The scale of competition amongst Australian-built cars has never been so intense. It allows Australians to buy brand new cars for around $30,000 that boast technology and features that were the preserve of exclusive prestige cars as little as five years ago. Holden's current Commodore offers GM's latest prestige V6 engines shared with Cadillac and its optional V8 came from the Corvette sports car. Ford's latest Falcon, even at base level, has a sophisticated rear suspension shared with some Jaguars and its six-cylinder engine shares the same advanced technology as most prestige models. The local Mitsubishi Magna is a variation of a premium export that sells against models up to twice its Australian price on global markets. The Toyota Camry has been steadily improved with Lexus technology so that its on road refinement is almost in the same class.
What does this mean? To compete against such formidable new competition, a used prestige or luxury model must have an X-factor to sustain buyer appeal for up to a decade after it has left the showroom. Or put another way, if a used luxury car doesn't light your fires, why should you take the risk of buying it if the same money can buy a new car with the same capabilities?
At this point, logic takes a back seat. Any car that is five years old or more, is ready for the first round of replacement parts outside of warranty. To justify the extra maintenance costs of a prestige import, it needs to grab you in a way that no base model Holden, Ford, Mitsubishi or Toyota can. Most prestige imports also require premium unleaded fuel but this can be cost neutral when most offer extra efficiency. Joe Kenwright looks at a selection of used $30,000 luxury sedans that could ring your bell:
1997-98 Audi A6 2.8 V6
Audi's ground breaking styling keeps it fresh but you have to feel sorry for Audi. After introducing traffic-stopping looks with each new 100/A6 model, Audi has to watch its fresh new models disappear into the scenery before their time as global makers scramble to copy Audi's latest look. Remember how radical the new A6 looked in 1997? In my book, it still has an X-factor with time left in it still.
The first examples which arrived in late-1997 are hovering around the $30,000 mark. It came as a 2.4 or 2.8, both smooth and powerful V6 engines, with front-drive or as an all-wheel drive Quattro. If you want a newer version of the same car, with more conservative looks and no Audi badge, try the VW Passat from 1998 on.
1996-97 BMW E39 528i/535i
The latest BMW 5-series with its wild new looks makes the previous series look a little anonymous and that's fine by me as used prices just slip below $30,000. If you want to travel in understated class with typical BMW driver involvement but without the yuppie image of the smaller 3-Series, this could be a dream come true.
The 5-series is actually bigger than it looks; a product of its perfect proportions that may stand the test of time better than any previous 5-series, all of which remain enduring designs. There is the odd mechanical problem so get it checked out by a BMW expert.
The 528i was one of three compact luxury cars with a proper in-line six and rear drive. Now, there are only two after Mercedes-Benz switched to a V6. The other is the Lexus GS300, launched in 1997, which is also a compelling buy at this money. If you want extra size, a late model BMW 7-series is also worth a look.
1996-97 Mercedes-Benz W210 E230/E320
This model was an outstanding exercise in style and packaging, almost matching bigger Commodores and Falcons without the bulk and running costs. Some feel that it looks more distinctive and prestigious than the latest E-class even if it was subject to some cost-cutting.
Don't dismiss the 2.3-litre four-cylinder version. Think of it as a bigger Camry that feels really good to drive with extra safety, style and sophisticated rear-drive balance. Some small sixes struggle to match its easy-going 110kW and if you drive only two-up most of the time, it offers a big drop in running costs.
The 1996-97 E320 is the last E-class with a straight six which means something to some. The sixes haven't quite hit the $30,000 mark yet, but are not far off it.
1999-2000 Honda Legend
Big Japanese luxury cars disappear off the radar screen very quickly but this car has a gravity and presence beyond most Japanese front-drive models. Its engine is smooth and powerful and the exquisite detailing makes it feel and look expensive.
The 1999 facelift brought a more aggressive look and useful gains in refinement and extra features including gas discharge headlights. If you don't know or care whether you are driving front-drive or rear-drive, the Honda Legend is a significant step up from a Nissan Maxima, Lexus ES300 or Eunos for not much extra money. There is also an aloofness about its style and quality.
1993-94 Jaguar XJ6 4.0 Series I
There is a black hole between $25,000 and $35,000 in recent Jaguar models with the late 1994 X300 facelift starting from $35,000 for the best ones and the previous series peaking around $25,000. Jaguars are always best purchased on condition, not age, so allow around $28,000 for the very best 1993-94 Series I.
Despite claims that the XJ40 was a Jaguar wrong turn, the people who look after them swear they were a league ahead of previous models in terms of component quality and development. By 1993, Ford ownership had made a huge difference in sorting the early bugs and quality surged a quantum leap forward. The last of these models before Jaguar went all retro featured the rare combination of square headlights and twin airbags.
They are also very cheap considering their $130,000-plus new price because they look much the same as a $14,000 1987 model. Get over that and enjoy a feel good factor unmatched by any German model. The current trend of removing the expensive square headlights and replacing them with the simple round headlights of the cheaper model is a short term fad. If a good one is going to be worth money in the future, make sure the original headlights are in the boot if they are no longer on the car.
J 2003 Mitsubishi KJ Verada AWD
There just simply isn't a better all-rounder for the money, not in a car that is yet to have its second birthday. If it was imported, this Verada's new price would be in the $80,000 range and even then it would make some rivals look silly.
Its 3.5-litre engine is one of the smoothest and most powerful of its type with 154kW. The Verada's outstanding body strength supports a proper rally-bred all-wheel drive system, same as the manual WRX and EVO models, that splits the drive 50:50 front to rear ready to make a difference in most situations. Too many of its AWD rivals have pretend all-wheel drive systems that spend most of their time in front-drive but not the Verada.
The Verada feels good to drive especially with its advanced five-speed auto and sequential manual override and copes with the full spectrum of local roads. Its full luxury feature list is only this affordable because of Mitsubishi's recent upheavals. The current model is even better providing you can live with its looks. If you can't, the KJ Verada AWD is your only choice but it was sold only between January and July 2003. Find a good one and it could be a car for life.
2002 Ford AUII Fairlane Ghia 4.9
Not everyone defines luxury in terms of German high speed capabilities or Japanese detailing. Some Australians need a car that can take repeated beltings over rough Aussie roads, tow something heavy and can be serviced long after the bitumen ends while enjoying the same air-conditioned cabin comfort as any import.
The Fairlane has always been that sort of car, none more so than the last AU-based model which looked a lot less like a Falcon than the current model. This Fairlane series was a gallant if slightly flawed attempt to combine US limousine looks with sportier handling, benchmark double wishbone rear suspension and lounge room sprawling space.
Not as cohesive to look at or as silky smooth as its Statesman rival, it is not as forgettable either and doesn't have the Statesman's rear wheel angle changes as soon as you load it up. You either like it or you don't, although as time goes on its looks don't polarize like they used to. If you can afford to run it, find one with the optional V8 or even better, one of the rare LTD versions. You can buy the earlier AU version under $20,000 but the bigger brakes and extra refinement of the AUII are worth every cent extra.
2001-2002 Holden VXII Calais 5.7
The surprisingly frugal Gen III V8 option can behave more like a V8 at low engine speeds if it doesn't have to shift the bulk of a Statesman. The VXII Calais is a standout model for so many reasons. To many Holden fans, the VX was one of the best looking Commodores ever and the Calais looks even classier, giving it that vital X-factor for the future. A V8 Calais offers the full luxury equipment and performance of the Statesman in a more agile package including dual zone climate control; a big first for a local luxury model.
The VXII introduced the new control link rear end which has more in common with a BMW than the VX which shared a similar layout to the Datsun 180B. And prices are cheap because fleets are buying more of these for their executives than the used market can absorb so their $50,000-plus sticker price can drop below $30,000 as they come off lease.
1999-2001 Lexus IS200
Remember the days when luxury could be defined in a relatively small Jaguar MkII or Rover P6 3500, both with rear-drive and luxury interiors? The baby Lexus is one of the few really compact rear-drive cars still available that carries an air of quality and excitement yet escapes the 3-series yuppie image. Today's Mercedes-Benz C-class gives it a run for its money in the new car market but at $30,000, the previous C-class has all the excitement and cabin ambience of boiled cabbage.
The biggest flaw and asset of the baby Lexus is its smooth but tiny two-litre six-cylinder engine. Its lack of low speed lift is a real disappointment at its $50,000-plus new price. At $30,000, you can forgive it and appreciate its ease of parking, stand alone styling, driver pleasure, grip and engineering. There is a powerful 3.0-litre version but for that you will need to find another $20,000.
1998-2000 Saab 9-5 Wagon
Despite Saab's best efforts, the smaller 9-3 from the same era will always feel older and cruder than the 9-5 when it was based on a GM J-car, known earlier to Australians as the Camira. The Saab 9-5 underneath was a full generation ahead of the 9-3 and feels it the moment you drive it. It is also a good size with several fuel efficient yet powerful turbo engines. The wagon in particular is a flexible family load carrier with luxury Saab appointments and classy X-factor design. Its front-drive layout and relatively low clearance make a better highway safety cell than bush getaway.
The Saab 9-5 is closely shadowed by several Volvo S80 models which are also good buying from $30,000. And while you're thinking European, consider the top of the range V6 versions of the Holden Vectra, Peugeot 406, Audi A4 and Renault Laguna with their complete feature lists that lift them away from their mass market applications in Europe.
Published : Thursday, 20 January 2005