Most Affordable and Reliable Wagons under $4000

Lhaze84 on 10/11/2019 - 10:32
Last edited 10/11/2019 - 11:46

Hi all. I don't have a very large budget, but am in need of a car that will last me for a while and hopefully not cost me an arm and a leg. I would prefer a wagon of some type as I'd like the extra space. I'm planning on doing some long distance trips throughout, also, so would need something that won't struggle with that too much.
So far, Magnas, the occasional older Camry, Subarus, Holdens and Kia carnivals seem to pop up most.If anyone has any advice it would be greatly appreciated.

And V6 or 4 cylinder engines? As I have heard that because I will be doing a bit of highway driving, V6 would be better.

Thanks,
Hayley

edit: The only Camry wagons I seem to be able to find are from the mid to late 90's and generally have a stack of kms on them already. So I'm only expecting to find a decent one of them if I get exceptionally lucky..

Will DEFINITELY be getting a pre purchase inspection done once I've found something I'm more sure of.

Have heard that Holdens and Fords do have multiple continuous issues, from handling to parts failure and parts aren't all that afforable unless sourced from a wreckers.

Automotive

Comments

  • pegaxs on 10/11/2019 - 10:34
    +3

    Anything under $4000 possibly isn't going to "last you a while" nor will it not "cost and arm and a leg" and I certainly wouldn't trust it on "long distance trips". Hell, I would be worried taking it from home to work on a daily basis, but yes, I would be sticking to tried and true vehicles like the Camry. At least you would be giving yourself a best bet. They are reasonably cheap to fix and maintain and will still be around at the end of the world.

    I would stick clear of anything Euro and head for something common. A Commodore wagon may be as bland as they come, but the availability of parts and the ease of working on them means that almost anyone can fix them.

    Also make sure, anything you even remotely look at in this price bracket is that you get it inspected by a competent mechanic to make sure your $4000 car isn't a clunker that needs another $4000 spent on it to bring it up to road worthy condition or isnt about to detonate the 2nd time you drive it.

    • haze84 on 10/11/2019 - 11:28
      +2

      Thanks for your reply. I'm doing my best to find a Camry wagon but they seem few and far between. Obviously because they are so reliable so no one wants to part with them.
      I've heard a lot of bad things about Holdens, from handling to part failures. As much as I love the Commodores, it always sounds like someone is fixing something or other.

      • Euphemistic on 12/11/2019 - 07:46

        As much as I love the Commodores, it always sounds like someone is fixing something or other.

        This is probably because commodores are so common. You don’t hear about the thousands of them out there that just keep going.

        They handle fine for a big car. My history with Falcons and Commodores was that the commodore handled better, but a falcon was a more comfortable ride. I had several falcons and drove several commodore rentals between 1995 and 2010. But, they are both big cars, and handling cannot be compared to a hatchback

  • oscargamer on 10/11/2019 - 10:43
    +1

    assuming you are in Melb

    https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/ford/falcon/victoria-state/…

    https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/holden/commodore/victoria-s…

    my pick would be a VZ Holden wagon - please google "stretched vz timing chain"

    GET AN INSPECTION before parting with your money

    • Hoobz on 11/11/2019 - 09:52

      I'd never recommended an Alloytec 3.6 engine.
      Commodore, yes, just not that motor.

  • RockyRaccoon on 10/11/2019 - 11:06
    +1

    Generally I won’t comment on newbies posts, too many just post something weird and never come back.

    A used car is often sold for a reason, and mostly that is because the previous owner knows there is an issue that needs attention.

    If that issue is cosmetic, or a dent or two, scratch or damaged interior, then that’s ok, but often it’s mechanical, so having someone who is mechanically minded to look at the car will maybe save you. However keep 1k of your budget in case you need to do some repairs.

    For a wagon, Camrys or commodores are better bets, with a preference for a Camry. Secondhand commodores could have seen someone thrash it as they are more sporty and fun than the blander Camry. Toyota’s are plentiful, they sold well when new and last. Old mans car for a reason.

    Magnas had engine issues, and a getting quite old.

    Ideally if you can find a private sale by an older retiree you may pick up a scratched and car park dented one cheaper, but often mechanically sound.

    I would tend to avoid car yards as they need at least a $1-2k markup to cover theiroverheads.

    Ask around with friends, they may know someone buying a newer car who is trading in their older car. A $4k trade in will sell at the dealer for $6-7k, or a only be traded in for $2k is being sold at the dealer for $4k.

    Often those trading in will be happy to sell at the trade in price (or maybe a little more) and often tell you all the issues with the car because they can let it go to the dealer if that doesn’t suit you.

    We sold an old $2k Corolla to a friends kid, for the same price, told her about the recurring rust in the boot from a bad smash repair. She drove it for another 6 years and spent $200 half way thru and had the rust cut out when it reappeared. Eventually it was totalled and she got $3k from the insurance of the motorist who ran up the back.

    One person told me their son sat outside a local old persons home on a few weekends and asked families that came to visit, and picked up a nice secondhand Mazda from an inmates family as they had lost their license due to age.

    So ask around if you can and see what you can find.

    Good hunting

    • haze84 on 10/11/2019 - 11:41

      Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately I don't really know many people, but the ones I do know are on the lookout for me. The only reason I was looking at the Magnas was because I was able to find newer models than the Camry wagons. For instance, i've mainly only seen '97-'99 Camry wagons. Whereas the last Magna that I liked the look of was a 2005.

      Commodores I've heard have multiple issues that seem to constantly arise, which is why I've been hesitant to look at them. Plus they are bigger in size than both the Magna and Camry.

      Thanks again, your information and advice was extremely helpful and appreciated.

      • ESEMCE on 10/11/2019 - 12:12

        Magna in the 2003 onward era had a highly regarded and reliable 3.5L V6.
        There are no recurring engine issues with that motor and that's backed up by the complete absence of "Blue smoke" 3.5L Magna on the roads.

        Older 3L Magna V6 had a few issues, but the poor engine was the underpowered 2.4L 4 cylinder that was dumped in the early 2000s.

        If it's not already bypassed or replaced, the heater core can and will develop a leak that will destroy the ECU, so get that done.
        Otherwise excellent car with decent city and excellent country fuel economy.

    • bobkin on 10/11/2019 - 20:38
      +1

      While I think that is great advice, the term 'inmate' made me laugh!

  • jackinyourbox on 10/11/2019 - 11:09

    Camry wagon

  • Stimps on 10/11/2019 - 11:13

    Mazda 6 would be an option. Holdens and Fords are cheap to repair which is great because they break down all the time.

  • [Deactivated] on 10/11/2019 - 11:54
    +3

    This one is below your price range, low kms and it'll last forever.

    https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/gatton/antiques/antique-hors…

    • haze84 on 10/11/2019 - 12:02
      +1

      There's always at least one…

      • [Deactivated] on 10/11/2019 - 12:08
        +1

        Well everyday on Ozbargain there is always one guy looking for car advice with an unrealistic set of expectations and an unrealistic budget. My recommendation; increase your budget considerably, or lower your expectations. And don't ask for car advice on ozbargains. 90% of the replies are from people who know nothing about cars, and just recommend you the cars they own, despite the fact that they are often shitheaps.

    • brendanm on 10/11/2019 - 15:00

      Horses are notoriously expensive to maintain though.

  • justaperson on 10/11/2019 - 12:00
    +3

    Ford Falcon BF Wagon 2007+ are great value under 4k. There's a reason you still see heaps of these still running as taxis with 1 million km, the bulletproof barra motors are extremely cheap to maintain as well. 4k will get you something with around 200,000km but that's really only just run-in for these cars.

    • Euphemistic on 10/11/2019 - 13:04
      +1

      This. Cheap, simple, comfortable. Perfect for long trips.

      I had a few falcon wagons for work cars, up to 160,000km and not treated with kid gloves. Work had fleets of them and barely had any dramas, except perhaps for warped brake disc rotors which are an easy fix that won’t cost much.

  • dcep on 10/11/2019 - 12:39

    lancer wagon
    galant wagon
    magna wagon

  • HardlyCharly on 10/11/2019 - 13:14
    -1

    Do NOT get a disgusting commodore. You WILL regret it.

    My choice would be a Mitsubishi Magna, which for that price can be found in very good condition. TJ or TJ2 series, all the rest are ugly, but that model looks damn fine. I chose one as my first car purely because of it's looks compared to everything else in my price range.

  • Hvrd on 10/11/2019 - 13:55

    subaru liberty wagon

  • brendanm on 10/11/2019 - 15:01
    +1

    2l forester wagon
    4cyl Camry wagon
    Lancer wagon

  • the Unforgiven on 11/11/2019 - 08:16

    I was going to say Wagon Wheel :p

  • Waltervp on 11/11/2019 - 08:56

    I suggest a car that doesn't look sporty to lower chances of people having raised it, and automatic so that you know there will be a clutch issue. I suggest looking at an autom. 2006 Hyundai Sonata or i3. Especially if you don't mind fuel economy that much.

    • Euphemistic on 11/11/2019 - 09:41

      So many typos - and no mention of wagon?

  • brad1-8tsi on 11/11/2019 - 09:45

    DO NOT BUY A Kia Carnival!

    These days, you do not need a 6 cylinder for highway driving.

    If you can find a good one, look for a ~2000 BJ Mazda Astina Hatch (manual if you can drive it). They are solidly built, go OK and very reliable. They don't have ABS and other extras so there is less to go wrong.

  • OzHunterNSW on 11/11/2019 - 10:40

    You contradict your situation where you are after a cheap vehicle, yet prepare to travel long distances.
    Why would you want a V6 when you seem to have no money? Do you have any idea how much fuel cost whilst traveling, particularly in the out-back?
    You would be feeling up every 300km to ensure tank is full, so coster that in your travels.
    I know, I've done it.
    And why are you looking for a cheap vehicle when you should be looking for quality and reliability?
    I see you dumping vehicle by the side of the road. Towing would be far too expensive. Then you would have to get you/family/gear back home.
    Be smart, think!

    • Euphemistic on 11/11/2019 - 11:04

      You would be feeling up every 300km to ensure tank is full, so coster that in your travels

      Aside from resisting the urge with puns, I used to reliably get over 500 km out of a tank highway running a AUII, BA and BF falcon wagon. 600 wasn’t out of the question. Not a V6, but a 4l petrol 6 cylinder. Out on the highway they aren’t that bad on fuel.

      Round town really depended on how heavily you use your right foot, but never under 400 from a tank.

  • jacross on 11/11/2019 - 11:10

    Commodore.

  • ESEMCE on 11/11/2019 - 11:38

    The last Camry Wagons were made in 2002.
    That's why you're not finding any good examples!

  • His_Holiness on 11/11/2019 - 15:49

    You should be able to find a diesel Mondeo wagon for around $4000.

    • brendanm on 12/11/2019 - 11:09

      Then only spend another $10k on injectors and gearbox

  • mini2 on 11/11/2019 - 16:00

    Leftfield choice - something from Subaru perhaps? They make plenty of mid-sized wagons.

    • Euphemistic on 12/11/2019 - 07:42

      They are also fairly reliable - but need a decent service history. Not servicing a Subaru is a recipe for trouble.

      • mini2 on 13/11/2019 - 08:56

        Scrap that - forgot the non-turbo has a nasty habit of chewing head gaskets.

  • PinzVidz on 12/11/2019 - 08:14

    Corolla wagon in a ZZE-122R (2002-2006) is your best bet.

  • HeWhoKnows on 12/11/2019 - 22:30
    +1

    "Most Affordable and Reliable Wagons"

    There is no such category to be honest.
    Each and every car must be assessed on its own merits.

    But in a nutshell:

    The newest one
    The one with the lowest kilometres
    The one being sold by the original owner
    The one with log books and all original keys
    The one with the most complete service record - check that it is genuine!

    And Stay away from European cars, older Korean cars and diesel engines

    This applies to any used car

    Advice given based on over 40 years of buying and selling used cars

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join