Articles by Graham Smith

The Lexus RX330 was an SUV with the lot aimed not at those who want to blunder through the bush, but was instead aimed at those with a taste for luxury.It arrived in 2003 and was widely hailed as the best luxury SUV on the market. It was a high-riding, five-seat medium-sized wagon that was well equipped with heaps of luxury features, comfortable and quiet, as befits a luxury brand.The smooth 3.3-litre engine was a willing worker, doing its best stuff at higher revs, but if there was a criticism it was that it lacked a little grunt down low. Despite that the performance was good. Reflecting its position in the market there was just the one transmission option, a five-speed automatic with sequential shift. There was no manual transmission on offer, but the sequential shift function allowed the driver to change gears manually. Final drive was through all four wheels all the time, which came into its own on wet or loose surfaces.The Lexus didn't have a low-range crawler gear and its ground clearance was somewhat limited, so it was not an off-roader capable of climbing rocks or ploughing through sand.On the road the steering was light, the ride comfortable and the handling safe and sound without being sporting. Inside it had leather trim, climate controlled air, cruise, remote central locking, power front seats, power windows, and six-speaker CD sound.IN THE SHOPLexus came into the market on a promise of above average build quality and has generally lived up to that boast. While that has generally translated into enviable reliability and durability it's always a good idea to conduct a thorough check of any car you're thinking of buying. Ask for a service record to ensure the maintenance has been kept up as recommended. The cam timing belt change is due at 150,000 km, which means early examples are coming up to that service.Most, if not all RX330s, will have been confined to family duties around town, but it's a must that you get underneath and check for evidence of off-road use. If you think a car has been used off the beaten track continue shopping. The RX330 came packed with features, all of which should be operated to make sure they still work. Fixing them later on can be expensive.IN A CRASHThe RX330 is well equipped to handle a crash with seven airbags, ABS brakes and stability control. All up it was good enough to win a four- star tick from ANCAP.UNDER THE PUMPSize, weight and all-wheel drive all work against the RX330 when it comes to fuel consumption. The official claim was 12.3 L/100 km on average, which gives a bit of a hint to what you could expect in real life. Regular unleaded fuel made life a little easier, and E10 was approved to open up further savings.AT A GLANCEPrice new: $69,990 to $78,500Engine: 3.3-litre V6; 172 kW/328 NmTransmission: 5-speed automatic, 4WDEconomy: 12.3 L/100 km Body: 5-doos wagonVariants: Sports, Sports LuxurySafety: 4-star ANCAP

Taking emotion out of the shopping process is important any time you buy a car, but it's never more so than when you do it for the first time. Most first time buyers have a limited budget, so making the right choice is much more important than it is when you're older and the impact of getting it wrong is lower in the overall scheme of things. Your emotion might point to a cool European model or a tyre-frying turbocharged sports machine, but the reality is that these are more likely to become nightmares once you manage to find examples that fit within your budget. Parts for European cars can be more expensive and cost more to fix when they break down; sports models are more likely to have been thrashed by uncaring drivers. The logic suggests you need to look for a car that has been looked after, driven carefully, and serviced regularly, even though that choice might be a more boring choice. A small car is a good choice, it will cost less to run, it will be easier to park, and easier to drive. Choosing an Asian brand, particularly a Japanese one, is also a good idea. While they do break down like cars from other parts of the world, the Japanese carmakers have a great record for building solid, reliable cars over the years. When checking a car for possible purchase ask to see the car's service book, which should show when and where it has been serviced. If you're handed a blank book, walk away. Once you've settled on a car you'd like to purchase have it inspected by a qualified mechanic. The various state motoring clubs have inspection services you can use for this purpose. Never be temped to buy a car without a roadworthiness check. It might sometimes appear to be a cheaper way of buying a car, but you don't know what work might be needed before you can put it on the road. Check with you state registration authorities to make sure it is not on the written-off wrecks list, or there is any outstanding finance on the car.

Which is the better car, Falcon or Holden, has long been a point of contention at the pub. FordThe XR6 has been a winner for Ford almost from the moment it was first introduced in 1992 with the EB Falcon. Today, it's the XR6 that spells Ford performance, as much as any model in its range, it's the affordable performance car for the masses.The BF XR6 continued the theme when it was introduced in 2005. It was the sporty variant of the Falcon family taxi; the special model dads could aspire to without upsetting the balance at home. Power came from a smooth and refined 4.0-litre double overhead camshaft six-cylinder engine with four valves per cylinder and variable cam timing that punched out 190 kW and 383 Nm. With that sort of output the XR6 had plenty of punch.The standard transmission option was a four-speed sports-shift auto, but it was the new six-speed auto that was the talking point of the new car. For anyone still wanting to change gears themselves there was an optional six-speed manual gearbox as well. Ford's engineers had done a good job in sorting the chassis, and the XR6 had a nicely balanced feel on the road without adversely affecting the ride.Inside, the cabin was comfortable and roomy, and well laid-out with all controls sensibly placed for easy use.Build quality was a concern with the BA model that preceded the BF, and while the BF was built to a higher standard than the earlier model quality was still an issue. The BFII, however, was a much better built car and is by far the better used car choice.The BF had the oil cooler for the automatic transmission in the radiator and it was prone to fracturing, and when that happened coolant would enter the transmission and result in transmission failure. The cooler was moved on the BFII and was no longer in the radiator and the problem was fixed. Both models suffered from failure of the diff mounts, so listen for clunks from the rear end that could indicate the diff mounts need replacing.The diffs themselves could also be a problem, particularly when cars were driven hard, but diff specialists have developed aftermarket fixes that make the diff a more durable unit. There's not much that goes wrong with the Falcon's big six, but look for oil leaks that might affect roadworthiness. The discs are also known to warp and regularly require replacing. A pulsating brake pedal is usually a reliable sign that the rotors are warped.Some mechanics will skim rotors to extend their life, but that's only putting off the inevitable for a short time. Expect 50,000-60,000 km from a set of disc rotors. Go over all the systems in the car, the air-conditioning, cruise, sound, power windows etc, to confirm they're working. Check for a service record to make sure your potential purchase has seen the inside of a service workshop as it needs to.The BF and BFII was quite well equipped to handle a crash. It was a bag car to start with, which meant it had mass on its side when it came to a crunch. It also had dual front airbags, ABS brakes and traction control that added to its crash performance.The BF/BFII Falcon was a big lump of a car and that was shown at the pump. Despite the improvements Ford had made to its engine there's no escaping its size. Ford claimed it would average 10-11 L/100 km on regular unleaded petrol. The actual outcome depends heavily on the pressure applied to the throttle pedal.

If the Mercedes-Benz A-Class suited young singles and couples without kids starting out in life along with older couples at the other end of the journey whose kids had fled the nest, the B-Class was the car for couples in the midst of family life.The B-Class was a logical extension of the A-Class concept, a larger version of the small peoplemover capable of hauling a tribe of kids to school, sports days or wherever they need to go.Outwardly it looked like an A-Class, there was the same upright stance, the same sloping front, and the same sweeping roof, but it was longer. That extra length was used to create a roomy and versatile interior that was perfect for its intended use.At launch there were two models, the B200 and the B200 Turbo, but they were joined a few months later by the B180 diesel. All were five-door, front-wheel drive hatches cum wagons capable of accommodating five adults and packed with features and safety equipment. Mercedes offered a choice of two 2.0-litre petrol engines, one of them turbocharged for extra zip, and a frugal 2.0-litre turbodiesel.All engines could be had with a Continuously Variable Transmission, CVT, which was the auto choice, or that could be with either five or six-speed manuals. The manual 'boxes were generally praised for the their ease of use, but the CVT copped some flak for being sluggish and unresponsive.On the road the B-Class demonstrated good grip and nice chassis balance, but for a more sporty drive there was a sports suspension package available as well. All models were well equipped with all the standard features wanted in a car today, including air, power windows and mirrors, remote central locking, cloth trim, fog lamps, alloy wheels, central locking and CD sound.IN THE SHOPAnyone buying a Mercedes-Benz needs to do so in full knowledge that servicing and parts come at a premium, which makes it important to seek out a specialist who can service your car, and source parts, at a more economical rate. When checking a car prior to purchase test all the gadgets to make sure they work, fixing them later can cost a motza. If you're unsure get a mechanic to help you.Check for a service record, as like all engines, Mercedes-Benz powerplants suffer when forced to run on dirty oil. Also check for panel damage, particularly around the front, which is hard to see and can make it hard to judge when parking. Also check the interior for the damage that can naturally occur when transporting kids.IN A CRASHFive stars from ANCAP say it all. The B-Class is well geared for a   crash with front, side and curtain airbags, plus ABS brakes and ESP stability control.UNDER THE PUMPFor economy the diesel delivers to the tune of 6.2 L/100 km on   average and the pick of the B-Class bunch. The petrol engines deliver 7.2 L/100 km (non-turbo) and 7.9 L/100 km (turbo), and what's more 'Benz says they can handle E10.AT A GLANCEPrice new: $47,400 to $51,400Engines: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel, 80 kW/250 Nm; 2.0-litre 4-cylinder, 100 kW/185 Nm; 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder, 142 kW/280 NmTransmissions: CVT auto, 6-speed manual, 5-speed manualEconomy: 6.2 L/100 km (B180 CDI), 7.2 L/100 km (B200), 7.9 L/100 km (B200 Turbo)Body: 5-door hatchbackVariants: B180 CDI, B200, B200 TurboSafety: 5-star ANCAP

Subaru has kicked goals at every turn since it went all all-wheel-drive. The audacious move saw it go from also-ran to leader of the pack and it has never looked back.If the awesome Impreza WRX is the hero model that gives the brand its zing, the Liberty is the real brand leader.The 2.0R entered the fray in 2006 when it replaced the 2.5i. It was much the same as the 2.5i, but built on the success of its predecessor and brought more to the table in the form of goodies. Most not able among a raft of changes was the engine, which boasted double overhead camshafts where the older model only had a single cam per bank. With better breathing courtesy of the extra cams the flat-four produced 20 kW more than the older engine.A five-speed manual gearbox came standard, with a four-speed auto an optional choice. The big advantage of the Liberty when compared to its rivals is its all-wheel drive system. The others, of course, are all front-wheel drivers.In the Liberty's case the system is a permanent all-wheel drive system so all four wheels are being driven all the time and there's no delay in grip as there can be with systems that are front-wheel drive until it's determined that grip is needed at the rear wheels. With grip on tap all the time there's no loss of poise when things turn slippery on wet or muddy roads.The Liberty simply gets on with the job, no fuss, sure-footed and stable. The upgraded engine of the 2.0R is no fireball, but it has all the punch a family needs. The 2.0R was released midway through the model cycle, so the looks are a bit plain, but that shouldn't deter anyone from buying it. Inside, the cabin is quite roomy and well laid out with comfortable and supportive seats, and with a nice feel to the trim and fittings.IN THE SHOP The Liberty is a well-built car and little really goes wrong with them, at least on a grand scale. They do need regular servicing; oil changes are a must for long  engine life, so look for a service record. Look also for oil leaks  around the engine. The cam belt needs changing every 100,000 km, so check that the changes have been done as required. The front suspension bushes can wear so have them checked. Owners also report having to regularly replace headlamp globes that fail on low beam.IN A CRASHWith all-wheel drive grip, front and side airbags and ABS brakes the Liberty came standard with pretty much everything needed to keep you out of trouble, hence the 5-star ANCAP rating.UNDER THE PUMP Subaru claimed an average fuel consumption of 9.1 L/100 km and that  was backed up by real life results on road tests at the time of the 2.0R's launch. The minimum octane rating was 95, while Subaru said E10 fuel was ok if the minimum octane rating was maintained.AT A GLANCEPrice new: $33,990 to $36,490Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol;121 kW/187 NmTransmission: 4-speed auto, 5-speed manual; AWDEconomy: 9.1 L/100 kmBody: 4-door sedan, wagonSafety: 5-star ANCAP

Even though we might make the commitment that we won't get swept away by the emotion of the moment and buy something we don't really need or can't afford we still find it hard to park our emotions when we walk into the showroom. The salesman waiting there for us understands this and won't hesitate to use it as a weapon against us. We have to understand that it is first and foremost a business deal and we must put our emotions aside. Don't make decisions on the run, if you're not sure take the time to think about it before committing to something you might spend years paying for. The smiling salesman might appear to be our friend, but he's a professional and has no emotional connection to us, or to the car we are buying. For him it is purely a business deal and his sole aim is the sign us up for as much as he can before moving on to the next deal. We have to have a similar focus. Do your homework before you set out on your mission to buy. Understand what it is you want your car to do, write down your list of 'must-haves' and 'would-likes', and have a list of the cars that could possibly fill your needs and wants. That way you will be well armed to resist the 'sell' when it comes. Resist being 'up-sold' by the salesman into something you don't really want or need. In this it's important to clearly understand that are not talking to the car company itself when you're discussing a possible purchase with the salesman at the dealership. The dealer is an entirely separate entity to the actual carmaker and might offer you products that have no connection to the carmaker, and importantly no backing from the factory. Typical products you might be offered are paint protection and extended warranties. If you are tempted to sign up for these products ask the salesman to justify their need when the carmakers themselves don't find the need to offer them.

The mid-sized prestige market has been a very lucrative one in the past 20 years or so, particularly for European carmakers like BMW and Mercedes-Benz, and more latterly Audi with its A6. Audi has been aggressively, and successfully, chasing market share and the A6 has been an important weapon in its campaign to overthrow its rivals.The most obvious change to the A6 introduced in 2006 was the bold new grille, but that change alone said plenty about the model and the brand's intent. In one fell swoop the A6, and the brand, took on a more aggressive, in your face look. It emerged from the pack and said 'look at me'. If the grille was the centrepiece of the overhaul, there were other changes to the body as well. Again, given BMW's move to more sharply defined, chiselled lines, the smooth, sweeping lines of the Audi were appealing to the many buyers who found the BMW looks challenging.The new A6 was larger than the previous model, with more cabin space and a larger boot, made even more useful thanks to a folding rear seat. The interior was nicely designed and finished, with comfortable and supportive seats, and everything else you could wish for in the segment. When first launched the A6 had a selection of engines ranging from a 2.4-litre V6 through to a 4.2-litre V8, along with a new 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6.But in no time at all more engines were introduced, including a new fuel-efficient 2.0-litre TFSi unit. The transmission choices were a six-speed automatic with tiptronic shift control and a smooth CVT continuously variable automatic gearbox, and there was a choice of front-wheel drive or Audi's popular Quattro all-wheel drive system.Not surprisingly given its price the A6 came with plenty of luxury features, like leather and wood trim, CD sound, power seats, sat-nav and a raft of others. On the road the A6 was a smooth operator aimed more at giving the executive a smooth ride than a driving thrill. It wasn't as sporty as a BMW 5-Series, but that was Audi's claimed point of difference. Even though it didn't pretend to be as sporty as its main rival it still displayed a fine handling balance with a reassuring neutral poise that dealt corners with a minimum of fuss. The ride, too, was blissfully smooth and supple on all surfaces, and bumps and broken pavement was soaked up with consummate ease.IN THE SHOPIt's European, which means it comes with technology that can  sometimes be temperamental, and parts and repairs can be expensive. Before buying a second hand Audi it's a good idea to have it checked  by someone with experience in the brand, someone who can pick the faults and advise on what could go wrong. It's also well worthwhile to be on good terms with an independent Audi specialist who can not only expertly service your car, but also source more affordable parts if and when needed. Look for oil leaks around the engine and coolant leaks around the cooling system, check the service record, and inspect for poor crash repairs.AT A GLANCEPrice new: $80,600 to $145,900Engines: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol; 125 kW/280 Nm 2.4-litre V6 petrol; 130 kW/230 Nm 2.8-litre V6 petrol; 154 kW/280 Nm 3.2-litre V6 petrol; 188 kW/330 Nm 4.2-litre V8 petrol; 246 kW/420 Nm 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel; 165 kW/450 NmTransmissions: 6-speed auto, CVT, FWD, AWDEconomy: 8.5 L/100 km (2.0T), 9.8 L/100 km (2.4), 9.7 L/100 km (2.8),  9.9 L/100 km (3.2), 13.2 L/100 km (4.2), 8.3 L/100 km (3.0 TDi).Body: sedan, wagonVariants: Base, Avant, and Quattro Safety: 5-star ANCAPVERDICTSmooth driving, smooth riding, well-equipped alternative to the BMW with a smooth new look.

…you only have to look at the death toll on our roads to know that the airbag has had a major impact on our driving lives. Early fears that airbags could cause more injury and disfigurement when they deployed than lives they saved have proved unfounded and they are now an accepted part of the safety arsenal of our cars. Such is the acceptance that we now have a raft of airbags to protect us in impacts in all critical directions. Up to 10 airbags are mounted in the centre of the steering wheel, the dash, the seats and the roof along the tops of the side windows. But there is still some misunderstanding of how and when airbags operate. Airbags are not the first line of protection in a crash, they are a supplemental system designed to come into play when lesser systems prove insufficient to protect us in a crash. 'SRS' is the term used with airbags, it stands for 'Supplemental Restraint System', because the airbag provides a level of protection over and above the seat belt in a severe crash. The airbags are triggered when a sensor, usually located in the centre of the car, determines a crash is severe enough to warrant their deployment. Once that level of severity is reached it takes the front airbags 30-55 milliseconds to deploy, it can be faster in the case of a side airbag. To get a perspective on how fast that is, it takes about 100 mil liseconds to blink your eye. To ensure correct operation of the airbags it's important that they aren't hindered in any way. With that in mind it's important that seat covers don't prevent side airbags, those mounted in the seats, from deploying correctly, and we shouldn't place things like rugs and ornaments on the dash. The driver should sit back from the steering wheel, at least 30 cm is recommended, and they should hold the steering wheel at the quarter-to-three position instead of the old 10-to-2 so their hands and arms aren't in the way of an inflating airbag.

The Challenger was the product of an earlier era when it was expected that four-wheel drive vehicles would be rough and tough.DESIGNIn 2000 the Challenger PA was released in a significant upgrade with new looks, new rear suspension, a new automatic transmission and a new up-spec LS model, all in the hope of appealing more to families who were then showing a desire to move into mid-sized wagons.The new front and rear looks were designed to brighten and freshen to Challenger with a new grille, chrome highlights, rear lamps and bumper, and new side mouldings.The engine was the same 3.0-litre V6 as used in the NK Pajero and the Triton ute. It was a smooth revving, enthusiastic engine that gave the Challenger decent on-road performance, and there was plenty of torque on tap for off-road driving.TECHNOLOGYNew to the PA was the INVECS II auto transmission that kept the engine working in its most productive range. The auto was yet another sign of Mitsubishi's revised intent with the Challenger, another was the change from hard-riding rear leaf springs to the softer ride of coils more appreciated by towns folk.DRIVINGOn the black top the Challenger's ride was smooth, quiet and comfortable, although it still rolled quite a bit in the way those old off-roaders did. Off-road it was competent with good ground clearance and an easy selection four-wheel drive system, which included a low-range gear.Standard equipment was generous with air, power mirrors and windows, central locking and CD sound on the base model, plus cruise, sidesteps, fog lamps and leather trim on the LS.IN THE SHOPThe trade gives the Challenger a big tick for reliability. They don't have any flaws to be concerned about providing they are well serviced as per the schedule, which is every 15,000 km. The V6 has a timing belt and that needs to be changed every 100,000 km.Check for a service record to confirm regular maintenance, and inspect the body for shoddy crash repairs. It's also important to check for regular off-road use, which can show up as underbody damage, sand blasting underneath, scratches on the paintwork, and dust intrusion to the cabin.Avoid cars that appear to have been used offroad regularlyIN A CRASHDriver and front passenger airbags were standard, but the important option of ABS brakes was only standard on the LS. To get ABS on the base model you had to buy an option pack that included it.ANCAP doesn't have a rating for the Challenger, but it would be fair to expect it to come in towards the bottom of the ratings scale being such an old model and lacking most of the modern safety systems.UNDER THE PUMPThe Challenger was no lightweight and the V6 no fuel-miser, so the combination was a little thirsty with a claimed average of almost 12 L/100 km. Running costs could be cut if needed by converting to LPG.AT A GLANCEPrice new: $36,990 to $43,885Engine: 3.0-litre V6 petrol; 136 kW/265 NmTransmission: 5-speed manual, 4-speed auto, 4WDEconomy: 11.9 L/100 kmBody: Wagon Variants: Base and LSSafety: N/AGreen: N/A

Most people who ventured beyond the black top in a CR-V returned with a scathing assessment of its ability to handle the rough and tough going. They missed the point, the CR-V isn't an off-roader, it's a high-riding townie, which is why Australians have taken to it the way they have. The CR-V became one of our top-selling SUVs because it won over city dwellers, not bushies.If you want a car that will eat up the bush stop reading now; if you're looking for a car that will serve the family well round town read on. The RE model launched in 2007 was larger, smoother and fresher than the outgoing model it replaced. It was an attractive car, although the front with its gaping intake took some getting used to.The spare wheel was moved from the rear to a position under the car, which said more about the CR-V's intended use than anything else. Anyone heading bush would appreciate the easy access to a spare mounted on the rear, but anyone stuck in town traffic would prefer the easier loading with the spare underneath.The new body was more rigid, which was a boost for its safety and handling, it also made the cabin quieter. As a result of the increased rigidity the on-road feel, never one of the CR-V's strengths was a little sharper making the driver feel more connected than in previous models.The 2.4-litre engine had more power, 7kW by Honda's measure, which boosted its performance slightly. It was never a fireball, and the performance was only marginally increased, but at the same time it was perfectly adequate for its role in the marketplace.A new six-speed manual gearbox was an option alongside the five-speed auto, and the final drive was through the front wheels, but with drive sent to the rear wheels as and when needed for traction. Overall the CR-V was a competent family wagon that did everything well without being particularly outstanding in anything.IN THE SHOPHonda has always enjoyed a solid reputation for building quality cars, and the lack of complaints CarsGuide has received about the CR-V is testimony to the company's continuing commitment to quality. Regular oil changes are a must with Hondas, so check for a verifiable maintenance record.IN A CRASHNew to the CR-V in 2007 was electronic stability control, a worthwhile safety feature by any measure. Already with front and side airbags, and ABS brakes, the addition of stability control completed an impressive safety package.UNDER THE PUMPWith a claim of an average of 10.0 L/100 km - which was backed up in real life tests - it couldn't be said the CR-V was a fuel miser. Fuel required was a minimum of 91-octane unleaded and Honda approved the use of E10. LPG experts recommend against running the multi-valve CR-V engine on LPG, advising that premature valve recession is a real possibility.AT A GLANCEPrice new: $31,990 to $41,990Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder; 125 kW/218 NmTransmission: 6-speed manual, 5-speed auto, on-demand 4WDEconomy: 10.0 L/100 kmBody: WagonVariants: Base, Sport, luxurySafety: 4-star ANCAPGreen: 3.5 stars.VERDICTBigger, roomier, smoother and more powerful than before, the CR-V makes a great family choice.