Blog Category: Top 5

Most underrated used cars

 

Why don’t people make a bigger deal about these cars? Maybe it’s that they were ahead of their time or maybe the marketing department dropped the ball, but here are our top 5 most underrated used cars.

5. Kia Pro_cee’d GT

In fifth place, it’s the Kia Pro_cee’d GT. While this isn’t exactly a hot hatch, it’s definitely on the hotter side of warm.

 

150kW of power and 265Nm of torque in a superbly balanced, beautifully designed yet practical hatch body from a manufacturer that’s quickly becoming renown for excellent quality and reliability, what’s not to love. 

 

Throw in the fact that these can be had for as little as $14,000 and it seems crazy more people aren’t snapping these up. Also, I have it on good authority that if you ‘massage’ the ECU on these, they come alive, I think I want one.

 

4. Honda Accord Euro (Acura TSX)

In 4th it’s the Honda Accord Euro. This is one of the first cars that truly blended Japanese reliability and engineering expertise with European styling and good looks.

 

These things are the car equivalent to fitting a bulletproof Japanese Seiko watch movement in a stylish European Omega watch body and now 15 years on, can be had for the car equivalent of Casio watch prices.

 

That’s right, these beautifully designed, fun to drive, practical and incredibly reliable sedans are asking as low as $5000.

 

Sure they’re lacking in modern tech, may not be as safe as even the cheapest modern hatchbacks and aren’t going to set any land speed or acceleration records but now that they’re so affordable, and still so good, why have they been forgotten?

 

3. Ford Kuga

Now in third place it’s the Ford Escape. This thing has a very punchy turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, it’s all-wheel drive, it’s a compact yet stylish European SUV that’s fun to drive and has a full leather interior. Why aren’t more people buying these?

 

Maybe Ford’s marketing department just dropped the ball on this one because, as long as you get the 2-litre ecoboost variant, these things tick so many boxes. But, it seems like everyone has forgotten they exist.

 

It’s ultra practical and its leather-lined interior is a lovely place to be yet, even when standard, is respectably quick and awesome to drive

 

Like the Kia in 5th place, we have it on good authority that even with some mild attention paid to the ECU, this thing can put out over 230kW and over 500Nm of torque, that’s properly quick. 

 

2. Lexus IS350

In second place it’s the second generation Lexus IS350. Even when new, this thing was often overlooked and even then it made no sense because it was and still is truly one of the most complete packages for a car in its class.

 

What’s not to love about the IS350. A powerful, smooth and refined 233kW V6 engine, excellent driving dynamics that can become genuinely fun when pushed, superb value for money, stylish good looks that are ageing gracefully and the peace of mind that comes with Toyota, sorry Lexus reliability.

 

Here in Australia, these second-generation IS350s will set you back at worst 30 grand but we’ve seen good examples go for as low as 17 grand. 

 

Sure these are pushing 10 years old now but remember these things were around 70 thousand dollars when new, so 20 grand for such a superb car feels like a bargain to us.

 

1. Mazda 6

Now in first place, thanks to everyone falling in love with SUVs over the last few years, these brilliant cars are far too often ignored, it’s the Mazda 6.

 

In particular we’re talking about the face-lifted and turbocharged 2018 to current Mazda 6 Atenza or GT spec 6s.

 

Seriously, go drive one of these and tell us it isn’t on par or if not better than a load of luxury brand alternatives costing tens of thousands of dollars more.

 

Plus with Mazda’s excellent reputation for reliability and longevity, the 6 will probably outlast its more expensive European competitors

 

Actually, check out our Mazda 3 and Mercedes S-Class reviews to see how a Mazda hatch could teach even the flagship Merc a thing or two about interior quality.

 

We can’t put this strongly enough, the Mazda 6 deserves far more attention than it receives and if you’re in the market for a used 3 Series BMW or C-Class Merc, go check these out before you hand over your cash.

 

We’ve reviewed versions of the Kia Pro_Cee’d GT, Ford Kuga & Honda Accord Euro.

 

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

 

Find all our video reviews over on YouTube.

Most overrated used cars

 

We just don’t get it. These are the cars that everyone raves on about but in reality, they’re actually pretty bloody average at best.

Either they are unreliable or they’re well below average to drive and live with or they’re just not worthy of their hype. Here’s our top 5 most overrated cars on the used car market.

5. Minis

In fifth place, Minis. Ok this one hurts because I kinda love these things, I love the aesthetic and what they’re all about but, once you remove all the image and quirkiness, they’re just, not very good.

 

But which Mini? Well, all of them.

 

We get it, they’re funky and cool and there’s not much else on the road like them but that is all novelty and look, novelty wears off.

 

What you’re left with is a car that really isn’t that well made, is becoming renowned for having some very serious mechanical issues and excluding any of the really rare performance models, will depreciate like crazy.

 

As far as what goes boom, CVT automatic transmissions fail, timing chains fail resulting in incredibly expensive engine failures, water pumps fail, many of the engine components are plastic and they tend to fail over time, there are radiator support problems, power steering problems and a whole host of electronic and computer issues.

 

Then there’s the depreciation. A 2020 Countryman Cooper S is going to set you back around 65 grand, you know how much a 2015 version of that car is, a little over 25 grand.

 

So it’s lost $40,000 in value in just over 5 years which might be ok if it was some groundbreaking incredible car, but they’re just not.

 

4. BMW X6M

 In fourth it’s a car that is despised by motoring journalists around the world yet people still buy them and people It’s the BMW X6 and in particular the X6M.

 

The X6M is an SUV that is utterly useless at being an SUV, drinks fuel like it genuinely hates the environment, depreciates like the Titanic floats and if driven enthusiastically, is building quite the reputation for being a mechanical nightmare, which means you should avoid doing the one and only thing the X6M is good at. 

 

And then there are those looks, which yes, are subjective, but in my opinion, the X6 is genuinely one of the all time ugly cars.

 

Because it’s based on the X5, which is not a sleek design by nature, the sloped roofline on the X6 makes the whole thing just look bulbous and awkward.

 

Plus that sloping roofline eats into your cargo space, and creates the mother of all blind spots.

 

If you really need a fast BMW SUV, buy an X5M, you’ll still have all the mechanical gremlins and plummeting depreciation but at least people won’t laugh at you.

 

3. Maserati Ghibli

In third place it’s the Maserati Ghibli. Many excuse these things because they are Italian and they have heritage and pedigree, it’s just a shame that nothing else about them matches the romance.

 

On paper it sounds great, a rear-wheel drive, leather-lined Italian styled sports sedan with a Ferrari-engineered power plant from luxury brand Maserati. But in reality, it was a horrendously thrown together dog of a car from the Fiat Chrysler group.

 

While it sourced its engine from Ferrari, pretty much everything else was from various Jeeps, Dodges and Chryslers and these are companies not exactly renowned for quality or reliability, hence why the Ghibli is truly horrific when it comes to things that go wrong.

 

Then there are the ergonomics. Anyone larger than a toddler will struggle for room in the back seat and up front, because the Ghibli is basically a concoction of various bits and pieces from other cars, nothing feels right, or in many cases, works as they should.

 

Then there’s the fact that even though Ferrari helped with the engine, the Ghibli is not actually all that fast, and it doesn’t drive all that well, especially when compared to its competition.

 

Finally, because these things are genuinely terrible, the depreciation is horrific. Back in 2015 a new Ghibli with a few options would have cost you over $150,000 here in Australia, these days (back in 202 when this was written) a 2015 Ghibli, will cost around 50 grand. So it’s lost two thirds of its value in just over 5 years or putting it another way, about $415 a week. What a joke.

 

2. Old School Mustangs

In second place it’s the first-generation, 1964 to 1973 Ford Mustang. We’re talking about the base model, inline 6-cylinder, not the V8s…..which, also aren’t all that great.

 

There’s no denying the Mustang is cool, it looks incredible and thanks to Steve McQueen and Carol Shelby, the Mustang has become one of the all-time iconic cars.

 

But, and this comes from experience, unless it’s been modified to a point where it’s hardly a Mustang anymore, in our opinion, they drive like utter crap and just do not live up to all the hype.

 

Firstly they are slow, a base model Hyundai i20 would leave it for dust, the ride quality is somehow harsh and floaty at the same time, the steering is more a suggestion than a tool to actually turn the car, the build quality is a joke and it will need constant repair.

 

I’ve driven a bunch of old school Mustangs and after the 15 minutes of romance and novelty wears off, I’ve just always been left disappointed and feeling totally underwhelmed when driving these things.

 

And it’s not an age thing because every time I drive an old 911 or Alfa Romeo of the same vintage, I’m generally blown away and trying to work out which internal organs I can sell to buy one.

 

Again, sorry, but old school Mustangs, excluding the fire-breathing ones, are massively overrated.

 

1. Range Rovers

In first place, it’s Range Rovers.

 

The sad thing about our top pick is the engineering that goes into these to make them incredibly capable deserves to be applauded, it’s just a shame they have a real habit of falling apart.

 

And even though you could probably steer it up and over Mount Everest while keeping cozy and safe, the vast majority of these are purchased as a status symbol or fashion accessory.

 

When we were doing the research for this list, we quizzed mechanics and automotive engineers and went through dozens of consumer satisfaction reports, vehicle reliability reports, and the car that consistently came out worst, Range Rover.

 

But even though people keep buying them, which Range Rover or Range Rovers should you avoid?

 

Well, we’d steer clear of the Evoque, the Range Rover Sport, the Discovery Sport, the Velar, the Discovery and the range-topping Land Rover Range Rover. Actually, I think that’s the entire line-up…

 

Yes, they look stunning, they’ll probably be great for your image and when they work, they’re a joy to drive. But, the looks will fade, serious things will start going wrong, which will be very bad for your bank account, and you won’t get to enjoy driving it because it will spend most of its life up on a hoist in some mechanic’s workshop. Plus the depreciation is insane!

 

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

 

Find all our video reviews over on YouTube.

 

Worst family SUVs Under $35,000

 

So you need an SUV to lug your kids, their friends and all their stuff around. If your priorities are that this SUV needs to be safe, reliable and dependable, then it sounds like you’re an excellent parent making responsible decisions.

But, if those priorities take a back seat to say, having a European badge, projecting a sense of superiority or having the ability to distract you from your immense lack of self esteem, steering you towards onlu a luxury SUV, then it sounds like you’re potentially a bad parent and you’re probably not going to like this list. Here are the Top 5 worst family SUVs under $35,000

 

5. Audi Q7

In fifth place, it’s the Audi Q7. While it might share its platform with the likes of the Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Urus and Porsche Cayenne, don’t be fooled into thinking that premium badge translates into premium quality.

 

For under 35 grand you’ll be looking at first-gen 2005 to 2015 Q7s. Unfortunately, we have read and heard countless reports of these Q7s suffering various electronic issues from just not starting to randomly going into limp home mode, to screens and infotainment systems just turning off to drive system errors, to start stop systems failing, even to parking sensors being faulty from new.

 

Then there are the multiple reports of diesel particulate filter faults, various oil and coolant leaks and ECU gremlins.

 

Also, don’t be fooled by the whole ‘made in Germany’ quality thing because Q7 was made in Slovakia, Russia or India.

 

4. Mercedes Benz ML350

In fourth place, another luxury German SUV that isn’t made in Germany, actually it’s not even made in Europe, it’s made in India, Indonesia, Thailand or the US, it’s the Mercedes Benz ML350

 

For 35 grand you’ll be looking at 2012 to 2015 ML350s and according to multiple consumer reports, the ML350 is one of the most complained about and problem riddled Mercedes Benzs of all time.

 

Oil leaks, electronic issues, transmission failures, melted motor mounts, stretched timing chains, and reports of these things just randomly giving up and stopping are common.

 

Then you have the cost of labour which is huge.

 

See, because Mercedes fits all the engine stuff into this beautifully engineered tight little unit to make it super efficient to manufacture, the problem is, getting into that tight little unit to fix all the stuff that goes wrong is incredibly difficult and takes loads of time and time is money, so repairing these, it generally costs a fortune.

 

3. BMW X5 

In third place, it’s yet another German Luxury SUV that, isn’t made in Germany. This one is from Mexico, Russia or the US, it’s the BMW X5… and… X6, but unless your eyesight is at Stevie Wonder levels of accuracy, you’ll obviously avoid the X6 because it’s as ugly as F….

 

For 35 grand you’ll be looking at the second-generation E70 series X5 but which exact variant and configuration of X5 should you avoid, well, all of them.

 

Engine failures, transmission failures, water pumps fail, oil leaks, coolant leaks, ECU, computer and electronic problems, injectors fail, timing chains fail, valve stem seals leak. The issues just go on and on.

 

Plus parts cost a fortune and like the Mercedes in fourth place, the labour costs will be horrific.

 

Also did I mention the X6 is ugly as F…

 

2. Range Rover Sport

In second place, and wow… haven’t these things turned into utter crap, it’s the first-generation Range Rover Sport.

 

Yet another SUV wearing a luxury badge doing its best to con you into thinking it’s worthy of some inflated sense of superiority. When in reality, it regularly finishes at the bottom of customer satisfaction surveys. The Range Rover Sport’s issues are immense.

 

Major suspension issues, engine failures, the electrics are terrible, air conditionings fail, gearbox drivetrain and diffs all have major problems or fail. 

 

Then are the copious leaks from the engine, interior trim failures, sunroof and tailgates that leak are also known issues.

 

In general, these things are just shit. The parts cost a fortune and we know of reports where repair work can take weeks to both diagnose and fix so the labour costs will send you broke.

 

Not only that, when we were researching this list, it was hard to choose which Land Rover or Range Rover product to include as they all have horrendous reputations for reliability, no matter which model or generation. 

 

1. Jeep Grand Cherokee

If you’ve done any research on the net about these, it’ll start to feel like the words unreliable and Jeep Grand Cherokee fit together like wealthy and Bill Gates, it’s the Jeep Grand Cherokee in first place.

 

For under 35 grand, the ones to avoid are the 2011, 2014 and 2015 Grand Cherokees, oh and the 2012, 2013, 2016….actually they’re all pretty bloody horrible. What goes wrong, well what doesn’t go wrong…

 

Engines blow up, transmissions fail, there seem to be endless electronic and ECU issues, interior trim falls apart, exterior trim falls apart.

 

These things are so shit there was actually a class action lawsuit filed against Jeep regarding the Grand Cherokee.

 

Then you have Jeep’s truly horrendous reputation for after sales service, trust us, do not buy a Grand Cherokee.

 

We’ve reviewed versions the Audi Q7 and the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

 

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

 

Find all our video reviews over on YouTube.

 

Family SUVs under $35,000

 

We get it, you’ve got a bunch of kids, they have a bunch of friends, they’ve all got a bunch of scooters and you need to haul them all around.

 

But, you’re not ready to announce to the world that you’ve given up on life and become a glorified taxi driver for your offspring and their accessories.

You’re still cool, you still have some style and you need a car that communicates that, but it still needs to be practical, reliable and dependable and not cost more than $35 grand. Here’s our top 5.

 

5. Toyota Kluger

In fifth place, it’s the Toyota Kluger or if you’re not in Australia, it’s a Toyota Highlander.

 

For 35 grand, the variants to go for are 2014 to 2018 models in either all-wheel drive, mid-spec GXLs or front-wheel-drive top-spec Grandes.

 

Klugers, or Highlanders, have been a sales success due to their ability to swallow 7 humans pretty easily with their practical and efficient use of space, good looks and Toyota’s reputation for reliability and their incredible support network. But it’s last on our list for a reason, a few reasons actually.  

 

Firstly the infotainment system is rubbish, yes it can be upgraded with an aftermarket system but the lack of Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and even any decent navigation system just isn’t good enough.

 

Then you have the lack of USB ports. If you’ve got a bunch of kids, you’re going to need a bunch of USB ports, all over the car. These things have 1 USB port and it’s towards the front of the car in the centre console.

 

And finally, yes that V6 engine is smooth, refined and reliable but once you’ve loaded up with a few kids and all their stuff, the big Toyota can feel heavy and cumbersome to drive. Plus, it has quite the appetite for fuel, especially once it’s loaded up.

 

4. Kia Sorento

 

In fourth, sort of, it’s the Kia Sorrento. We’ll get to why it’s a ‘sort of’ soon.

 

The one to hunt for is a post-2017 Sorento Platinum as you’ll get all the lovely mid-life update editions to what is already a superb family hauler. 

 

A budget of 35 grand may require some serious haggling but it’ll be worth it.

 

The Sorento is loaded with kit, it’s lovely to drive, it’s spacious, safe, fuel efficient, it’s ageing really well in terms of fit and finish, it’s showing superb reliability and thanks to ex-Audi designer extraordinaire Peter Schreyer, it looks very stylish too.

 

Add to that Kia’s 7 year warranty and what’s not to love, which brings us to why it sort of came 4th.

 

3. Hyundai Santa Fe

See, we pretty much had a tie between 3rd and 4th place as these two SUVs are very nearly the same thing. In 3rd, by the tiniest of margins, is the Hyundai Santa Fe.

 

Hyundai and Kia are two brands owned by the one parent company and under the skin, the Santa Fe and Sorrento are incredibly similar and they share a lot of common underlying engineering.

 

So what pushed the Santa Fe ahead of the Sorrento in this top 5?

 

Well with a budget of $35 grand, it’s going to be easier to get behind the wheel of an updated 2016 to 2018 top-spec Santa Fe Highlander than it will be a Sorento Platinum. You might still need to haggle, but it should be much easier to get in the Hyundai.

 

Like the Sorento Platinum, the Santa Fe Highlander is drenched in equipment, safety tech and an intelligent use of its interior space. 

 

Its drivetrain is refined and reliable and its locally-tuned suspension makes for a comfy and bloody enjoyable driving experience.

 

The Hyundai Santa Fe does just about everything right.

 

2. Mitsubishi Pajero

Now, in second, we felt we needed to include a more adventure ready SUV on the list, something that can easily tow a boat or climb a mountain in the middle of nowhere, something that really embraces the SUV name.  It’s the Mitsubishi Pajero.

 

If you’re after a civilised, refined urban runabout that can accommodate a bunch of humans and tackle some very light off-roading, maybe the Pajero isn’t for you.

 

But if you want a truly off-road-capable SUV with serious towing ability, a post-2015 GLS or Exceed Pajero should be at the pointy end of your list.

 

The Pajero has been around since the Pyramids of Egypt were just some pharos wild property development idea but in that time, Mitsubishi has tweaked, adjusted and honed the Pajero into a bulletproof, yet quite refined off-roading monster.

 

Plus the Pajero is about 20 grand cheaper than an equivalent Prado so it excels when it comes to value for money too.

 

1. Mazda CX-9

Taking out first place and let’s be honest, it’s the looker of this group, it’s the Mazda CX-9

 

The CX-9 provides a more luxurious fit and finish and offers more tech and a more engaging driving experience than the Kluger.

 

Its very clever turbocharged 2.5-litre four delivers really strong performance while still offering excellent fuel economy without having to turn to diesel like the Kia and Hyundai.

 

Its interior is more spacious, luxurious and comfortable than the Pajero and the whole car feels about 300 years newer, although the big Mitsubishi will take you much further off-road.

 

Plus now they’re populating the used car market, they offer incredible value for money.

 

The CX-9s to look for for under 35 grand are the 2016 CX-9 GT or Touring and preferably with all-wheel drive however, if you’re keeping on the black stuff, the front-wheel-drive variant is still a fantastic thing.

 

We’ve reviewed versions the Toyota Kluger and the Mitsubishi Pajero.

 

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

 

Find all our video reviews over on YouTube.

Coolest cars under $10,000

 

Cars that exude cool for less than $10 grand, can it be done? Look, it’s a stretch but I think we’ve got you covered for cool rides on the tightest of budgets. Here’s our Top 5

 

5. BMW E28

In fifth place, and if you want to see just how cool this car can be, go and watch Mission Impossible Fallout, it’s the E28 BMW 5 Series.

 

Why is the E28 so cool? Well to many, this is the golden era for BMW design and these days the E28 is pretty much the perfect size. Big enough to have presence and some aggression but small enough to exude that understated cool aesthetic.

 

Plus the E28 was the basis of the very first M5, a car that pretty much set the benchmark for all fast sedans that followed.

 

An E28 M5 is going to be way out of the $10,000 budget but $10 grand will get you into a pretty decent 535i or 528i.

 

4. Peugeot 504

In fourth place, this thing will make you look and feel like you’re living in a 1960s French arthouse film, it’s the Peugeot 504.

 

What makes the 504 so cool? Well firstly it was designed by Aldo Brovarone of Pininfarina and who’s he? Well he designed the Ferrari Dino so he knows a thing or two about designing cool classic cars.

 

Secondly, and like the E28 BMW, the 504 isn’t shouty or obnoxious in anyway, it just oozes that cool french je ne sais quoi but at the same time, the 504 has been praised for its quality, chassis balance, ride, strong engine and refinement.

 

10 grand will easily get you behind the wheel of a 504, with some money left over, to…ah fix the inevitable issues it will probably have.

 

3. Honda Civic

Now look, bear with us on this one, but I swear to you, these things are cool, and a little weird which just makes them cooler. In third, it’s the Honda Civic but, the really old one.

 

We needed a small car in this list but with old school Minis, Mk1 Golfs and Peugeot 205 GTis skyrocketing in price, the 10 grand budget requires some deeper digging to find gold when it comes to small cars. And when it comes to small and cool, the first-generation Civics from 1972 to 1979 are the picks.

 

Japanese made, retro styling and some genuine reliability, ignoring any potential rust issues, these little Civics are the car equivalent of a vintage Seiko or Casio watch.

 

They might not have the pedigree or image of an old mini, Volkswagen Mk1 Golf or Peugeot 205 GTi, but trust us, these early Civics are only getting cooler.

 

10 grand will get you either an immaculate original or restored Civic or a slightly shabby one with money left over to restore it yourself.

 

2. Volvo 142

In second place, this one is pretty cool when original but throw on some period correct aftermarket wheels, lower it a little and my god, it exudes cool. It’s the Volvo 142. 

 

It’s Swedish, which is cool. It’s a 2-door coupe version of a 4-door sedan, which is cool. It was made in the late 60s and early 70s, which is cool and it was the first Volvo to feature boxy styling, which is cool.

 

Plus more than a million 140 series Volvos were sold, they’re built like tanks and being a Volvo, they’re kinda safe, so that’s good.

 

Even 7 grand will get you into a 142 leaving some money left over to buy those wheels and suspension mods, very cool.

 

1. Mercedes Benz W123

In first place, and for us a clear winner for being the maximum amount of cool for the minimal money spent, its the W123 series Mercedes-Benz. Any of the 4-cylinder 230 or 6-cylinder 280 models are the ones to go for. 

 

What makes these things so cool? The W123 is classless. And what does that mean, well the W123 was both a firm favourite for the German taxi industry and the car of choice for the likes of John Lennon, the Bee Gees’ Barry Gibb and the Queen Mum.

 

Not only that, the W123 is arguably the epitome of Mercedes-Benz quality. It positively radiates Mercedes’ old-school ethos of absolute engineering integrity.

 

This superbly-engineered car was built for supreme comfort, safety and longevity yet still exudes class, sophistication and yes, an understated yet obvious cool.

 

10 grand should get you behind the wheel of a W123 and yes, it may require some TLC but it will be worth it. These things are just so cool.

 

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

 

Find all our video reviews over on YouTube.

Road trip cars under $15,000

What if you’re not ready to live in something the size of a walk in wardrobe but still want to travel and explore your own backyard without committing to buying a van.

What you need is a road trip car, and here’s our top 5 picks under $15 grand.

 

5. Honda CR-V

In fifth it’s the 2007 to 2012 Honda CRV

 

The one to get is fabric-trimmed, mid-spec Sport as the leather in the Luxury spec isn’t ageing all that well and in our opinion, the leather isn’t as comfy on a long trip.

 

The CRV makes for an enjoyable drive, it’s supremely practical with a huge boot, is quite fuel efficient and being a Honda, is extremely reliable.

 

Plus with on-demand all-wheel drive, will handle some off-road adventuring, as long as that off-road is basically just a dirt road, or a normal road with some dirt on it.

 

4. Kia Sorento

In fourth place, it’s the 2009 to 2014 Kia Sorento

 

The one to get is a diesel 4×4, preferably the top-spec platinum trim as this will get you excellent fuel efficiency for those long trips, a spacious and very comfy interior and the ability to do some off-road exploring with its all-wheel-drive system.

 

3. Toyota Kluger

In third it’s the 2007 to 2009 Toyota Kluger.

 

Like the Sorento, the one to get is a higher-spec, all-wheel-drive version like a KS-S or Grande and being a Toyota, these things are bullet proof and have an excellent support network.

 

Plus, the Klugers interior is spacious and comfy, the higher-spec models have loads of extras and they soak up kilometres with ease.

 

But, there is a negative, being powered by a V6 petrol engine means they’re not the most fuel efficient.

 

2. Nissan X-Trail

In second place it’s the T31 Nissan X-Trail

 

The one to get is the post-2010 Ti as you’ll not only get the full suite of X-Trail upgrades and features but you’ll get the X-Trails robust yet comfy interior, willing and efficient engine and, as long as you get a manual, as the CVT auto has had a few issues, pretty decent reliability.

 

On the used market, these T31 X-Trails offer great value for money and nails that balance between decent on-road dynamics and capable off-road ability.

 

1. Subaru Outback

If ever a car offered the perfect recipe for a road trip, it’s the Subaru Outback and for $15 grand, you’ll want a 2009 to 2014 3.6R Premium.

 

Even Outbacks from back in the late 90s and early naughties still make excellent road trip cars, but these 4th-generation Outbacks, especially with the superb 3.6 litre flat 6, exude refinement, quality and offer even more interior space than previous generations.

 

Throw in the fact the Outback steers and handles more like a car than an SUV yet still retains decent ground clearance and superb tractions with its symmetrical and constant all-wheel-drive system and you have yourself an excellent road trip car that will embrace your adventures just as easily as it tackles your day-to-day needs.

 

We’ve reviewed the Toyota Kluger & Nissan X-Trail.

 

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

 

Find all our video reviews over on YouTube.

Best Lotus of all time

 

With the recent announcement that Lotus will be wrapping up production of its current lineup of cars, we thought it only fitting to pay tribute to the back catalogue of Lotus. But, there is a disclaimer, this is our top 5 Lotus production series road cars, no race cars, concept or custom editions, only the cars you or I could buy from the showroom. So, here are our Top 5 Lotus of all time.

 

5: Lotus Exige

Actually before we get into this, please know this was such a tough list to put together, All the Lotus fans and experts we spoke to gave us dramatically different Top 5s but we’re happy with this final 5, we feel it’s a good culmination of everybody’s list suggestions, and in fifth, it’s the Exige.

 

Based on the series 1 Lotus Elise, the original Exige arrived in 2000 but for this Top 5, the Exige we favour is the series 2 and in particular the Exige S from 2006. 

 

There were literally dozens of special edition Series 2 Exiges to choose from and a special mention must go to epic series 3 Exiges, in particular the current Sport 410…but for us the Series 2 S marked the moment the Exige model really set itself apart from its Elise base.

 

As Lotus said at the time, The Exige S represents the ultimate extreme production Lotus, with performance that trumps other supercars costing twice or even three times as much. 

 

4. Lotus 7

In fourth place, it’s the Lotus that is considered the embodiment of Lotus performance, through low weight and simplicity philosophy, it’s simply, the 7.

 

It may not have been the very first Lotus but it is the car that arguably set the standard for everything that followed. Designed by Lotus founder Colin Chapman back in 1957, the 7 is still in production today.

 

The tiny, light, tubular-frame chassis has hardly changed over its near 65 year history, but the 7 has seen a host of different power plant configurations.

 

Officially, the 7 is built by Caterham these days but a host of other companies and even blokes in their sheds are welding and bolting together versions of the 7, all to become one with driving.

 

3. Lotus Elan

In third it’s another heritage model, it’s the 1963 to 1974 Elan.

 

A front-engined, rear-wheel-drive layout in a tiny, incredibly light and gorgeous body with soft compliant suspension and just the right amount of power, built on the genius of Colin Chapman’s folded-steel backbone chassis, is what set the Elan apart from anything that had come before it.

 

In particular, we love the Sprint from 1970 and even compared to many of today’s performance cars, the Elan is still a sublime machine and if it wasn’t for the Elan, we might not have the Mazda MX5. 

 

2. Lotus Esprit

In second, it’s the Lotus Esprit, but which Esprit? While the Series 1 is undoubtedly iconic, it’s the Series 3 Turbo that really got the recipe right. If it’s good enough for James Bond then it’s good enough for the rest of us.

 

The Esprit in general marked the moment that Lotus became a manufacturer of supercars willing to take on the likes of Ferrari and Porsche, but it’s the Series 3 Turbo, with not only more power but a host of other improvements, that gave Lotus a car that could seriously take on the competition.

 

The stunning Guigario design and ingenious backbone chassis were honed and adjusted over the years and while the Esprit was initially acclaimed for its handling, early models were a bit underdone when it came to power.

 

While you’d expect such an exotic looking car to have a V8 or even V12 powering it, early Esprits were propelled by a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder which in the lightweight Esprit was fine, but, increase the displacement to 2.2-litres, bolt on a turbo and all of a sudden you have a genuine contender.

 

1. Lotus Elise

And in first place, it’s the Elise, but which Elise? 

 

Look, they’re all brilliant, from the recent Series 3 Cup 260 to the Series 2 SC and 111S, every Elise has taken its lightweight, mid-engined layout, double wishbone suspension all around and immensely rigid bonded aluminium chassis and delivered an incredible driving experience.

 

But if we had to pick just one to top our list, it has to be a Series 1 Sport 190. The Sport 190 received more power and torque, upgraded tyres and brakes and revised suspension giving the already awesome and now iconic series 1 platform even more agility and enough poke to make things seriously fun.

 

We’ve reviewed the Lotus Exige S.

 

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

 

Find all our video reviews over on YouTube.

 

Performance cars under $20,000

 

There are loads of great performance car bargains out there but which ones give you the absolute best bang for your buck? The budget is 20 grand and here are our Top 5

 

5. Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ

In fifth place, it’s front-engined, rear-wheel drive and it comes from a manufacturer, or two that have a long history of making some incredible performance cars, it’s the Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ 86.

 

Almost all the ingredients are there, the layout is just right, it’s the perfect size and it doesn’t weigh too much, the driving position is spot on, but, I think we all wish it had just a bit more firepower. 

 

Now for 20 grand you will be looking at earlier higher mileage examples and this is a performance car so make sure you go over it with a fine tooth comb and make sure it has a solid service history but, there are some cracking examples out there for this money.

 

4. Fiesta ST

Anyone that scoffs at our fourth place getter for being a wrong-wheel drive shopping trolley has no idea what they’re talking about. These things are brilliant, and I should know, because I had one, and I miss it, alot. It’s Fords Fiesta ST.

 

If it’s good enough for Ken Block to slide into celebrity status, surely it’s good enough for the rest of us. Ok, Ken’s Fiesta is about as close to the road car as Kim Kardashian is to having any talent but in all seriousness, the Fiesta ST is a brilliant little car.

 

Sticking a torquey, turbo-charged engine in the front of a small, light hatchback has been a recipe for fun for decades but when it’s combined with delicious steering and a taught and responsive chassis set up, the Fiesta ST is a bit of a giant killer.

 

3. Volkswagen Golf R

In third, it’s probably the most sensible car on our list, at least in terms of looking very grown up and mature from the outside, it’s the Mk6 Volkswagen Golf R.

 

Ok, 20 grand probably won’t buy you the most pristine Golf R but these things are genuinely rapid even when standard. A powerful 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to either a 6-speed manual or DSG gearbox sending drive through all four wheels will get the classy Golf rocketing down the road as enthusiastically as Leonardo DiCaprio avoids women his own age.

 

But start fiddling with the oily and electronic bits and the Golf R is capable of embarrassing some very capable and expensive supercars. An 11 second quarter mile is not to be scoffed at.

 

2. Mazda MX-5

When the category is performance cars under 20 grand, of course this thing had to be included. It might just be the epitome of maximum driving fun for minimal money, it’s the Mazda MX-5.

 

Like the Fiesta ST, those that think these things are just some hairdresser’s car have either never driven one or require a car that helps them compensate for areas on their anatomy that might be lacking in size.

 

20 grand opens up a load of options when it comes to the MX-5. You could have the turbocharged NB series SE, a pristine NA series 3 or maybe even the 1.5-litre version of the current generation ND. Which one should you get? It doesn’t really matter because they’re all truly brilliant in their own way, just get the one you like the most.

 

1. Subaru WRX (STi)

In first place is the 2002 to 2005 Subaru Impreza WRX STi. Don’t get us wrong, finding one of these for 20 grand might take some serious shopping around as they have become a bit of a holy grail car, but that’s just another reason to buy one.

 

If the original GC8 Impreza WRX is just a little too raw but the third-generation GH and GE are a little too soft for you, then the GD combines nearly all the raw tactility of early WRXs and mixes in just the right amount of creature comfort, resulting in a truly dynamic and special car that you can genuinely use everyday.

 

These things are special, but quick tip, try to stick to the 2002 to 2005 models as their 2-litre engines are proving to be far more robust than the 2.5s that replaced them. 

 

We’ve reviewed versions of the Mazda MX-5, Volkswagen Golf R, Subaru WRX, Ford Fiesta & Toyota 86.

 

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

 

Find all our video reviews over on YouTube.

Worst ‘Vanlife’ vans under $20,000

 

When it comes to DIY travel, loading a mattress and your belongings into a van and exploring your own backyard seems like the best way to enjoy some time off. But like anything, some vans are better than others and some vans need to be avoided at all costs. Here are 5 we’d steer clear of.

 

5. Mercedes Vito or Sprinter

Kicking off the list is the Mercedes-Benz Vito and Sprinter, they may be stylish with their slick European design and come from a brand renowned for German engineering but these two can be a nightmare.

 

In this price range you’ll be looking at everything from late-90s to 2012 Vitos and Sprinters but with one possible exception, you should just steer clear. We know many cases of brake boosters failing, air con systems failing, suspension components failing, computers and electronics freaking out, turbos, engines and transmissions having huge issues, but hey at least the parts are also insanely expensive and at times rarely available.

 

The one exception, maybe, are ex-ambulances. We’re not saying that they won’t have any of the issues I just mentioned but the positive is that ex-ambulances have generally been regularly serviced and maintained, but, the other negative is that with all the people that have potentially died in them, they might be haunted.

 

4. Ford Transit

In fourth it’s one of the vans that made vans popular in the first place, it’s the Ford Transit. Ok, let’s get something straight, not all Transits are a nightmare. Earlier, well-maintained, pre-2013 Transits can actually be a pretty decent thing, there are still other vans we’d recommend but early VH and VM models can be a solid buy. The issues really start with the 2014 and onwards VO models. 

 

Failing turbos, diff issues and clutches have a habit of failing, taking the gearbox with them and we have heard they have quite the appetite for brakes and tyres. Plus being European, parts aren’t exactly cheap, there are just better options out there.

 

3. VW Transporter

In third it’s the Volkswagen Transporter, one of the go-to Vanlife vans, but don’t do it to yourselves. Yes, these are pretty decent when they’re new and covered under a full factory warranty, yes they look great and yes they’re lovely to drive, but that’s about it for positives.

 

Through our research, there’s not one specific variant of Transporter that’s the problem, they’re all pretty horrible. Failing turbos, catastrophic transmission issues, cooling system issues, electronic gremlins, so many things go wrong with these things. Worst of all is the multiple reports of complete engine failures which require an entirely new engine, which is terrible, but even worse is the fact that in many variants, this engine replacement can cost upwards of $20,000! That’s more than the entire value of the van!

 

Please, just buy something else. You can check out five vans we’d recommend here.

 

2. Peugeot Expert

In the number 2 spot is the Peugeot Expert. These are terrible, bad, horrible. Don’t do it.

 

Look, in defence of Peugeot here, these vans are designed and engineered for French and European conditions and Australia, as we all know, is an incredibly harsh environment. Which is why French vans, like the Expert, tend to fall to pieces pretty quickly. And we mean fall to pieces literally. We know of rattles that have evolved from being just annoying to being so violent, entire doors, exterior and interior panels have fallen apart.

 

Then you have all the engine and transmission issues, cooling system failures, brake issues and electronic gremlins, and again, being European, parts, which you will totally require, are stupidly expensive.

 

1. Fiat Ducato

Ok, in first place, look, the Italians certainly know a thing or two about food, fashion and fun, but the Fiat Ducato… what happened?

 

Here’s what happened, everything went wrong with the Ducato. From mysterious electronic and computer gremlins to seemingly endless catastrophic engine problems, suspension failures and dodgy quality concerns, the Ducato has it all.

 

The biggest issue revolves around the immensely flawed Comfort-matic automated-manual transmission. We don’t have time to list all the problems that occur with these transmissions but unless you love the idea of being stranded on the side of the road while being permanently stuck in a noisey cutlery draw of locked or missing gears, don’t go anywhere near a Ducato, don’t even get a lift in one, because you’ll probably never get to where you needed to go.

 

Related: Check out our review of the Volkswagen Transporter.

 

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

 

Find all our video reviews over on YouTube.

Best ‘Vanlife’ vans under $20,000

 

For around the same price as an elaborate international holiday, say $20,000, you can have a #Vanlife (as the kids say) adventure, exploring your own beautiful country.

But a Vanlife adventure will require, well, a van, that you’ll then need to renovate into a fun-sized funky mobile apartment, but which vans are best to traverse and explore your own national backyard?  Here’s our top 5.

 

5. Toyota Tarago

Ok, in 5th it’s technically a people mover and not a van but hey, rip the interior out of this thing, fit it out however you like and it’s a great option. It’s the Toyota Tarago or maybe it’s called a Previa or Townace, in Australia we call it a Tarago.

 

The one to get is the Fourth-generation XR50 in V6 GLi trim. Yes it’s a bit on the thirsty side but these engines are pretty much bulletproof and get the GLi as it’s the base model, and let’s be honest, you’re probably going to tear most of the interior out anyway so why pay more for stuff that you’ll probably throw away.

 

Taragos are quite nice to drive, pretty comfy for long trips and most importantly, they’re bloody reliable and they have a superb support network through Toyota dealers. Bloody good thing. 

 

4. LDV G10

Here in Australia 20 grand will easily get you into our 4th place pick. It’s a 2016/17 LDV G10. 

 

Ok look, they’re not all that cool to look at and the driving experience isn’t all that inspiring but being relatively new, and hopefully with not too many kilometres, the G10 offers loads of room and besides an appetite for brake pads and rotors, are showing pretty decent reliability.

 

Add to that good levels of safety, some decent tech and an economical engine, the G10 makes an excellent exploration partner.

 

3. Mitsubishi Delica

In number 3, it’s a personal favourite, the Mitsubishi Delica. It may be the smallest of our top 5 picks, but with its genuinely capable 4×4 driveline, it has by far the most serious exploring potential.

 

If your idea of a Vanlife lifestyle is getting far off the beaten track, ending up in some beautiful location only a handful of other people have ever seen, the Delica is for you.

 

These things are reliable, parts are readily available and not too expensive, they’ll go almost anywhere and as long as you love to be cosy with your better half, unless you’re vanlifing alone, have just enough room to live in.

 

Sure, like the Tarago, it’s technically a people mover and not a van but grab some spanners, rip the interior out and renovate it however you’d like.

 

2. Toyota HiAce

 

In second place, it’s the Toyota Hiace. Let’s get the negatives out of the way first. They’re pretty horrible to drive, they’re not the safest option out there and while the engine is pretty much bullet proof, it’s not the most economical or refined of power plants, but that’s about it.

 

Now the positives. First things first, you’ll want a Super LWB model. Why, because it’s huge, HiAces are incredibly reliable, parts are everywhere and those parts shouldn’t cost a fortune and there are loads to choose from on the secondhand market.

 

Many Super LWB HiAces are actually fitted out as 12 seater buses but like the Delica, grab some spanners, rip those rear seats out and with some ingenuity, you can have yourself a palatial mansion of a van.

 

While these are the vans to check out, it might be an idea to check out our top 5 WORST Vanlife vans under $20k to see the vans you need to avoid.

 

1. Hyundai iLoad

Again, like the LDV, these things aren’t exactly cool, but the Hyundai iLoad makes for a brilliant Vanlife option.

 

Why, well it’s not only one of the more robust and powerful vans available, the iLoad has an excellent reputation for reliability even when they have loads of mileage under their belt, plus it’s one of the very few vans that has sliding door on both sides of their cargo area, opening up your possibilities when it comes to fitting it out. 

 

Negatives, well the ride quality is pretty rigid so long trips might require some regular stops, but hey, isn’t that what van life is all about, embracing the journey just as much as the destination.

 

Related: Toyota HiAce Cheat Sheet

 

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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