Moving from UK to WA What SUV FOR 25k Older or Modern…

I’ll be moving to WA From the UK and will need a car as soon as I land , I’m more or less settled on a 2013 ish Kluger for around 20 to 25k ….. are these worth it , or would I be better off with a more modern Mitsubishi Mazda Hyundai MG ? Preferably something with minimum 200bhp no lower than that for a SUV.

Here in the UK I drive a JDM Subaru forester XT modified and remapped that I love but I think it will be too expensive to ship over and register IN Oz…

And plus I’d like to take advantage of the bigger V6 and V8 available in Australia as I’ve always been limited to tiny engines size living in Europe 1.5l and 2l engines….

And what’s the best place to buy a used car from private or dealers ?

In terms of the used car market I’m assuming it’s just as insane in Oz as it is in the UK where any old banger is selling for double that what’s it worth or was selling for 3 4 years ago…..

Is there such thing as a pre purchase inspection that you can pay for and are they worth it ?

Thanks all , and any advice more than welcome !

Comments

  • -4

    Just buy from a reputable dealer and you won't need a pre purchase inspection.

    You can pay a mechanic to look over the car if buying privately.

    • +11

      Sorry but that's terrible advice. Always get a pre purchase.

    • I was looking at buying a second hand car interstate from a Ford dealer. Dealer verbally told me over the phone car was in great condition with no issues, did a pre purchase and it had some sort of oily substance leaking out form all the holes in the chassis and the drivers seatbelt was completely frayed. Relatively minor in the grand scheme of things, but not very honest from someone I would've thought would be a reputable dealer.

      • That’s different to a reputable dealer where you’ve actually seen and driven the car. It’s on YOU if you don’t inspect personally.

        • Well that's dumb. They literally said buying interstate…and that's what a pre-purchase is for.

          It sounds like a dodgy dealer.

          • @mrschofield: Yeah, I didn’t read properly but stand by my comment that if you don’t inspect personally, it’s on YOU.

  • +3

    Welcome soon to Oz.

    Klugers are notorious for high fuel consumption so be prepared for that.

    Steer clear from Holden Captiva.

    Do you need the SUV for light off road exploring and ground clearance or no particular reason?

    If you don't, and want that real Aussie V8 experience, then get an Aussie made car. A VE SS Sportwagon would fit your budget and has a 6.0litre V8.

  • +4

    How soon are you coming? The personal imports scheme allows migrants settling in Australia to bring their personal road vehicle with them, where the vehicle has been owned and
    used for a period of 12 months or longer. If you had a 12-month lead time you'd bring something collectable and sell it when you arrive; apply the profit to a local purchase.
    https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/docume…

  • -1

    Have a look at an MG. 7 year warranty plus 5 star ancap on their flagship models.

    • Ah yes someone interested in a performance car would love a terrible MG.

  • I just hate small low cars as I always drove an SUV Or pickup truck since I was a kid , no other reason….. I could do with an outback in guess since they are quite high….

    I could get another Forester XT I guess but just keep hearing horror stories about the CVT ….mine isn’t CVT … I’m pretty handy with tools can do most stuff myself, brakes sparks hoses fluids filters swap turbos intercooler etc , won’t open and engine or do suspension stuff …. I’ll leave that to the pros

  • What’s a SS Sportwagon ?

    • Last of the Aussie v8s. Commodore.

      • Hmm yeah really like the look of those actually thanks never heard of it !

        • +2

          You will become an instant bogan.

          Exhibit A - this YouTuber is WA based as well.

        • +1

          Think to my sold a few in the UK under Vauxhall brand. I wanna say VXR without looking it up.

  • +1

    All i can say is if doing the majority of driving around town and off the highways stay away from any euro diesel post 2009 or Japanese/Korean diesel post 2015. This is when the EGRs & DPF's came out and they'll be a constant headache.

    As for alternatives. A 2020 Haval H6 can be had secondhand for a little more and will do 0 to 100 in the 7'S whilst being fairly frugal and the balance of the 7 year warranty.

    As good as Toyotas are be wary that it'll still be an 8-10 year old car with components starting to reach end of life. Klugers are decently quick, have a look at a V6 Sorento or Santa Fe which imho look and are finished slightly nicer (if looking for a 7 seater). Else the Sportages and Tucsons do alright.

    • +1

      All i can say is if doing the majority of driving around town and off the highways stay away from any euro diesel post 2009 or Japanese/Korean diesel post 2015. This is when the EGRs & DPF's came out and they'll be a constant headache.

      EGR came out in OZ in the late 1990s. DPF came out late 2006.

      • But wasn't mainstream until the EU emissions restrictions came into play around 2008 for Euros, and 2015 for Japanese/Koreans.

        • Yeah, egr was. Dpf was spotty.

        • But wasn't mainstream until the EU emissions restrictions came into play around 2008 for Euros, and 2015 for Japanese/Koreans.

          Mitsubishi had EGR from 2000 and DPF from late 2006 in the GEN 4 Pajero,

          I know other manufactures stated later. Toyota didn't have DPF till 2015. No idea about the others.

          • +1

            @CurlCurl: Egr was around from a long time ago, even the old Holden 202 got one toward the end of its stint.

    • 2023 Havals are $32k new, I'd splurge a bit more and get one of those but it seems the OP wants something more powerful.

      • +1

        An MG would probably be a better choice. Based on reviews they have better suspension and handling (plus you can adjust the front of the drivers seat) than the Haval.

        • I think the Havals are better built though, they got it right this time around.

  • Yeah thanks for this , to be honest it would be nice to have something more modern my Subaru is from 2008 it’s briliant but interior is crap and road noise gets old fast after a couple of hours on the motorway ….. it would be a nice change to sit in something with a nice interior and less road noise ….

  • -1

    Time for an EV

    • +1

      $25k budget. FFS.

  • Where in WA are you moving to?

    • Perth

  • +1

    Get a Toyota Camry or Aurion. Make sure to leave a tissue box at the back window for ultra Camry flex.

    • :))

  • Go for a petrol Toyota Prado 2009 to 2015. Great 7 seater, comfortable and capable 4x4. Perfect first car to start exploring and driving on the beach…

    • +1

      Go for a petrol Toyota Prado 2009 to 2015. Great 7 seater, comfortable and capable 4x4. Perfect first car to start exploring and driving on the beach…

      The V6 is very thirsty.

      • OP wants a big engine 4.0L V6 suits. Cruising they not too bad but they do gobble fuel on hills and pulling a load.

        0 - 100 in 9 seconds is decent for what it is.

      • Don’t think I can find one for 25k though

        • Easy, price has come down significantly recently. New one coming out in 2024. Great time to buy entry level one and don’t be afraid of km. Anything with service history up to 250k is worth considering. I’ve had two petrols and a diesel. Petrol is so smooth and can be tuned. Don't buy the diesel it could blow.

          • @pilotg2: Are these quite easy to work on yourself ?

            What the best place to hunt for one forums gumtree ? Etc ?

            For now my options are big engine but older kluger Prado

            Or newer smaller engine less power Mazda mx5 ford escape Honda CRV some sort of Hyundai , I think I’ll steer clear from European as parts are quite expensive in Oz from what I understand…

            Nissan X-trail

            Or newest Chinese Haval MG.

            I’ve been watching re-driven those lads are not big fans of European cars are they :)) ?

            • @BDKM: Very easy to service yourself and work on. Parts available country wide, with many cheap OEM part options.

              I bought a Kia Sportage on arrival and wish I got a Prado sooner to explore the country.

  • -6

    In the spirit of the new thread quality lately, my sound advice is>
    Holden Captiva diesel, if you want to 'tinker on the weekends' ..
    Jeep.
    Or Dodge RAM if you like to take your Barmy Army mates to the cricket.
    Buy off Gumtree or facebook. Skip the inspection and spend it on a doof doof generator

    Also, Bonus points for using the word lads, m'laddo!

    • What’s wrong with lads ?

      I’d buy a prado of fbook or gumtree with an inspection….

      Anything else form a decent dealer though….

      Cheers lad !

      • -1

        Laddy, laddy, ladkinson, m'laddo.

  • +1

    QL Sportage - circa 2017 - 2022 I have a AWD diesel. apart from regular services has never had a spanner near it! ………. just a thought.

  • I highly recommend a Kluger. Depends on what you're after, but you could get a half-decent/relatively new Kluger instead of an old Prado.

  • -1

    What are you going to be doing for work? If you're eligible through your employer then a novated lease on an EV is a no-brainer, fewer choices but most of them are cheaper than the UK, no BIK equivalent so you can get a $45k EV for $25k post tax plus get $3.5k rebate from the WA government.

    I made the same move to Perth 15 years ago, my biggest regret was leaving my car behind. Sold it in the UK for £6000 and then found it was $40k here. If you can take the once in a lifetime opportunity to make a profit on your car then do it.

    • Are you comparing apples to apples
      You're comment implies that automobiles in AU are 3 times of the price in UK even after considering the exchange rage 15 years ago.

      • My car specifically (the short-lived Smart Roadster cabriolet with sports package) was 3x in 2008, as only 12 were ever sold in WA. UK spec was better than the Australian delivered models too.
        Back then UK cars used to depreciate horrendously in the first 3 years but they didn't here, now it's almost on a par

    • Yep my employer does this I need to look into it do you have some examples I tried looking but can find anything just quote forms

      • https://www.toyotafleetmanagement.com.au/novated-lease/novat…

        Scroll through the car type to 'electric' and adjust the numbers for your situation. Your employer may limit which lease companies you can use for this. Seek financial advice for your specific situation. Don't lease a non-EV.

        • Thanks , anyone ran the numbers, as in how much 10000 km would cost in a petrol car vs an electric ? By any chance ?

          • @BDKM: As in cost of fuel vs electricity?
            Petrol is $1.70 to $2/litre, efficiency is 4L to 15L per 100km depending on the car.
            Electricity in WA on the Synergy A1 tariff is 30c/kWh and EVs use 14 to 18kWh per 100km.
            So the most efficient little petrol car driven like your gran is minimum $800 a year, SUV driving normally at least $2000, driving a fast EV like a maniac maximum $500 a year (this gets lower if you do more suburban driving, use free chargers at the shops or charge for free from solar).

            • @dp1: Thanks for this much appreciated !

              Would it be worth getting a novated lease maybe for the first year only until I figure out what’s what ? Or it’s only worth it for longer term ?

              • @BDKM: Not financial advice but..
                Generally the most tax effective way is 25, 37 or 49 months to get the benefit of the next year's reduced residual without the full years payment. Having said that, if you change jobs and can't transfer the lease it will be very expensive in after-tax money until it's paid off. Please seek proper advice on your specific situation, it's an easy way to make an expensive mistake otherwise.

                • @dp1: Thanks!

                  “through your employer then a novated lease on an EV is a no-brainer, fewer choices but most of them are cheaper than the UK, no BIK equivalent so you can get a $45k EV for $25k post tax plus get $3.5k rebate from the WA government.”

                  How exactly does this work ? Does it mean also I can get a 65k vehicle for 45k ?

                  This is only for full electric not plug in hybrid ?

                  I’m trying to get more info on this but it’s really confusing

                  • @BDKM:

                    so you can get a $45k EV for $25k post tax plus get $3.5k rebate from the WA government.”

                    Anyone who tells you that is talking out their bum. Novated lease is paid for in pre-tax dollar so it can be cheaper, but how much cheaper depends on a huge range of factors.

                    IMO the biggest downside is that it locks you in to the lease which makes it more complex to work out the benefits of you need to change situation. Eg if you decide you need/want a different vehicle or change job. Plus the residual tends to push you toward another lease because you can roll it over.

  • +2

    Why not diesel? Better fuel economy.

    I have a 2014 diesel mitsubishi outlander. Has been great.

    Sure , it's only 148hp, but with the turbo its relatively decent.

    And for driving Australias large distances it costs way less to do.

    • All I keep hearing is how s***t diesels are everywhere nightmare with DPF etc …. Never owned a diesel car … but it would defo make sense in OZ….

      • Had my diesel for nearly 10 years. Wouldnt consider a petrol car now.

        As far as im aware, DPF is only really an issue if you don't occasionally take the car for a long drive so the DPF can do a high temperature carbon burn off. That is, a diesel isnt that great for a vehicle that only does short low speed trips - i.e. purely city driving.

  • +1

    Lots of options available …

    Really depends on what sort of vehicle you want, Monocoque, body on chassis, wagon, ute etc

    Subarus are reasonably popular in Australia so if you like and are familiar with them maybe one of them ?

    Carsales Suv for sale in perth

  • Seriously consider a diesel suv if you sometimes doing distances in regional areas and why do you need 200 plus bhp? We have speed limits here are you racing to the next set of traffic lights to jam your brakes on?

    I had a hsv malloo decades ago as a daily driver and it was nice but we grow up and fuel prices are not what they were.

    If you never leave the city consider a ev.

  • -1

    Ford Territory. 2wd or 4wd, diesel of petrol, or even LPG. Parts are cheaper than anything mentioned above.

    • +1

      Parts are cheaper than anything mentioned above.

      Lucky, as you'll need to replace a lot of them.

      • -1

        You'll need a parts cannon to solve everything other than a Terri. Had many an owner of them say they regret getting rid of a Territory.

        • You'll need a parts cannon to solve everything other than a Terri

          What?

          They are poorly built piles of crap. The only good thing is the engine.

          • @brendanm: What?

            • @jonkvh:

              You'll need a parts cannon to solve everything other than a Terri

              What does that mean.

  • For your preferred amount of power, you’ll have to wrap your head around kW and Nm. Most Aussies use metric for power measurement. BHP is old school and you won’t find it in advertising or manufacturer specs.

  • get a Forester again

  • Yeah that what I’ll probably get I know the car I’ll try and get a Forester XT 2014-2017 I can do pretty much everything I need to it from brakes to turbo and radiator differential and gearbox fluids …. I keep looking but can’t find anything more suitable ….plus any other car I get in makes me feel claustrofobic compared to the forester….pretty much settled on another one !

    Plus I’ve learned that car parts are not expensive at all it’s the labour that kills you….so better the devil you know….

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