Diamond911 Posted 10February, 2017 Report Share Posted 10February, 2017 We have a young female German au pair (18) who has been staying with us for the past 6 months and has become part of our family. She is planning to leave us in about 4 weeks to travel around Australia with another female German au pair. They are looking to travel for up to 6 months around Australia and will probably clock up around 20,000 to 30,000 km's. So they are currently looking for a car to purchase in Perth with a budget max of $5K and it has to be automatic. In fact, probably closer to $4K so that they can service it and complete any preventative maintenance etc before they leave.I promised to assist them to purchase a car in Perth so that they don't get ripped off or buy a lemon. I've got a local mechanic who can hopefully check out as well.My advice has been to go with a BF or BAII Falcon wagon (circa 2004-2007) or a VY Commodore wagon (2003-2004). These models seem to have a reputation as being pretty reliable if they have been maintained and are very practical to throw a mattress in the back etc. Plus they are pretty cheap on fuel on the highway ~ 8.5 L/100km and parts are very easy to come by all around Aus.However, they have been looking at other models such as old Gen 2 Pajeros (V6 petrol autos), Jeeps etc which I am trying to steer them well clear of. Any thoughts on a cheap reliable car/wagon for around $4-$5K? Preferably room to throw a mattress in the back and camping gear etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pork Chops Posted 10February, 2017 Report Share Posted 10February, 2017 Wow all this talk of 2 young german au pairs and devil may care travelling and mattresses is.....welcome! If it were me I'd throw $4k into carsales as a max, then sort by latest date of manufacture and shoot for reliability first (assuming they have no cash) and then everything else is a bonus. And remember a VW Camper did not serve Peter Falconio well at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarreraG50 Posted 10February, 2017 Report Share Posted 10February, 2017 For what its worth I think get a six cylinder falcon, that old straight six just keeps going, I know of one with nearly500,000kms with just normal servicing. At 110kmh there only doing 1800-->2000rpm, something like-:https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Ford-Falcon-2004/SSE-AD-4534500/?Cr=2Just make sure your mechanic checks it thoroughly. I have no dog in this fight, I just think its a lot ofcar for the money.All the best with your hunt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamond911 Posted 10February, 2017 Author Report Share Posted 10February, 2017 Thanks guys.Yes, I reckon the Falcon is the go as well.I've captured every BF and BA Falcon on Gumtree and Carsales within 100km of Perth <$5K including that one CarreraG50 (thanks). I've got my eye on this one https://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Ford-Falcon-2007/OAG-AD-14145407/?Cr=1 Thanks Pork Chops. There are 570 automatic cars in Perth < $5000 of which 39 are wagons. Having another filter though. I don't think the latest date of manufacturer is always the best guide thought as some of the older falcons and commodores have a reputation as being more reliable than their younger siblings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarreraG50 Posted 10February, 2017 Report Share Posted 10February, 2017 I actually filtered mine for lowest K's first, but just buy the best with the available $$$$$$. At least parts should be everywhere,any mechanic can help, and they can stand up to dirt roads. I'm jealous who doesn't love a road trip, make them watch wolf creek, tell them its a documentary and Mick Taylor is still out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANF Posted 10February, 2017 Report Share Posted 10February, 2017 Can't go too wrong with either the Falcon or the Commodore, had a few over the years and pretty much bullet proof and for under $5k don't think you will find anything better for the size for the intended function. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamond911 Posted 10February, 2017 Author Report Share Posted 10February, 2017 make them watch wolf creekLOL Can't go too wrong with either the Falcon or the Commodore, had a few over the years and pretty much bullet proof and for under $5k don't think you will find anything better for the size for the intended function.Yeah, my thoughts exactly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apogee Posted 10February, 2017 Report Share Posted 10February, 2017 An old 90s Toyota Tarago or Estima? Or a diesel Mitsubishi Delica. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cars And Coffee Byron Bay Posted 10February, 2017 Report Share Posted 10February, 2017 We see a lot of wa registered cars here in Byron Bay. Falcons seem to be popular......as do Kombi and Hiace vans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spectre Posted 10February, 2017 Report Share Posted 10February, 2017 If fuel economy is important, the commodore is the go. Corn chips, Eski, Tim Tams, a Booker T and the MG'so tape and they're all set Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM Posted 10February, 2017 Report Share Posted 10February, 2017 Falcon or Commodore is probably the go for being able to find parts etc. For great reliability and the benefits of AWD (depends where they're going) a Subaru Liberty wagon jumps to mind though, that would probably be my pick. Couldn't see one that matches your criteria in Perth but here's one in Adelaide that I bet they're take $5k for https://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Subaru-Liberty-2001/OAG-AD-14316515 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fraz Posted 10February, 2017 Report Share Posted 10February, 2017 We did a big WA outback trip last year, I noticed the local indigenous folk were driving a lot of VY-VZ commo's and anything Toyota.Toyota are a good option as there are dealers every where and easy to get parts.This might be worth a look, plenty of room, pump them on the price.https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Toyota-Avensis-Verso-2002/SSE-AD-4504908/?Cr=0Get some basic recovery gear, give her a bit of a lesson in tyre pressures on the dirt, drop them down a bit to soften the ride but reduce the speed.Might be worth getting some light all terrain tyres, plus a second spare.https://www.tyresales.com.au/buy/tyre/goodride/sl369_suv_off-road/205-65r15/119747?q=4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeM Posted 10February, 2017 Report Share Posted 10February, 2017 Anything Toyota Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fraz Posted 10February, 2017 Report Share Posted 10February, 2017 Or a Nissan XTrail. https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Nissan-X-Trail-2003/SSE-AD-4490945 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamond911 Posted 10February, 2017 Author Report Share Posted 10February, 2017 Toyota are a good option as there are dealers every where and easy to get parts.This might be worth a look, plenty of room, pump them on the price.https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Toyota-Avensis-Verso-2002/SSE-AD-4504908/?Cr=0 Wow, that is one from left field. A Toyota Avensis. Redbook says 6.4L/100km. Lots of space.I wonder what reliability and part availability around Oz would be like?The 2.0L 4 cylinder auto would be pretty gutless compared the 4.0L 6 cycl BF Falcon though I reckon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TINGY Posted 10February, 2017 Report Share Posted 10February, 2017 My son has a Falcon for sale it's been absolutely bullet proof for the last 4 yrs he has an 1.10 hr drive to work every day on the highway, it's a BF sedan 1000 bucks, he has replaced almost every suspension component, never let him down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandy468 Posted 10February, 2017 Report Share Posted 10February, 2017 https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Subaru-Forester-2004/SSE-AD-4470539/?Cr=2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MR901 Posted 10February, 2017 Report Share Posted 10February, 2017 Falcon or Territory....not a Mechanic in the country who can't fix them & parts easily available. My Territory has been sensational as a daily hack....Super reliable & Super cheap. Failing that I'm happy to drive them myself....ha ha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew F Posted 10February, 2017 Report Share Posted 10February, 2017 I have a spare room. As long as they buy their own food, and cook me a sauerbraten. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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