Latest from Buyers Guides
Top Tips for Buying a Used Holden VB-VH Commodore SL/E (1978-83)
The Commodore SL/E was the top-spec Commodore prior to the HDT models and came with everything from a 3.3-litre straight-six to a 5.0-litre V8.
How To: Essential Tips for Test Driving a Used Classic Car
Test driving is the single most important aspect of the classic car buying process. Even a brief amount of time spent driving a car will reveal faults that could cost money.
Top Tips for Buying a Used Honda Prelude VTI-R (1994-2000)
The third-generation Honda Prelude launched in Australia in 1992 as an unassuming but effective sports coupe. Early Si versions had a 118kW four-cylinder which was deemed ‘adequate’ by people who were buying the Prelude as much for its stylish good looks as its performance. But there was a more performance-oriented element that thought the sweetly-balanced Prelude chassis could deal with more pow…
Top Tips for Buying a Used Ford Customline (1955-59)
Ford’s Customline was seen during the 1950s as symbolising success and authority. These cars were the preferred conveyance of established businessman, state and federal politicians, and were also by the wallopers to reel in speeding Holdens.
Top Tips for Buying a Used Chevrolet Camaro (1967-70)
February 1964 arrived just like any other month; except this time the entire US motor industry was forced to watch in silence as Ford’s Mustang dismantled their economic expectations.
Top Tips for Buying a Used Toyota Celica (1990-97)
After 15 years of conservative, rear-wheel drive Celicas, the model switched in 1986 to front-wheel drive and brought with it a sexy new shape. The 2.0-litre engine with fuel-injection and twin-overhead camshafts produced 103kW of power and the liftback SX came loaded with features including alloy wheels, four-wheel disc brakes and power steering. Most were optioned with air-conditioning and that…
Top Tips for Buying a Used Mazda MX-5 (1989-99)
Born in 1989 and with cumulative sales in late 2023 totaling more than 1.2 million, the Mazda MX-5 is the world’s most successful sports car. Today, the fourth-generation ND model remains true to the original NA’s ethos of being a lightweight, fun and affordable sports car, ensuring a MX-5 of any era should be on every driving enthusiast’s 'must have' list.
Top Tips for Buying a Used Volkswagen Superbug (1971-76)
Germany’s ‘People’s Car’ the Volkswagen Beetle appeared on the Australian landscape during the 1950s, where it battled the British designed and engineered Morris Minor for recognition as Australia’s most popular small car.
Top Tips for Buying a Used BMW E24 Series 635CSi Coupe (1986-89)
In 1986, when BMW finally launched its 3.5-litre coupe onto the Australian market, the delay had sent the price of automatic versions past $110,000 and into territory owned by Mercedes-Benz with its 380SEC.
Top Tips for Buying a Used Porsche 911SC (1978-83)
Porsche’s 901 model was publicly shown in 1963 at the Frankfurt Motor Show to instant acclaim and legal threats. Peugeot had for decades produced cars with a zero in their designations (203, 402 etc) and was giving no ground to a German interloper.
Top Tips for Buying a Used Holden VL Commodore/Calais
It’s a sad irony that the model about which Holden was most fearful is today viewed as one of the brand's best products. With unleaded fuel due to be introduced in 1986, Holden’s own six-cylinder engine couldn’t be effectively modified to handle ULP and the V6 which would power the VN Commodore was still three years away. For the first time in its corporate life, Holden needed to 'buy in' an engi…
Top Tips for Buying a Used Pontiac GTO (1966-67)
The Pontiac GTO is was an accidental hero in every sense. Devised initially as an advertising gimmick to improve sales of Pontiac’s unloved Le Mans model, the ‘GTO Option’ appeared as part of the 1964 Pontiac range.
Top Tips for Buying a Used Holden One-Tonne Ute
For 30 years after its 1972 introduction, Holden’s One-Tonne utility was king of Australia’s commercial vehicle world. That market today has morphed into the booming 4x4 dual cab ute segment that’s dominated by the likes of Ford and Toyota, with surviving Holden ‘tonners’ being transformed into flashy show ponies at extreme prices.
