FTO AUSTRALIA

Have you checked on Corollas and Ford AU Forte? (Payaya, any info on how reliable Forte's are? There are heaps of them cheap on gumtree)

Payaya, I was under the impression that Magnas were fairly reliable. Yes, the auto may be consider a weak point, but is it any more than other automatics? For example Honda autos of the 90s were notoriously horrible.
This is why I was recommending a manual, because in my opinion when buying a high mileage car reliability may always be an issue, and auto boxes are expensive to repair.
Leaks do seem somewhat common on the Magnas. Though usually the seals are cheap and labor is the biggest cost.

What is your opinion of the following cars, all in manual:
MkIV Golf, E36 BMW 318is, CD Honda Accord.




Sidekick84, a great site to go to to get an understanding of how reliable cars are etc, is carsurvey.org
Also gives you an idea of common faults etc, and you can compare statistics. Though it could be a biased sample group

spetz wrote:Though it could be a biased sample group

This is the case with any online report.
The number of cars sold to the number of cars owned and still on the road is incomparable.

You can get some idea, but it's never a true indication.

Like always, have the car, whatever it may be, checked by a professional and you will have few headaches.

I have owned some of the online classed worst reliable cars ever, and had very few issues, let alone those that were reported as 'common faults'.

Majority is biased opinions from people who have no idea what they are on about. (Not saying that to anyone in this thread, simply stating the point.)

The reason in general Autos come across as dog piles is because majority of vehicles on the road are auto. Tag that with people who take to driving as they do going to the bathroom and you have issues arise.

Treat a car with respect, and it will service you eternally.

Good luck with whatever you buy Sidekick, honestly, go for what interests you, have it thoroughly inspected, and enjoy it.

ok guys i am seriously looking at buying this one, let me know what you think...
http://www.tradingpost.com.au/Automotiv ... 6102350600

Well to be honest I think an older Corolla or Camry may be better. Economical on fuel and the most importantly cheap on service and parts. The Honda civics are pretty good as well. If u have 6k to spend look for a 8k car and bring the price down from there. Remember u gotta set aside cash for insurance, repairs etc. Something will most likely crop up when u get second hand cars no matter how immaculate it is.

If you're after fuel economy I have a Daihatsu Sirion for sale

Re: Need a family car urgently!

Ummm, these arent really family car territory.

Are you talking to me Dwayne? They totally are. I raised 3 teenage boys and we all managed to fit in that car from the time the youngest was 10, and they ain't no shorties either
Of course if you want anything OTHER that fuel economy (like power) this is not the right car

It wasnt only you

My stepson just killed a sirion and they are small no matter which way you look at it. Sure you can jam 5 people in it if you have to, but using that logic, an FTO could also be called a family car and it just isnt (and neither is a corolla). Oh and the 5 people would be pushing the sirion up the steeper hills based on my experience. If you want a comfortable trip with your family with room for all their crap you need mid to large car.

Not trying to be pedantic, just pointing out that in most peoples eyes when they say family car, youre talking magna/camry/falcon sort of size.

Yeah I know, just playing with ya I bought the Sirion for the economy (single mum so money was tight) and the boys just had to live with the fact we didn't have a car big enough to put things like their pushbikes in the back.


I actually had a Magna before the Sirion and it was WAY roomier. sh*t of a car though

What was so bad about the Magna?

spetz wrote:What was so bad about the Magna?

The Magna part...

Fagna.