly updated four-cylinder that boosted power from 120kW to 125kW) for less than $20,000.
Other notables
Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute These twins under the skin were a surprising package, albeit with a daggy column shifter that was a legacy of it being designed largely with the US market in mind. Mazda's four-cylinder will likely be had for less than $8000-$9000, although it's manual only. The Escape four-cylinder from 2004 came with an auto and for P-platers is a better bet than the thirsty 150kW V6 on both models.
Nissan X-Trail Chunky styling and a hearty 132kW 2.5-litre four-cylinder (power dropped to 123kW in 2006) were the standouts for Nissan's X-Trail. A selectable 4WD system also made it semi-handy in slippery conditions. A popular seller, there are plenty of good value X-Trails on the market.
To find out more about these cars, visit drive.com.au/p-platecars
What to look for
While most first-time drivers will look at a car's style or how much power it has, parents are likely to focus on safety and running costs.
Vehicle safety has improved exponentially during the past decade and, as a general rule, the newer the car, the more likely it is to have the latest safety features.
Stability control is a silver bullet for road safety, credited with reducing single-vehicle crashes by 40 per cent or more. It works by using sensors to detect when the car is sliding or skidding and applying the brakes to one or more wheels in an effort to pull the car back under control.
The negative is that most stability control systems can switch off — something some younger drivers have figured out. They are also typically available on later-model cars, meaning you're unlikely to find them in anything priced less than $12,000.
While most second-hand cars will have a driver's airbag (or dual front airbags), side and curtain airbags are less common. Scout around to find a car that's had them fitted as an option (look for the "SRS" acronym on the windscreen pillars).
Also, make sure you check the basics of the car. Tyres should have enough tread and preferably be all the same brand and type. Take the car to a quiet street and jump on the brakes to test they're effective and not pulling to one side. It's also worth getting a mechanic to check over the basics to make sure the safety features are operating.
