Blog Tag: Wagon

Family cars under $30,000. (NO SUVs)

SUVs may be all the rage right now, but it’s important to remember how good a family car can be. Unless you’re planning on doing some off-roading or need a higher seating position, a car is generally nicer to drive than an SUV, it should cost less to run and maintain, and can be just as safe and practical. But which cars make the best family transport for under $30,000? Here are our top 5 picks:

5. Honda Accord V6L (2017-current)

From a manufacturer renowned for exceptional engineering, the Honda Accord has been around in one form or another since 1976. For $30,000, you’ll be looking at ninth-generation 2013-2017 Accords and we highly recommend finding a post-facelift 2016 or 2017 V6L.

 

The engine is silky smooth and with 206kW, it’s also responsive and fun to drive. They have an excellent ride quality and the handling makes the Accord genuinely engaging to drive. The interior is spacious and beautifully laid out and the boot is huge. Plus, these things look and feel far more expensive than they are.

4. Subaru Legacy/Liberty 3.6R sedan/wagon (2014-2019)

In 4th place, here in Australia we call them a Liberty, everywhere else they’re called a Legacy.

 

Regardless of what they’re called, they’re bloody good. For $30,000, you’ll be able to find a sixth-generation 2014-2019 Liberty or Legacy and we’d recommend going for a 3.6R.

 

These 6-cylinder Subaru engines were great when first introduced back in the late 90s but now they’ve been refined and improved through the years, they’re a superb power plant.

 

Yes they can be a bit thirsty but when combined with Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system and performance-oriented suspension tune, the Liberty feels supremely safe, confident on road and incredibly enjoyable to drive.

3. Toyota Camry SL V6 (2018-now)

In third, they might be a little boring, incredibly sensible, and the automotive equivalent to buying a microwave, it’s the Toyota Camry.

 

From another brand renowned for superb engineering and mechanical reliability, for $30,000, the Camry we’d recommend is an eighth and still current generation in the SL trim spec with the 3.5-litre V6.

 

Ok, finding one of these for $30,000 could be a challenge but they are out there, they just may require some haggling. This current-gen Camry received a host of mechanical and equipment updates, a new platform equates to more interior space and a huge boot.

 

The all new 3.5i-litre V6 is silky smooth, pumps out an impressive 224kW and even sounds great. Safety tech is top notch, infotainment is hugely improved over earlier models and while the Hybrid variant is the way to go for fuel savings, the V6 will handle the weight of kids and their stuff more convincingly and is more fun to drive.

2. Lexus GS350 F Sport (2011-2015)

Bringing some luxury to the list, in second place, it’s the Lexus GS350 and in particular the F Sport. Ok, GS350 F Sports at this price will have quite a few kilometres on them but being a Lexus, that shouldn’t make much of a difference.

 

The GS350 in standard form is an exceptionally good car. Precision Japanese engineering, superb reliability and typical Toyota and Lexus build quality but the F Sport adds just the right amount of flair.

 

Equipped with a huge array of electronic gadgetry including a high-end 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, Head-Up Display and a super-sized 12.3-inch infotainment screen plus for the kids, the back seat is spacious and comfortable.

 

Plus it looks cool, drives incredibly well, the ride and handling more than matches its European rivals and it exudes a class and sophistication that will surely help when dropping the kids off at school.

1. Mazda 6 GT Wagon (2018-current)

In first place, it was a tough call between this car and the Lexus in 2nd, but for its practicality, we have to give the top spot to the 2018 Mazda 6 GT Wagon. We highly recommend trying to find one of these with the 2.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, which for $30,000, may be a challenge but trust us, they are out there and the hunt will be worth it.

 

The Mazda 6 GT Wagon is a fantastic car, it looks great, the interior is beautifully designed, challenging even more expensive luxury cars, the wagon form is supremely practical, the levels of tech and safety are excellent and with the turbo petrol engine, it has performance abilities to match its near perfect ride and handling. And being a Mazda, the build quality is superb and reputation for reliability is near faultless. We’ve seen this with our CX5 and Mazda 3 reviews, they have fantastic longevity.

 

In the market for a used car? Check out all our ReDriven Cheat Sheets.

 

Find all our video reviews over on YouTube.

 

NOTE: This article was originally published in June 2021, so some pricing information may have changed.

Sleepers (Looks normal, goes fast)

 

There’s not much cooler in the world of cars than the sleeper. A car that has the ability to wipe the floor with even the fastest supercars yet looks totally normal and completely understated. And there have been a host of awesome sleepers available over the years, but which do we think are the best? Here’s the ReDriven Top 5.

5. VW Golf R Wagon (Mk7 and 7.5)

In fifth, we had to have a wagon in this list, but will it be the only wagon? It’s the Mk7 Volkswagen Golf R wagon.

 

It may be able to hit 100 km/h from a standstill in just a touch under 5 seconds in standard form, but tweak the engine just a small amount and the Golf R Wagon will be embarrassing all but the very fastest cars out there.

 

Add to that its immense traction with a very intelligent all-wheel system, lightning-fast gear changes via its DSG transmission, and superb handling, and this brutally fast practical wagon will still fly under the radar as it looks nearly identical to a standard Golf wagon.

4. Audi RS6 Sedan (C6 2008-2010)

Still dabbling in the Volkswagen family tree, our 4th place winner is already well known for being a fast wagon, but it’s the sedan version that really nails the sleeper criteria. It’s the 2008 to 2010 C6 Audi RS6 sedan.

 

The recipe was insane but brilliant. Take the V10 engine from a Lamborghini Gallardo, bolt two turbos on it to make it the most powerful Audi engine to date, and then stick it in what essentially looked like a slightly lowered A6 fitted with some nice wheels.

 

But, Audi actually left some of the engine’s potential on the table, with a simple software tune, the standard 571 hp can be increased to around 650 hp, it is a weapon. Plus, only 1500 C6 RS6 sedans were ever produced, compared to the almost common, 14,000 Gallardos.

3. BMW M550i xDrive (2018-2021)

In third place, and like 5th and 4th, it’s another German, it’s the BMW M550i xDrive. The M550i recently received a boost in power, like it even needed it, going from 456 hp to 523 hp.

 

This propels the classy BMW from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds. To put that into perspective, the iconic and ballistic McLaren F1 does the same 0 – 100 km/h sprint in 3.2 seconds, so this thing, with its 5 seats, multi-zone climate control, enormous boot, and lovely stereo, is just a smidge over half a second slower to 100 km/h than a multi-million dollar hypercar, incredible.

 

And then there are the looks, or lack of looks, as while it is undeniably a very attractive car, it looks almost identical to a base spec 5 series. And because 5 series BMWs are commonly driven by people that are, well, old, no one is going to expect it to have “rip your face off” levels of performance.

2. Volvo V70R (2000 – 2007)

No one is expecting these to be fast, it’s another wagon, it’s from Sweden, it’s the second-gen 2000 to 2007 Volvo V70R.

 

Ok, compared to the power levels the previous 3 cars had, the 300 hp V70R may seem a little on the weak side but where the Volvo beats the Germans is in its under the radar appeal.

 

Short of those in the know, hardly anyone is expecting a Volvo station wagon to be bloody fast and like the Golf R Wagon, with a few tasty tuning mods, these things can be seriously capable.

 

Add to it all wheel drive traction and sports tuned suspension but a massive boot, leather interior and that very cool Swedish design aesthetic and this is one awesome sleeper.

 

Plus, if you want one, they’re now really affordable, if you can find one for sale.

 

1. Ford Falcon G6E Turbo (2008 – 2014)

First, and look yes we’re getting a bit patriotic here but these things are seriously quick and bloody boring to look at, making them the perfect sleeper. In first place, it’s the Ford Falcon G6E Turbo.

 

If you’re into cars at all you’ll most likely know that Ford’s turbo charged 6 cylinder Barra engine, even when completely standard, is a weapon of a power plant.

 

But, with only minimal mods, these things can produce deep into the 500hp range and with some more serious modifications, they’ll easily top 1000hp.

 

Now, here in Australia, the Falcon was commonly associated with being a taxi or a hire car, and many Falcons were sold as part of fleet car packages for local businesses and governments and councils.

 

The G6E added some leather and chrome touches to make them feel a little classier but to have a car that looks so plain and unassuming yet is powered by this monster of an engine, surely must be one of the all time great sleepers.

 

Check out our review of the Golf R Wagon.

 

In the market for a used car? Check out all our ReDriven Cheat Sheets.

 

Find all our video reviews over on YouTube.

Cars under $3000

 

Surely any car under $3 grand is going to be a dodgy piece of crap but if you think that, you’d be…well look most of the time, you’d be exactly right, but, there are some great bargains to be had under $3 grand and here are our top 5.

5. Suzuki Swift

In fifth place it’s the Suzuki Swift. Finding one of these for less than 3 grand might be a challenge, but it’ll be worth it.

 

For this budget you’ll be looking at 2005 to 2007 Swifts and they’ll most likely have loads of kilometres on them, which look, as long as they have a healthy service history, isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

 

These Swifts are super fun to drive, they look pretty cool, they are proving to be a really reliable thing and are inexpensive to run. 

 

Negatives, well the boot isn’t the biggest and like any car in this price range, if they haven’t been cared for could spell trouble. So it’s critical to check the service history and make sure you have inspected by a licensed mechanic before you hand over your cash.

 

4. Toyota Corolla

Of course the Toyota Corolla was going to make the list but it’s all the way down in 4th place.

 

Now for $3000, you’re going to be presented with a wide range of various Corolla generations and variants but the one to search for is a 2001 to 2007 ninth-generation E120 Corolla and in the best variant trim and condition you can afford.

 

These Corollas will be available as a 5-door hatch or 4-door wagon or sedan in four trim levels, all powered by a near bulletproof 1.8 litre 4-cylinder engine.

 

We say near bulletproof because while they do have an excellent reputation for reliability and longevity, with many Corollas still running strongly after well over 400,000kms, a thorough service history is really important.

 

In fact, we’d go as far as recommending an extremely high kilometre but regularly serviced Corolla over a lower kilometre Corolla that has hardly any service history at all.

 

3. Subaru Forester

We couldn’t just have a list of small hatchbacks because even though the budget is $3000, what if you need more space and more adventure ability than what a small hatch can offer?

 

Luckily our third place getter fits that criteria perfectly, it’s the Subaru Forester.

 

But, for this budget, there’s a very specific Forester you should be hunting for. You’ll want the first-generation 1997 to 2002 Forester with the 2-litre engine. 

 

We cannot say this strongly enough, you want the 2-litre engine, not the later models 2.5 litre, trust us, get the older 2-litre.

 

The 2.5 litre engines at this price point will most likely have some gremlins lurking around the cylinder heads and that will result in a very expensive repair bill. The 2-litre, at this budget is a far safer and stronger option.

 

Yes, these Foresters have a bit of an appetite for oil and can be a bit thirsty when it comes to fuel but you get the safety and adventure prowess of Subaru’s permanent symmetrical all-wheel drive, really good ride quality, an enjoyable driving experience, great practicality and some relatively tough looks. When compared to the other cars in this list anyway.

 

2. Mazda 3

In second place, and yes finding a good one with this budget will be a challenge, it’s the first-generation 2004 to 2009 Mazda 3.

 

Available as either a 4-door sedan or 5-door hatch, the gen-3 is a cracker of a car.

 

Attractive styling, great performance and dynamic handling mixed with practicality, reliability and a decent level of safety makes the 3 a standout at this price point.

 

Like the Corolla, don’t let high kilometres scare you as long as it has a solid service history. But if that service history has as many holes as a fresh crumpet, maybe walk away.

 

1. Toyota Echo

Taking out this top 5, it’s tiny, it’s quirky, it’s a little bubble of fun, it’s the 2001 to 2005 XP10 Toyota Echo.

 

These are available as either a 3- or 5-door hatch or a 4-door sedan but steer clear of the sedan unless you’re ok with people laughing behind your back because they are bloody ugly.

 

The one to get is the 1.5 litre Sportivo, because these things are truly a ball of fun to drive, plus like the slightly more sensible 1.3-litre variants, they are incredibly reliable and even if something does go wrong, it’ll cost next to nothing to repair.

 

Yes they are small but around town they’re hilarious to drive, easy to park and with the rear seats folded down, can be pretty practical.

 

We’ve reviewed versions of the Mazda 3, Suzuki Swift Sport, Subaru Forester & Toyota Corolla.

 

In the market for a used car? Check out all our ReDriven Cheat Sheets.

 

Find all our video reviews over on YouTube.

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