MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: BeeGee on February 10, 2017, 12:48:23 PM
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Hi guys,
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 around the age. 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. Their budget is max $5K and preferably less than that so they can service it and complete any preventative maintenance before they leave. So maybe $4K with some wriggle room.
I am assisting them to purchase a car in Perth so that they don't get ripped off or buy a lemon.
My advice has been to buy a BF or BAII Falcon wagon or a VY Commodore wagon. These have a reputation as being reliable if you keep up the maintenance and are very practical with 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 throughout Australia.
However, they have been looking at other models and seem to be keen on the old Gen 2 Pajero (circa NH, NJ 2001-2006 ish).
I'm curious your thoughts on the reliability of a cheap Gen 2 V6 petrol auto for such an adventure? My thoughts are that it wouldn't be as practical or reliable as the Falcon/Commodore above and much heaver on fuel (around 12L/100km I'm guessing for the V6 auto petrol on the highway), but I'm happy to be proven wrong.
Alternatively any feedback on any other reliable car/wagon that could sleep two young german girls and is relatively fuel efficient would be appreciated.
Thanks.
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I drive past a Wicked Campers lot near work. They seem to have moved away from vans and there are now lots of small Jap hatches with a rooftop tent. Perhaps that's another option.
There's also a big backpacker community that sell fully stocked vehicles to each other as one trip finishes and another starts.
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Why buy a car i am sure 2 18 year old german back packers will have no problem getting a lift to wherever they want to go
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No chance you get regular sub 9L/100km in a BA, just won't happen. Aside from which, they aren't reliable.
VY would be a better option. Paj is probably on the money, or a GQ Patrol or similar, although with any bigger car economy will suffer.
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I just did a quick search on Carsales.com for max $5000 cars and I'm surprised by what you can get. here's a couple of good ones:
https://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Nissan-Pathfinder-2001/OAG-AD-14287378/?Cr=29 (https://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Nissan-Pathfinder-2001/OAG-AD-14287378/?Cr=29)
https://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Subaru-Liberty-2001/OAG-AD-14271632/?Cr=34 (https://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Subaru-Liberty-2001/OAG-AD-14271632/?Cr=34)
https://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Ford-Falcon-2001/OAG-AD-14287456/?Cr=35 (https://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Ford-Falcon-2001/OAG-AD-14287456/?Cr=35)
https://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Toyota-Avalon-2003/OAG-AD-14220352/?Cr=40 (https://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Toyota-Avalon-2003/OAG-AD-14220352/?Cr=40)
There's tons more.
Have fun looking...!
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how about an older diesel Jackaroo?
Isuzu built.
Horribly undervalued. (doesn't say Toyota or Nissan on the badge)
4wd.
space to sleep in the back.
https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Holden-Jackaroo-1998/SSE-AD-4543063/?Cr=2 (https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Holden-Jackaroo-1998/SSE-AD-4543063/?Cr=2)
https://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Holden-Jackaroo-2000/OAG-AD-14192414/?Cr=3 (https://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Holden-Jackaroo-2000/OAG-AD-14192414/?Cr=3)
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No chance you get regular sub 9L/100km in a BA, just won't happen. Aside from which, they aren't reliable.
How so? I do 30,000km + a year in one. What should I look out for?
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I have had a 93 3ltr v6 pajero for the last 5 years. I am in the process of replacing it currently but it has been a great car overall that has done a number of extended 4wd trips. There are plenty of cheap examples out there for well under 5k.
Fuel economy when it was stock on 31" tyres was around 13l/100 on average. Adding a roof cage and larger mud tyres etc. has made that considerably worse. They are definitely not the most fuel efficient vehicle out there.
The main problems i have encountered and should be looked out for are:
- Head gasket failure.
- Oil leaks. The 6g72 is renowned for leaks, especially rocker covers.
- Clutch replacement at around 310000 (not a problem with an auto).
- Sloppy steering due to worn out idler arm, pitman arm etc.
- 4wd super select system can be problematic but I never had an issue with mine.
Parts are fairly cheap and easy to get if required.
If i was in a similar situation a pajero would be my pick again but i may be a bit biased. I built my drawer system so i could sleep in the back with the seats folded down if required but you could easily remove the rear seats and make something full length.
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No chance you get regular sub 9L/100km in a BA, just won't happen. Aside from which, they aren't reliable.
What are you basing that on?
Our sons BF returns great economy and having owned several 4ltr falcons over the years to very high Kim's I'm sure they are reliable.
And you go on to recommend to VY, Pajero and GQ ;D
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How so? I do 30,000km + a year in one. What should I look out for?
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Had three of them, two non-turbo and one turbo.
Common on all of them, brake shudder, diff whine/clunks, cooling system issues, all three had the heater control rod break. Economy on hwy for both non turbo's (I live out whoop whoop so most of my driving is country) was at best 12L/100km, turbo was better at 8.8L/100km. 5 speed manual box is a pig, 5th failed in both turbo and one non turbo, and third also failed in the turbo.
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If you are talking large car then Mitsubishi Magnas take some beating
https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Mitsubishi-Magna-2004/SSE-AD-4534963/?Cr=2 (https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Mitsubishi-Magna-2004/SSE-AD-4534963/?Cr=2) $2750 rwc 143K km 3 mths rego wagon
4WD Jackaroo are tough isuzus but unloved particularly in petrol
https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Holden-Jackaroo-2001/SSE-AD-4498382/?Cr=3 (https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Holden-Jackaroo-2001/SSE-AD-4498382/?Cr=3) $3500 rwc 230K km 2 mths rego
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I have a 2000 pathy and will be doing a half lap in it this year...Sydney to Kimberleys WA then home. It's got 250k on it and I'm not worried about it at all. Just went to Albury to pick up a camper trailer and got 11.5/ 100 on the trip down.
Not a bad option if they may wan to get off the blacktop at some point.
Like most things cars....depends on its service history
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What are you basing that on?
Our sons BF returns great economy and having owned several 4ltr falcons over the years to very high Kim's I'm sure they are reliable.
And you go on to recommend to VY, Pajero and GQ ;D
I've personally had three of them (BA/BA turbo/BF), I love the cars but they've never been reliable. I'm an old Ford man, hence staying with them. Previous post has economy and problems.
I had an EL Falcon that I did 900k kms in, it was reliable as hell although thirsty. My partner also had a BA that was a money pit.
I had a VT that regularly returned sub 10L/100km, never required any work. One of the best cars I ever owned.
Pajero wasn't my suggestion, was merely continuing on from the earlier theme. My GQ has been my most reliable vehicle. Granted it's only done 130k kms, but it's never, ever, let me down. A friends has nearly half a million, the only major thing being replaced were the shock absorbers and starter motor.
So yeah, I have some experience with these cars, and that's what I'm basing it on.
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I've personally had three of them (BA/BA turbo/BF), I love the cars but they've never been reliable. I'm an old Ford man, hence staying with them. Previous post has economy and problems.
I had an EL Falcon that I did 900k kms in, it was reliable as hell although thirsty. My partner also had a BA that was a money pit.
I had a VT that regularly returned sub 10L/100km, never required any work. One of the best cars I ever owned.
Pajero wasn't my suggestion, was merely continuing on from the earlier theme. My GQ has been my most reliable vehicle. Granted it's only done 130k kms, but it's never, ever, let me down. A friends has nearly half a million, the only major thing being replaced were the shock absorbers and starter motor.
So yeah, I have some experience with these cars, and that's what I'm basing it on.
You've had a bad run with the Falcons and a lucky one with the VY id say......not my lifes experience thats for certain :laugh:
GQ's may be reliable but they would be able to buy 4 falcons by the time they pay for fuel in the GQ going around Australia ;D
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Just went to Albury to pick up a camper trailer and got 11.5/ 100 on the trip down.
was the engine running?
The one we had wouldn't get that downhill with a tail wind and 80psi in the tyres and a towrope onto a semi and no trailer...
17-20+.100 isn't uncommon for them.
Ours always felt asthmatic like it was being held back... never revved it hard, it just wouldn't.
few other figures here
http://www.pcoa.org.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=4151 (http://www.pcoa.org.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=4151)
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Why buy a car i am sure 2 18 year old german back packers will have no problem getting a lift to wherever they want to go
im up for it when do we leave?
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My advice has been to buy a BF or BAII Falcon wagon or a VY Commodore wagon. These have a reputation as being reliable if you keep up the maintenance and are very practical with 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 throughout Australia.
BAII or BF wagon is a pretty honest car for the money. Taxi Technology!
My daily is an 04 BAII wagon, but it's the Egas dedicated LPG. Pretty much given to me with 250K on the clock and now has 330K (I do 30K+ of city driving). Was one of my works old company cars. Ex Telstra with 40K when they got, so I knew the history.
Bad points (sometimes) are brake shudder, noisy diffs (pinion bearing flogs out) and heater / ac controls (make sure you test this when looking, about $300 from the wreakers for another). I've only had issues with warped rotors. It had new slotted rotors at 240K and its started shuddering at about 310K. I do alot of heavy CBD stop start driving. Shudder is massively common on BA on and Territorys. Not using genuine pads and rotors help, but not a complete fix. I haven't found mine too bad, I'm living with it okay atm.
Mines never had diff or heater issues and I know its full history.
Other stuff like the PS hoses leak, not a major issue itself, but it leaks onto the alternator which becomes an issue. Especially when people desgrease them after a hose change. Coil packs go, but thats more a consumable thing (stick with genuine ones). The mixers on the Egas model usually start leaking around 180K or the stepper motor craps itself. About $800 to replace. Door actuators break, but you can buy gear/motor sets for the actuators for about $8 and take about 30 minutes to change. Doesn't have the rear suspension bush issues like the sedans or Territorys thanks to good old leaf springs, but expect bum sag.
Other one is the trans cooler Shitting itself and mixing the fluid with the coolant. This was more an issue on the series 1 BA's.
They have normal wear/tear issues like most other cars. Fuel pumps, drivers seat belts, drivers window regs. I hang around a fair bit at a mates workshop and thats generally what I've seen.
The Barra motors are near bulletproof, wreakers will sell you a good long motor for $300, cause they hardly sell them. The BTR/ION 4 speed autos seem to have a mixed response. This is my 3rd 4 speed falcon and I've never had an issue. Both this car and a previous EB that was sold with almost 400K had the original auto. Just filter and fluid every 40K. They're pretty slushy, but they do the job.
Fuel economy. 10's are pretty common on the hwy for petrol. I get 11's with gas and about 13.5 around town. Ignore the trip meter (distance to empty and L per 100) not exactly accurate... Egas has twin 70L tanks with 115L usable, so range is brilliant I usually fill up every 700km with plenty still in the tank.
You'll probably find something with 200-250K on the clock for that money. If it's got a solid service history, chances are the previous owner has probably encountered the common issues and had them fixed. Keep up the maintenance and happy motoring.
VY probably similar to the above with issues. Just a personal thing, I'd steer clear of VZ on with high k's and the alloytec motor.
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I don't know the actual cost, but we saw literally 100's of "juicy" and "wicked " campers on the road last year, all seemed pretty well set up for back packers. The only problem we had from them was the eternal ferkin wizzbanger doors >:(
They may be a viable option rather than buying and setting up with all the required gear
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Slightly off topic but,
I've heard some falcons suffer from brake shudder due to
Rattle gun over tightening of the front wheels- they are very sensative😨
Cheera
cheers
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A well looked after Subaru, we had a forester that went everywhere.
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I have seen a lot more backpackers in one ton vans like a Toyota Hiace than Holdens or Falcons. That type of car would give them a lot more space and privacy.
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We bought a Mazda E2000 van in 2010 for $2500, and sold it 18 months later for about $4k with a rebuilt engine (ie we didn't make a profit) I looked at the Mitsubishi equivalent, but they were a bit more sensitive to overheating IIRC and the Toyota was Toyota tax. VWs were out as parts may be an issue, and the Mercedes MB100 was out as well as for similar reasons.
Whatever they buy, make sure its something that can be sold easily - if they're planning on selling it in QLD then I'd get something with QLD rego etc - and something that the backpacker market wants (they often pay more for something than the local market will), as well as easy to get bits for in regional Australia - most repcos etc carry commo, falcon and similar common parts as stock lines, so if it goes belly up they might only be stuck a day or 2, likewise things like some of the 4wds are more common than others.
My preference (and I drive 4runner v6) is anything that isn't a 4x4 V6 or a FWD V6... why? On the whole i think the V6s are often a bit cramped as quite often the engine bay is designed for a 4 cylinder, and whilst a V6 is a touch shorter, it is a bit more cramped between the arches (or between the bulkhead and the radiator in the FWD)
Hoep that helps,
Ed
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Bird... nope those figures are accurate. Coming home towing the trailer, i did an experiment. At freeway speed...110 over 270 km I got just over 18 slowed down to 100 for the rest of the trip and got 16. This is accurate as I need to know what to expect on my half lap.later this year
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One of these jiggers as a cheap home on wheels,[ Paid just under $5 K for his from memory ] if their not going to do the off road stuff, Boss has one and has decked it out very very cheaply [ Bumblings, super crap, and $2 shops , scrounged bits , gumtree ] and comfy as a camper van for him and his girl .. Plenty of room if in bad weather, room to stand get changed move around etc .
They do get pushed around a bit in strong X winds though .
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/beaconsfield/cars-vans-utes/2008-ford-transit-van-minivan/1138047043 (https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/beaconsfield/cars-vans-utes/2008-ford-transit-van-minivan/1138047043)
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I have a 2005 hyundi account now 12 years old never had a problem 6.5 lt per hundred every one i know who has hyundis have had good runs from them my last work car did 300000 km befor i sold it never broke down
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What about an Outback, AWD, ultra reliable and cheap.
https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Subaru-Outback-2004/SSE-AD-4511755/?Cr=0 (https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Subaru-Outback-2004/SSE-AD-4511755/?Cr=0)
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What about something like this
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/anketell/campervans-motorhomes/1984-mazda-e2000-campervan-lwb-lic-cold-aircon-4500/1135395598 (https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/anketell/campervans-motorhomes/1984-mazda-e2000-campervan-lwb-lic-cold-aircon-4500/1135395598)
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In May 2015 during a 14,500 km with my brother around a good bit of Australia we called out to the Breakaways outside Coober Peddy. It was quite cold overnight and we came across two French Canadian girls who had camped out in a tent overnight. They were driving a quite old Toyota Carolla and were doing fine.
(http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g289/vh-grumpy/TWL/Coober%20Peddy%20The%20Breakaways%20Fr%20Canadians2.jpg) (http://s59.photobucket.com/user/vh-grumpy/media/TWL/Coober%20Peddy%20The%20Breakaways%20Fr%20Canadians2.jpg.html)
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One of these jiggers as a cheap home on wheels,[ Paid just under $5 K for his from memory ] if their not going to do the off road stuff, Boss has one and has decked it out very very cheaply [ Bumblings, super crap, and $2 shops , scrounged bits , gumtree ] and comfy as a camper van for him and his girl .. Plenty of room if in bad weather, room to stand get changed move around etc .
They do get pushed around a bit in strong X winds though .
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/beaconsfield/cars-vans-utes/2008-ford-transit-van-minivan/1138047043 (https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/beaconsfield/cars-vans-utes/2008-ford-transit-van-minivan/1138047043)
I'm with edz, for 2 18 yr old female back backers this option has the most room to set up mood lighting and Internet video cameras, a smoke machine would be a bonus.
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I used to have an NJ Pajero 1994 GLX V6 auto petrol. It did 250,000 km before I sold it. It was a great go anywhere, not too heavy, 4WD. Removed all of the back seats and created a flat panel over rear foot wells so we could sleep in the back.
Not very economical. Thirsty especially highway speeds and 4wding. Usually around 13-15L/100km. Managed to crack both the heads towing a trailer up a big hill on Boxing Day one year when it was 37 degrees and suffered the humiliation of arriving on the back of a tow truck at 5pm into a crowded caravan park. We were quite the spectacle. Once fixed, no other major dramas. I had the car serviced regularly and looked after it. Traded for $4k about six years ago.
Stozzman has a 2003 diesel NP Pajero GLX auto. Again it is a workhorse and currently has done 260,000km. No major mechanical dramas. Body has taken an absolute beating and she ain't pretty. Starting to blow a bit of black smoke but we don't really want to spend money on it. Still runs and takes Stozzman to work and back each day. We get around 11L/100km. We've towed a heavy KK camper, done loads of 4wding in it, been across the Nullarbor and back in it twice, and I reckon that they are one of the most undervalued 4wds around. It's pretty rough now but prob still worth around $4K. Has a full set of drawers in the back and if you take out back seat we have another section to make more storage and full length level surface to sleep on. Follow Pajo link in signature to see what I mean - Good set up for touring.
So. If you are careful and choose / wait for the right one. You might get an old Pajo for $4k. But wait for a good one.
😇
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4 cylinder camry station wagon or a van of some sort.
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Try one of these - very underrated. We've had one as a 2nd car for 10years. cant kill it. Been up the cape and pretty much everywhere - hasnt missed a beat. Based on the pajero platform - same 3.5 v6 engine etc
https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Kia-Sorento-2006/SSE-AD-4479508/?Cr=1 (https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Kia-Sorento-2006/SSE-AD-4479508/?Cr=1)
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What about an Outback, AWD, ultra reliable and cheap.
https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Subaru-Outback-2004/SSE-AD-4511755/?Cr=0 (https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Subaru-Outback-2004/SSE-AD-4511755/?Cr=0)
X2... I've had 7 Subaru's, and the only thing that kills them is a 79 series LandCruiser in the drivers door...
On a more serious note, post 2004, the naturally aspirated 2.5L engine is prone to doing the passenger side head gasket between 130,000 and 160,000 clicks, as the factory used a gasket without enough heat resistance... The fix requires engine out, and typically costs in the vicinity of $3k to fix it properly at a non-subaru repairer (I've had it happen to 2 cars)...
Better option would be the 2.0L Forester (I've had 2) or the turbo 2.0 or 2.5 as they had metal head gaskets from factory. My 2.5 turbo averaged low 9's for the 250,000 I put on it, and very capable off-road.
My L series wagon was great, but they're hard to find a good example of now. The L did the Simpson, Cape, Tanami and GRR... Broke the suspension towers in the rear coming down the PDR, but they had 80,000 on them, and was an easy fix...
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How could you go wrong with Dogs recommended Sorrento with full service history and its preventative maintenance expenditure items and that's really what you're looking for whatever you choose. So many good cheap cars like that around now as I worked out recently with new car sales we're turning over our domestic fleet in 11 years and 8 months at the current rate and that figure has been coming down. My take is if you're buying a new one today you should be thinking it will be virtually worthless in 10 years time and factor in that depreciation accordingly. Over-service it all you like, the squeezers won't care when you drive it there.
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Reminds me of when I was 18 and two mates and I bought an old HJ Kingswood and did a 10,000k loop in 4 weeks. Averaged $6/day on food and $6/day on petrol between us. But that was a few years back now.
If money is tight ... as well as cheap to buy make sure it's cheap to service and repair. An old falcon or commodore wagon will have cheaper tyres, lower cost servicing and if anything breaks you're more likely to find parts at a wrecker compared to a 4x4.
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If money is tight ... as well as cheap to buy make sure it's cheap to service and repair. An old falcon or commodore wagon will have cheaper tyres, lower cost servicing and if anything breaks you're more likely to find parts at a wrecker compared to a 4x4.
I agree but add Mitsubishi Magna to the list. Forgotten as they were the 1st aussie builder to close so prices lower than Falcon/Commodore.
Cheaper than 4WD BUT limits where they can go. This may or may not be an issue.
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Thanks guys for all of the great input.
Unfortunately the vans (eg Toyota Hiace, Mazda E2000, Ford Transit, Camper vans) are mostly manuals I think. They really need an auto as neither of them have driven a manual since their fist drivers test a couple of years ago.
Some of other options (Subaru Outback, Kia Sorento, Camry wagon, Magna wagon) look great but probably a bit cramped to be able to sleep a couple of tall german backpackers in the back.
However, I really like the look of that Kia Sorento that Dog recommended. Again probably too small to throw a mattress in the back but otherwise looks like a great setup. What kind of fuel consumption in the country would that get Dogs? Its states 12.8L/100km combined and Redbook doesn't elaborate either. I guess the other aspect would be parts availability should they run into trouble in the middle of nowhere.
I'll pass on all of the suggestions to them. Greatly appreciated.
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Yeah mate mine gets about that. Better on the highway obviously.
I've slept in the back many a time. Give me their number and I will demonstrate that it's possible 3 can sleep in there >:D
Most of the parts are daily available from repco etc and it shares the pajero platform which makes it easier too.
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Unfortunately the vans (eg Toyota Hiace, Mazda E2000, Ford Transit, Camper vans) are mostly manuals I think. They really need an auto as neither of them have driven a manual since their fist drivers test a couple of years ago.
There are some that are auto, I think if they want to fit a mattress in it's probably going to need to be a van or similar.
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/belmont/cars-vans-utes/toyota-tarago-1998/1138050060 (https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/belmont/cars-vans-utes/toyota-tarago-1998/1138050060)
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/perth/cars-vans-utes/2004-kia-pregio-van-minivan/1137792077 (https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/perth/cars-vans-utes/2004-kia-pregio-van-minivan/1137792077)
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/wangara/cars-vans-utes/2000-mitsubishi-starwagon-wa-gl-blue-4-speed-automatic-wagon/1136160224 (https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/wangara/cars-vans-utes/2000-mitsubishi-starwagon-wa-gl-blue-4-speed-automatic-wagon/1136160224)
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Here ya go http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2002-White-Ford-Transit-Automatic-LWB-High-Roof-Registered-Must-Sell/182447975171?_trksid=p2141725.c100338.m3726&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20150313114020%26meid%3D5dd87185fa7b46ba902f85fe5b747d9d%26pid%3D100338%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D30%26sd%3D232223253264 (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2002-White-Ford-Transit-Automatic-LWB-High-Roof-Registered-Must-Sell/182447975171?_trksid=p2141725.c100338.m3726&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20150313114020%26meid%3D5dd87185fa7b46ba902f85fe5b747d9d%26pid%3D100338%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D30%26sd%3D232223253264)
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Cheap and roomy, I'd pick a falcon or commodore wagon. Basic motoring, readily available parts and pretty much any mechanic would have some idea where to start with fault finding. Aside from being 2wd should be tough enough to handle some rougher roads too.
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This is the setup I"d go for if it was for my daughter:
A 2004 (ish) Corolla wagon and a new kings roof top tent. Cheap, super reliable and way under 5k plus easy to sell at the airport.
I reckon go as economical and reliable vehicle as possible. The girls will want to drive, explore and have fun as cheaply as possible.
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In my opinion any brand car under $5k is a lottery and it comes back to how the previous drivers treated them.
My nephew has only had his licence for 4 years and guarantee he has had 30 cars in that time and the majority cost under $5K. Some have been absolute gems and others were resold pretty fast due to issues.
When they are looking don’t be put off by faded paint as normally that’s the reason they are cheap.
We recently traded our 11 year old Honda CRV which was in mint condition (apart from car park door scratches) and in those 11 years of ownership the only mechanical problem was a rear wheel bearing. We only got $5K trade so it would have been a perfect car.
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In my opinion any brand car under $5k is a lottery
x googolplex
... and it comes back to how the previous drivers treated them.
same with any car here..
Contractor here has a 5yr old Subaru that's only been serviced twice, once when new, and 2 weeks ago.
Some poor chump will buy it off him one day as its immaculate, just never serviced.
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Maybe suggest they forget about the need for a mattress in the back and go the tent/swag option. That way they won't be limited by car type. There are plenty of backpackers doing the loop, and if they have space to take an extra passenger or two, they will have some help with fuel costs.
We've had a couple of au pairs who have done exactly that. They didn't buy a car, but jumped in with others along the way and just paid fuel.
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Thanks guys.
I totally agree that any car sub $5K is an absolute lottery. I'm hoping to at least steer them in the right direction to at least reduce their risk exposure by suggesting a car with a track record or reliability. They only need a car to last them 25,000 km's or so without hassle and then on-sell it at the end for a bit of a loss. If I can steer towards a half reliable option I will be happy. They have been looking at $4K Landrovers, Jeeps and Pajero's with a million km's on them which to me is a ticking time bomb for them (nothing against Jeeps, Landrover or Pajs).
eg Landrover
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/morley/campervans-motorhomes/2000-landrover-discovery-camper-fully-equipped-ready-to-travel/1138874047 (http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/morley/campervans-motorhomes/2000-landrover-discovery-camper-fully-equipped-ready-to-travel/1138874047)
This one hasn't done many km's but a fuel guzzling 4.0 V8 auto @ 13-14L/100km highway would be crazy for a couple of backpackers with no money. It even says $7K worth of repairs over the last few years - ticking time bomb.
I will sit them down tonight and try to confirm their critical criteria vs nice to haves to narrow the options down as they seem to be going around in circles and not getting anywhere.
eg auto vs manual,
mattress in back vs tent/swag/rooftop tent.
4WD vs 2WD etc
In my view it needs to be reliable, practical and fuel efficient for them. Picking a car with a reputation of reliability and a good service history would be a good start.
There have been some excellent suggestions in this thread which I have and will again pass on to them.
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... @ 13-14L/100km highway
I would say in their budget, they aren't going to get electric car economy... 13 doesn't sound bad at all.
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Maybe suggest they forget about the need for a mattress in the back and go the tent/swag option. That way they won't be limited by car type. There are plenty of backpackers doing the loop, and if they have space to take an extra passenger or two, they will have some help with fuel costs.
We've had a couple of au pairs who have done exactly that. They didn't buy a car, but jumped in with others along the way and just paid fuel.
Hmmm....no thanks
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-11/tourist-disappearance-arrest-made-charges-expected/8262522 (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-11/tourist-disappearance-arrest-made-charges-expected/8262522)
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I would say in their budget, they aren't going to get electric car economy... 13 doesn't sound bad at all.
Yep, but I think a $4-$5K 4WD is a risky proposition if you don't have the $$ in case it goes pair shaped. Just look at the add that says $7K worth of repairs over the last few years.
For a 25,000 km trip, the difference between 9L/100km and 14L/100km is $2190 (assuming avge $1.75/L).
The suggestions such as an Outback, Territory, Kia Sorento and hopefully Falcodore (based on user reports on forums) should all get around 9L/100km on the highway.
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We put less than $5k on a SsangYong Rexton auto, turbo diesel,142 000k's, 6 months rego, nudge bar and towbar.
Up to 100kph highway running it gets around 8l/100k, smooth, semi-roomy, comfortable, 7 seater that all folds flat for sleeping, 4x4 for rough or muddy tracks, and styled by Giorgietto Giugiaro's Italdesign studio.(I think that means it has been hit by a bloody big European ugly stick)
For a Korean Mercedes, it has been faultless for over a year and 30 000k so far.
Parts appear to be available but not in remote areas, and a few days for delivery could be needed.
I would not hesitate to take it around Oz.
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For a 2wd I'd stick with a ford falcon. Generally fairly reliable mechanically and if anything does go wrong, parts are plentiful and reasonably price and nearly any mechanic can fix them easily. The vast majority of taxis are falcons over the commodores for a reason.......
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Something like this could be a great option?
https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Volkswagen-Transporter-1998/SSE-AD-4540808/?Cr=3 (https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Volkswagen-Transporter-1998/SSE-AD-4540808/?Cr=3)
Auto, RWC + 7 months rego, 198k kms
Talk them down $500 and use that to build a bed base, chuck an ebay awning on the side, a water tank under the bed etc and would make a great backpacker rig
Cheers
Nick
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On stalkerbook free camping thingy I hope I know how to do this
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=773917382755288&set=o.231581690282317&type=3&theater (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=773917382755288&set=o.231581690282317&type=3&theater)
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still looking for the right car for the girls.
This BF Falcon wagon popped up on Gumtree and it looks perfect with all the camping gear....Except LPG
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/perth/cars-vans-utes/ford-falcon-station-wagon-2006-lpg/1139001904 (http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/perth/cars-vans-utes/ford-falcon-station-wagon-2006-lpg/1139001904)
I don't think LPG would be a good idea for backpacking around Australia due to 1) LPG availability 2) reliability - just something else to go wrong.
Happy to be proven wrong on the LPG front though. I believe the factory fitted LPG wagons have a good reputation.
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Happy to be proven wrong on the LPG front though. I believe the factory fitted LPG wagons have a good reputation.
Mixers can leak or the stepper motor craps out. If it's done over 200K, chances are it's been replaced already. If not allow about $800 to replace. Other than that they're pretty bullitt proof. No backfire or overheating issues like the dual fuel jobbies. Taxi Technology.
My only concern with dedicated gas would be availability in regional or remote areas. The upside is thanks to 115 litre capacity, their range is pretty good. You'd get 900+km doing hwy stuff.
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We ran a Mazda E2000 that was LPG/Petrol and found it wasn't too bad getting fuel out into regional QLD and NSW, but we tended to use the LPG as an extra large jerry can.
The bigger problem was that to run well it needed at least 95 as petrol which became a limiting factor.
Interesting options I've seen recently (QLD and TAS):
Toyota RAV4
Honda HRV
Now both of those may be worth a look at, smaller engines but hopefully Japanese sewing machine reliability.
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I think the LPG falcon I linked above is LPG only so no backup petrol.....
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still looking for the right car for the girls.
This BF Falcon wagon popped up on Gumtree and it looks perfect with all the camping gear....Except LPG
I don't think LPG would be a good idea for backpacking around Australia due to 1) LPG availability 2) reliability - just something else to go wrong.
Happy to be proven wrong on the LPG front though. I believe the factory fitted LPG wagons have a good reputation.
I don't think availability would be too big of an issue when you only have a 2wd, might require a little planning but as it won't go as far off the beaten track you wouldn't be venturing as far from LPG. It doesn't necessarily mean something else to go wrong as it looks like a dedicated LPG so it's just instead of the petrol system you have an LPG system.
I knew of a taxi company trying to sell a dedicated LPG Falcon a few years ago and it had over 600,000km's on the clock, the manager who I knew said apart from wear and tear it hadn't had anything major go wrong but they were moving to hybrids so were selling it.
The plus would be fuel economy, I remember reading about this years ago and might be of interest to you.
http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/7E71D69E408BC1B5CA2571DA000712CE (http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/7E71D69E408BC1B5CA2571DA000712CE)
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Also one of the comments here (https://www.facebook.com/SupportTheNew2014FordFalcon/posts/738387109548175)
I had a nov 2009 factory dedicated gas falcon as a taxi ,retired her start of 2012 , Original motor done 768,000 ks , Gearbox was the only rebuild at 572,000 ks ,
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https://www.facebook.com/groups/1391220331136871/permalink/1834843533441213/?sale_post_id=1834843533441213&rt=11 (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1391220331136871/permalink/1834843533441213/?sale_post_id=1834843533441213&rt=11)
this is a good vehicle
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Personally I think you'll be looking for the next 100 yrs if your looking for the *perfect car* on all fronts + cheap + 8/100klms..
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$3500 less negotiation skills for a Volvo Wagon. Not as big as the Falcons etc, but supposedly good economy on the highway, safe, and the brake lights will probably work.
https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Volvo-V70-1998/SSE-AD-4370980/?Cr=32 (https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Volvo-V70-1998/SSE-AD-4370980/?Cr=32)
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$3500 less negotiation skills for a Volvo Wagon. Not as big as the Falcons etc, but supposedly good economy on the highway, safe, and the brake lights will probably work.
https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Volvo-V70-1998/SSE-AD-4370980/?Cr=32 (https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Volvo-V70-1998/SSE-AD-4370980/?Cr=32)
A 20 year old turbo petrol European car, with 270k in the clock, and electric everything. What could possibly go wrong?
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A 20 year old turbo petrol European car, with 270k in the clock, and electric everything. What could possibly go wrong?
:cup: :cup: :cup: :cup: :cup: :cup: :cup: :cup: :cup: :cup: :cup: :cup: :cup: :cup: :cup: :cup: :cup: :cup: :cup: :cup: :cup: :cup: :cup:
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With a high kilometre turbo Saab 9.3 I had a few years ago.......... nothing serious and almost nothing at all over a couple of years.
With a decent inspection process I'd back a Swede over an Aussie car any day of the week.
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4 cylinder camry station wagon or a van of some sort.
Exactly my thoughts.... late 90's early 00's wagon. Cost 2-3K, cheap as chips to run and reliable.
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With a high kilometre turbo Saab 9.3 I had a few years ago.......... nothing serious and almost nothing at all over a couple of years.
With a decent inspection process I'd back a Swede over an Aussie car any day of the week.
And if something does go wrong whilst they are travelling, pretty much everything about that great Swedish car will be a liability.
Parts availability and cost.
Mechanics who have experience working on them.
Sorry mate, but in my opinion, for a couple of backpackers doing 20-30k around Australia, suggesting that Volvo is really bad advice.
The suggestions others have made of much more common models is obviously the smart way to go.
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Sorry mate, but in my opinion, for a couple of backpackers doing 20-30k around Australia, suggesting that Volvo is really bad advice.
The suggestions others have made of much more common models is obviously the smart way to go.
That's the good part of Australia.
Everyone can have an opinion, no matter how ignorant that opinion is.
Cheers
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That's the good part of Australia.
Everyone can have an opinion, no matter how ignorant that opinion is.
Cheers
Yep. That was exactly what I was thinking too.....
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Found the solution https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQGvXx4rfUY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQGvXx4rfUY) ;D ;D
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Yep. That was exactly what I was thinking too.....
Yep. but my ignorance is based on having experienced ownership of European turbos with a couple of Saabs, and we have a high kilometre Volvo the same as the one in the ad in our driveway. I wouldn't hesitate taking it on a long trip after a service.
In my experience, most people who complain about high cost of parts and poor reliability have little first hand experience.
Trust in vehicles is always a big risk, and first hand knowledge of the vehicle does not necessarily help. I have had breakdowns in Aussie cars more frequently and with less kilometres than Euro vehicles, plus the safety and comfort is better.
But it is a choice, and in this case opinions were asked, and opinions were given.
Cheers
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Surely you will concede that getting parts for a 20 year old, relatively uncommon vehicle is going to be more difficult than getting them for a very common one, like a falcon or a commodore?
Anyway, you've made your suggestion, and I've said why I think it's a bad idea. The OP I'm sure will make his own mind up about it.
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I used to have a Volvo V70, 2000MY, that I bought in 2007 with 183,000 miles on it. Apart from some wear and tear items (1.5 sets of tyres) the only major expense I had was a new radiator, as, like so many European cars, it had plastic end tanks. I broke it for spares in 2012 after laying it up in 2010 with 225,000 miles on it.
Would I buy one here? Yes. Would I recommend others to buy one? No.
I'm lucky, I know the guys well in the Volvo scene here well, but I'd not suggest to anyone else to jump in and buy one.
Also harder to sell, as the market is more limited.
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I've driven LPG Taxis for approx 10 years,both dual fuel & dedicated gas. A good dual fuel with injected gas,not vapour ,would be my choice only due to availability of gas in remote areas.
As someone said the Falcon 4lt is pretty much bulletproof, oil & filters when needed.
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No doubting euro cars can do high miles and be reliable. Sooo nice to drive too, but they can also be horrendously expensive to repair when things go wrong. My mates workshop can tell plenty of horror stories of euro cars costing more to repair than the owner paid. Re-mortgage and personal loans to fund it, not to mention waiting weeks or months to source suitable 2nd parts, depending on how common the car is. X5 BMW’s got real popular when the 2nd hand price got down to 30K and then unpopular once the bills started coming in.
In this case for BeeGee, we need to keep in mind the girls have a small budget to buy a car, not to mention an even smaller budget for potential repairs. We also don’t know their mechanical knowledge or mechanical empathy.
A simple spilt cooling hose might not be a big deal to most of us on here, but for them stuck on the side of the road not knowing what to do. So they push on limping it to the next town, not wanting to be 2 young girls stranded in the outback with no reception. By then more damage is done like a head gasket or cracked head etc. Same thing with an auto going into limp mode. 2nd gear on the rev limiter down the hwy to the next town… I’ve seen that once or twice.
Worst case. A good 2nd hand BA/BF long motor can be sourced for around $300 and any half decent mechanic should be able fit it in less than 4 hours plus a few consumables. 4 speed auto, probably the same and maybe similar case for a Commondore or Camry.
KISS
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No doubting euro cars can do high miles and be reliable. Sooo nice to drive too, but they can also be horrendously expensive to repair when things go wrong. My mates workshop can tell plenty of horror stories of euro cars costing more to repair than the owner paid. Re-mortgage and personal loans to fund it, not to mention waiting weeks or months to source suitable 2nd parts, depending on how common the car is. X5 BMW’s got real popular when the 2nd hand price got down to 30K and then unpopular once the bills started coming in.
In this case for BeeGee, we need to keep in mind the girls have a small budget to buy a car, not to mention an even smaller budget for potential repairs. We also don’t know their mechanical knowledge or mechanical empathy.
A simple spilt cooling hose might not be a big deal to most of us on here, but for them stuck on the side of the road not knowing what to do. So they push on limping it to the next town, not wanting to be 2 young girls stranded in the outback with no reception. By then more damage is done like a head gasket or cracked head etc. Same thing with an auto going into limp mode. 2nd gear on the rev limiter down the hwy to the next town… I’ve seen that once or twice.
Worst case. A good 2nd hand BA/BF long motor can be sourced for around $300 and any half decent mechanic should be able fit it in less than 4 hours plus a few consumables. 4 speed auto, probably the same and maybe similar case for a Commondore or Camry.
KISS
^that, exactly.
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^that, exactly.
It probably does not matter what vehicle is purchased when a low purchase price is a necessity, and there is no guarantee of parts availability at any remote or semi remote area.
Any vehicle in that price range from major manufacturers have no shortage of parts, and they are all only a few days courier away. The network of Euro wreckers is extensive, and despite all the scary third person stories, unless the part is off a far rarer or more modern vehicle, don't require second mortgages.
The simple fact that you can buy a running unregistered vehicle for mere hundreds of dollars means that parts off them will not cost thousands.
Any decision the OP makes should be based on fact, and not urban myths, and unless the girls buy a BMW X5, repair price comparisons are not helpful.
The chance of a Falcon breaking down and requiring a new engine or transmission is real, as is any car. The chance that it happens in an area where there is spare engines and transmissions available is hopeful at best. The likelihood is that parts would need to be sourced and couriered to a workshop.
The vehicle of choice is a decision I would hate to make, but being limited to basic Australian vehicles MAY not be the best way to go.
I replaced my semi reliable Holden Monterey with a SsangYong Rexton turbo diesel auto, and despite all the stories about Korean rubbish, it is going well, it is economical, it is comfortable, and surprise...plenty of parts are available if needed.
Whatever happens we will never know whether the choice was the best.
Cheers
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It probably does not matter what vehicle is purchased when a low purchase price is a necessity, and there is no guarantee of parts availability at any remote or semi remote area.
Any vehicle in that price range from major manufacturers have no shortage of parts, and they are all only a few days courier away. The network of Euro wreckers is extensive, and despite all the scary third person stories, unless the part is off a far rarer or more modern vehicle, don't require second mortgages.
The simple fact that you can buy a running unregistered vehicle for mere hundreds of dollars means that parts off them will not cost thousands.
Any decision the OP makes should be based on fact, and not urban myths, and unless the girls buy a BMW X5, repair price comparisons are not helpful.
The chance of a Falcon breaking down and requiring a new engine or transmission is real, as is any car. The chance that it happens in an area where there is spare engines and transmissions available is hopeful at best. The likelihood is that parts would need to be sourced and couriered to a workshop.
The vehicle of choice is a decision I would hate to make, but being limited to basic Australian vehicles MAY not be the best way to go.
I replaced my semi reliable Holden Monterey with a SsangYong Rexton turbo diesel auto, and despite all the stories about Korean rubbish, it is going well, it is economical, it is comfortable, and surprise...plenty of parts are available if needed.
Whatever happens we will never know whether the choice was the best.
Cheers
You are quite right, but I'd still pick a basic, common vehicle first. Falcon, Commodore, Camry etc or or a 4wd or van if space or destination require it.
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I was referring to repair cost relative to vehicle purchase price and in the sub 5K bracket that can be a minefield. Regardless of country of origin, but generally very common vehicles (with basic technology) = cheaper parts / repair cost. I recommended the Falcon for the above reasons and based on personal 1st hand experience.
Not 3rd hand. Recently seen first hand. 05/06 Volvo XC90. Purchased by young mother, 160K, 1 owner, with full Volvo history for 6K. 6 months later auto dies, Volvo quote over 10K for rebuild.
2nd hand unit sourced for 3.5K with 3 month warranty. Over $1000 for the auto guy to fit and service. Add in a minor service, rotors, pads and a CV. Bill came to about the purchase price.
Now the thing will probably do another 100,000km of trouble free, but for people with no mechanical knowledge. Spending more to repair a car than you payed for is a hard pill to swallow.
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Was going to suggest something awesome simple, like a HT or EH ... but they pull diamonds these days :(
what about an ex- bash car :D
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/connolly/cars-vans-utes/1963-ford-fairlane-500-sedan/1124289502 (https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/connolly/cars-vans-utes/1963-ford-fairlane-500-sedan/1124289502)
or Rodeo or older Hilux
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/maudsland/cars-vans-utes/1999-holden-rodeo-ute/1137512987 (https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/maudsland/cars-vans-utes/1999-holden-rodeo-ute/1137512987)
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I find it hard to believe the Ks on this one but might be worth a look https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Ford-Econovan-1997/SSE-AD-4569543/?Cr=2 (https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Ford-Econovan-1997/SSE-AD-4569543/?Cr=2)
I think vans are the new panel vans that were taken all around Oz in the past, getting them at the right price is the trick.
Personal favourite is the Mitsubishi Delica, but hard to find < $5000
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I find it hard to believe the Ks on this one but might be worth a look https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Ford-Econovan-1997/SSE-AD-4569543/?Cr=2 (https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Ford-Econovan-1997/SSE-AD-4569543/?Cr=2)
I think vans are the new panel vans that were taken all around Oz in the past, getting them at the right price is the trick.
Personal favourite is the Mitsubishi Delica, but hard to find < $5000
I think the rust might make that one as cheap as it is. Shame really as it would have been ok
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Would the rust matter for a few months?
Resale could be a bitch ???
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http://www.martinevansauctions.com/sunday-26th-february-2017---fawkner.html (http://www.martinevansauctions.com/sunday-26th-february-2017---fawkner.html)
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Just had a thought. You should be able to get a first generation Nissan X-Trail with 200 to 250km on it within the budget.
Petrol. Auto or manual.
The rear seats fold completely flat so you can sleep in them.
Relatively economical to run, and they sold heaps of them so repairs and spare parts shouldn't be an issue.
I had one from new, which my son is now driving. It has just under 300k on it, and the only issue it ever had was the crank angle sensor developed a fault.
Apart from that (which was a simple and cheap fix) it's been bullet-proof.
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Spot on Merts-
https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Nissan-X-Trail-2002/SSE-AD-4560135/?Cr=2 (https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Nissan-X-Trail-2002/SSE-AD-4560135/?Cr=2)
and $2k in reserve for any repairs along the way ;D
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Gee, you'd wanna be ****in short to comfortably sleep in an xtrail!
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Gee, you'd wanna be ****in short to comfortably sleep in an xtrail!
You might be surprised how much room there is in one. I've had a full sized single bed mattress in the back of one.
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I know of a bloke who used to camp in his. Took one of those folding gazebos, set it up over the tailgate and slept with the tailgate open.
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I don't know why you would go past a Hi Ace. Plenty of room to sleep and store your gear and they don't come any more reliable. Commodore or Falcon, you gotta be kidding! So good Ford went out of business and Holden is soon to follow! I had Holdens and Fords in the sixties, they were great, only because there was nothing else available, except for Valiant of course - joke cars..
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So good Ford went out of business and Holden is soon to follow!
I don't think that had 1% to do with reliability... or spare parts availability... ???
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I don't know why you would go past a Hi Ace. Plenty of room to sleep and store your gear and they don't come any more reliable. Commodore or Falcon, you gotta be kidding! So good Ford went out of business and Holden is soon to follow! I had Holdens and Fords in the sixties, they were great, only because there was nothing else available, except for Valiant of course - joke cars..
Try $450 for an engine fan belt idler roller on a H100 Hiace the lad had vs $18.40/pair delivered to my door today for 2 front bonnet struts to replace my finally sagging 15 yr old Holden VU ute originals. Could have bought genuine ones for $99 delivered but I figured I won't own it for another 15 years.
Chuckle-
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/GATES-HOLDEN-VY-V6-GATES-BELT-PULLEY-KIT-SUIT-ECOTEC-COMMODORE-/120998538627?hash=item1c2c132d83:m:mveoSAF6RY1mALwlC5AVX9g (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/GATES-HOLDEN-VY-V6-GATES-BELT-PULLEY-KIT-SUIT-ECOTEC-COMMODORE-/120998538627?hash=item1c2c132d83:m:mveoSAF6RY1mALwlC5AVX9g)
I managed to source that oddball bearing for the Hiace idler roller for around $70 as I recall(the CBC counter jock actually apologised for the price?) and pressed out the old one but you don't need that crap up the bush Holden began making world class cars years ago with the VS Commodore but with piddling volume and Aussie costs they couldn't compete but the BIL was happy to bring back a 3000km demo SV6 Black wagon from interstate for $35k yesterday because he doesn't want a shopping trolley or fourby/SUV and likes RWD and he knows post Holden his future choice will be as limited as the coppers are finding.
He cut his teeth as a diesel mechanic on London buses so don't go there with your greasy oilers, common rail loves water, exhaust vac bags, EGR chokes intake manifolds and adblue or he'll die laughing knowing you're running on piss :cheers:
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So good Ford went out of business and Holden is soon to follow!
Aren't Toyota following too....
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I don't know why you would go past a Hi Ace. Plenty of room to sleep and store your gear and they don't come any more reliable.
I agree vans are great BUT the cheapest Hi Ace on carsales in Perth is $9990 https://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Toyota-Hiace-2005/OAG-AD-14125056/?Cr=0 (https://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Toyota-Hiace-2005/OAG-AD-14125056/?Cr=0)
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......Commodore or Falcon, you gotta be kidding! So good Ford went out of business and Holden is soon to follow! I had Holdens and Fords in the sixties, they were great, only because there was nothing else available, except for Valiant of course - joke cars..
Aren't Toyota following too....
Yep, but don't let facts get in the way...... ::)
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Decisions, decisions......
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVxxPMh1oUk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVxxPMh1oUk)
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I don't know why you would go past a Hi Ace.
Possibly because they aren't masochists.
I'm having trouble thinking of anything worse to drive long kms in than a 20 year old hi-ace van.
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Possibly because they aren't masochists.
I'm having trouble thinking of anything worse to drive long kms in than a 20 year old hi-ace van.
Me either. Commodore and falcon are great at long highway drives. sure they aren't the benchmark for luxury, but plenty of power for hills, plenty of space and suspension that won't bounce you out the windows on less than perfect roads.
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it wont matter anyway as they will run out of time on their Australian holiday to actually ever use a car.
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it wont matter anyway as they will run out of time on their Australian holiday to actually ever use a car.
Too funny!
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Too funny!
Yeah I reckon BeeGee got it back to front with-
"Hi guys,
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 around the age. 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."
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http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/322431500417/ (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/322431500417/)
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Well firstly Toyota aren't going out of business, they are simply not going to build Camrys here anymore, small wonder. Plenty of Hiaces out there hundreds of thousand of kilometers on them and still going strong. Holden and Falcon were and are rubbish as compared to Asian imports. Parts are cheap simply because you need many parts to keep the things on the road.
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Hey toglhot when did you last buy a car that could fetch 20-30% more than you paid for it driving out of the showroom?
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2017/01/holden-raises-prices-on-vf-commodore-series-ii-to-combat-fears-of-v8-shortage/ (http://gmauthority.com/blog/2017/01/holden-raises-prices-on-vf-commodore-series-ii-to-combat-fears-of-v8-shortage/)
More's the point when did you last own a Commode? Not saying Hiaces aren't good vans but Toyota sure know how to spin the random number generator for prices on their commercial spare parts.
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I'm having trouble thinking of anything worse to drive long kms in than a 20 year old hi-ace van.
38 year old Nissan E20 camper with drums all round and 4 on the tree... My partner toured in one 20 years ago for 4 years. She has fond memories of that van, but none of those fond memories actually involve driving or repairing it...
On a long distance drive. Give me an "out of business" apparently unreliable Fowlcan or Commondore over a flogged out 20 year old courier van everyday of the week.
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I remeber the guys at work that finally justified 'upgrading' a twin cab ute becuase they 'needed' a 4wd for the extra ground clearance so they could park off the road areas. At the time my role couldn't justify one, so I had to make do with a falcon wagon. Glad I stuck with the wagon, because by all accounts about 2 weeks after they got their 4wd ute they wanted the comfort of the falcon back for driving up and down the highway and we're happy to walk a little further on the job sites. Admittedly twin cab Utes have come a long way in 10years, but you can't deny that something designed to carry up to a tonne is a rough ride until you load it up.
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In my travels I've come across many tourists driving all sorts of vehicles, the ones that struck me as ridiculous were the Holden and Falcon wagons. Every night the occupants spent ages unloading all their crap from the car to find something and/or make room to sleep, Mornings were even worse, loading all that crap back in. Plenty of happy Kombi and Hi Ace owners though. I saw more Holden/Falcon breakdowns than Kombi/Hiace vans though.
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I saw more Holden/Falcon breakdowns than Kombi/Hiace vans though.
Which just means with more Holdens/Falcons around there's consequently more dumbo owners around in them that don't know or don't care what goes on under the bonnet until something goes bump in the night. Just the law of averages.
Here toglhot- http://www.msn.com/en-au/motoring/ownership/2016-holden-commodore-sv6-black-edition-review/vi-AAnCRkj (http://www.msn.com/en-au/motoring/ownership/2016-holden-commodore-sv6-black-edition-review/vi-AAnCRkj)
Educate yourself and stop living in the past. There's nothing around like them for the money, particularly in wagon form, once they're gone.
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Plenty of happy Kombi and Hi Ace owners though. I saw more Holden/Falcon breakdowns than Kombi/Hiace vans though.
My olds owned a kombicamper with the pop top roof ... it was great when it went but it suffered 1000 times more than the rusty XC the olds owned.... think it had 2 motors in the years they had it, the XC wouldnt die...
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I still can't get my head around the idea that some people think driving a 20 year old hi-ace (or similar) around the country would be in any way enjoyable.
Noisy, gutless, and uncomfortable. It boggles my mind.
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I still can't get my head around the idea that some people think driving a 20 year old hi-ace (or similar) around the country would be in any way enjoyable.
Noisy, gutless, and uncomfortable. It boggles my mind.
Shit loads do it... doesn't mean its good, but if you want space, you want a van like those... and its holidays not a race
anyway their visa's would have expired by now.
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Hi guys,
Thought I'd report back on the outcome of this thread.
I kept it simple in the end for them and talked them into a 2003 VY Commodore Wagon with a reasonable 139,000km's on the clock.
They have serviced the wagon and fitted 4 new tyres so good to go hopefully.
I also built a bed frame in the back out of aluminium square tube and structural ply which folds upon itself to still utilise the rear seats for additional passengers (read fuel petrol sharers).
They are not the Germans in the back by the way ;D
(http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z453/bgwilliams/miscellaneous/IMG_6040_zps8u9lghex.jpg) (http://s1190.photobucket.com/user/bgwilliams/media/miscellaneous/IMG_6040_zps8u9lghex.jpg.html)
(http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z453/bgwilliams/miscellaneous/IMG_6043_zpsmsyioupf.jpg) (http://s1190.photobucket.com/user/bgwilliams/media/miscellaneous/IMG_6043_zpsmsyioupf.jpg.html)
(http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z453/bgwilliams/miscellaneous/IMG_6029_zpsvsnsodaq.jpg) (http://s1190.photobucket.com/user/bgwilliams/media/miscellaneous/IMG_6029_zpsvsnsodaq.jpg.html)
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That set up looks pretty good, but why didn't you just give them the Porsche keys?
Coulda done the trip much faster than a Commodore and probably save enough on food and fuel to cover motels stays.
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That set up looks pretty good, but why didn't you just give the the Porsche keys?
Coulda done the trip much faster than a Commodore and probably save enough on food and fuel to cover motels stays.
ha ha yeah good call. The 928 S4 just out of shot next to the 911 would be the go actually. Grand touring at it's best. Just throw a roof top tent on the top and away you go ;D
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ha ha yeah good call. The 928 S4 just out of shot next to the 911 would be the go actually. Grand touring at it's best. Just throw a roof top tent on the top and away you go ;D
This one ?
(http://rs1190.pbsrc.com/albums/z453/bgwilliams/miscellaneous/16403057_678029315718076_5570266074751842050_o_zpsjrglnipw.jpg?w=480&h=480&fit=clip)
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This one ?
similar
(http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z453/bgwilliams/928%20S4/928%20S4%20v2/IMG_1940_zps3tksnvac.jpg) (http://s1190.photobucket.com/user/bgwilliams/media/928%20S4/928%20S4%20v2/IMG_1940_zps3tksnvac.jpg.html)
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similar
(http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z453/bgwilliams/928%20S4/928%20S4%20v2/IMG_1940_zps3tksnvac.jpg) (http://s1190.photobucket.com/user/bgwilliams/media/928%20S4/928%20S4%20v2/IMG_1940_zps3tksnvac.jpg.html)
Very noice. I'm soooo jealous. 8)
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Porsches cop some flak for being a selfish type of car. But they are not.
They are actually the best family car. Here's why:
Porsches are faster than other family cars, which means you can leave later to get to work on time, and you get home earlier on the return trip. Thus you spend more time with the family, making it the best family car.
Sounds good to me!