So which is the best used Aussie six? And which of these five still-youthful family sedans present the best used buy and comes closest to being a wowser at the bowser?
It is difficult to believe that the basic formula for Australian-made family cars has barely changed since the launch of the original 48-215 ('FX') Holden on November 29, 1948. This dictates a car somewhat larger than typical European models but significantly smaller than the US behemoths with generous room for five adults and their luggage, powered by a six-cylinder engine.
In the case of Holden and Ford, it also still means rear-wheel drive, while the Japanese-Australian Toyota and Mitsubishi offerings serve up front-wheel drive instead.
This time-honoured formula is under the greatest threat it has faced, not because there is anything intrinsically wrong with the cars themselves, but because buyers are turning away in droves from large engines.
These days even three litres is seen by many as excessive. Indeed, Toyota which markets the six-cylinder Aurion and used to sell V6 Camrys and Avalons, believes its latest Corolla is destined to become Australia's number one seller. One positive consequence of this trend for used car buyers is falling prices, making a three or four-year-old Aussie 'sixpack' almost unbelievable value.
While the person who bought the car new -- in all probability a fleet manager -- is probably still talking about the dreadful trade-in price, the private customer who takes this Ford or Holden, Mitsubishi or Toyota into the second phase of its life will rejoice in having bought so much car for so little money.
Compared with their 1970s or even 1990s predecessors, these cars are all well equipped with anti-lock brakes, reasonable sound systems, good tyres and a multitude of cupholders but refinements such as cruise control and alloy wheels are mostly the province of more up-spec variants. The Commodore is the worst offender with air-conditioning relegated to the options list to put a lower entry price on the sticker.
So which is the best used Aussie six? Does the difference between front and rear-wheel drive matter? Is a Mitsubishi Magna much different to drive from a Ford Falcon? Is a VY Series II Commodore built to the same standard as its Toyota Avalon rival? How does a Camry shape up to its bigger sibling? And which of these five still-youthful family sedans comes closest to being a wowser at the bowser?
Ford Falcon BA XT (2002-2004) (more here)
Launched in September 2002 to replace the unloved AU model, the BA was an immediate sales success with buyers responding to its crisper, more tailored styling and more appealing interior.
There had been little to complain about with the previous version of the 4.0-litre straight six but the BA got a new twin overhead camshaft with an impressive 182kW of power and 380Nm of torque. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h was the quick work of 8.0sec, propelling this six towards V8 territory.
The four-speed automatic transmission was updated to include a manual sequential shift mode and even the entry level XT model featured pleasing interior trim materials -- Ford Australia having learnt (back in 1998 within minutes of the AU's October debut) the folly of trying to sell a fleet style car to private buyers. A corporate inclination to shades of grey still prevailed but the poverty pack feel was gone.
Open road fuel consumption was about 9.5lt/100km, but the big Falcon's 1700kg kerb weight was reflected in urban usage, where the Magna and Camry in were a little thriftier.
The Falcon is a mildly sporty car to drive with sharp steering and responsive handling. Compared with all previous six-cylinder Falcons, it feels refined with quieter, smoother delivery of power.
Expect to pay about $15,400 for an 2003 model, which represents less than half of the new price -- $34,560 in September 2002. There is a dedicated LPG variant which commands about $1000 extra at four years of age, but will cost significantly less to run.
Discerning drivers will prefer the petrol car for its additional 26kW of power, although the difference in torque is only marginal.
Holden Commodore VY II Executive (2003-2004) (more here)
Even when the Series II edition of the VY Commodore was launched in August 2003, the car was showing its age. Differences from the VT of September 1997 were mostly minor. This did not deter buyers who continued to buy greater numbers of Commodores than Falcons and, more than anything else, the VY II showed just how good its 1997 predecessor was for the time -- a huge leap ahead of an EL Falcon!
The 3.8-litre Ecotec engine was well down on power (152kW) and torque (305Nm) compared with its major rival, but a weight saving of more than 100kg went most of the way to cancelling the deficit -- 0-100km/h takes 8.8sec. Enthusiast drivers will prefer the Falcon's more advanced engine, however.
Under most circumstances the Commodore's four-speed automatic does a good job but it lacks both the refinement and the sequential manual feature of the Ford's unit. Handling and ride are good, although the steering lacks in road feel compared with the Falcon.
A significant omission is the lack of a splitfold rear seat, the Commodore making do with a less practical ski-port. Handypersons and triathletes will find this a possibly insurmountable irritation.
In August 2003 the VY II Executive cost $32,440 without air-conditioning. It is probable that more than 95 per cent of cars were fitted with 'air' but check to make sure.
The Commodore's enduring reign at the top of the sales charts (barely interrupted until recently) is reflected in higher resale value. You will pay about $16,700 for a 2003 model.
Mitsubishi Magna TL ES (2003-2004) (more here)
If the VY II Commodore already seemed old at launch, then the TL Magna provided an even larger dose of deja vu.
The first model of this basic shape made its debut in October 1996. But beneath the familiar bodywork, made less appealing by a restyled front out of keeping with the rest of the car, reside some solid advantages. Most importantly, the 3.5-litre V6 engine is not only powerful but delectably smooth and refined.
It is teamed to an excellent four-speed automatic transmission with sequential manual feature. Acceleration to 100 km/h takes a fraction over nine seconds but economy is better than either the Falcon or the Commodore by at least 0.5lt/100km.
Despite the car's merits, Magna sales were slow and the recommended retail price of $34,610 was largely theoretical -- huge discounts were readily negotiated by new car buyers back then. The savings were also theoretical when the time arrived to trade a TL Magna in on a new model -- not a Mitsubishi 380 in many cases, sadly for Mitsubishi Australia.
But all this is excellent news for those in the market for a 2003 or 2004 base model Magna because the current price range is $13,400-15,400, to make it the least expensive of our five sixes.
The front-wheel drive Magna does not feel nose-heavy in the way of some similarly configured cars. It has reasonable feel to the steering (an improvement over previous Magnas) and handles quite well, although the ride is a little sharp in this company.
There is a faintly claustrophobic feel to the cabin, especially for rear seat occupants, and the cloth trim looks and feels cheap. You sit lower in this car than the others and thick C-pillars combine with a steeply raked rear window to make the passenger compartment feel surprisingly tight.
Like the Commodore, the Magna misses out on a split-fold rear seat. On the positive side, build quality is half a notch superior to its Ford and Holden rivals and at least on a par with both Toyotas.
Toyota Avalon MCX10R Mk III GXi (2003-2006)
Does anyone in the world refer to an Avalon as a 'GXi MCX10R Mk III'? Would anyone care?
Such a convoluted moniker implies a car of exceeding interest where in fact the reverse is the case. This is not to say that the Avalon is a poor car, just a dull one. It is also an old design, essentially a 1995 model intended to appeal to an American audience.
Toyota Australia was confident this car named after a crook Melbourne suburb and great Sydney beach would provide a strong challenge to the Commodore and Falcon but underestimated the kind of tribal following that attaches to the Ford and Holden names.
The Avalon shares its 3.0-litre V6 with the Camry but the engineers extracted an additional 4kW of power and 5Nm of torque. But at 1535kg the larger Avalon is some 25kg heavier.
Where the Avalon shines is in its quietness and refinement, as well as the high level of standard equipment for an entry-level model. Standard kit runs to alloy wheels, cruise control, air-conditioning and traction control. Build quality and finish are very good, although the interior design is as bland as the dated exterior.
The front-wheel drive Avalon is an effortless but unrewarding car to drive. Its suspension provides a soft ride, but there is little feel to the too-light steering.
Frankly, non-enthusiasts will love the Avalon and the car has no serious faults. Overall fuel economy is on a par with the Falcon and Commodore. Toyota's strong reputation means Avalon resale value is slightly ahead of Falcon and Magna, but at $14,700 for a 2003 model, it's a bargain.
Toyota Camry ACV36R Altise (2002-2004) (more here)
Toyota's first new Camry for the 21st century could not have been described as a bold new design even at its 2002 debut. Like previous models, it combined good quality and smooth performance with obvious practicality.
The strongest styling element was the outsized rear-end housing the biggest boot in the class. With the split-fold rear seat, the Camry sedan offers much of the practicality of a large hatchback. But the interior design itself is poor with a dated dashboard layout and unsupportive seats.
Buyers, especially those with fleets to run and bottom lines to scrutinise, seemed to forgive the Camry such unappealing blandness because of its brand. Judging by the high resale value of $16,500 (second dearest outright and the highest percentage of new price), used car buyers welcome the opportunity to own a Camry with V6 power, an option no longer available in the new market, thanks to the advent of the Camry-based Aurion V6.
The Camry shares much of the Avalon's impressive quietness and refinement but has a less comfortable ride. Fuel economy is average for the class and behind Magna.
THE CARSALES NETWORK'S PICK OF THE BUNCH
The Driver's Choice
The Falcon wins this category by a large margin from the Commodore, Magna, Avalon and Camry in that order. It has the best performance, the best handling and the best steering feel.
The Sensible Choice
Of its nature, this is a harder question to answer. The Avalon seems remarkably well priced compared with the Camry, suggesting that buyers are deterred by its unattractive styling. But it has all that Toyota reputation going for it.
The Magna also makes a very strong case, while the Commodore does not deserve a premium over the Falcon, which is the better car.
So the choice comes down to Falcon and Avalon, which means the Falcon if you can find the extra $700 (see above).
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