OZ car recommendations

**wardy** · 20-03-2008, 10:39 PM

Well I thought I would get started on looking into what we need on the otherside, hopefully we have a rental sorted so next is a car.

In this country I drive a Citreon xsara picasso and I love my little tank.

What I need is a car for 4/5 adults good boot space for cricket and football and of course trips away.

What can you recommend don't want to spend silly money, but want a decent enough car, economical etc. My dad lived in the dessert and swore by mazda's has anyone got any ideas so we can go looking when we arrive.

I have done a search on PIO, but can only find general things regarding cars, so need some suggestions on makes and models.

So what do you drive?

Thanks

**DebsX** · 20-03-2008, 11:02 PM

Hiya

I have a Falcon Stationwagon. I picked it mainly for the huge boot area. It's also not difficult to get servicing and spares for it.

I needed a large boot to transport the dog around in.

It was a bit pricey and we spent more than I wanted to at the time but it is only 3 years old. Hopefully it will last quite a few years. it was also more expensive because it had quite low mileage on it as well.

Bit thirsty on the petrol though, as it's a 4 litre engine. This does give it that little bit of oomph to get you out of trouble should the need arise :)

Which it has done on a couple of occasions.

I love it though. In the UK I drove a Peugeot 406 and it drives very similar to that.

The only difference being it's an automatic. I found manual cars a bit thin on the ground here.

Regards

Debs x x

**the terry's** · 20-03-2008, 11:04 PM

Hi Wardy,

We too have been looking at Ozzy cars. I currently drive a Toyota Avensis Verso T-Spirit D4D (Diesel)
and it has 7 seats. I was glad to see the they have a similar car to ours over there and about for the same price as we are going to sell ours we could get a decent second hand one over there, so I'm really happy. We've had our car for nearly 4 years now and have never had any problems with it so I would definately recommend it. Good luck in your quest.

Helenx

**Sheerluck** · 20-03-2008, 11:29 PM

We've got a Hyundai Santa Fe CRTDi 4x4 here. It's 7 seater as well, has a pretty big boot and seems to cope pretty well with the dodgy road surfaces.

It uses bugger all fuel compared to the Ford Territory (4.0 litre!) I had for 4 months or so when I first arrived, drives better and feels more solid.
You really don't want anything fragile here, no little 2 seater sports cars, as the roads are pretty bad.

Mazdas have a good reputation as do Toyotas. The locally built Fords and Holdens - everyone seems to get VERY nervous of them once they get past 100,000kms or 4 years old.

**leanneandmark** · 20-03-2008, 11:33 PM

We thought we might down size from 4x4's and get a brand new car...been looking at mitsubishi lancer the one we wanted was 5k cheaper there than in the uk!!!!

**Sheerluck** · 20-03-2008, 11:42 PM

Originally Posted by leanneandmark

We thought we might down size from 4x4's and get a brand new car...been looking at mitsubishi lancer the one we wanted was 5k cheaper there than in the uk!!!!

Leanneandmark,

When you look at new car prices compared to used, the used prices instantly look a rip off don't they!
My Santa Fe costs $43000 here (£19500) compared to £26000 in the UK. The only difference in specification is mine doesn't have Sat-Nav built in. Who cares! For £6000 I'll buy a map!

**dwaldron** · 21-03-2008, 09:37 AM

Get a Commodore or a Falcon, especially if you plan long distance driving as if you breakdown in the middle of nowhere you will have no trouble getting parts. Immediately convert it to LPG (61c/litre) as there is a government rebate of $2,000 at the moment so (as in my case) your LPG conversion can cost $299 and you are saving on fuel costs after 6 weeks.

Happy motoring, I love my 2003 VY Commodore that I bought last year for $12,000. I have driven it from Adelaide to Tennant Creek, across to Brisbane and then down to Melbourne, and I took the long way. It's never missed a beat and has been getting less than 8L/100km country driving.

**Burmans** · 21-03-2008, 09:54 AM

Before I had my company car (in the UK) we had a Honda CRV (old shape) and it was a great car. Very reliable, comforable and loads of space. Lots of rear legroom as well. When we get Oz-side we plan to get another one of them (maybe 2 eventually). They are high up, so I am sure they can handle the roads and they are probably quite cheap too.
WB

**wardy** · 21-03-2008, 10:07 AM

This is great its really given me some ideas.

Is there anything that we should avoid like the plague.

Great tip about converting to LPG is that fuel easy to get hold off or is it a bit more tricky like here.

**calNgary** · 21-03-2008, 10:07 AM

Leanne we bought a lancer when we arrived,it was 5 mth old so had lost its new value but still had warranty,it was $17,000 but that was nearly 18mth ago..it uses next to no fuel and she does get abused,it hasnt put a foot out of place(and if breaks down tomorrow illl kill you,lol) and is really easy to drive.
Cal x