Used Car Reviews

There's no argument that the car market has changed. The once dominant big cars are on the nose, replaced largely by other big cars in the form of SUVs, but at the same time small cars that were once shunned by all but the poverty-stricken are enjoying unprecedented popularity.This newfound popularity has meant that carmakers have put more effort into making them attractive to this new generation of buyers instead of stripping them of everything but the basics in the hope of making a buck as they once did.The result is cars like the Thailand-produced Ford Fiesta, an attractive, fun-filled little car that drives well, is economical, and has loads of neat features. Ford offered two body styles, a four-door sedan that gave you the security of a boot and a little more body stiffness to aid handling, and a five-door hatch that was more practical and versatile.There were also two engine options to choose from, a 1.6-litre petrol four and a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel. Both were quite economical, the turbo-diesel more so by quite a margin, and both performed quite nicely.The only criticism of the petrol engine was that it lacked a little performance at low revs, but it was still perfectly adequate for the job. At the same time the turbo-diesel was lauded for its sparkling performance, the downside was that it only came with a five-speed manual gearbox.For those wanting an auto there was no choice but to go for the petrol engine, and you could then opt for the new six-speed auto, which was in fact a dual-clutch DSG gearbox.All models boasted standard stability control, but the base CL only had two airbags unless it was equipped with the $600 option that upgraded it to the seven that all other models had.A downside that needed to be understood is that the Fiesta didn't come with a spare wheel, for that you had to pay extra. Instead it had an aerosol kit for use when you get a flat.Ford made choosing a Fiesta a challenge. The turbo-diesel was a winner, in both performance and economy, but it only came with a manual gearbox.If you wanted an auto transmission you had to forgo the economy of the diesel and buy a petrol engine, which wasn't as economical and lacked the diesel's performance.But given the auto is a DSG, which can prove troublesome, perhaps the best option is to avoid the complication of technology and opt for a simple manual gearbox.If you really want the auto test-drive it thoroughly to try and find any faults it might have. Don't just drive it around the block; take it for an extended run, driving it under varying conditions, high speed, low speed, walking speed, accelerating from a stop, overtaking etc.Check in the boot to see if your chosen car has the optional spare or not, and think about what you might do if it doesn't. If there is no spare check to see that the aerosol kit is there.Some owners say that their petrol models ping, which forces them to run them on 95-octane fuel instead of the cheaper 91. That, of course, increases the running costs significantly.Build quality is a complaint often heard from WT Fiesta owners, so take the time to inspect your chosen car closely.Inspect the body for bumps and scrapes, they always bring the value of a car down, and also check the service record to reassure yourself that the required servicing has been carried out.Questionable build quality detracts from an attractive package, but the diesel engine is worth the punt.

Great holidays, bad car trips. We’ve all been on those road trips with a soundtrack provided by the kids and their never-ending bleat of  “are we there yet?”  As their whingeing turns into an incessant drone, you can say goodbye to your sanity. Thankfully, the latest tech has you covered, keeping the iGeneration occupied – and letting you enjoy your drive and the scenery. There are plenty of in-car entertainment options, with everything from your compact handheld device to roof-mounted DVD player and screen. There’s something to fit every budget, family, car size and interest. Traditional head-rest screens still get a start in many luxury cars, with various designs, and features still available. Entertaining your kids however is easier thanks to the latest gen of handheld tech. Compact devices, from the average MP3 all the way to the top-end PlayStation Vita will always be among the kids’ favourites, and along with Apple’s iPod/Pad/Phone, provide an attractive and versatile option. Here are our picks of six of the best at a range of affordable prices    

Kia Rio is a small-medium South Korean car that has picked up significantly in Australia since the launch of the all-new model of September 2011. After two generations of Rios with conservative shapes, the 2011 Rio came with stunning styling that pushes it ahead of many competitors from Japan and Europe from a visual point of view. Build quality wasn’t too bad on the first generation Rios, sold from July 2000, improved significantly in the gen-two cars from August 2005 and is impressive from 2011 onwards. The bodies of the older models were generally better assembled than their interiors, though we do see the occasional rough one inside and out.Tip: Don’t forget that professional inspection.The Kia Rio is sold as either a four-door sedan or a five-door hatchback and has good interior space that can seat four adults, though two grownups and two or three kids is a more practical load.On-road dynamics and build quality have improved over the years and the latest models provide a fair degree of enjoyment for the keen driver. However, some may find the ride a little too firm on rough roads. Try it for yourself during your private road test.A good set of tyres can work wonders for the handling and steering feel of older Kia Rios.Kia Rio is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine in the pre-2005 series. If worked moderately it will sound and feel fine, but drive it hard and it gets noisy and can be harsh. Engine performance is generally fine as this is a relatively light car. But it can struggle a bit on hills, so it's smart to find a hilly area to do some of your pre-purchase road testing.The newer, from 2005, Rios have a more modern 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine that’s significantly more powerful, smoother and significantly better in the refinement stakes. The engine was further improved in the 2011 series Rios.A lower cost 1.4-litre engine was added to the range in March 2007, its performance is OK if you’re willing to work at getting the best from the car.Transmission options are five-speed manual and four-speed automatic in the first two Rio ranges. Six-speed units, both manual and automatic were a big feature of the all-new model that arrived in 2011, putting the car ahead of many of its rivals.The four-speed auto takes the edge of what performance the older engines do deliver. It’s smooth enough and obviously makes life simpler in the suburbs, the natural habitat of a vehicle like this.The experienced home mechanic can do a fair bit on a Kia Rio. Underbonnet access is good and these cars have old and tried technology. A workshop manual is a low-cost investment that can save you lots of hassles. Don’t do any safety-related work yourself, leave that to the professionals.Insurance is normally towards the lower area of mid-range, but seems to vary more than usual from one company to another. So it pays to shop around, as always make sure you understand what you get, and don’t get, for your premium.Poorly repaired crash damage will show as paint which doesn’t match from panel to panel; and/or a ripply finish in a panel. Check for tiny specks of paint on non-painted parts such as glass and badges. Look at the interior and boot for signs of general wear and tear.The engine should fire up within a second or so of the key being turned, even when it’s cold. As soon as it starts it should settle into a steady idle. There should be no smoke from the exhaust pipe even if the engine is worked hard. Letting it idle for about a minute, then flooring the throttle in a quick takeoff will aggravate the problem.A manual gearbox should be moderately light in its action and not crunch on any of the downchanges, no matter how fast they are made. The third-to-second gearchange is usually the first to give trouble. If the automatic transmission is slow at picking up a drive gear from Park or Neutral it may be because it’s due for a major overhaul.Check the brakes pull the Rio up squarely and that ABS, if fitted, operates when you push the pedal hard.Cars that have spent all their lives in the open air are far less desirable than those that have generally been kept under cover. Faded paint and dried out dashtops are the easiest way to pick ‘outdoor’ cars.

Few carmakers have thought as laterally as Subaru has over the years.NEWThere was the switch to all-wheel drive, there was also the Outback wagon. The idea of a high-riding all-wheel drive wagon with limited offroad capability has always seemed a good one, after all few people really want to do any serious bush-bashing, they just like the high driving position afforded by a jacked-up wagon.With the Outback you could have a regular wagon with a high ride height that gives you the road view you want without going all the way to a road clogging SUV. The Outback has grown over the years as most cars tend to do, but it's still a reasonable size for the suburban crawl.As with earlier Outbacks, the new model in 2009 was heavily allied to the Liberty. The main differences to its lower riding model mate was its high ride height and some extra body cladding to protect it from the bumps and scrapes that inevitably come with a bush life, and there were some new bumpers to add to the differentiation.The Outback sat 70 mm higher than the Liberty, which gave it 13 mm more ground clearance, the secret to going beyond the black top. Along with the Liberty the Outback was longer and wider than the previous model, and it had a longer wheelbase.With its increased dimensions came increased interior space, particularly for rear seat passengers. Subaru offered three engines in the new model, including an economical 2.5-litre four, a zippy 3.6-litre six, and a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel fuel-miser.Those opting for the turbo-diesel engine were lumped with a six-speed manual gearbox, those going for the 2.5i petrol engine had the choice of the six-speed manual or a CVT, while those who chose the 3.6 got a five-speed automatic.Drive was, of course, through all four wheels all the time. Local tweaking of the suspension resulted in a flatter, more reassuring ride through corners and over undulating roads. One downside in a vehicle allegedly designed with the bush in mind was the temporary spare tyre.NOWLike all Subarus the Outback is generally well built and durable, but that doesn't mean it can't have issues as the kays accumulate. The Outback has been the subject of three recalls.The first was to address a potential leak from a hose related to the CVT transmission, the second was the fix a wiring fault that affected the operation of all systems related to the steering column, the cruise, sound system, paddle shifts etc., and the last was related to a production fault that somehow meant some six-speed manual gearboxes escaped from the factory with a vital oil supply hole left undrilled.Check that these have been done, it should be indicated in the owner's manual. If not check with your nearest Subaru dealer.When checking an Outback prior to purchase, one that is equipped with the CVT transmission, it's important to conduct a thorough test drive to look for possible glitches in the way it drives. Look for stumbles, hesitations and shuddering.Otherwise check for a service record to ensure the factory recommended servicing has been carried out.SMITHY SAYSGood on road and off, without the bulk of a regular SUV the Outback is a standout.Subaru Outback - 2009Price new: $40,490 to $55,990Engines: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel, 110 kW/350 Nm; 2.5-litre 4-cylinder, 123 kW/229 Nm; 3.6-litre 6-cylinder, 191 kW/350 NmTransmissions: 6-speed manual, CVT, 5-speed autoEconomy: 6.4 L/100 km (2.0TD), 8.4 L/100 km (2.5), 10.3 L/100 km (3.6)Body: 4-door wagonVariants: 2.0D, 2.5i, 3.6RSafety: 5-star ANCAP

Holden’s Commodore was the bestselling car in Australia for many years, though it has slipped recently due to many buyers switching from large cars to compact SUVs. There are hundreds of used Commodores on sale at any one time, so smart buyers can find exactly the model / price / quality they want.Commodore is very well suited to Australian driving conditions, and also has the driving feel many keen Aussie drivers demand. This is a genuine five-seater, though the traveller in the centre-rear seat may find foot space compromised by the bulky transmission tunnel.Boot space is good in the sedan and excellent in the wagon due to the latter’s longer wheelbase. Note that the wagons in the VE range, sold from September 2009, have the same wheelbase as the VE sedan, meaning they miss out on the huge load volume that was a feature of previous Commodore wagons. The latter had a stretched wheelbase platform under the wagons.Ride comfort is excellent, even on rough bush roads. Commodores can be divided into two distinct areas in the models being examined here. In August 1997 the VT series was introduced to critical acclaim.Commodore VT received a minor facelift and mechanical changes to become the VT Series II in June 1999. Commodore VX of August 2000 saw another facelift of the VT. The VX Series II arrived just 12 months later.There weren’t a lot of appearance changes in the VX II, but there were big changes to the suspension, especially at the rear. These gave the Commodore a real sporting feel. Holden introduced the VY Commodore in October 2002.This time around there were substantial styling changes. The VY Commodore was facelifted, this time to become the VY II in August 2003. Finally, the last of this long line of Commodores, the VZ series arrived in September 2004.The introduction of the virtually all-new VE series Commodore sedans in August 2006 saw a touch of European class in the styling and real enhancements to the ride and handling qualities. VE Series II was introduced in September 2010 and had minor external changes.Inside it was a different story, the GM i-Q multimedia system saw an entirely new look for the centre stack with the new touch screen. The system controls full Bluetooth, USB, iPod and MP3 player integration.Powertrains didn’t always coincide with the major body changes. Most Commodores prior to the VZ range have a pushrod V6 engine of 3.8 litres. There's also a supercharged variant of this 3.8-litre, but it was never a real success as buyers of performance Holdens almost invariably preferred V8s. So the supercharged six was discontinued in 2004.The big news with the introduction of the VZ was an all-new six-cylinder engine. A forerunner to the unit fitted to the VE Commodore, it was a twin-cam V6 of 3.6 litres. This powerplant was sold in two formats, one with variable valve and intake timing for a greater spread of torque and improved power, the other a more basic unit.As fitted to the VZ, this new V6 is not as smooth or quiet as it should be. There were some improvements in feel when the engine was installed in the VE, but the engine still disappoints in this area despite several attempts to sort it out over the years.A smaller V6, this time of 3.0 litres and aimed at lower fuel consumption and emissions, was introduced in September 2009. It hasn’t proven all that popular but is a sophisticated unit and well worth considering. There were two V8s in the pre-VZ Commodores; one an old Australian design of 5.0 litres, the other a Chevrolet unit adapted to Holden specifications with 5.7 litres.This Generation III Chev V8 is much better than the old Holden, so much so that resale value of the Holden 5.0-litre suffers in comparison. The Gen III with ‘only’ 5.7 litres was replaced by a Gen IV with 6.0 litres in January 2006, again as a teaser to the upcoming VE Series.Some later Commodore engines are designed to run on a petrol/ethanol mix of up to 85 per cent ethanol. Check with your Holden dealer or get onto Holden’s website to see which engines can take this mix. Prior to the VE series, almost all Commodores came with four-speed automatic transmissions. Five-speed manual gearboxes from this era are on the crude side and not many were sold. Six-speed manuals were offered in the SS range and are understandably more common than the five-speed manual units used in the day-to-day Commodores of the time. The VE transmission lineup was a big improvement; with six-speed automatic transmissions and six-speed manuals. An exception was the dual-fuel petrol/LPG, later pure-LPG powered Commodores that stuck with the old four-speed auto until 2012 when they too got a six-speed.On the sporting side are the Commodore S and SS with firmer suspension, tauter steering, revamped seats and body kits. Not as hot as the HSV Commodores, these Holden models do provide more driving pleasure and come at a pretty moderate price.Strictly speaking the most expensive model in the range isn’t called a Commodore, but the Holden Calais. Calais were usually bought by private buyers, while many lower cost variants will have begun their lives as company cars - perhaps being driven by a careful person, perhaps not…Holden frequently does runs of special editions, the best value of these are arguably the oft-recurring Equipe and Lumina series. Commodores are easy cars to work on with plenty of access to most mechanical components.The good amateur mechanic can do most of their own repairs although it’s best to leave safety related items to professional mechanics. There are numerous electronic components that also require specialist knowledge and/or diagnostic equipment.Spare parts prices are generally reasonably priced and we hear very few complaints about availability from Holden’s widespread dealer network.A network that’s as prevalent in the bush as in the ‘burbs. Insurance is very reasonable for a car of this size and performance, though there can be a significant extra slug for the sportier models, especially if they have supercharged or V8 engines.WHAT TO LOOK FORCheck for brake fade on models before the VE Commodore by doing a succession of hard stops and feeling for a pedal that gradually has more and more travel – don’t forget to check that rear-vision mirror first…Look for oil leaks at the rear of the engine sump and check the dipstick level as some early units had high oil consumption problems.Automatic transmissions are generally OK, but one that is slow to go into gear and/or noisy and harsh in its operation should be treated with caution.Rust is seldom a problem in later model Commodores. But look at the lower areas of the body, doors, tailgate and rear windscreen surround to be sure. Rust is more likely to be caused by poor quality panel repairs than any other reason.Check for previous body repairs by running your eye over the panels, looking for a slightly uneven finish. Watch for paint that doesn't match exactly from one panel to another. Another sign is minute spots of paint on areas that are normally unpainted.Be wary of a Commodore that has been a taxi, though this isn’t nearly as common as in Falcons: look for an engine running on LPG and for spots where signs and meters have been removed.Severe wear in the cabin and boot is another indication of an ex-taxi; though it could also mean the car has been a hard-working commercial car, or even that it has been destroyed by bogan kids.CAR BUYING TIPChecking the condition of the boot can give valuable clues to how the car has been used.

The BMW X5 received rave reviews when it was launched; road testers were ecstatic about the performance and handling of the big wagon. NEW The new model released in 2007 looked much like the previous model, but it was bigger, and for the first time there was seating for seven.  There were lots of other upgrades too,

Hyundai Accent arrived in Australia in June 2000 to replace the extremely successful Hyundai Excel. Hyundai attempted to push it a bit more upmarket than the Excel and that included a price rise that took it out of the cheap-and-cheerful category. The lower cost Hyundai Getz also stole sales from Accent.So sales of the Accent have never been as high as the Korean importers planned, but there are plenty on the used-car market and if you shop around there are some excellent buys out there.Hyundai’s build quality, which was a bit hit-and-miss in the company’s earlier years, had improved noticeably and the Accent benefited from being an all-new design. The later the car you buy the better it’s likely to be. The main structure of the Accent generally holds up well when subjected to the rigours of rough Aussie roads. Anything that squeaks and/or rattles, particularly inside the cabin, during your test drive should be treated with suspicion.There's good interior room in this small-medium Hyundai and buyers with pre-teen children can use the Accent as a full family car. The boot is roomy and easy to use and has a good shape that’s reasonably easy to load.Hyundai's Accent has good handling and the feel through the steering is better than average for an Asian import. There's some understeer if you push hard but the car is reasonably neutral until then. A good set of tyres can markedly improve things in the handling department and won’t set you back a huge amount of money.Model choices are quite limited because slow sales meant that the upmarket Accent hatchbacks, and all sedan variants were pulled off the Australian market in 2002. The sedan made a return in May 2006 with the introduction of a virtually all-new Accent.In September 2003 the Accent received a facelift to move it away from the somewhat bland look of the original model. This facelifted version is more popular on the used scene and it’s worth paying the extra if you’re looking for a bit of pizzazz in an affordable car.At the time of the 2003 body revamp, the Accent’s engine was increased in size from 1.5 to 1.6 litres. Performance from the new 78 kW unit made the small-medium Hyundai reasonably zippy on the road. It’s still not really sporting, but the car became more pleasant to drive, with shorter overtaking distances and the ability to climb hills with fewer gearchanges.Gearbox options are five-speed manual and four-speed automatic. This means it’s lagging behind more recent competitors with multi-speed manuals and autos. The manuals are generally good in their gearchanges but can bind up at times for no obvious reason. Automatics do sap a fair bit of engine power in a car of this size and are probably best left to those who do a lot of heavy-duty commuting in serious traffic.These days Hyundai is a fully established as part of the Australian automotive scene. The dealer network is large and widespread, though as is often the way in a car in this class, representation in the bush can be on the sparse side. We have heard of no real complaints about the cost of servicing or spare parts.The Accent is a simple design and has good underbonnet space, so it’s easy enough to work on. A lot of routine work can be done by a good home handyperson, though safety related items should be left to the professional. It’s always a good idea to have a workshop manual on hand before starting your own servicing and repair work.Insurance charges are moderate and there doesn’t appear to be a great deal of difference between companies as to the premiums they charge. Shop around but, as always, make sure you are doing a full apples-with-apples comparison before making your final choice.WHAT TO LOOK FORWe have seen Accents reach 200,000 km without any real problems. These cars had obviously been driven sensibly and serviced by the book - ask to see the full service records. Look over the interior, including the boot, for signs of rough usage. This may be a sign that other out of sight areas have also been mistreated.Rust isn't normally a problem, but look at all the lower body areas and around the front and rear windscreens to be safe. Any cars we have seen with rust in their bodies have been poorly repaired after crashes.Do an engine check for easy starting and smooth idling. Where possible this should be done with the engine cold, preferably after it has been sitting overnight.Feel for a manual gearbox that baulks during fast gear changes, especially during the three-two down change.Turn the steering wheel all the way from one side to the other whilst travelling at a very low speed and listen for clunking noises near the front wheels. These probably indicate the universal joints are worn.CAR BUYING TIPSellers will ask more for cars with a full service history, but it’s generally worth the extra outlay. Having paid the higher price it’s smart to keep its logbooks up to date. That way you can get most of your added investment back when it’s time to trade up. 

It's a topic of debate -- some would argue the Range Rover kicked off the prestige SUV craze 40 years ago.Others say SUVs aren't serious off-roaders and the modern category was established by ze Germans. It is the latter crowd that -- regardless of the origins of the species -- have come to dominate this prestige SUV segment.Be it an upper-crust shopping centre carpark or the leafy confines of a private school's grounds, you are guaranteed of spotting three particular vehicles -- the BMW X5, Audi's Q7 and examples of the Mercedes-Benz M-Class.The brand that has built its image on sheer driving pleasure and derivations therein has the X5 on its books, the benchmark in the class for on-road dynamics and some epic powerplants.The X5 sits behind only the 3 Series as BMW's top seller and is the best of its SUVs, fitted with six and eight cylinder petrol engines and six-cylinder turbo diesels.For those not concerned with fuel economy, the petrol V8s provide much in the way of propulsion and aural amusement but the oilers are the gems. The X5 has badge cred, car-like dynamics and family wagon versatility -- even a third-row option but space isn't abundant.Audi's Q7 has been outshone to some extent by the introduction of the smaller Q5, but the big Ingolstadt wagon has space aplenty. Among its petrol and turbo diesel engines, the 3.0-litre V6 oiler is the value pick. Not as nimble or car-like as the BMW, the Audi has a more useable third row of seats but lacks low-range.The M-Class is best off the beaten track, with an optional off-road package for the more serious adventurer. It has V6 petrol and turbo diesel, and V8 options including the super-quick ML63. As with the Audi, the V6 diesel is the best all-rounder.Last year the sales of large SUVs over $70,000 topped 17,000 , up 11 per cent. This year the segment is up more than 30 per cent with all three brands' SUVs selling strongly.Getting into one of these late-model beasts is relatively not expensive. Thanks to finance defaults, leased vehicles moving on and even trophy wives wanting something new, the "pre-owned'' market has no shortage of them, some with new car warranty remaining.Top TipsAs with all used cars, signs of poorly repaired accident damage (inconsistent welds, paint and panel fit) as well as signs of water intrusion (given recent flood events and submerged new car stocks) can point to rusty consequences.Diesel powerplants are generally more frugal when towing or on the open road but the fuel economy is offset by higher purchase price, service costs and the price of diesel. Do the numbers based on your driving habits (using urban and extra-urban fuel economy figures, not the combined-cycle number) and pick the appropriate machine.If you are hauling polo ponies, dressage nags, a boat or a van, check the towing capacity details, as some 4WDs make big boasts but fall over in real-world applications.2006 BMW X5 4.4Engine: 4.4-litre V8 petrolTransmission: 6-speed automaticThirst: 14.8L/100kmCARSGUIDE SAYSThe slogan "there's nothing quite like a V8'' applies here -- while the X5 has worthy diesels, the 4.4-litre V8 on offer in the big Beemer has appeal and when used sensibly won't drink ridiculous amounts of pulp. Leather trim, the full gamut of electronic safety gear and a clever all-wheel drivetrain make the big wagon more nimble than many passenger wagons and more than a few sedans.2008 AUDI Q7 3.0 TDIEngine: 3.0-litre V6 Turbo DieselTransmission: 6-speed automaticThirst: 10.5L/100kmCARSGUIDE SAYSThe V6 turbo diesel, one of the brand's better engines, deals well with the Audi's mass. Not as nimble as an X5 but far from a truck, the Q7 has a long features and safety equipment list plus leather trim. Tips the scales over two tonnes but can drag 3.5 tonnes when asked. There are bigger diesel and petrol engines but the 3.0-litre is a good all-rounder.2009 MERCEDES-BENZ ML 350 CDI WAGONEngine: 3-litre V6 turbo dieselTransmission: 7-speed automaticThirst: 9.6L/100kmCARSGUIDE SAYSUS-built -- as is the X5, which pipped the Benz by 49 sales last year -- the ML progressed significantly from the original M-Class, maintaining a greater off-road ability while closing the gap to the X5 in on-road dynamics. The badge holds plenty of cachet. There is an off-road pack with diff locks, low range, height-adjustable suspension and under-body protection.  

Daihatsu Sirion is a well-built Japanese car with an excellent reputation for reliability and low running costs. It wasn’t as successful as big brother Daihatsu Charade.So there are some bargains in Daihatsu Sirions as they are regarded as orphans and have suffered in resale value because of this. Despite this they can be kept on the road with a minimum of expense if you choose a good one and look after it correctly.A new Daihatsu Sirion released in April 2002 was more of a facelift, and although longer and given a freshened face, did not offer anything different in the way of drivetrain. For that we had to wait until the all-new Sirion launched here 2005 -- infortunately not long before Daihatsu exited the Australian market altogether. It was substantially bigger than the first-generation model that was launched in Australia in 1998. There’s decent interior room and a boot that can handle a fair amount of luggage. The older models are smaller and probably best left to couples and singles, but the 2005 model can work as a family car if the children are in their pre-teen stage.Daihatsu Sirion is well equipped, coming with air conditioning, a four-speaker CD stereo, power door mirrors, lap-sash safety belts in all five seats and dual airbags. A model worth chasing down is the Sirion Sport, with alloy wheels, a front body kit that includes foglights, a sportier design of rear lights, colour-coded door handles and ABS brakes it provides a lot of small car for a pretty reasonable price.The first series Daihatsu Sirion used an interesting three-cylinder 1.0-litre engine of the type the Japanese marque had made famous for many years. It continued with the larger model of 2002, but in the 2005 Sirion power came from a more conventional four-cylinder, twin-cam unit displacing 1.3 litres. The latter produced a relatively modest 64 kilowatts, but variable valve timing meant it has strong torque throughout most of the rev range, peaking at 120 Nm at a reasonably low 3200 rpm.Transmission choices are five-speed manual and four-speed automatics. Autos don’t take as much out of the performance as you might expect as the Sirion is relatively light. But our gearbox of choice would be the manual unless you’re doing a lot of commuting in traffic. The manual’s gearshift is light and easy so it’s not a hardship to do your own shifting.Handling is competent without being in any way exciting – definitely not a car for the enthusiast. There’s a reasonably neutral feel at everyday road speeds, but understeer comes in too early. A good set of tyres can give it a better feel and provide grip.Daihatsu has been controlled by Toyota since the early 2000s after getting into financial trouble. Toyota Australian stocks spare parts for most models younger than about 10 years. Check with your local dealer and/or check out parts recyclers in your neighbourhood.As it’s a relatively small car the Sirion doesn’t have a lot of underbonnet space so can be annoying to work on. Workshop manuals are available and are recommended. Don’t tackle any safety related items unless you’re an expert.Insurance costs are generally towards the bottom end of the scale and we don’t know of any major company that charges extra for the Sirion Sport, probably because it’s a dress-up variant not a real sporty design.WHAT TO LOOK FORLook for sun damage on the dash top and rear shelf. Check for tears in the seats and damage to floor and boot mats.Rust is rare but if it does get a hold it can run through very quickly due to the light construction of the Sirion. Look in the lower body areas, as well as the doors and hatchback. The corners of these panels are usually the first to suffer. Check the floor of the cabin and the boot for rust. Repairs there can be expensive.Look for signs of crash repairs, minor repairs correctly executed are to be expected in older cars that spend a lot of time in city/suburban driving, but if you think a Sirion has been in a major crash have it inspected by a professional as sub-standard cars can be dangerous.The engine should start quickly even when cold and should have a relatively smooth idle from start-up. Four-cylinder engines are smoother than the threes.Check there is no smoke from the exhaust tailpipe when the engine is accelerated hard after idling for a while. Gearchanges should all be light and easy, with the clutch taking very little effort to operate.If the gearbox baulks or crunches when you do a fast change down, there could be expensive troubles. The third to second change is usually the first to suffer. If the clutch is heavy or sticks during its movement it could be due for an overhaul.Drive the car at low speed with the steering on full lock in one direction and then the other and listen for a clicking sound of worn universal joints.CAR BUYING TIPBuying an ‘orphan’, a car that’s no longer imported, can save you money. But do your homework on parts and knowledgeable mechanics before getting in too deep. 

Graham Smith reviews the 1998-2008 BMW 3-series E46 as a used buy.