Buyer Guide

Our daughter is considering a Kia Rio for her first car but we are not sure about the Rio. Would you recommend the 2017 Skoda Fabia hatch as a first car for her? What other hatch would you recommend manufactured 2016 between 2018? Safety, reliability and reasonable low kilometres are important considerations for us.

I’m looking at purchasing a 2010 VE SV6 manual Holden Commodore with 128,000kms the car is in good condition but I have read a lot about the timing chain issues. Is this common in this year as I have also read that the chain issue was fixed in 2007?

I'm a 4x4 novice but have just got an opportunity to buy a Nissan Patrol ST 2006 model. I've gone and visited and tested the vehicle and it seems in great condition for its age, it’s done 172,000km and it’s diesel. Is it too good to be true? The owner is heading home to Germany so needs it gone. I just wanted to check if you reckon it’s a good buy considering its age and what issues I should really look for.

It's a sad fact that we Aussies miss out on a tonne of killer cars that were sold in other parts of the world, and the spread of the Internet has made it easier to learn about rare and unique vehicles from all over this vast blue planet.

The LandCruiser has a long and proud history in this country. The big Toyota arrived here in the 1950s when it was put to good use on the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Project.  In some parts of the country there is simply no other vehicle that can compete with it.MODEL WATCHThe LandCruiser's 100 Series is larger overall than earlier models. Weighing in at around 2.5 tonnes, it is perfect for heavy towing but is heavy on fuel unless you purchse a diesel model.  The LandCruiser isn't as roomy as its exterior dimensions suggest it should be.The petrol engine choices consisted of a 4.5-litre double overhead camshaft 24-valve six which boasted 165kW peak power or a 4.6-litre double overhead camshaft 32-valve V8 which delivered 170kW of peak power.  If you chose the diesel route there was a 4.2-litre single overhead camshaft 12-valve six cylinder unit with 96kW, or after 2000 a 4.2-litre double overhead camshaft 24-valve turbocharged six which could belt out 151kW.There was a choice of five-speed manual or four-speed auto transmissions with high and low range four-wheel drive and high range two-wheel drive.  Toyota offered a multitude of model options, including the base wagon RV, GXL, GXV. The entry wagon was a six-seater with split rims, manual front hubs, hard wearing vinyl trim, power steering and basic two-speaker sound.Step up to the eight-seater RV and you drove home with styled wheels, cloth trim, central locking, full-time 4WD, centre diff lock, power mirrors, carpets and better sound.The GXL features included anti-lock brakes, power windows, cruise, CD sound, front airbags and remote central locking. Add the V8 engine, auto trans, velour trim, cut-pile carpet, power seat, auto air, alloy wheels and a CD stacker and you were driving a GXV.IN THE SHOPThe LandCruiser is bought by most people to work hard, so look for wear on the interior trim and general lack of care around the car like dings and dents on the body.  Inspect the underside of the vehicle for damage through offroad use. Look for sandblasting of the underbody from being driven on unsealed roads, if it's severe enough it can lead to rust in exposed steel panels.Also look for bashed and beaten underbody fittings, like brackets, fuel tanks, suspension components, even the underbody itself. Inspect all drive-line joints for broken seals that could have let water into the joints.  Check for a service record and have a specialist check done before purchase.Don't be surprised if fuel consumption is as high as 20L per 100km from the petrol engine models. Many owners convert their LandCruisers to dual-fuel to save money, but be careful as the cost of the more regular valve lash adjustments needed with LPG can rule out any cost saving.CRUNCH TIMEA recent used car survey rated the 100 Series significantly above average in protecting its occupants, but much worse for the impact on the occupants of what it hits.OWNER'S VIEWLes Wilkinson owns a 2000 Landcruiser 100 Series with the turbo diesel six and auto trans which has what appears to be backlash in the drive line.  Brian Montgomery has a low-kilometre 2001 100 Series LandCruiser which has a chassis squeak when driven over slightly uneven roads.TOYOTA LANDCRUISER 100 SERIES 1998-2002Check for signs of off-road abuseCheck drive line joints for broken sealsGood off-road capabilityLarge towing capacityVery thirsty petrol enginesHigh seating positionTough and reliableRating12/20 The big bruiser is still the king of the heavyweight four-wheel drives. It's great for towing, but its size also means regular stops at the petrol pump.

I currently have a 2013 Golf TSi and I am looking at trading it in for something that is reliable, cheap to service and with cheap parts. The Golf has done 86,000km and the turbo has just died. It's costing me $3000 to replace and has broken down on me before and I'm fed up with it. I am looking at Toyota Corolla, Hyundai i30, Kia Cerato. Which car would be best?

If you're a dog person, then quite often your choice of car comes a long way down the order of priorities.

Medium SUVs are the most popular of their brethren in Australia, capturing the interest of those families who rate space, efficiency, seating flexibility and even all-wheel-drive capability. Last year SUVs racked up more sales than traditional passenger cars for the first time in Australia, with 2018 likely to see

The BT-50 hasn’t significantly changed since 2011, plus it’s a platform-share with the Ford Ranger. Although it’s not been an exceptionally popular ute, there’s a lot of choices when it comes to Mazda BT-50 aftermarket accessories. Mazda has always wanted the BT-50 ute to be an owner’s ‘third space’ – somewhere that’s not quite home, not quite work, but comfortable and useful all the same. As a result, there’s a huge range of optional accessories targeted at the tradie, caravanner and camper who spend a lot of time in the ute and use it for all sorts of reasons. Towing packs and tradie fit-outs are popular on the Mazda BT-50, for that very reason. So, for a comprehensive guide to the best Mazda BT-50 accessories, read on. Overview: There is so much variety in bull bar design for today’s modern dual-cab utes. You no longer have to choose between an alloy or steel three-hoop bar, and the OEM options are not as ugly as they have been in the past. The Mazda BT-50 genuine accessory bull-bar range includes steel and alloy bull bars, plus a polished alloy nudge bar, all of which can be accessorised individually or as part of specific Dual Cab and Freestyle Cap ute packs. From the aftermarket, the Ironman 4x4 Commercial Deluxe and Protector bull bars, which cost only a few dollars different, are good examples of modern, versatile frontal protection, including fog lights and tabs for extra accessories and a winch. Cost: A genuine Mazda steel bullbar adds $2835 to the price of a new BT-50. A winch-compatible Commercial Deluxe bull bar from Ironman retails for about $1800, plus fitting. Where to Buy: Mazda Genuine Accessories, Ironman 4x4Overview: If you don’t need the full-frontal protection of a bull bar, but still want the capacity to fit extra lighting or an aerial, a nudge bar is an ideal touring accessory. Mazda offers a black or polished alloy version as an individual option, or as part of a Sports Touring Pack on some Dual and Freestyle cab utes, fitted with two Lightforce round driving lights. You can add a bonnet protector for extra stone-chip protection, too.On the aftermarket, a 76mm diameter alloy tube nudge bar from East Coast Bullbars is one of the simplest and best options. Cost: A genuine nudge bar for the BT-50 costs $1054, fitted. From ECB, expect to pay around $900. Where to buy: Mazda BT-50 Genuine Accessories, ECBOverview: Given the platform-share with the Ford Ranger, what’s applicable for one is generally suitable for the other. A 40-50mm suspension lift for the Mazda BT-50 is very common, and can often incorporate a GVM increase of up to 300kg, which is great if you’re carrying a load or towing a large caravan. If you want to go higher, a 50-75mm suspension lift is possible, although that involves fitting a front diff dropper and fitting new control arms, so is a lot more expensive. Cost: For a simple suspension lift, budget around $1300 for parts, plus fitting. Include a GVM increase and expect to pay $2500 to $5000. For a 50-75mm lift, kits start at around $3300. Where to buy: ARB, VMNOverview: The BT-50 Hi-Rider and 4x4 range are specified with two different tyre-and-rim packages. The lower-spec models feature 255/70 R16 tyres on alloy rims, while GTR and up get 265/65 R17 tyres on alloy rims, which are slightly larger in diameter. If you are looking for aftermarket rims for your BT-50, look for those with a 6x139.7 PCD and 55mm offset. A slightly smaller offset, say 45mm, will widen the vehicle’s stance slightly. Cost: A new set of steel rims will cost around $250 a wheel. For alloys, budget at least $350 a rim.Where to buy: Mazda Genuine Accessories, King Wheels.Overview: When utes were just a vehicle to transport your pigs to market, and attend Sunday church service, no one needed a cover the load area. But now they’re used for everything from school drop-offs to mine-site deliveries, keeping the stuff in the back dry, clean and secure is far more important. Canopies range in simplicity from a simple steel frame, and canvas cover to an extensive, custom made fit-out with a place for everything. Cost: Add a genuine Mazda canopy to your BT-50 from $4082. An ARB Classic Canopy retails for $2701. For a custom made, highly specific off-road touring canopy, budget around $20,000, including the tray. Where to buy: Mazda Genuine Accessories, ARB, NorweldOverview: If your needs aren’t so complex that you need to choose between sliding or lifting windows, but just want to keep the tray secure or weatherproof, a tonneau cover is the way to go. Add a tub liner if you want to prevent your gear scratching up the tray. Cost: Genuine Mazda tonneau covers begin at $850. A hard version that’ll fit around the sports bar tops out at $3200.Where to buy: Mazda Genuine AccessoriesOverview: When you’re continually carrying things longer than the Mazda BT-50 tray – be that ladders, timber or stand-up paddleboards, a ladder rack is an ideal solution. A ladder rack could be as simple as a single hoop at the rear of the tray combined with some roof racks over the cab, or a more specified solution that’s made for your situation. Cost: Mazda includes a ladder rack as part of its genuine options for the BT-50, and that’ll add $890 to the cost of a new ute. Alternatively, the OzRoo Universal Tub Rack is a modular solution that’ll put your Ikea-building skills to the test, but can carry 400kg of load and fits most trays – they’re $700.Where to buy: Mazda Genuine Accessories, OzRooOverview: Whether you need to charge tools in the tray at a worksite or keep a fridge and camp lights running while out in the bush, an auxiliary battery system is essential. Mazda offers a factory-fitted option with a tray mount battery cradle, although it’s battery capacity is limited by the cradle size, so consider something from the aftermarket. The best bet is a DC-DC charger, like the Redarc BC-DC25 or Projecta IDC-25, tray-mounted 120ah (or larger) battery, with provision for solar input. That way you can run an inverter, fridge or any other high-draw accessory without risking the starting battery. Cost: The Redarc BC-DC25 starts at $609.10. The Projecta IDC25 retails for around $300. Overview: If you need the organisational nous of a purpose-built canopy, but don’t quite have the budget, a good set of drawers is the next-best option. The home handyman should be able to knock up a set himself in a weekend if he’s good at long cuts with a circular saw. Otherwise, many great drawers, made in Australia, can be bought off-the-shelf or customised to suit your needs. Two notable companies are Drifta in Gloucester, NSW, or OffRoad Systems in Sydney. Cost: A dual drawer system for a dual-cab tub tray from Drifta begins at $1845, but can be customised to your heart’s content. From ORS, a 1030mm long twin drawer system (Mazda BT-50 dual cab tray size) starts at $1800, plus $150 for fitting. Neither fit with a tub-liner, so don’t order one with your new ute if you intend on adding drawers.Where to buy: OffRoad Systems and DriftaOverview: Snorkels are a great accessory if you’re planning some extended outback touring or do a lot of 4WDing that involves crossing creeks and rivers. Lifting the air intake to roof height, it prevents water from being sucked into the engine and generally reduces the amount of dust that needs to be filtered out on dirt roads. Cost: A factory-fitted snorkel will set you back $810. Where to buy: Mazda Genuine AccessoriesOverview: The BT-50 can tow 3500kg, and with its power and torque figures, has become a very popular tow-tug for caravans around the country. Mazda offers a specific Boss Touring Pack on new vehicles, which includes all the goodies a caravanner needs, including tow bar, electric brakes, nudge bar and driving lights and a canopy. If you just need the tow bar kit, that includes the bar, ball and wiring, but you’ll need to add an electric brake controller. Mazda’s OEM solution is a rebranded version of the Redarc Tow-Pro Elite, which is the best kit on the market. For more off-road specific towing needs, look into the Hayman Reese X-Bar, which improves rear departure angle and includes rated recovery points, and is a less expensive option for those who might be considering a Mazda BT-50 rear bar.Cost: The Sports Touring Pack adds $8,773 to the cost of a new ute. A tow bar kit will add $1,150, while a brake controller costs $701. The Hayman Reese X-Bar retails for around $1400, plus fitting. Where to buy: Mazda Genuine Accessories, Hayman ReeseOverview: Towing mirrors are essential if your rear vision is hindered by the trailer you are towing. The most comprehensive solution is replacement, telescoping mirrors by the likes of Clearview, which integrate with the OEM electric controls for the mirror orientation. If your budget and needs don’t stretch to a full-time solution, clip-on door-mirrors are great, but avoid the ones that clip only to your mirror unless you like the mirrors being slammed into your window every time a truck goes past. Cost: The Clearview Mirrors for a current BT-50 will cost $745. Coast Door Mount Mirrors cost $140.Where to buy: Clearview, Outback EquipmentOverview: Need an easier step up into the high-riding BT-50 cabin, or a platform to stand on when tying things down to the roof-racks? A good set of side-steps are in order. If you need underbody protection for off-road driving though, look into something that’ll act as a rock slider and can support the weight of the vehicle if it makes contact with large rocks. Consider a bash plate for further underbody protection, if you also think sliders will be useful. Cost: OEM side steps for the BT-50 begin at $711, but aren’t available on the single cab models. For something with a bit more off-road credibility look into the ARB Protection Steps for the Dual and Freestyle cabs at $1491 fitted. Where to buy: Mazda Genuine Accessories, ARBOverview: All BT-50 models are fitted with halogen headlight globes, so an LED headlight conversion can help gain a bit of brightness and clarity in the dark. LED replacement globes from companies like Stedi are a popular, and inexpensive option. For even more light at night, Mazda offers an LED driving-light option fitted to the bull bar or nudge bar. From the aftermarket, the Narva Ultima 215s are high-performance lights that are too bright in the suburbs, but perfect in the bush. For a more suburban friendly light, the Narva Ultima 175 is just about perfect. If traditional driving lights aren’t the look you’re after, there’s a vast range of light bars available too. Cost: The Stedi globes will set you back a modest $150. The Narva Ultima 215 LED lights retail for around $500 each light, while a set of Ultima 175 LED lamps will cost about $500. Where to buy: Mazda Genuine Accessories, Narva, Stedi

"How much does it cost to register a car" is a very involved question.