Used Car Reviews

With the X-Trail riding on a wave of popularity Nissan chose to tweak the compact SUV rather than re-invent it when it launched the new T31 model in 2007.As a result, the T31 looked very similar to the outgoing model, unless you got up close and saw the changes in detail.If you did that you would have seen it was longer, wider and taller, with more interior space, but it was also heavier.The 2.5-litre petrol engine was carried over with minor retuning, but the growing demand for diesel engines saw a turbo-diesel engine added to the range.In search of improved fuel consumption a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) became the automatic transmission option on the petrol engine.To meet the changing wants of SUV buyers, as more and more switched to the high-riding wagons, was the addition to the X-Trail range of a front-wheel drive model.By the time the T31 X-Trail was launched in 2007 the switch to SUVs, particularly compact models like the X-Trail, was in full swing.This new breed of buyers appreciated the practicality and versatility of a wagon, they liked the visibility of the high driving position, and while they weren’t necessarily going off road, they found the safety of all-wheel drive appealing.But they wanted more, hence the introduction of a turbo-diesel engine for better fuel economy, and a front-wheel drive model for those who had no desire at all to go off-roading.The T31 was launched with a revised model range, which was made up of ST, ST-L, and Ti with petrol engines, and the TS and TL with turbo-diesel engines.Entry to the T31 X-Trail club was through the ST, which boasted an extensive list of standard features, among them air-conditioning, a tilt-adjustable steering column, CD player and four-speaker sound, remote/keyless central locking, cruise control, variable intermittent wipers, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power windows and mirrors, a rear wiper and washer, roof rails, a vanity mirror, cloth trim, and a trip computer. Metallic paint was optional.A step up to the ST-L added 17-inch alloy wheels, six speakers, climate control for the air-conditioning, an in-dash CD stacker, MP3 compatibility, front fog lights, and chrome exterior highlights.On top of all that, the Ti also came with power front seats, leather trim, and a sunroof.The diesel-powered TS was similarly equipped to the ST-L, the TL similar to the Ti.The spare wheel was full-sized until 2012 when a space saver spare was introduced.Bluetooth was added in 2009 allowing an iPhone or Android device to be connected.A MY10 update saw the ST-L get heated front seats and leather trim, the Ti got 18-inch alloy wheels, a DVD player, parking sensors, a reversing camera, and sat-nav.Another update in MY11 saw the release of front-wheel drive only versions of the ST and ST-L. At the same time Ti buyers were treated to automatic xenon headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, and keyless entry and drive away.The spare wheel was full-sized until 2012 when a space saver spare was introduced.There was no touch screen, or park assist system.The cabin had accommodation for five in a roomy and comfortable environment.Gone was the annoying centre-mounted speedo and other gauges that so many criticized in the T30; in its place was a more conventional dash in front of the driver.There were plenty of storage options, including the centre console, a cooled glovebox, door pockets in the front doors, and cupholders in the front and rear.The boot was a generous 633 litres with the rear seat in position, and 1651 litres when the split-fold rear seat was folded flat.The 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine carried over from the earlier model, but had lower noise, vibration and harshness levels, better fuel economy, and its mid-range response was improved.With VVT variable valve timing the double overhead camshaft engine put out 125kW (167 horsepower) at its power peak, and maximum torque of 226Nm.The engine was a willing performer with solid mid-range performance, but with extra weight to haul around its zip was dulled a little compared to the T30.To meet the growing demand for diesel engines a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine was added to the range in 2008.At its peaks it produced 127kW (170 horsepower), and 336 Nm of torque, and delivered the fuel-consumption savings motorists were looking for along with the smooth drivability that comes with a good level of pulling power.Those buyers who chose the petrol engine had the choice of a six-speed manual gearbox or a CVT auto, the latter with six preset ratios to make it feel more like a conventional automatic.With a little more weight to haul around the petrol engine isn’t the zippiest performer.The turbo-diesel came with a choice of a six-speed manual gearbox or a conventional six-speed automatic transmission.Final drive was courtesy of an improved version of Nissan’s acclaimed 'All-Mode' system, which offered three modes of operation; front-wheel drive, automatic, or 4WD lock for off-road driving up to 40 km/h. Hill start and descent assistance features were added to the system.To meet the demand for a high-riding wagon from buyers not wanting to go off road in their SUVs Nissan added front-wheel drive versions of the ST and ST-L to the range in 2011.The ride is comfortable with good damping and body control on road and off.With its independent MacPherson strut front suspension and coil springs in the rear suspension, handling is balanced and assured in most situations.The steering is light and responsive, and the turning circle is tight enough to make maneuvering easy.Both engines, even the diesel, are acceptably quiet, and there’s little road noise to bother those inside.With a little more weight to haul around the petrol engine isn’t the zippiest performer, and the diesel is better with good response and drivability thanks to its torque.With a comprehensive array of safety features ANCAP rated the T31 at four stars out of a possible five.Passive safety features included front airbags for the driver and front seat passenger, side front airbags, head airbags, and seat belt pre-tensioners.It was also well equipped with active safety features, including ABS braking, BAS emergency brake assistance, EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), and ESP electronic stability control.Lap sash seat belts on all five seats facilitate the fitment of a child seat, and ISOFIX baby car seat mounting points are fitted.The earliest of the T31 X-Trails will now have done on average between 150,000 and 250,000 km, which means they need to be approached with caution and require thorough checking before being purchased.Owners report they the reliability is good and they give little trouble, but any car of the age and odometer reading of those early cars needs careful assessment of its condition.Check under the car for damage from off-road excursions. The X-Trail is quite a competent off-road performer, but its ground clearance limits it to light off-roading rather than rock climbing.Buy the car in the best condition, with the lowest odometer reading, and a complete service history.Nissan recommends servicing every 10,000km or six months. If the service book doesn’t show a car has been serviced as recommended, be skeptical.Regular oil changes, using 5W-30 oil, are the key to long and reliable engine life.Capped price servicing didn’t apply to the T31, but service costs are not excessive, and any competent mechanic can do it.Anyone opting for the CVT auto should road test a car before making their decision, as they’re a different beast to drive and you need to get used its idiosyncrasies, one being the constant whirring noise.There were some issues with the CVT in early T31 X-Trails due to a bearing that was overloaded and prone to failure, and Nissan replaced many transmissions. Listen for odd metallic noises coming from the gearbox during your road test.Another problem reported on a number of diesel models is the failure of he DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter). They’re expensive to replace if you have to.The engines use a timing chain, which means there is no requirement for regular replacement.When new, the X-Trail carried a warranty of three years/ 100,000km.MORE: If anything crops up, you’ll probably find it on our Nissan X-Trail problems.Michael Liagourdis: My 2012 Nissan X-Trail Ti 4WD auto has 93,000km on the clock and has been trouble free. It’s great cruising on the highway, and it is impressive off-road. The 2.5-litre petrol engine is both fuel-efficient and smooth. Overall it’s a fun vehicle and a pleasure to drive.Ken Collins: I have a 2012 X-Trail and I love it. I’m tall, but it’s easy to get in and out, it’s great on petrol, has a ton of power, and is great to drive, especially long distances.Ross Weldon: I have been an X-Trail owner for 13 years; the latest is a 2012 ST-L. I wanted a good highway cruiser that could go off-road when required, and the X-Trail fills the bill perfectly. It is easy to enter and exit, has one of the biggest cargo areas in their class, and the fit and finish is spot on.Rigby Gilbert: My 2008 TS diesel manual is my second X-Trail. It has now done 160,000km and is still running as well as ever. The first was a petrol model, but I find the diesel relaxing to drive when towing and the fuel consumption when towing improved.Ian & Rae Singleton: We bought our 2011 X-Trail manual because we wanted easy access in and out of the car. It’s done 43,000km, none off-road, and it has been very reliable, easy to drive and gets good fuel economy on the open road. There’s nothing glamorous about it, but it’s a good, reliable and simple SUV.Roomy, practical family wagon that’s at home on the road and off.

The X-Trail was a compact SUV designed to appeal to those looking for a vehicle that blended bush with the ’burbs.

When the fifth-generation Honda Civic hit the road in the early 1990s, it was still years away when Australians abandon their big-car for something smaller.

The Honda Civic offers buyers of used small cars a little more than the rest; it also has a reputation for quality and design innovation that sets it apart in the eyes of small car buyers.

The seventh gen Honda Civic was more staid than sporty compared to its forebears, but remained a popular small car, with front-wheel drive and five seats. A sound choice if you buy one in top shape.

Honda has long had a reputation for building high quality prestige cars that are packed with technology. The front-wheel drive Civic is one of its most popular; it’s been a mainstay of the company’s range since it was introduced here in 1973, and the eighth generation model introduced in 2006 continued that

Honda has long used its involvement in motorsport to promote an image of prestige, quality, superior technology, and a sporty driving experience in all its models.

Holden Captiva is a medium-large SUV that is imported from a General Motors factory in South Korea. It has a lot of Australian input in its body styling and mechanical components. Interestingly, the Captiva is offered in two different body styles, with the Maxx having a sporty look and five seats. The others are built as five or seven-seaters. The third row seats are larger than those in many of Captiva’s competitors but are still better suited to children than adults. It can carry adults in moderate comfort, though ideally not on long trips. Storage space when all seven seats are in place is very restricted. This is not unusual in this class, but check for yourself if you’re planning to use all seats for people. The rear seats can the folded down in various ways, when all are flat, you have up to 1565 litres of luggage space. There are a number of smaller stowage compartments including a large wet/dry area beneath the load compartment floor. Interior storage is excellent, with seatback pockets; a glovebox cooler; front and rear centre console storage; door bins; drink holders; and an overhead sunglasses holderWhen introduced in launched in 2007 the only Captiva powerplant was a 3.2-litre V6 petrol built in Australia by Holden. The engine was shipped to the South Korean factory to be installed in Captivas used on many global markets. A 2.0-litre diesel engine was added to the range a few months later.Initially all Captivas had a part-time 4WD system, with drive normally being to the front wheels and the rear wheels being engaged when extra traction was demanded. The 4WD system is well engineered and the Holden Captiva can tackle some quite tough off-road areas as it has good approach and departure angles. While Holden Captiva is not a heavy-duty 4WD but can go surprisingly far in the hands of an experienced operator.A 2WD version, driven through the front wheels, was introduced in December 2009. Called the Captiva 5 and using the Maxx style body it’s a powered by a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. A five-speed automatic with manual overrides was the only transmission until the arrival of the Captiva 5, which is offered with a six-speed manual as well as the automatic transmission. The automatics were upgraded to six forward ratios with the introduction of a facelifted Captiva in February 2011.All Captiva models come with electronic stability control, ABS brakes with brake assist, traction control, active rollover protection and descent control. There are dual front airbags in all models with side curtain airbags optional in the lower cost models and standard on the others.Holden dealers operate in most areas of Australia and most are likely to carry the more common spare parts for the Captiva. Other components can usually be shipped in within a couple of working days. Prices are often lower than average for an imported vehicle in this class.Parts and servicing costs are reasonable and the relatively simple layout of the Captiva means the good amateur mechanic can do a fair bit of their own work. Safety related items should only be worked on by professionals.Insurance costs are pretty reasonable and we haven’t seen a big variation between companies. However, it’s always smart to shop around for the best deal making sure that you’re comparing apples with apples when doing so.Check for rust in the lower area of the body and in a Captiva that may have been used on the beach. Look over the interior for signs of dirt having been ground into carpets. Similarly, check for damage and/or stains on the seats. Look for off-road damage to the bumper corners, the door sills and for light scratches in the paintwork on the doors and the front guards. If the load area has been used to cart heavy gear and/or has been damaged by poor loading and/or fastening there could be severe damage to the carpets. Again, signs of sand may be bad news.Engines that are slow to start or blow smoke when worked hard may be due for major repairs.Automatic transmissions that don’t go into Drive quickly when moved from Neutral or Reverse may need servicing.If living in a remote area it’s a good idea to check that trained mechanics are locally available before going too deeply into your choice of vehicle.

Transporting a family, particularly a large one, often means sacrifices have to be made in areas like performance, comfort and convenience.

The Honda Integra had the same soft image as most other Japanese sports coupes until the sleek model that came out in 1993 turned it into a credible power player.  The transformation had a far-reaching effect on the industry and resulted in several competent coupes from other car companies.  The transformation came mostly in the form of Honda's clever VTEC powerplant.An all-purpose engine, it overcame the limitations of its low capacity with an innovative system that varied valve timing and intake tract length.  The result was bags of torque at low speeds for smooth drivability, miserly fuel consumption, and a powerful punch for plenty of get-up-and-go at higher speeds.The new coupe was a stylish, front-wheel-drive, three-door hatch.  It had a new body that was much stiffer than its predecessor, providing a stable foundation for the sort of sharp responsive handling the Integra would become renowned for.There were two models:The GSi was a combination of sporty styling and a flexible 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine, with the choice of a five-speed manual gearbox or four-speed auto transmission.  It had multi-point electronic fuel injection and put out a respectable 107kW.The hot VTi-R's VTEC motor was a revelation. The 1.8-litre engine had twin camshafts with four valves per cylinder and electronic multipoint fuel-injection. It cleverly varied the valve timing and intake manifold length for optimum performance right through the rev range.The result was a peak power of 125kW at a heady 7300 revs and a top torque of 173Nm at 6200 revs. In practice, this meant low-end punch for smooth drivability and efficient running that was not compromised in the pursuit of top-end power.The VTi-R was remarkably smooth and tractable around town, where it would roll along smoothly and unfussed, but when you opened the throttle and asked for it to perform it would, and how!Before the Subaru WRX there wasn't much better than the Integra VTi-R on our roads.  There was no doubt Honda intended the Integra, in its VTi-R guise at least, to be a full-on performance car.The spirited engine was enough to convey that message to anyone who cared to use their right foot.  It was complemented by sharp and responsive handling courtesy of the VTi-R's sports suspension, but it also came with a hard ride that made it difficult to live with day in day out.Inside, the Integra was a little cramped, and its dark trim colours made it a little gloomy.  But it was well equipped. The GSi featured an adjustable steering column, central locking, power windows and mirrors, power steering, a radio cassette sound system with four speakers, and a sunroof.A driver's airbag was added in 1994 and ABS became standard in 1998. Extras included airconditioning, a CD player and a rear spoiler.  In addition to the GSi features, the VTi-R had standard ABS brakes, a driver's airbag, alloy wheels and sports suspension.Hondas generally enjoy respect from mechanics who universally praise their quality and reliability, and the Integra is no exception.  Before the arrival of the prestige Japanese brands such as Lexus, Honda was regarded as the best Japanese carmaker, and mechanics are happy to report they remain solid and reliable even with high mileage.One mechanic even went so far as to say 300,000km was well within their reach without any real loss of integrity.  But Honda has some of the most expensive spares in the business, so you need to be prepared for a big spend if something does go amiss.  It is also worth asking for a service record.Honda engines are not free-spinning and a cam timing belt failure, breakage or jumping can lead to expensive engine damage. Check that the belt has been changed at the recommended intervals.Metallic paint can be difficult to match so look for mismatches that might indicate crash damage. Check plastic bumpers for chips and scratches that are expensive to fix.  Inside, expect to find heavy wear on the side bolsters of the sports seats and wear on the carpet.Otherwise the interior stands up well with quality plastic parts that do not distort.  Belt up: Check for a verifiable service record that shows regular cam belt changes.Metal guru: Metallic paint can be difficult to match so look for mismatches.Chip packet: Check plastic bumpers for chips and scratches that can be expensive to fix.High miler: The chassis holds up well even after a lot of kilometres.Wear with all: Expect to find heavy wear on the side bolsters of the sports seats, and wear on the carpet underfoot.