What is a reliable cheap $5K car to drive around Australia?

[D4D]

What about an Outback, AWD, ultra reliable and cheap.
https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Subaru-Outback-2004/SSE-AD-4511755/?Cr=0

[tryagain]

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

[Terry W4]

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.

[Snapman007]

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

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.

[Stozz]

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.

😇

[Nomad]

4 cylinder camry station wagon or a van of some sort.

[Dogsbreakfast]

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

[DrewXT]

What about an Outback, AWD, ultra reliable and cheap.
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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[prodigyrf]

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.

[jimcle]

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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[Alan Loy]

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.

[BeeGee]

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.

[Dogsbreakfast]

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 

Most of the parts are daily available from repco etc and it shares the pajero  platform which makes it easier too.

[tryagain]

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/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

[edz]

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

[NewieCamper]

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.

[feisty]

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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[Beachman]

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. 

[Bird]

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.

[poidda]

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.

[BeeGee]

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
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.

[Bird]

... @ 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.

[BeeGee]

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

[BeeGee]

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.

[terravista]

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.