Subaru Vortex Reviews

But it may have to break all the rules laid down by the Australian importer before it gets to our showrooms. Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior says he wants the coupe - a joint venture with Toyota - but admits to battling the rigid "only all-wheel drive" philosophy that, ironically, was introduced 14 years ago by him and former company chairman Trevor Amery. "This will be one of the most important decisions we've ever made," he says about including the BRZ in Subaru's local line up. He also admits that he is being pressured by Subaru in Japan to take the car. "We're really undecided about BRZ," he says. "To us, it's a Subaru. It's built by Subaru, has Subaru drivetrain and so on. So it's one of our cars. But it's not all-wheel drive - something on which we have built, successfully built, Subaru in Australia. If the coupe was a front-wheel drive, it would definitely be rejected by us. But it's a rear-wheel drive. It drives - I drove a early production model - like a Subaru, feels like a Subaru and upholds all the parameters on which our business is based." The car could be here by June next year if it passes a crucial business plan test set for mid-December. "There are other issues," Senior says. "There's not a lot of volume in this - we see it as settling around 50 units a month in Australia after the honeymoon period. Two-seater sales in Australia are weak. Look at the history - Celica, Datsun SSS, Mitsubishi FTO and so on - all gone." Senior says the car is "beautifully balanced" and dismisses the need for a turbocharger. "It's designed to be an attractive, technologically simple and affordable personal car," he says. "Surveys in Japan show the youth are jaded by the current crop of cars. They've fallen out of love with the car. They want a great looking car that they can afford. The BRZ is seen as bringing back the affection." Senior sees the BRZ as a different car to the more sporty WRX and STI models. "The BRZ is a stepping stone to those cars," he says. "It appeals to buyers aged 25 to the early 30s - too young for buyers of the WRX and STI. The coupe will be sold more to empty nesters and youth." Senior won't give an idea about price but the coupe has been suggested as being saleable at about $32,000. The car has a normally-aspirated 2-litre Subaru boxer engine and a six-speed manual gearbox with optional paddle-shift six-speed auto, driving the rear wheels. It has been developed and designed by Toyota, the main shareholder of Subaru.

Living in a consumer-driven nation is Nirvana for those who are stress-free enough to dream and actually have the money to afford the dream.It has created an industry of dream makers - manufacturers who will, at a price, make you anything you want. And if you've ever yearned for more power for Subaru's perpetual Forester, you can stop dreaming.The S-Edition is the offspring that resulted after a one-night stand between a Forester and Subaru's performance arm, STI. It gets a massaged turbocharged engine and STI-inspired extras inside and out but retains the practicality and spacious cabin that have fortified Forester through a barrage of attacks by newcomers.VALUESleeping with STI isn't cheap. The Forester S-Edition is based on the XT Premium model but costs $5500 more because of the more highly-tuned engine, the five-speed automatic transmission (why don't all Subaru Imprezas get this?), a leather and Alcantara mix for the upholstery and a few other bits and bobs.Pretty much everything else is from the XT Premium's goody list, such as the huge sunroof, leather trim and top-notch radio/sat-nav system. But while it's comparative in price to similarly equipped rivals, the Forester doesn't look as stylish and the $50,990 doesn't translate into metal.DESIGNThis is where it all goes a bit wonky. The Forester is a very practical wagon that isn't made in Germany only because Subaru created the shape first. It's based on the time-old line drawing of two boxes - one big, one small - backed into each other and while some of us admire the pragmatic sketch, it's not stylish.It's also been around for a while. Against the Volkswagen Tiguan, Kia Sportage and Hyundai ix35 for example, it's dated. Effective, but dated. That aside, it has a lot of clever family-friendly features.I love the flexibility of the cabin - there's flip-up cupholders in the rear seat cushion, remote levers for lowering the back seat, and the back seats are higher than the front so kids have a clear view out the side windows.TECHNOLOGYSTI has either breathed more mumbo into the 2.5-litre turbo-petrol from the XT Premium or detuned the WRX engine. Regardless, it's the hottest box on the Subaru block with 193kW/347Nm, a jump from the XT's 169kW/320Nm. Yet fuel consumption is identical at 10.5 litres/100km average.Best news is the five-speed automatic from the Liberty. This is the only Forester with this box and Subaru goes the extra distance by equipping the S-Edition with paddle shifters on the steering wheel column. Cool.The rest is constant all-wheel drive, MacPherson struts at the front and double wishbones at the back. The S-Edition tightens up the screws in the suspension for flatter cornering and this means it misses out on the self-levelling rear end that's a feature of its sisters.SAFETYFive-star crash rating, electronic stability control, six airbags and lots more little nanny aids in the electronics all make this one safe little truck. The high seat height is arguably a potential safety feature, as is the full-size spare tyre.DRIVINGThis was driven back to back with the normally-aspirated 2.5-litre XS model with the four-speed auto. Pointless me talking about which I prefer. The S-Edition has a delightful linear bottom end that gets a kick about 3200rpm as the turbo becomes fully awake. It is, in fact, two engines.Drive it smooth and you'll get decent economy and no ugly photographs in the mail of you in the car. Give it a boot and it raises its head and really gets going. The bonus here is for overtaking, as in the country when passing a truck, for example. Not on the freeway.It's a nice drive but it's no WRX. Part of the problem is it feels like it's on stilts - which it is in comparison to the WRX - and there's some nervous jiggling and hints of some vagueness in the suspension and steering when the power is up.Personally, I'm not confident about pushing this anywhere near as fast into a corner as a WRX. That's not the aim. It's just a quick wagon in the same mold as the Mazda CX-7 turbo and some much more expensive Euro-wagons.VERDICTNo doubting this is a lot of fun. The auto is superb and really makes it an easy drive in the city. It's roomy, comfortable and well equipped but you have to ask yourself if there's value here particularly when there's the less powerful and (only) four-cog auto version in the XT Premium.Perhaps the S-Edition is for the WRX owners who just wants a bit of comfort. Or room for the kids.SUBARU FORESTER S-EDITION Price: $50,990Engine: 193kW/347Nm 2.5-litre turbo-petrolTransmission: Five-speed automatic, AWD Warranty: 3 years, unlimited kmResale: 54%Service Interval: 10,000km or 6 monthsEconomy: 10.5 l/100km; 248g/km CO2Safety: six airbags, ESC, ABS, EBD, EBA, TCCrash rating: 5 starBody: 5-door, 5 seatsDimensions: 4560 (L); 1795mm (W); 1700mm (H); 2615mm (WB)Weight: 1585kgTyre size: 225/55R17Spare tyre: Full-size alloyRivalsSKODA OCTAVIA RS 147TSI-compare this carPrice: $39,490Engine: 2-litre, 4-cyl turbo-petrol, 147kW/280NmTransmission: 6-spd DSG automatic, front-driveBody: 5-door wagonThirst: 7.7L/100km, 95 RON, CO2 179g/km MAZDA CX-7 LUXURY SPORTS Price: $45,990Engine: 2.3-litre, 4-cyl turbo-petrol, 175kW/350NmTransmission: 6-spd automatic, AWDBody: 5-door hatchThirst: 11.5L/100km, 95 RON, CO2 273g/km VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN 147TSI - compare this carPrice: $42,990Engine: 2-litre, 4-cyl turbo-petrol, 147kW/280NmTransmission: 7-spd DSG automatic, AWDBody: 5-door wagonThirst: 8.8L/100km, 95 RON, CO2 205g/km

Just a fortnight before the road-ready BRZ is unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show, and with a Carsguide preview drive set for Japan in the first week in December, Subaru is going public with a thinly-disguised concept car in California. It comes as the BRZ Concept-STI on the opening day of the Los Angeles Auto Show, competing for attention with everything from the new Honda CR-V to the Shelby Mustang GT500 complete with a 320km/h top speed. But there is still no confirmation of sales in Australia. The BRZ is a joint venture with Toyota and, even though Subaru is responsible for the basic chassis design and the car's horizontally- opposed four-cylinder engine, the company is still lagging more than six months behind its partner's preview plan for a car expected to be called the Toyota 86. A pair of FT-86 concepts have been on the motor show trail for more than 18 months, with a showroom-ready Series II model unveiled at the New York show back in April. The BRZ STI looks much as expected, with the same basic body as the 86 and tweaking by STI to give it extra punch - including a new twist on Subaru's classic World Rally Championship colour called WR Blue Pearl II. The STI work is concentrated around the edges - with a deep front spoiler, rear wing, wheel arch flares, rear diffuser and twin exhaust pipes - but there is a carbon fibre roof. An STI WRX already has a carbon roof in Japan but there is no news on whether the costly topping, already used by BMW on its M3, will make it to production. But the roof will cut weight and reduce the car's centre-of-gravity, helping with what Subaru is already claiming as "pure handling delight" in the BRZ. Looking closer at the BRZ, the nose gets Subaru DNA including a hexagonal grille, "hawk-eye" headlamps and fin-shaped fog lamps. Subaru says the car's 2.0-litre flat four-cylinder has direct fuel-injection, using Toyota's D-4S technology for a high output and high environmental standards, although it gives no power or torque figures. But the engine is set a full 120 mm lower and 240 mm closer to the centre of the chassis than other Subaru cars. "As a result, it achieves one of the lowest possible centres of gravity compared to other cars on the market today," Subaru says. "By including lightweight parts such as the carbon fibre roof, the overall weight has been reduced. The body structure is both lightweight and highly rigid." The only other notable inclusions on the car are Brembo four-wheel disc brakes and STI lightweight 18-inch alloy wheels with STI sports suspension. When the BRZ hits the road it will become the first Subaru coupe since the flabby SVX of 1991. That car was intended as a grand tourer and had a six-cylinder engine, as well as jet-fighter side glass with a small opening for the windows in the doors. It never sold well in Australia, partly because of a high price, but it looked a lot better than the Vortex two-door that Subaru unleashed in the 1980s with a wedgy body that looked more like a motorised door stop.

...than travelling in the traffic stream near a car that has lights particularly brake lights, that aren't working. How often do you see a car that has faulty lights? Often, I bet. Lights are things we use to see, be seen, or to signal our intention to do something. They are an important piece of safety equipment on our cars, important for our own safety, and important for the safety of others. But because we can't see them ourselves, we simply assume they're working and never bother to check them. Checking them is simple, and something we can include the kids in doing. Getting the kids to help us check the lights sets a good example for them, and should encourage them to check the lights on their car once they are old enough to drive. So, get behind the wheel and turn the ignition on, and them run through each lighting system. Turn each on in sequence and have your kids check to see if they are working. As each is confirmed to be working turn it off and turn on the next one. Check the parking lights and headlights, low and high beam, as well as the headlight flasher. While the headlights are on, check that the taillights are also illuminated. Check the turn signals, right and left, front and rear, and don't forget the side repeaters. Check the emergency flashers, front and rear, and make sure all are working. Finally, check the brake lights, all of them. If you can't get the kids to help you check the brake lights, find a reflective surface, a shop front window can be a good one to use, and reverse the car up to it and apply the brakes. You should be able to see the lights reflecting in the surface behind you. Also check the reversing lights. Replace the globes in any of the lights you find that aren't working.

The Liberty will be revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show alongside the bold new BRZ sports coupe as Subaru continues the biggest new-model push in its history. But don't be fooled by the name - or the shape. The Liberty is being previewed only as a station wagon and will wear a label as the Advanced Tourer Concept, complete with a hybrid power pack. It is being displayed as a concept so Subaru can tweak some of the small details before dropping the car into showrooms, most likely in the second half of next year, but all the basics are the same as the production model. Since it's being set to tackle the world's best in its class, including everything from the Mazda6 to Volkswagen Passat, the body design is much more aggressive with a pushy nose including the latest Subaru 'face', a high side profile with a muscular beltline, and accentuated wheelarches. To power the new wagon - and the sedan that will follow - Subaru has taken its current lineup of 2.0 and 2.5-litre boxer turbo engines and downsized the cylinder block to create a new, cleaner, and more fuel- efficient 1.6-litre turbo powerplant. But there is more. By adding a unique, Subaru-developed single-motor hybrid system with Li-ion batteries, engineers say they have been able to reduce fuel consumption while maintaining roughly the same power output as the current crop of engines. Working together with a revised version of the company’s well-known symmetrical all-wheel drive system, the new wagon can run in electric-only EV-mode from rest and at low speeds. The design work on the Tourer includes wood, polished aluminium and leather in the cabin, together with a full glass sunroof. Designers have fitted a large TV monitor inside the steering wheel that displays GPS sat-nav directions and has direct access to the internet. It also incorporates the company’s EyeSight crash avoidance system which uses two cameras mounted above the rear-view mirror that monitor traffic conditions and can detect pedestrians and cyclists. Apart from the Tourer Concept and the BRZ, the Subaru stand at the Tokyo Show will include the new Impreza G4 and the latest WRX hotrod, the STI-tuned S206 based on the existing four-door STI.

BIG fuel savings, neater looks and more pep and space should give Subaru's all-new Impreza the goods to get the brand back into top gear when it goes on sale early next year.The car retains many of the previous models lines, minus the ugly bulgy bits. Its a smoother, more attractive design that's also more aerodynamic, especially around the headlights. Also, there's no exhaust pipe poking out of the rear end of the hatch or the XV. Only the sedan has an external pipe.The new car, and its similarly-powered XV compact SUV, have a lot of techno and engineering advances, among them new transmissions and stop-start technology that will feature in every new Subaru from 2012.LINE-UPThe first demo models should be in showrooms in January. Prices should stay within cooee of the outgoing models, which retail from a start of $23,500. There are three Imprezas: the base 2.0i, mid-range 2.0i-L and the fully-featured Impreza 2.0i-S, in hatch and sedan. The XV has a similar pecking order.DESIGNThe Impreza, now in its fourth generation, is still the same length, but the wheelbase has grown 25mm and that has allowed the interior designers to give it an extra 40 litres of boot space and a lot more leg and foot room in the back.The windscreen has been moved forward, the front door windows now feature quarter panes and, hooray, the A-pillars are much thinner than those in a lot of other modern cars, allowing far better forward vision. The doors open wider and entry and exit are much improved. All models get automatic aircon, seven airbags and Vehicle Dynamics Control, cruise control, Bluetooth, USB and aux ports.The base model runs on steel wheels. The L gets 16-inch alloys, a console colour multi-function display, reversing camera, dual-zone climate control, steering wheel audio controls, sunroof, rear privacy glass and front foglights and the premium jobbie throws in HID xenon headlights, leather, powered drivers seat and sports pedals.TECHNOLOGYThe 2.0-litre boxer engine still produces the same 110kW/196Nm power and torque as before, but it's an entirely new design that is lighter and uses components and gadgetry to give both the car and SUV a 20 per cent fuel consumption cut.The motor switches off at the lights, starts up again in a fraction of a second when it's time to go.The new transmissions are a six-speed manual or a CVT, the latter with paddle-shift. The suspension has also been given a bit of a tweak for more comfort.Fuel stats are 7.1 litres/100km for the manual and 6.8 for the CVT, compared to the current five-speed manual's 8.9 and the four-speed auto's 8.8. Performance is up too, by nearly a second to 100km/h, although 10.7seconds is far from exciting. Fans of the WRX and STi models will have to wait years for updates. The hotties are no longer in the Impreza range, but stand-alone models.DRIVINGWe got to drive manual and CVT Imprezas and a CVT XV at Subaru's test facility a couple of hours out of Tokyo, where the brand's all-wheel drive gave it cat-on-carpet grip on the tight varied terrain circuit and at higher speeds on the banked track.Good steering and brakes add to the confidence the car instils. Comfort levels have aso been improved, especially in the quieter cabin.VERDICTThe new Imprezas are a class act, well screwed together, strong, and now with a new level of engineering efficiency.SUBARU IMPREZAOn sale: FebruaryPrices: from about $22,000Warranty: 3yrs/iunlimited kmService: 12,500km, biannualEngine: 2.0L, 4-cylinder boxer, 110kW/196NmTransmissions: 6-speed manual, CVTEcomomy: 6.9L/100km to 7.3L/100kmSafety: 7 airbags, stability control, ABS.

The basic shape of the Subaru is identical to the Toyota FT-86 but Subaru is likely to differentiate its car with a unique bumper and LED daytime running lamps.

You can be forgiven for confusion about the Subaru Impreza XV.The Impreza RX used to be a wagonesque variant of the Impreza that sold only about 100 a month until supply ran out in June because of production issues caused by the March 11 tsunami in Japan. But the new Subaru XV -- Subaru's seventh model -- has dropped the Impreza tag and has morphed into a small SUV. It is still based on the new-generation Impreza, but as Subaru Australia marketing boss Andrew Caie says, the two cars are "like chalk and cheese"."They are two separate categories, two totally separate cars and separate customers," he says. While the Impreza RX was considered a small car, this new model is described as a sub-compact SUV, smaller than a Forester, but bigger than a small hatch. The RX will arrive in Australia in January and will be followed in late February by the new Impreza four-door sedan and five-door hatch."The timing is everything to do with the tsunami," Caie says. "Our timings have been moved around about four times." The Impreza and XV will be the first Subarus with stop-start technology that switches off the engine when the vehicle is stationary. They also feature new transmissions and a new engine.VALUECaie isn't talking pricing at the moment, except to say that both the Impreza and XV will be competitive. "Prices will be as low as they possibly can be," he says. "We're trying to put as much value into them as possible. It's not about being the first one to the bottom in pricing."The current Impreza range starts at $21,490 and goes to $28,490, excluding WRX and WRX STI which are now separate sportier models with their own build program. The previous Impreza RX sold for $25,990. The closest competitors for the XV are the Mitsubishi ASX (from $25,990) and Nissan Dualis (from $24,990). Both new Subaru models come in three models: 2.0i, L and S.Even the base models come with Bluetooth while the L adds satnav and the S adds leather seats, heated in the front. Rear view camera, fog lights and a sunroof are optional on the L and S Impreza but are standard on all XVs.SAFETYSubaru Australia boss Nick Senior reminds us that they were the first company in Australia to have five-star safety across its range. "You can't be reactive in safety. You have to be proactive and we traditionally have been," he says. The new Impreza and XV come with seven airbags, including full-length curtain airbags and a knee bag for the driver.Neither has been crash tested yet, but Subaru product GM Akihide Takeuchi expects that they will retain their five-star ratings. Other improvements in safety concentrate on improving visibility: The front seats have been raised, the A pillar has been narrowed and the door mirrors are 20 per cent larger. The body and chassis are 20kg lighter but are also 10 per cent stiffer and therefore safer, Takeuchi says.TECHNOLOGYThe Impreza will be the first small car in Australia to have auto stop-start across the range (except for the two hybrid models) while the XV will be the first compact SUV with the fuel-saving technology. Subaru quotes fuel savings of 5 per cent from the technology, but those are in-house figures and not Australian standards. "It will debunk the theory that all-wheel-drive cars aren't fuel efficient," says Takeuchi.Stop-start technology automatically switches off the engine in 0.5 seconds when the car is stopped and restarts in 0.35 seconds when the brake pedal is released. Together with the new two-litre boxer engine, new transmissions, improved aerodynamics and electric power steering, fuel economy has been increased 20 per cent to less than seven litres per 100km, Takeuchi says.The engine has the same power and torque as before but now has longer pistons for more torque at lower revs which translates to increased acceleration. The five-speed manual has been upgraded to six speeds with a taller top gear that reduces engine revs from 3000rpm at 100km/h to less than 2500rpm, which is not only more economical, but also quieter. Subaru customers will be pleased to see the inadequate and outdated four-speed auto replaced by a continuously variable transmission with paddle shifters for six steps with wider ratios.Inside, the Impreza and XV abound with screens: one in the centre of the instruments, one in the centre stack and a third on the dashboard. The larger multi-function display has up to eight displays which can be personalised to show a range of useful and fun information and can even send you a happy birthday message.The upgraded audio also has USB, MP3 and iPhone connectivity and there is a new satnav system with voice control and predictive text when entering an address. It will even offer you a more economical route to save on fuel and CO2 emissions. Like all Subarus, they both come with symmetrical all-wheel drive.DESIGNTakeuchi says the cars have been designed from customer feedback wanting a sleeker exterior and more luxurious interior with more soft-touch surfaces and quality controls. The windscreen is raked, the bodywork more sculptured and muscular, and the headlights are sharper and more defined. The XV has high ground clearance of 220mm (same as the Forester), but has a lower body height than most compact SUVs for a rakish, sporty crossover look.Impreza is now 25mm longer in the wheelbase but the overall length remains the same which means interior legroom is improved. The higher front seats in the Impreza also allow rear passengers more legroom while both models have scalloped out the backs of the front seats for better knee room.Subaru has lowered the roof of the Impreza by 10mm, but the door sills have been dropped 30mm to allow easier access. The front door hinges have been slanted three degrees forward so the top of the door is further away from the car which allows more room to get in and out in tight carpark situations. The rear doorway also has a deeper access area.The interior feels more airy with the thinner A pillars and the horizontal lines across the dashboard. Door thickness has also been reduced for more shoulder and elbow room. Storage bins abound in both models with door pockets that fit a water bottle and an A4 folder or laptop.The centre console has a clever clip holder for a notebook and a pen so they don't rattle around. The cargo area is flat with a low loading lip and flat-folding rear seats. Underneath is a space-saver tyre, wide enough in the XV to still permit towing for a short distance. There are 10 exterior colours for both models, but the XV gets the special Tangerine Orange Pearl. Subaru is one of the few companies that doesn't charge extra for metallic or pearlescent paint.DRIVINGThe new cars were launched last weekend at the Fuji Heavy Industries Subaru research and development centre and proving ground at Kuzu in central Japan. It's a hilly area surrounded by forests inhabited by black bears, so Subaru is not concerned about spies taking photos of their cars in testing.We were only allowed two laps in each car on the high-speed bowl and three laps of a shorter twisty and bumpy circuit. About 12km in all. Not a thorough workout by any means, but enough to draw initial impressions.The soft interior plastic surfaces and firmer controls, such as the new door handles, give the cars a feeling of quality. However, the thinner dors feel a little flimsy when closing. Cargo space in the XV is disappointing, but similar to its sub-compact SUV competitors.On the road, they run quiet and smooth thanks to the new transmissions, but the wind noise from the larger door mirrors is increased. The frisky Impreza feels light and more flickable while the XV lumbers into corners, changes direction too slowly and over mid-corner bumps it hit the bumps stops several times and the tyre scrubbed the inside of the wheel arches.Takeuchi says the secret to the Impreza's deft handling is its low centre of gravity which is 504mm from the ground, comparing favourably with the Porsche Cayman S at 485mm. The CVT is smooth, responsive and seamless, but works best when used in manual mode with the paddle shifters, while the six-speed manual is a little notchy and it can be difficult to quickly engage third or fifth gears.VERDICTImpreza is another small step forward in quality, economy and safety that will appeal to the Subaru loyalists. Price may determine whether it wins new fans. Meanwhile Subaru taps into one of the fastest-growing sectors of the showroom with the handsome new XV. It is a modern design with sound technologies. Takeuchi says it is an urban adventurer whose owners are "living in the suburbs and are looking for new adventures".SUBARU IMPREZA and XVOn sale: January (RX), February (Impreza)Prices: from about $22,000Warranty: 3yrs/iunlimited kmService: 12,500km, biannualEngine: 2.0L, 4-cylinder boxer, 110kW/196NmTransmissions: 6-speed manual, CVTEcomomy: 6.9L/100km to 7.3L/100kmSafety: 7 airbags, stability control, ABS.

The first lesson for first-car buyers is to forget power and performance - go for safety, reliability and low running costs. Today's car choices are far wider and considerably less basic that Peter Brock's first car, a stripped-down 750cc Austin Seven. But the exercise of buying your car demands patience and - if possible - expert consideration.Compared with buying new, you will save money purchasing a used car. But be aware that a used car may require expensive repair costs, may be less fuel efficient and that its safety standards are likely to be lower than a new car. The basic safety gear you want are two airbags and ABS brakes.Every car is different because each has been treated differently during its life. Be cognisant that cheap new cars are bought on a budget and the penny-pinching owners may skimp on regular servicing and repairs. Steer away from hotted-up cars - you want reliable, easy-to-fix transport here, not a temperamental, ground-hugging runt that sounds like it's lost its exhaust pipe.There are a few quality used car models that have lasted the distance. These have retained a solid reputation for quality and reliability, have a strong spare parts back-up, simple service schedule and are renown for just being easy to live with.The only downside is they won't be the newest car on your block and they're unlikely to be the most rewarding ride of your life. But you have to start somewhere. Just like Peter Brock.CHOICESThese are some used cars, not in any particular order, that should be reliable first-time cars. But each car is different. Ensure your car is professionally checked before buying and that all the car's service papers are accurate, regular and preferably stamped by a competent service centre.NISSAN TIIDAThis model is the evolution of the Pulsar and, I admit, isn't the prettiest car on the road. Fellas, perhaps stay away from this one. But the model is enduring because of its simplicity and low running costs. It has a decent amount of metal around the passenger cell to minimise intrusion in case of a collision, a neat and functional interior with comfortable seats, big boot in the sedan model (and more than adequate in the hatchback version), and four doors so your friends won't have to squeeze past you on the way to access the rear seat.2006 TIIDA TI SEDANCost: $9200 with 79,000kmEngine: 93kW/174Nm 1.8-litre autoFuel economy: 7.8 L/100kmSafety features: ABS brakes, 4 airbags, brake assist Crash rating: 4-starMAZDA3Two of my daughters drive these and love them for their comfort and features. Later models are preferable because of the electronic stability control, but earlier versions had at least four airbags and ABS brakes plus a four-star crash rating. Because everyone loves these, they're going to cost a bit more than some rival cars. But Mazda's quality name should extend to the day you sell it allowing it to retain a high resale value.2006 MAZDA3 MAXXCost: $11,500 with 75,000kmEngine: 108kW/182Nm 2.0-litre autoFuel economy: 8.2 L/100kmSafety features: ABS brakes, 6 airbags, brake assistCrash rating: 4-star.MITSUBISHI LANCERThese have been made for decades yet nearly all carry a name for reliability. One model, bought with 247,000km on the clock, stayed trouble-free in my household for four years before finding yet another owner. That's not uncommon with Lancers. They're very simple cars but early models fall down badly in safety equipment, so look at 2003 and younger if possible. The 2007-plus models have a five-star crash rating. It doesn't really matter which model you buy but you may have better resale in the future with an automatic with four or five doors that will appeal to a wider audience.2006 LANCER LS SEDANCost: $10,000 with 70,000kmEngine: 115kW/220Nm 2.4-litre autoFuel economy: 8.5 L/100kmSafety features: ABS brakes, 2 airbagsCrash rating: 3-star.TOYOTA COROLLAThis is a stablemate of suburban living with the distinction of being a member of practically every Australian household since the 1970s. It's always been a simple and reliable car without any major hiccups, though the Toyota badge means there's a premium - justified or otherwise - on the price. Paying the extra on the Corolla name alone may not be worth it - look closely at each car before purchase. Toyota was one of the last major carmakers to introduce extra features - such as additional airbags and stability control - on base versions. Better models started from 2000 and the more upmarket versions (Levin and Ultima, for example) are preferred.2006 COROLLA CONQUEST SEDANCost: $10,500 with 75,000kmEngine: 93kW/161Nm 1.8-litre autoFuel economy: 7.4 L/100kmSafety features: ABS brakes, 2 airbagsCrash rating: 4-star.MITSUBISHI MAGNAThis is something a bit bigger and yet is generally priced about the same as the smaller cars. Mitsubishi made these in Australia and progressive years honed the product to excellent reliability while ho-hum styling and performance slashed resale. That makes this big family car good buying today. Magnas ended their run in 2005 and today these are the pick of the bunch, even though the powerplant was a 3.5-litre V6 with a four-speed auto. These cars were common in government and rental fleets but don't be put off - that means they've been regularly se rviced and repaired.2005 MAGNA ES SEDANCost: $5000 with 120,000kmEngine: 155kW/316Nm 3.5-litre V6 autoFuel economy: 11.5 L/100kmSafety features: ABS brakes, 4 airbags, traction controlCrash rating: 3-star.SUBARU LIBERTYAnother biggish car that offered high safety standards for its era. The later Libertys are also attractive, well equipped - in their day they weren't a cheap car - and roomy. The downside may be lacklustre performance, so-so fuel economy and some high-priced spare parts but we're primarily chasing a reliable and safe car choice here. The Libertys are all-wheel drive sedans and wagons which aids safety on wet roads rather than giving them any off-road ability (for that, look at the Subaru Outback).2006 LIBERTY 2.5i SEDANCost: $11,500 with 75,000kmEngine: 121kW/226Nm 2.5-litre autoFuel economy: 9.5 L/100kmSafety features: ABS brakes, 6 airbags, traction controlCrash rating: 5-star.

Renault Megane Privilege and Subaru Impreza 2.0 RS go head-to-head in this comparative review.