Used Car Reviews

Choosing the right car can open the door to the executive floor, or confirm your corner office and that overdue promotion to the big league. Just as the right suit, tie, shoes or watch send a message to management, so does the right car.Working on the basis that you should always dress for the job you want, not the one you have, there are some impressive buys around in the prestige class. And, better than anything, a smart second-hand purchase is a great way to reward yourself.You still need to think about the obvious stuff -- maintenance and repair costs, insurance, fuel economy and resale value -- but driving a tasty import doesn't have to mean a second mortgage. Buying near-new, with just a couple of years on the clock, can open the doors to some impressive cars.Here are three that tick the boxes for the Carsguide undercover crew:(Search for hundreds more choices)HOT TIPSIf out of warranty use a brand specialist mechanic. If you can find a manual you're sure to save even more. Prestige cars cost to maintain so budget for this.2009 BMW 323iEngine: 2.5-litre 6-cyl petrolTransmission: 6-speed autoThirst: 8.8L/100CARSGUIDE SAYSA BMW badge is enough for many people and it needn't break the bank. The upmarket E90-model 3 Series sedan has balanced and subtly arresting style. The 323i (or the E92 325i if you spend $50K) gets a six-cylinder engine and earns more street cred than the four-cylinder 318i and 320i. It's not cheap to own or run, but the 323i still has lots going for it. It has room for four adults, is an exhilarating drive with solid handling, and even the fuel use isn't too bad. A thorough service history is mandatory and new owners are expected to continue this trend.2009 Lexus IS250 PrestigeEngine: 2.5-litre 6-cyl petrolTransmission: 6-speed automaticThirst: 9.7L/100CARSGUIDE SAYSAn underestimated car that's perfect for first-time executive buyers. This particular example is the desirable 2009 upgrade model and gets extra kit such as the heated and cooled front seats and satnav. The IS is similar in size to a 3 Series but more focused on comfort and equipment than performance or rip-roaring cornering. Lexus builds beautiful cars and owners report very good customer service.2009 Mercedes-Benz C280 AvantgardeEngine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl petrolTransmission: 7-speed automaticThirst: 9.4L/100CARSGUIDE SAYSThis C-Class variant is a cut above the 1.8-litre petrol and 2.1-litre diesel models that sold best in 2008-10. Its 3.0 V6 gives punchy performance, at the cost of a greater thirst, as well as a distinctive exhaust note. There is commendable safety and reasonable equipment, although it's not a match for the Lexus.

NEW - Ford has always used performance as a selling tool, well, that is except for a few periods where it appeared to be trying to re-invent itself. Over the years the RS badge has been a major part of the company's go-fast image, only the RS500 has topped it.So it was rather comforting to see the company launch the Focus RS, a genuine no-holds-barred performance version of the Focus in 2010.It wasn't cheap, but it could justify its lofty $59,990 price tag by its genuine claims of being able to compete with the likes of the VW Golf GTi and Subaru WRX STi, the benchmarks in the go-fast class. Ford said the RS was all about overt performance and it wasn't kidding.One look at it, with its vibrant colours, pumped guards filled with massive 19-inch alloy wheels, plunging front spoiler and twin-plane rear wing was enough to tell you it meant business.When pressed to the limit it would accelerate to 100 km/h in some six seconds and rush on to a maximum speed in excess of 200 km/h. Lift the bonnet and you found a turbocharged five-cylinder engine that pumped out 224 kW, that's 300 horsepower in proper RS terms, and 440 Nm of stump-extracting torque.A six-speed manual backed the engine, no autos here folks, and it fed a special Quaife limited-slip differential at the front. The suspension was tweaked to eliminate torque-steer, something that can ruin high-powered front-wheel drive cars, and it worked a treat.Huge alloy wheels and specially developed low-profile tyres, sharper steering and big brakes all chipped in to help the RS perform. Inside, it was suitably sporty with sports seats, a chunky steering wheel, short-throw shifter, alloy pedals and extra dials.Backing all of that up was a comprehensive array of safety systems, from ABS braking to ESP stability control and a full complement of airbags.NOWWith only 315 RS models imported there aren't a lot around to choose from, nevertheless it's important to shop around and do your homework before plunging in. Cars like the RS are usually bought by people with a tendency to use the performance, often to its full extent, and sometimes on the track.It can be hard to resist a race when you drive a hot looking and performing car like the RS, and many owners are willing to put them to the test when the chance comes up. With that in mind it's important to thoroughly check any car under consideration for purchase before handing over any cash.Look for any sign of hard use, from bumps and scrapes on the bodywork and wheels, wear on tyres and brakes, clutch wear, and certainly any modifications that might have been made.Modifications can present issues down the track because engines, clutches, gearboxes, brakes and suspensions are put under extra pressure they're not designed for. It's best to walk away from a car that's been modified rather than take the risk.Servicing is critical with any car, but it's more critical with a performance car, especially one with a turbocharged engine like the RS. With that in mind check the service record of your potential purchase, and if it's been done by anyone but a Ford dealer check their bona fides so you have confidence in what has been done.SMITHY SAYSFord's got a performance hero, but it's not for the faint-hearted.Ford Focus RS 2010-2011Price new: $59,990Engine: 2.5-litre 5-cylinder turbo, 224 kW/440 NmTransmission: 6-speed manual, FWDEconomy: 10.4 L/100 kmBody: 3-door hatchVariants: RSSafety: 5-star ANCAP  

Holden Barinas come from a variety of backgrounds. From 1989 until April 1994, Barina was a Japanese Suzuki Swift with a different name, though it sold in fewer variants than did the Swift. From April 1994, Barina was built by German car maker Opel.Then from December 2005, Barina was produced by the South Korean company Daewoo. These days Daewoo, now GM-Korea, has quite a few Australian engineers and designers so there's plenty of local expertise in them.To further increase confusion, Opel Corsa entered the Australian market for the first time in September 2012 and is the ‘grandson’ of the Barina that used to be built for Holden by Opel.It’s still early days for the Corsa in Australia, but owners of the German Barinas are paying close attention to them. Not only do Corsas have sportier dynamics than the Korean Barinas, the importer is closely related to Holden in back-office operations.Holden Barina is a small car that’s generally tough in its build and put together to a good standard in any of the factories just mentioned. It has earned a good reputation for being simple to drive and park.However, some older models didn’t have power-assisted steering as standard so can be a handful at parking speeds. If you do come across one be sure to road test it at very low speeds to see what you think.The Barina is sold as a three-door or five-door hatchback, or a four-door sedan, the latter not offered at all times. Occupant space in the front seats is fine. Some drivers complain the pedals are too close together in the German versions, others don’t have a problem.Rear seat legroom is rather restricted unless the front occupants are prepared to give up some of their space. Hardly unusual in a car in this class. Boot space is marginal in the ‘Suzuki’ Barina, better in the ‘Opel’ and ‘Daewoo’ versions. Naturally the rear-seat backrest can be folded down to increase luggage room when required.In their Suzuki and Daewoo formats the Barina is mainly aimed at suburban running. The German Opel Barina isn't out of place on country roads provided they are not too rough; corrugated roads can knock them around. They are designed to cruise at 140 to 160 km/h in their home country so dawdling along at 110 km/h in Australia sees them barely raising a sweat.The current GM-Korea Barina isn’t too bad on the rough stuff, but is still better left to the suburban areas. Handling in the European-sourced Barinas is enjoyable and will appeal to the enthusiast. The Suzuki and Korean models can be on the soft side, though a decent set of tyres can make them reasonably pleasant to drive.All Barinas have four-cylinder engines. The Suzuki engine is a 1.3-litre unit (three-cylinder engines used in some Suzuki Swifts but were never installed in Barinas). Though the engine is small, performance is reasonably good because of the light weight of the car.The European-built Opel Barina comes with several different engine sizes. The 1.2-litre engine was sluggish and a poor seller, it was discontinued midway through 1997; the 1.4-litre is the most common engine and provides on-road performance that’s fine for most people.There's also a hot GSi motor in the Opel versions of the Barina. It had 1.6 litres until the 2001 model, then 1.8 litres (re-tagged as the Barina SRi) made it a genuine hot hatch at a pretty modest price.Engines in the current Barina, the South Korean one, have a capacity of 1.2 litres in the low-cost Spark model and 1.6 litres in the others. The 1.2 is on the dead side but the 1.6 provides reasonably peppy performance. These days there’s no high-performance option on Barina, but the Opel Corsa OPC, launched early in 2013 is a great little hot hatch.Five-speed manual gearboxes are probably the best bet unless you are going to be doing a lot of heavy-duty commuting. The automatic in the ‘Suzuki’ Barina is a three-speed unit, that in the German Opel and Korean models a four-speed. The automatic option isn’t offered in all versions of the Opel-based Barina.From November 1997 until late 2000 some three-door hatches were converted into two-door cabriolets by HSV in Melbourne. They are great fun to cruise in when the weather’s right, but their extra weight makes them sluggish in acceleration and handling suffered because of the removal of the roof.The cabriolet is even smaller in the back seat than the others, so is really a two-plus-two not a four-seater. Spare parts prices are generally favourable and there are Holden dealers in virtually all areas of Australia. Those in remote country areas are unlikely to stock every Barina part, so you may have to wait for parts to be shipped from a major city.Barinas are reasonably easy for the amateur mechanic to service and repair, though the underbonnet area is on the crowded side and work can be frustrating at times. Having a workshop manual on hand before you lift the bonnet makes a lot of sense. Insurance charges are generally reasonable, some companies will ask extra for the higher-performance Barina GSi and SRi.WHAT TO LOOK FORThe engine should start reasonably quickly and idle without too much movement. Listen for a rattle when it first kicks over, even if the rattle dies away after a couple of seconds it probably means the engine is badly worn.After the engine has been idling for a minute or so, hit the accelerator pedal and look for a puff of smoke from the exhaust. This could indicate serious engine wear.Make some fast gearchanges and listen and feel for a manual gearbox that baulks or crashes. The problem usually shows up in the critical third-to-second downchange before any others.Automatics that are rough in their changes or which change too frequently, may be due for an overhaul.Check that the brakes don't pull to one side under hard application. If ABS is fitted, feel for a pulsing through the pedal when you push it very hard.Look for front tyres that are worn unevenly. This could be caused by something as simple as poor wheel alignment, but it could also mean the body has been twisted in a prang.Rust is not normally a problem in Suzuki-built Barinas, but if it does get a hold it can make a real mess of the body in a relatively short time. Be wary of this because rust repairs can cost big bucks.Opel cars are significantly better for rust protection and the only problems we have seen are in cars poorly repaired after a crash. Korean cars look to be well rust proofed and are standing up well.To be on the safe side, check for rust in all lower areas of the body, doors and hatchback, as well as the surrounds of the front and rear windows and the petrol filler flap.CAR BUYING TIPSmall cars with low kilometres on the clock have probably spent most of their lives in heavy-duty traffic with their engines cold. This is not good for longevity of mechanical components.

NEWThere's no doubt that the BMW badge is holding its own despite a number of other makes muscling in on the territory once occupied only by the Bavarian carmaker and its cross-country rival Mercedes-Benz.For some, the BMW badge became a little passé when the 3-Series became the car of choice for those wanting to be seen driving a more upmarket machine and they mostly turned to other marques such as Audi and Lexus, but by the number of BMWs on the road the German brand is still one to aspire to.Getting on-board the BMW prestige train, however, requires a sizable bank account. They're not only an expensive purchase, but can cost a pretty penny to maintain.One way to reduce the cost of purchasing one of these luxury machines is to buy used. If you're somewhat impoverished and can't afford the more exotic models BMW offers then an entry-level model like the 528i is a way in.Lookswise the F10 528i that appeared in showrooms in 2010 was a handsome machine, particularly compared to some of the edgy designs that have come from BMW over the past few years. It was smooth, nicely proportioned and with flowing lines that looked the goods from all angles.Inside there was plenty of accommodation for four adults, although squeezing a fifth in somewhat compromised the comfort.Power for the 528i comes from a 3.0-litre six-cylinder in-line engine delivering 190 kW and 310 Nm, and like all BMW sixes is happy to sing for its supper. It's not a fire-breathing monster, rather it's a silky smooth unit perfectly suited to the task at hand, while still delivering decent fuel economy.An eight-speed auto works well in tandem with the six to get the most out of the engine in all situations, and the final drive happens through the rear wheels.While most carmakers have moved to front-wheel drive, mostly for efficient packaging, BMW has steadfastly stuck with rear-wheel drive, which is a blessing for anyone who really likes driving. There's little to compare to the feel and response of a rear-wheel drive car and BMW is right up there with the best.NOWThe 528i is packed with technology, which is fine and dandy when it's working as intended, but no so endearing when it's not. When things go wrong, with things like the eight-speed transmission or any of the myriad electronic systems, the cost of repair can be horrific.While it's nice to experience the glitz that comes with taking your BMW to a factory dealership it comes at a cost, so before buying into the brand you need to weigh up the cost of repairs and maintenance and consider who you might use to keep your machine ticking over at its best.If it's under warranty, no question, use the dealer for servicing, if it's out of warranty consider the option of using an independent service agent who can generally maintain and repair your car at a much reduced rate.Another thing to consider is the cost of tyres. The 528i runs on expensive low-profile run-flat tyres that are likely to come up for replacement while in the hands of the second owner.If those things don't deter you then the good news is that there is little complaint from F10 owners. With the earliest examples having now done around 30,000 km it's still early days, but anyone considering buying a used 528i as they come off lease can do so with good confidence that they will get a good run out of the car.SMITHY SAYSGreat driving, well built, fully featured prestige sedan. Can't go wrong.BMW 528i 2010-2011Price new: $99,900Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cylinderTransmission: 8-speed automatic, RWDEconomy: 8 L/100 kmBody: 4-door sedanVariants: 528iSafety: 5-star ANCAPCOMING UPDo you own a Holden Barina? If so tell us what you think of it by sending your comments to Graham Smith at grah.smith@bigpond.com or Carsguide, PO Box 4245, Sydney, NSW, 2010.

Ford Territory is unique in being an Australian-designed and built SUV. Every other vehicle in this market segment is an imported design that may or may not have been adapted to suit Australia driving conditions.Launched way back in May 2004, with a major makeover in May 2011, the Ford Territory showcases the immense talent of Australian automotive engineering.While it’s getting on in years, it looks to have some life left in it yet. Older models are holding their values well, particularly with smart buyers who are more interested in Aussie practicality than in Euro prestige.The Territory SUV is based on the Ford Falcon and shares some of its mechanical components, particularly in the powertrain, but quite a few other parts are unique to the wagon.Seating in Ford Territory is for five or seven people according to the number of rows of seats installed. The third row of seats isn’t too bad for adults, with good head and reasonable legroom.However, a more realistic passenger load is four adults and three children. Luggage space with all seven seats in place isn’t expansive, but the Territory is hardly on its own in this regard.Fascinatingly, the Territory SUV isn’t nearly as large as it appears, being significantly shorter than a Falcon station wagon. Indeed, it surprises many who learn that it’s not even as long as a Falcon sedan. Thus the Territory is easier to drive and park than many expect. Good handling and ride comfort are major features of the Territory, it’s well-suited to Australian roads and also meets the tough needs of keen Aussie drivers. The big Ford has precise handling for a big wagon and rides better than many European 4WDs that cost far more.Ford Territory uses major components from Falcon’s six-cylinder drivetrain, including a turbocharged variant of the engine from July 2006. There's no V8 option as Ford feels the big sixes have been developed to the stage where they virtually replace the eight. Territory with a petrol engine isn't the most economical of vehicles, though things have improved over the years due to advances in engine technology. The six-speed autos are noticeably better than the four-speeds.Automatic transmissions are used on all models. The auto had four forward speeds on all models until October 2005, when a six-speed was introduced on the upmarket models. The automatic six is the only transmission installed in the turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel Territory.The big news in the face lifted territory was the long-overdue option of a turbo-diesel engine. The diesel is a 2.7-litre V6 diesel and runs a single turbocharger. It uses the latest thinking in variable-vane turbines, as well as high-pressure injection to produce maximum power of 140 kilowatts. Torque of 440 Newton metres is produced between 1900 and 2500 revs.Interestingly, Jaguar and Land Rover use diesels from the same engine family as the Territory unit.Territory is sold with two-wheel-drive or all-wheel drive (AWD). The sales split has generally been in the region of 60/40 in favour of the 2WD model, proving that most buyers of 4WDs are in reality looking for a practical wagon, not an off-road vehicle.Electronic aids improve traction off-road in the Ford Territory 4WD variants so they can handle virtually anything the adventurous family demands. In particular, there are hill-start and hill-descent assistance features and these take much of the scariness out of extreme slopes.Though there's good under-bonnet and under-vehicle access, this is a modern vehicle that’s complex in its mechanical components. So unless you are an expert it’s best to leave all but the simplest of repairs and maintenance to the professionals. Spare parts for the Territory are generally favourably priced and we haven’t heard of any recurring complaints about availability.Virtually every town of any significance has a Ford dealership, and many private garages will have a mechanic or two who was trained in a Ford workshop. Insurance is usually towards the bottom end of the scale, but some companies may take exception to turbocharged engines so ask around before settling for one insurer or the other.WHAT TO LOOK FORThe big Ford wagon is built to a reasonably high standard in Ford's Australian factory at Geelong. We do see the occasional problems so be sure to get a professional inspection.Check the engine starts up easily and idles smoothly and quietly.Make sure the automatic transmission works quietly and doesn’t hold onto gears, or change gears too often when it really should be holding the one ratio.Ensure that the brakes work properly with the ABS system pulling the Territory up in a straight line.Possible leaks at front brake hoses were the subject of a voluntary recall in March 2009. Check with a Ford dealer or the company's head office to see if the work has been done.Take the wagon for a run on rough roads to see if there are any rattles or squeaks as cabin parts move. Even the rear-drive models are sometimes used to explore bush tracks and the like.Look at the condition of the body, especially on an AWD in case one has been taken into off-road territory. Signs of the latter damage are generally at the bumper corners, the underneath of the door sills and on the underbody. Also look for tiny scratches in the body side where it has been squeezed through bushes and the like.Visually check the condition of the interior as kids can do a lot of damage when they get bored.CAR BUYING TIPPeople movers suffer more severe interior use and abuse than just about anything this side of sanitary collection vehicles. Check the condition of all areas inside a Territory carefully.

Skoda is one of those brands that muddles along in the mid-size market, rarely having any impact.NEWIt could be that we have long memories and recall the cars sold here in earlier times, cars that were poorly put together, had little or no manufacturer support and, well, were pretty ordinary devices from an Iron Curtain country.While all of that was true then, it's not now when the company is owned by VW, the Czech factories they're produced in are owned and run by VW, and the cars are VWs under the skin. The re-born Czech brand returned to the market in 2007 after a long absence and promised VW motoring on a budget.The mid-sized Octavia was one of the first models to be launched and remains the brand's main weapon with a large range of models, including hatchback and wagon body styles, a number of petrol and diesel engine options, and various transmissions.It isn't particularly stylish, but in today's terms when all cars look alike, the Octavia could be said to stand out with its more traditional grille. Get past the looks and you find a practical, roomy and well-equipped car that does everything without fuss.The Octavia is based on the VW Golf, which ensures it has a European feel about it. There's a wide choice of petrol and diesel engines, they're all VW units, and they all perform strongly while delivering decent fuel economy.Backing them up is a range of manual and auto transmissions, including the much-maligned dual-clutch DSG auto. Inside, the Octavia is neatly laid-out with room enough for four adults in comfort, or five at a squeeze. Thick pillars can create blind spots for the driver, and the cabin noise level tends to be a little higher than you might expect for a car in this class.NOWWith relatively slow sales you'll have to look long and hard to find the car you want, they're not plentiful like some other makes and models. It also means prices are more affordable if you're buying. If you're selling it means resale is affected.Few complaints about Skodas have reached Carsguide, which is interesting given the huge amount of mail we get complaining about VWs. It could simply be a case that too few Skodas are out there to generate comment, or perhaps Skoda takes a different view to VW when dealing with complaints. Or it could be that Skoda owners are a contented lot.Whatever it's important that any car is thoroughly checked, because there's no reason to think Skodas are immune from the problems that plague their VW cousins. Engines, the 1.8 TSI in particular, can give trouble. Many have had to be replaced quite early in life, so be wary and check service records carefully.The other problem area is the DSG, which can be brilliant when working correctly, but it can equally be a nightmare when it's not, and there are plenty of examples of both.Clutch packs, computers, wiring can all conspire to bring the DSG to a halt, so test drive DSG-equipped cars carefully. Things to be noted are shuddering, incorrect gear selection, hesitations, reluctance to select gears, going into neutral at inappropriate moments. In fact, be wary of anything that doesn't appear to be normal, they're expensive to fix.Check service records for evidence of regular maintenance, make sure cam belts have been changed when needed, and watch brake wear. Note that Skoda recommends the use of Premium unleaded fuel.SMITHY SAYSNeat, practical mid-sizer, but is burdened by some of VWs flaws.Skoda Octavia 2009-2011Price new: $29,290 to $38,290Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged, 90 kW/200 Nm; 1.6-litre 4-cylinder, 75 kW/148 Nm; 1.8-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged, 118 kW/250 Nm; 1.6-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel, 77 kW/250 Nm; 1.9-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel, 77 kW/250 Nm; 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel, 103 kW/320 NmTransmission: 5-speed manual, 6-speed auto, 6-speed DSG auto, 7-speed DSG auto, FWDEconomy: 7.8 L/100 km (1.6), 6.7 L/100 km (1.8T), 6.3 L/100 km (1.9TD), 5.7 L/100 km (2.0TD),Body: 5-door hatch, 4-door wagonVariants: 1.6, 1.8 TSI, 1.9 TDI, 2.0 TDI (2009) 75, 77, 90, 103, 118 (2010)Safety: 4-star ANCAP

The Toyota’s Camry and Aurion are built in Melbourne and have many changes from the original Japanese design to suit them to our local driving conditions and Australian drivers’ tastes.

Try as it might Volvo can't seem to shake its reputation for being boring and stodgy, even though the company is now part of the Ford empire and its cars are closely related to models carrying the blue oval.NEWUnder the Ford banner the cars carrying the Volvo slash are a far cry from the old Volvos, but still it seems the Volvo badge is enough to deter possible buyers from stopping off at its dealerships when out shopping for a prestige car.Take, for instance, the mid-sized S60 sedan, which is a well equipped, decent driving, attractive car by any measure, and yet it struggles for traction against rivals from BMW and Audi and the like that are the new aspirational makes.With the choice of front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive the S60 chassis is capable of handling any type of road that comes its way with impressive aplomb. Equipped with ABS brakes and stability control there are no situations it can't deal with safely. Show it a flowing road and it comes up trumps.Not only does it handle impressively it also rides well, soaking up all sorts of road surfaces without fuss. If it drives nicely it also looks good with its distinctively Volvo front, smooth flowing lines and athletic profile.There's a good choice of petrol and diesel engines to give you the performance or economy you want, starting with a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol four through to a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6, with a couple of five-cylinder turbo-diesels in the midst of the range. Some criticised the auto transmission, which was said to be slow reacting and was often found wanting in its gear selection.NOWThe S60 released in 2010 is still relatively new to the market having been on the road for only a couple of years or so, so it's to be expected that there will be few reports of problems and our research with Volvo service specialists suggest that there is little to report at this stage of the car's life.Even though it's early days for the S60 it's still important that any car under consideration for purchase be checked for condition. It would be unusual for a car so new to be neglected when it comes to servicing, but it's still better to check its service record rather than assuming it has been done. Check inside and out for any signs of wear and tear that might bring the value down.It's also worth mentioning at this stage that with the Volvo brand on the nose with many people, rightly or wrongly, the resale value can be adversely affected. That applies equally when you're buying and when you are selling.It also needs to be noted that the S60 doesn't have a spare wheel, and there's no provision for carrying one. The only option is to carry a can of puncture repair foam.SMITHY SAYSLook beyond the brand and you'll find a decent car in the S60. Take a look.Volvo S60Price new: $51,990 to $69,990Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo, 132 kW/240 Nm; 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo, 177 kW/320 Nm; 3.0-litre V6 turbo, 224 kW/440 Nm; 2.0-litre 5-cyl turbo-diesel, 120 kW/400 Nm; 2.4-litre 5-cyl turbo-diesel, 151 kW/420 NmTransmission: 6-speed auto, FWD, AWDEconomy: 7.4 L/100 km (T4), 8.6 L/100 km (T5), 10.2 L/100 km (T6), 5.9 L/100 km (D3), 7.1 L/100 km (D5)Body: 4-door sedanVariants: T4, T5, T6, D3, D5Safety: 5-star ANCAPCOMING UPHave you bought a Great Wall ute? If so tell us what you think of it by sending your comments to Graham Smith at grah.smith@bigpond.com or Carsguide, PO Box 4245, Sydney, NSW, 2010.

The Hyundai Excel was a huge seller in Australia in the mid-to-late 1990s.

BMW was in the vanguard of the new-age nostalgia wave when it launched the Mini in 2002. The Mini was the first of a new generation of feel-good models, but few thought nostalgia would catch on.NEWOf the cars that were launched to cash-in on our need to tap into the good old days, the Mini has been the one that has cemented a place in the market. Others have come and gone, some even come again, but none have thrived like the Mini.BMW's success seems to stem from being able to capture the essence of the original Mini, whereas other carmakers simply made pale imitations of their classics. Park a new Mini alongside an original one and they are quite different, yet viewed alone there's no doubt about the new car's heritage.It still looks cute, and unlike some other nostalgia models, the fun feeling continues once you hit the road. The original Mini was noted for its go-kart like handling and the new one is just, perhaps even more, fun-packed.BMW released an update to the theme in 2010 when it added features and made some changes under the skin. The extra standard features consisted of rain-sensing wipers, auto headlights, Bluetooth, USB input, fog lights and velour mats.The major under-skin change was a new diesel, which was a larger, more efficient, BMW-derived 1.6-litre unit and injected the diesel models with more power and torque than the previous diesel. It also delivered better fuel economy.The other engines, the 1.6-litre normally-aspirated one and the 1.6-litre turbocharged unit, were unchanged. The petrol engines were available with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed auto transmission, but the diesel was only available with a six-speed manual.An auto stop-start function and a gear shift indicator were included to assist drivers get the best economy from their cars. For anyone who didn't feel comfortable with the stop-start function, BMW made the system switchable. Changes were made to the cabin as well, which were aimed at toning it down a little.NOWIt's early days as far as the 2010 update model is concerned, even the earliest ones will only have maybe 30,000 km on the clock, so there shouldn't be any issues to be concerned about.Earlier models did have their troubles with things like the power steering and gearbox, so it's important that you conduct a thorough road test, perhaps even get an experienced mechanic to do it for you. Make sure the engine starts and runs without any hesitation, that it revs smoothly up through the rev range and there are no vibrations to be felt.When you head out on the road check that the clutch engages smoothly and takes up without any hitches. Once moving run through all gears, listening for odd noises that shouldn't be there. There shouldn't be any odd clunks or groans from the suspension as you round corners or negotiate bumps.It's always a good idea to drive over speed humps, not too fast, but they are good to bring out any issues with the suspension. Operate all systems, windows, mirrors, air, sound, and anything on the car to see that it all works as it should. Previous models suffered from issues with the power windows, so checking them is a must.If it's a cabriolet you're looking at run the roof up and down a couple of times to see that it's smooth, also check for any sign of fraying, wear etc. Servicing is all-important with any car, so make sure yours has been through a workshop when it's meant to have.SMITHY SAYSNot for everyone, but driving one sure makes you feel good.MINI - 2010-2011Price new: $31,500 to $57,300Engine: 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder, 88 kW/160 Nm; 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder turbo, 128 kW/240 Nm; 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder turbo, 155 kW/260 Nm; 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder turbo-diesel, 82 kW/270 NmTransmission: 6-speed auto, 6-speed manual, FWDEconomy: 6.7 L/100 km (1.6); 6.7 L/100 km (1.6T); 6.9 L/100 km (1.6TST); 3.9 L/100 km (TD)Body: 2-door hatch, 2-door cabriolet, 3-door wagonVariants: Cooper, Cooper S, JCW, ClubmanSafety: 5-star ANCAP