First Car

As the legend goes, our hapless stick insect found physical relief in a gym well-stocked with elephant juice and returned to the beach to conquer Muscle Man and win back the girl.Mitsubishi is also back on the beach with more beef for its previously simpering Outlander.The mid-size soft-roader wagon – which competes with the highly successful Mazda Tribute, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 – gets the engine it should have been born with for zesty performance to put a smile on the driver's face.Now, at least in the performance stakes, it is competitive. Without the extra oomph it simply couldn't match its rivals.The power boost comes from a variable-valve engine that changes the duration of the opening and/or closing of the valves. Open the valves for a longer time and the cylinder gets more fuel and air, and therefore more power. A short valve duration saves fuel.This valve action depends on the revs and requires no driver intervention. But the result is a more flexible engine to better suit all driving conditions that is 20kW more powerful than its predecessor. There's also more torque.The Outlander comes only as an automatic so the extra oomph is more important to the wagon's performance.It is now faster off the mark, quicker at overtaking and seems to haul more cargo without running out of breath.In shoehorning a new heart, Mitsubishi also added four-wheel disc brakes – deleting the previous disc/drum set-up – and cleaned up the wagon's styling.There's a new tailgate (engineered in Australia), a grille now shared with European models, projector-style headlights and a bee-sting radio aerial.The changes to the base-model LS tested include standard ABS brakes with EBD, roof rails, white-faced dials in the instrument panel and the incorporation of the central locking buttons within the key – not in a second fob.Dual airbags, airconditioning, electric windows and mirrors, cruise control and a CD player are standard LS fare.The Outlander has a constant all-wheel-drive system that allows it to traverse firm sand or gravel tracks. It is not intended as a 4WD and should not be seen as such, unless you're peculiarly adept at digging out vehicles on the beach.It is a very simple and easy machine to punt around, though the power steering is very light and the foot-operated parking brake unnecessarily more complex than a traditional hand lever.More luxury is available in the $36,390 XLS model, and a bit of a sporty look in the recently released VR-X version that costs $37,990.

I AM looking at buying my first car. I don't know a great deal about cars, but the Holden Calibra has caught my eye. I did a little research and the 1995 model onwards is what I am now pursuing because they have dual airbags. My price range is limited to $10,000. Preferably I would like to pay about $8000. What do you think?

Kia showed its hand in Sydney when it ran the worldwide dealer preview of the Cerato, flagging the importance of Australia to the brand and the car itself.It also highlighted a rise-and-rise performance that has made Kia Australia's fastest-growing car company, with a massive 57 per cent sales jump in the first half of 2004.Taking over from all Spectra, Mentor and Shuma models, the Cerato has a bigger engine and more features than previous Kia models in the class. It also comes with a smaller $18,990 driveaway price tag.The first all-new model to be rolled out in Australia this year, it sits between the four-cylinder Rio and flagship Optima V6.The Cerato fits into the small-car class, which has overtaken big sixes as the most popular shopping ground for Australia buyers, and is worth around 180,000 cars a year.It is a breakthrough model because it shares the Hyundai Elantra's mechanical package, the first time Kia -- which is now owned by Hyundai -- has had a shared model with the Korean juggernaut.But the engine isn't as strong, and the Cerato also has a very different suspension tune.Its 2.0-litre engine only generates 101kW of power and 182Nm of torque, with a fairly standard 0-100km/h sprint time of 10.5 seconds. Gearboxes are also the standard deal, with a five-speed manual and four-speed automatic.The Cerato design was done entirely at Kia, and while bland, it's not nearly as ugly as some earlier efforts.The sedan is the key model for Australia, with a five-door version under consideration when right-hand-drive production starts at the end of this year.The Cerato has twin front airbags and four-wheel disc brakes, but anti-skid control is an extra.There is only one level of equipment, but the car comes loaded with cruise control, power windows, remote central locking, heated electric mirrors, CD sound, and a cupholders.The cabin includes power sockets for phones and computers, as well as a battery saver system that turns off any lights that are accidentally left on.The Cerato is longer, wider and heavier than Kia's earlier mid-sized compacts, while the boot has been boosted by nearly 56 litres for impressive carrying capacity.Kia is taking a cautious approach to sales forecasts, predicting just 400 cars a month will be sold.Toyota sold 4031 Corollas in June, while Holden did 2650 Astras and Mitsubishi sold 2083 Lancers.But Kia managing director Ric Hull isn't under-estimating the work to be done on a car in this category."Bringing an unfamiliar name from a relatively minor brand into the marketplace is certainly going to take a little time, but we think we will get there," Hull says.Kia also admits the Elantra will be a tough target.Hyundai claimed June as an all-time record month with 1856 sales, but even that has been tough work and there is potential for trade-off sales between the brands."There is no doubt the Elantra is a competitor. Kia and Hyundai have never said they wouldn't compete in the marketplace," Kia sales manager Edward Butler says."But the success of Hyundai is our success, because the more people who buy Korean products experience the reliability and the quality of Korean products."The Cerato is aimed at city people, aged 25-45, who want comfort and features, as well as value.The Cerato is no sports car, but it is likely to be good at its job.It has a comfortable drive, and while the suspension is set softly, it handles reasonably well and feels pretty solid on the road.The five-speed manual is the best gearbox choice as it allows you to get the most out of car and engine.The auto is no slouch, and Kia claims it equals the manual in the 0-100km/h dash, but on a few cornering occasions the auto left the right foot flailing momentarily waiting for the box to pick its gear.The manual, however, was able to match torque delivery, keeping the car more stable through bends with better pick-up for straights and during overtaking.The back seat comfortably fits three across, and the space makes it more like a sedan than a small car.As a value deal, it is hard to fault the Cerato.And the price tag and features list make an appealing combination.Kia's Ric Hull is confident and says the Cerato should do much better than the Spectra, one of the models it is due to replace.He points out the Cerato is all-new and has a better bottom line."There is nothing in common with the Spectra at all, this is an infinitely better car," Hull says."In fairness, it is much more competitively priced, and for $1000 more you have a much better-equipped 2.0-litre car, much more modern."We are incredibly currency dependant. Frankly, we were nervous at putting it (Cerato) into the marketplace at say, $19,990 driveaway."There are too many entries there and it seemed to us we wouldn't have anything particularly unique to offer, so we decided to give it a good hit and put it in at that price ($18,990)."The Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun

I AM looking at buying a 1987 Mitsubishi Magna as a first car for my daughter. Have you done a used-car review of the car?

Mazda's light car arrived well before the Mazda6 and Mazda3 both of which have been a runaway success.Although the Mazda2 continues to impress in terms of style, equipment and performance, it has never managed to equal the success of its larger brethren.That's the car industry for you.The light car segment is extremely competitive and price usually rules the day, no matter that your car might have five doors instead of three, a more powerful engine or longer equipment list.Front runner is currently the Toyota Echo, followed by the Hyundai Getz and Kia Rio, based on the latest industry sales figures.Mazda has continued to throw equipment at the car in a bid to jump start sales but with little effect.As well as two airbags and airconditioning, our test car the base model Neo now boasts power windows and mirrors.The five-door Neo is priced from $17,490.The Mazda2 is powered by a lusty 1.5-litre four cylinder engine that delivers 82kW of power at 6000rpm and 141Nm of torque from 4000rpm.It is a sweet thing that loves to rev and rev hard with rewarding results.What's even better is that the car has the drive dynamics to match with one of the best handling packages that we have seen in this segment.Flog it and flog it mercilessly and the Mazda2 just keeps coming back for more – it's a lesson from which others could learn.A five-speed manual transmission is standard and combines beautifully with the car, with a short easy to use action.Brakes are discs with drums on the back but do a good job of stopping the car nevertheless.You don't get alloys with the Neo but the 14-inch steels wheels are adequate for the job.A $1200 safety packs adds another four airbags as well as ABS brakes wth brake force distribution and brake assist.Fuel economy is excellent at a claimed 7.6L/100km city and 5.2L/100km highway.Inside the cabin is tall and airy with comfortable seating for four adults, five at a pinch and good legroom in the back.The load space is nothing to write home about and it is unfortunate that Mazda did not opt for the two-tier rear shelf.Standard equipment includes a CD player and a load cover.The only thing we found really annoying with this car is the central locking system which is key operated and operates only from the driver's door.

I'M A 17-year-old female on the hunt for my first car. What sort of questions should I be asking a car salesman? I'm looking for a cheap first car, but I don't want to be taken for a fool when I walk into a car yard.

I am a 17-year-old learner driver looking to buy my first car. I am going to look at a 1982 VH Commodore station wagon with 64,000km on the clock, that has been driven regularly, as well as a 1992 Camry executive sedan that has done less than 98,000km. Both are automatic. Are there any problems that I should look out for?

I AM a 17-year-old learner driver looking to buy my first car. My preference is a manual 1985 BMW 318i sedan. Is there anything I should look out for in a car this old or in this particular model? Also, what kind of price is reasonable for a car this old?

The success of the Vectra-Astra-Barina family has transformed the company well beyond its big-six success, and things should get even better with the arrival of a fresh baby-boomer.The all-new Holden Barina still starts at $13,990 and still comes with the cute rounded look of the beep-beep car, but it is significantly different from the model it replaces. It is bigger, stronger, sweeter and a much tougher rival for the Hyundai Accent and the Mitsubishi Mirage, which lead the class in sales and engineering.Holden has changed a lot of things, including the way the Barina models are arranged. But it has held on to the hatchback shape, a twin-airbag cabin and even the useful central instrument pod that has readouts for the radio, the time and outside temperature.There are now just two Barina body choices, a two-door or a four-door, with a shared 1.4-litre engine and either a manual or an automatic gearbox. Air-con is $1870 extra, though there must eventually be a bonus pack that makes it a no-cost part of a deal.The XC Barina looks larger, helped by windows that are bigger, but when you park it beside the old model, you see there is not a lot of difference. Even so, there is noticeably more space inside, especially front shoulder and head room.The body has some nice styling touches, including high tail lights that could have been taken from a compact four-wheel-drive, and bigger 14-inch wheels under slightly flared guards.The mechanical package is centred on the latest twin-cam 1.4-litre motor, with output boosted from 60 to 66 kW and 114 to 120 Nm, a neat half-dozen pickup in each case. The torque peak is relatively high at 4000 revs and the engine has to be pushed to 6000 revs for maximum power.It has the regulation front-wheel drive but picks up four-wheel disc brakes, sadly without any anti-skid system on the options list, in a class where rear drums are most common.The Barina deal includes a classy Blaupunkt sound system with single CD, but the windows are wind-up models and even the mirrors have manual adjustment. There is power steering and remote central locking, but no remote release for the boot - a common European choice for improved security. There is only one cupholder, so small it's nearly useless, though the cabin has plenty of storage space, including big bins on the doors.DRIVINGThe new Barina feels rock-solid and a lot more substantial than its baby-car rivals. It's not as big inside as Hyundai's bigger new Accent or as trendy as Ford's tiny Ka, but that barely matters for a good-looking, well-designed and developed package.The Barina gets along fairly well, has twin airbags for safety, and its starting price is still $13,990 when even Hyundai's hero opens the batting at $14,990.So what's not to like? The back seat, for a start. It puts the bench back into bench seat and is no place for anyone a little taller than average. It's hard and angular, with no real support, and it doesn't have any headrests. The dashboard is also a bit raw, with crinkled plastic finishes that look rough and cheap.Most worrying is an engine that does its own thing for too much of the time. It's probably the engine management system, and the need to get rid of unburned fuel, but the car surges and hunts with revs that rise and fall without any input from the throttle. It's a bit scary at first, lifting off the accelerator and having the engine keep pushing the car, but then it just gets annoying and confusing. It would be good to get an explanation from Holden because the symptoms are likely to migrate to other models - and other brands - as we get deeper and deeper into the clean-tailpipe era.The Barina test car was a two-door automatic with air-con, a package that moves it out of bargain-basement land to $17,810, a price that includes electric assists in some rivals. But the baby Holden has a body that feels almost Mercedes-Benz tough, and that means it should last and last. It has also allowed Holden's engineers to provide a really sporty suspension set-up that is more than adequate for the urge from the 1.4, allowing it to be hustled surprisingly swiftly.As well, it has a firm-yet-compliant ride that soaks up the worst Aussie roads. It's definitely the best in class, just like the bigger Astra, and will take some beating. The steering is firm and direct and the brakes are good, with first-class grip from the Michelin rubber. The Barina can get a little noisy on coarse bitumen, but it's nothing to worry about.The auto test car was a bit dozy from the lights, but compensated with solid mid-range torque and an eager top end. It would be a lot better with a manual to keep it spinning in the power range, making it a really sporty little drive.The fuel economy was still very good at 7.9 litres/100km and it has an impressive touring range. The car is comfortable and easy to drive, with a nice meaty steering wheel and firm but supportive seats.The Barina has good headlights, a surprisingly annoying tinkle for the turn indicators, and a big horn for a small car. The boot is reasonably big, with a fold-down back seat, but it has a high lip to load over. It's reassuring to have the twin airbags, but Holden's commitment to safety - which it trumpets every time it rolls out an updated Commodore - should have included anti-skid brakes somewhere in the deal.Perhaps, like Honda has done with the latest Civic, they will come later. The bargain basement has never been as crowded or competitive as it is today but, on balance and despite the back seat, the Barina is the new benchmark. It loses a little ground to the Accent in some areas, but takes a solid points decision over the Hyundai hero and the ageing Mitsubishi Mirage, making it the car to drive first when you're shopping for a compact companion.HOLDEN BARINAPrice: $17,810 as tested (two-door auto with air-con)Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder with twin-overhead camshafts and fuel injectionPower: 66kW/6000revsTorque: 120Nm/4000revsTransmission: Five-speed manual or four-speed automatic, front-wheel driveBody: Two-door hatchDimensions: Length 3816mm, width 1642mm, height 1443, wheelbase 2491mm, tracks 1417/1408mm front/rearWeight: 970kgFuel tank: 44 litresFuel consumption: Average on test 7.9litres/100kmSteering: Power-assisted rack-and-pinionSuspension: Front MacPherson struts and semi-trailing rear arms with torsion beamBrakes: Four-wheel discsWheels: 5.5x14 steelTyres: 175x65R14 MichelinWarranty: 3 years/100,000kmRIVALSHolden Barina from $13,990Hyundai Accent from $14,990Toyota Echo from $15,940Mitsubishi Mirage from $15,490