What is a reliable cheap $5K car to drive around Australia?

[Merts]

No doubting euro cars can do high miles and be reliable.  Sooo nice to drive too, but they can also be horrendously expensive to repair when things go wrong.  My mates workshop can tell plenty of horror stories of euro cars costing more to repair than the owner paid.  Re-mortgage and personal loans to fund it, not to mention waiting weeks or months to source suitable 2nd parts, depending on how common the car is.  X5 BMW's got real popular when the 2nd hand price got down to 30K and then unpopular once the bills started coming in.

In this case for BeeGee, we need to keep in mind the girls have a small budget to buy a car, not to mention an even smaller budget for potential repairs.  We also don't know their mechanical knowledge or mechanical empathy.
A simple spilt cooling hose might not be a big deal to most of us on here, but for them stuck on the side of the road not knowing what to do.  So they push on limping it to the next town, not wanting to be 2 young girls stranded in the outback with no reception.  By then more damage is done like a head gasket or cracked head etc.  Same thing with an auto going into limp mode.  2nd gear on the rev limiter down the hwy to the next town...  I've seen that once or twice.

Worst case. A good 2nd hand BA/BF long motor can be sourced for around $300 and any half decent mechanic should be able fit it in less than 4 hours plus a few consumables.  4 speed auto, probably the same and maybe similar case for a Commondore or Camry.

KISS

^that, exactly.

[terravista]

^that, exactly.

It probably does not matter what vehicle is purchased when a low purchase price is a necessity, and there is no guarantee of parts availability at any remote or semi remote area.
Any vehicle in that price range from major manufacturers have no shortage of parts, and they are all only a few days courier away. The network of Euro wreckers is extensive, and despite all the scary third person stories, unless the part is off a far rarer or more modern vehicle, don't require second mortgages.
The simple fact that you can buy a running unregistered vehicle for mere hundreds of dollars means that parts off them will not cost thousands.
Any decision the OP makes should be based on fact, and not urban myths, and unless the girls buy a BMW X5, repair price comparisons are not helpful.
The chance of a Falcon breaking down and requiring a new engine or transmission is real, as is any car. The chance that it happens in an area where there is spare engines and transmissions available is hopeful at best. The likelihood is that parts would need to be sourced and couriered to a workshop.
The vehicle of choice is a decision I would hate to make, but being limited to basic Australian vehicles MAY not be the best way to go.
I replaced my semi reliable Holden Monterey with a SsangYong Rexton turbo diesel auto, and despite all the stories about Korean rubbish, it is going well, it is economical, it is comfortable, and surprise...plenty of parts are available if needed.
Whatever happens we will never know whether the choice was the best.
Cheers

[NewieCamper]

It probably does not matter what vehicle is purchased when a low purchase price is a necessity, and there is no guarantee of parts availability at any remote or semi remote area.
Any vehicle in that price range from major manufacturers have no shortage of parts, and they are all only a few days courier away. The network of Euro wreckers is extensive, and despite all the scary third person stories, unless the part is off a far rarer or more modern vehicle, don't require second mortgages.
The simple fact that you can buy a running unregistered vehicle for mere hundreds of dollars means that parts off them will not cost thousands.
Any decision the OP makes should be based on fact, and not urban myths, and unless the girls buy a BMW X5, repair price comparisons are not helpful.
The chance of a Falcon breaking down and requiring a new engine or transmission is real, as is any car. The chance that it happens in an area where there is spare engines and transmissions available is hopeful at best. The likelihood is that parts would need to be sourced and couriered to a workshop.
The vehicle of choice is a decision I would hate to make, but being limited to basic Australian vehicles MAY not be the best way to go.
I replaced my semi reliable Holden Monterey with a SsangYong Rexton turbo diesel auto, and despite all the stories about Korean rubbish, it is going well, it is economical, it is comfortable, and surprise...plenty of parts are available if needed.
Whatever happens we will never know whether the choice was the best.
Cheers

You are quite right, but I'd still pick a basic, common vehicle first. Falcon, Commodore, Camry etc or or a 4wd or van if space or destination require it.

[kylarama]

I was referring to repair cost relative to vehicle purchase price and in the sub 5K bracket that can be a minefield. Regardless of country of origin, but generally very common vehicles (with basic technology) = cheaper parts / repair cost. I recommended the Falcon for the above reasons and based on personal 1st hand experience.

Not 3rd hand. Recently seen first hand. 05/06 Volvo XC90. Purchased by young mother, 160K, 1 owner, with full Volvo history for 6K. 6 months later auto dies, Volvo quote over 10K for rebuild.
2nd hand unit sourced for 3.5K with 3 month warranty. Over $1000 for the auto guy to fit and service. Add in a minor service, rotors, pads and a CV. Bill came to about the purchase price.

Now the thing will probably do another 100,000km of trouble free, but for people with no mechanical knowledge. Spending more to repair a car than you payed for is a hard pill to swallow.

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[Bird]

Was going to suggest something awesome simple, like a HT or EH ... but they pull diamonds these days

what about an ex- bash car
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/connolly/cars-vans-utes/1963-ford-fairlane-500-sedan/1124289502


or Rodeo or older Hilux
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/maudsland/cars-vans-utes/1999-holden-rodeo-ute/1137512987

[Alan Loy]

I find it hard to believe the Ks on this one but might be worth a look https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Ford-Econovan-1997/SSE-AD-4569543/?Cr=2

I think vans are the new panel vans that were taken all around Oz in the past, getting them at the right price is the trick.

Personal favourite is the Mitsubishi Delica, but hard to find < $5000

[feisty]

I find it hard to believe the Ks on this one but might be worth a look https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Ford-Econovan-1997/SSE-AD-4569543/?Cr=2

I think vans are the new panel vans that were taken all around Oz in the past, getting them at the right price is the trick.

Personal favourite is the Mitsubishi Delica, but hard to find < $5000

I think the rust might make that one as cheap as it is. Shame really as it would have been ok

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[Alan Loy]

Would the rust matter for a few months?

Resale could be a bitch

[Bird]

http://www.martinevansauctions.com/sunday-26th-february-2017---fawkner.html

[Merts]

Just had a thought. You should be able to get a first generation Nissan X-Trail with 200 to 250km on it within the budget.
Petrol. Auto or manual.

The rear seats fold completely flat so you can sleep in them.
Relatively economical to run, and they sold heaps of them so repairs and spare parts shouldn't be an issue.

I had one from new, which my son is now driving. It has just under 300k on it, and the only issue it ever had was the crank angle sensor developed a fault.
Apart from that (which was a simple and cheap fix) it's been bullet-proof.

[prodigyrf]

Spot on Merts-
https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Nissan-X-Trail-2002/SSE-AD-4560135/?Cr=2
and $2k in reserve for any repairs along the way 

[Bird]

Gee, you'd wanna be ****in short to comfortably sleep in an xtrail!

[Merts]

Gee, you'd wanna be ****in short to comfortably sleep in an xtrail!

You might be surprised how much room there is in one. I've had a full sized single bed mattress in the back of one.

[NewieCamper]

I know of a bloke who used to camp in his. Took one of those folding gazebos, set it up over the tailgate and slept with the tailgate open.

[toglhot]

I don't know why you would go past a Hi Ace.   Plenty of room to sleep and store your gear and they don't come any more reliable.   Commodore or Falcon, you gotta be kidding! So good Ford went out of business and Holden is soon to follow!   I had Holdens and Fords in the sixties, they were great, only because there was nothing else available, except for Valiant of course - joke cars..

[Bird]

So good Ford went out of business and Holden is soon to follow!

I don't think that had 1% to do with reliability... or spare parts availability...

[prodigyrf]

I don't know why you would go past a Hi Ace.   Plenty of room to sleep and store your gear and they don't come any more reliable.   Commodore or Falcon, you gotta be kidding! So good Ford went out of business and Holden is soon to follow!   I had Holdens and Fords in the sixties, they were great, only because there was nothing else available, except for Valiant of course - joke cars..

Try $450 for an engine fan belt idler roller on a H100 Hiace the lad had vs $18.40/pair delivered to my door today for 2 front bonnet struts to replace my finally sagging 15 yr old Holden VU ute originals. Could have bought genuine ones for $99 delivered but I figured I won't own it for another 15 years.
Chuckle-
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/GATES-HOLDEN-VY-V6-GATES-BELT-PULLEY-KIT-SUIT-ECOTEC-COMMODORE-/120998538627?hash=item1c2c132d83:m:mveoSAF6RY1mALwlC5AVX9g

I managed to source that oddball bearing for the Hiace idler roller for around $70 as I recall(the CBC counter jock actually apologised for the price?) and pressed out the old one but you don't need that crap up the bush  Holden began making world class cars years ago with the VS Commodore but with piddling volume and Aussie costs they couldn't compete but the BIL was happy to bring back a 3000km demo SV6 Black wagon from interstate for $35k yesterday because he doesn't want a shopping trolley or fourby/SUV and likes RWD and he knows post Holden his future choice will be as limited as the coppers are finding.

He cut his teeth as a diesel mechanic on London buses so don't go there with your greasy oilers, common rail loves water, exhaust vac bags, EGR chokes intake manifolds and adblue or he'll die laughing knowing you're running on piss 

[kylarama]

So good Ford went out of business and Holden is soon to follow!

Aren't Toyota following too....




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[Alan Loy]

I don't know why you would go past a Hi Ace.   Plenty of room to sleep and store your gear and they don't come any more reliable. 

I agree vans are great BUT the cheapest Hi Ace on carsales in Perth is $9990 https://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Toyota-Hiace-2005/OAG-AD-14125056/?Cr=0

[GeoffA]

......Commodore or Falcon, you gotta be kidding! So good Ford went out of business and Holden is soon to follow!   I had Holdens and Fords in the sixties, they were great, only because there was nothing else available, except for Valiant of course - joke cars..

Aren't Toyota following too....

Yep, but don't let facts get in the way......

[prodigyrf]

Decisions, decisions......
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVxxPMh1oUk

[Merts]

I don't know why you would go past a Hi Ace.

Possibly because they aren't masochists.
I'm having trouble thinking of anything worse to drive long kms in than a 20 year old hi-ace van.

[NewieCamper]

Possibly because they aren't masochists.
I'm having trouble thinking of anything worse to drive long kms in than a 20 year old hi-ace van.

Me either. Commodore and falcon are great at long highway drives. sure they aren't the benchmark for luxury, but plenty of power for hills, plenty of space and suspension that won't bounce you out the windows on less than perfect roads.

[Bird]

it wont matter anyway as they will run out of time on their Australian holiday to actually ever use a car.

[feisty]

it wont matter anyway as they will run out of time on their Australian holiday to actually ever use a car.

Too funny!

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