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Top Tips for Buying a Used Ford Falcon/Fairmont XA-XC (1972-79)
Ford Falcon XA-XC values have improved significantly, but these cars still don’t match the popularity of earlier XW-XY versions. Basic cars still don't generate enough money to justify high-value restorations and can often be stripped for any usable parts.
Top Tips for Buying a Used Holden HD-HR (1965-68)
Prices for Special and Standard versions of the HD and HR begin below $20,000, with utes costing around the same as sedans, but panel vans are scarce and 30 percent more expensive than passenger versions.
Top Tips for Buying a Used Datsun 1600 (1968-72)
When it arrived in the late ’60s, the Datsun 1600 boasted strong levels of standard equipment, a grunty four-pot engine, front disc brakes and independent rear suspension, positioning it closer to a BMW on paper than any of its Japanese contemporaries.
Top Tips for Buying a Used Nissan Skyline R31 (1986-90)
In the mid-1980s Nissan Australia was in a pitched sales battle with other local manufacturers Ford, Holden, Mitsubishi and Toyota, as well as rival importers. The company badly wanted a large ‘family car’ contender and in 1986 reconfigured the Japanese-spec Passage sedan to meet local needs. At the same time, it designed a competent and attractive station wagon version which Japan didn’t have.
Top Tips for Buying a Used Ford XA Falcon GT Hardtop
Having watched as Holden’s two-door Monaro pinched the limelight and lots of sales, Ford could only wait until 1972 for its XA Falcon Hardtop to be ready for sale.
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…
