Used Ford Falcon BF XT v Holden VZ Commodore Exec v Honda Accord V6 v Hyundai Sonata NF V6 v Mitsubishi 380 v Nissan Maxima ST-L v Toyota Camry Ateva
Discounting in new car showrooms is pulling the price of two and three-year models down even further. While a constant dealer refrain has long been "there has never been a better time to buy", that is actually true right now when it comes to large sixpacks whether Australian, Japanese or Korean in origin.
As recently as a decade ago most entry-level six-cylinder family sedans were pretty dull to look at and matchingly ordinary to drive. To get a good handling Falcon or Commodore, you really needed to choose a sporty XR or S/SS variant.
Base model Camrys and Magnas advertised their status (or lack of it) in a blare of grey plastic - drop a cardigan on the back seat and you'd be lucky to find it again. And you could hardly compare a Commodore Executive or Acclaim with either an SS or Calais. That's not to say that a VZ Exec or a BF Falcon XT feels plush but they don't make you feel as if you are in a poverty pack special.
Most low series Falcons, Commodores, Camrys and Magna/380s are sold into fleets but the subsequent owner is likely to be a private buyer amazed to find: (a) how cheap the car is; and (b) how much better it is than earlier models. Consider, for example, the ownership experience delivered by a 2005-06 BF Falcon XT compared with that of a 2001 AU Series II.
Huge improvements in engine performance and smoothness, exterior appearance and interior décor amount almost to generational change. Choose a 2005-06 Hyundai Sonata and the contrast is even greater -- where previous generation big Hyundais always felt short changed in numerous respects, the current shape car bears comparison on all but size with the BF or a VZ Commodore.
Perhaps sheer size matters less now than it did when the Kingswood ruled suburbia. Many customers who plan to travel four or five-up on regular occasions will opt for a softroader or peoplemover instead. The choices are far greater this century.
Thus for the purposes of this story, the Hyundai Sonata is a worthy inclusion and how could the Honda Accord V6 or Nissan Maxima be excluded from comparison with the locally manufactured Falcon, Commodore, Camry and 380?
Good examples of all these are available well below the $20K mark and if you're happy with a higher kilometre 2004 Commodore or Falcon you can go shopping with less than $15K.
But don't assume for a moment that the driving and ownership experience is the same across the field. Some of these cars are more driver-oriented, while others include additional features.
If you choose a Maxima or Accord, then you will most likely have to settle for a 2004 car, but you can get the 2006 380 ES upgrade if you're sold on a Mitsubishi.
In February 2007 Hyundai Australia rationalised its model range, eliminating the V6 variant of the base model. Buyers had shown a strong preference for the well-specified Elite V6, which makes this the hardest of our seven rivals to find. Indeed, you might even have to find the extra dollars for an Elite.
2005 FORD FALCON BF XT (more here)
The BF range was launched in October 2005 and built on the excellence of its BA predecessor. Unfortunately, the most significant improvement did not apply to the entry-level XT model, this being the new six-speed automatic transmission fitted to upmarket variants such as the Fairmont Ghia.
The main improvements in the XT were to noise levels and overall mechanical refinement, as well as standard fitment of traction control (but no vehicle stability control system).
Ford Australia's classic 4.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine gained an additional eightkW of power for a total of 190, but more important for most users is the very useful 480Nm of torque available at just 2000rpm. Zero to 100 km/h takes about 7.8sec and the benchmark standing 400 metres 15.5.
Fuel economy was claimed to be 10.9L/100km but in the real world you'll struggle to get that, unless you do plenty of country driving, where nine litres per 100 clicks is a realistic aim. Expect an average of 12-13. But it's a zesty and smooth engine which justifies enthusiasts' preference for 'straight' rather than 'vee' sixes.
Crisp handling and a very comfortable ride combine to give the Falcon the best dynamic ability in this group.
Reasonably well shaped front bucket seats, the use of high quality materials throughout and a nice feeling of style about the dashboard lift this car out of the bargain basement. But like every Falcon in memory ingress/egress is poor for rear seat passengers.
The split-fold rear seat will be appreciated by customers anxious to carry bulky or awkward-to-fit items.
Build quality is good but doesn't equal imported Japanese models.
» Search for used Falcon BF XTs here
2006 HOLDEN VZ COMMODORE EXECUTIVE (more here)
The VZ was the final expression of the Commodore theme introduced seven years earlier as the VT -- one of the landmark Holdens. By August 2004, however, the theme was getting tired and even the arrival of an all-new engine did not provide much refreshment.
On paper the 3.6-litre Alloytec V6 looked like a world-beater. Its dual overhead camshaft per cylinder bank and four-valves-per-cylinder configuration promised previously unseen levels of refinement from a Holden. But the engineers did not supply the finishing touches in the guise of a euphonious exhaust note and the new bells-and -whistles engine felt much like its predecessor.
With maximum power of 175kW and 320Nm of torque, it delivers average performance for this class. Zero to 100 km/h took 8.4sec and the standing 400 metres 16.1. Typical fuel economy is good at 12L/100km but a long trip can improve this to about 8.5.
The Commodore interior feels less classy than most of its rivals but it is top of the pops for space utilisation and front seat comfort. (Holden has a secret weapon in the lanky form of a seven foot Romanian engineer who checks out the headroom and legroom on the company's products!)
For handling and ride, the Commodore scores quite well -- especially on rough roads where it shows a home ground advantage. The steering feel is not quite as sharp as the Falcon's but superior to most of this group.
Although the Commodore's ski port is generous, it in no way compensates for the lack of a split-fold rear seat. Build quality is about the same as the Falcon.
In August 2006 the radically styled VE model arrived and VZ resale values suffered. For less than $20K you should be able to find a pristine example.
» Search for used Commodore VZ Executives here
2003-2004 HONDA ACCORD V6 (more here)
For some buyers the Accord badge may carry more prestige than its rivals. Certainly the new-generation Thai-built model launched here in September 2003 to replace the first six-cylinder Accord of 1997 (and not to be confused with the smaller Accord Euro) has a higher level of standard equipment and arguably greater levels of refinement than any of the Australian-made vehicles. Build quality and finish are exemplary.
Its 177kW 3.0-litre V6 engine is a gem when it comes to smoothness and fuel economy but cannot quite match the torque and vigour of the Falcon's larger unit. It delivers 287Nm very high in the rev range at 5000rpm, so lugging is not the Accord V6's forte.
The Honda is one of three in this group with a five-speed automatic transmission, which helps both performance and economy. Acceleration times are good - zero to 100km/h in 7.5sec and a standing 400 metre time of 15.5 to put in the same sprinting category as the Falcon. Increase the number of passengers beyond two adults or throw a trailer on the back though, and the big-engined Ford will do the job more easily.
Fuel economy, long a Honda strength, is remarkable considering the car's physical size. Highway running sees numbers starting with an '8' and the overall average should be little more than 11.5L/100km.
While the Accord rides quite well, the handling will not impress keen drivers. The nose runs wide, 'pushing' into tight corners when the car is punted hard. Steering feel is too light and reflects the taste of the Accord's main market, the US.
The interior is marked by high quality materials and generous space, although the rear seat will not accommodate three adults as readily as a Falcon's or Commodore's.
» Search for used Accord V6s here
2005-2006 HYUNDAI SONATA NF V6 (more here)
The Hyundai brand may lack the cache of Toyota or Honda but the cars themselves give very little away to their more expensive Japanese rivals.
When it was launched in June 2005 the current shape Sonata set a new benchmark for value. Arguably, the $29,990 Sonata played a small role in ensuring the Mitsubishi 380 - launched four months later - would be seen by many prospective buyers as overpriced.
The Sonata's 3.3-litre V6 engine produces 173kW of power and 304Nm of torque. Teamed to a five-speed automatic, it gives strong performance with times in the 8sec range for the zero to 100 km/h sprint and twice that for the 400 metres.
But it is not just what the Hyundai can do that counts but how it comes up with the results. This Korean contender is quieter, more refined, and marginally quicker than the VZ Commodore. Fuel economy is excellent unless frequent advantage is taken of the enthusiastic performance. Expect an average of a bit more than 11L/100km and 8.5 on the highway.
Steering, ride and handling do not match the performance. The Sonata is less happy over uneven roads than any of the locally-developed cars. Vague steering, noticeable body roll and steering kickback are negatives, which will detract from the pleasure of those for whom driving is more than transport. But on the positive side of the ledger Hyundai does provide an electronic stability program and traction control as standard.
It is the high level of standard equipment that seals the value inherent in even the entry level V6 Sonata (the up-spec Elite is absolutely loaded!). Cruise control, fog lights, leatherbound steering wheel and twin chrome tailpipes are nice touches, so this certainly doesn't feel like a fleet special.
Front occupants enjoy legroom that at least matches Falcon or Commodore and three adults can be accommodated in fair comfort on the rear bench. The boot is huge even without taking advantage of the split-fold seat.
» Search for used Sonata V6s here
MITSUBISHI 380 (more here)
The car intended to save Mitsubishi's Australian manufacturing business came to market with plenty of baggage already loaded into its capacious boot . Rightly or wrongly, the decision had been taken to shed the Magna name in favour something new. But 380 was never going to inspire the public.
Despite its good engineering, the new big Mitsu was up against it from the start. The model specifications were confused, pricing was too high and the style was too bland.
Within seven months of launch, the 380 was into Series II with sharper pricing and a features upgrade. The new base model was called the ES and was priced at $29,990, compared with the optimistic $35,990 ask of the original base 380.
Unimaginatively, the 380 moniker was derived from the size of the engine, which happens to be a ripper. With 180kW of power and 343Nm of torque in combination with a slick five-speed automatic, the 380 is a strong performer which sprints to 100 km/h in 7.9sec and through the 400 metres in 15.7.
This was the stuff of V8s just eight or 10 years ago.
Fuel economy is slightly below average for the group at 13L/100km and a little less than nine on the highway.
The 380 is a well balanced front-wheel drive car that rewards the enthusiast. There is a positive feel to the steering and the ride quality has been well tuned to suit Australian conditions.
In familiar Magna tradition, the interior lacks warmth and style, despite proving generous space for five. The unattractive material used on the dashboard will doubtless last forever but you'll never grow to love it. And what a pity that those clever local engineers did not develop a split-fold rear seat to enhance the 380's versatility.
This was almost the right new car at the wrong time, but is a cracking used buy.
» Search for used 380s here
2003-2004 NISSAN MAXIMA ST-L (more here)
In several respects the Maxima is quite distinctive and has no direct rivals. Launched here in December 2003, the shape was immediately impressive, bearing little resemblance to any other current car.
The interior, too, with its modern furniture theme was (and remains) different. And having a sportscar engine beneath the bonnet deserves another tick with Nissan Australia's marketing people happy for buyers to associate its maximised sedan with the wonderful 350Z.
If the engineers had plumbed a modern five-speed automatic transmission into the Maxima then performance would have been even better. Instead it soldiers on with a four-speeder (later versions went to CVT) that dulls its enthusiasm. Nonetheless times of 7.6 and 15.5sec for nought to 100 and the standing 400 metres respectively are still class-leading.
The 3.5-litre V6 makes 170kW of power and 333Nm of torque but the secret here is the Maxima's light weight of just 1480kg, which is more than 200kg shy of the Falcon. Fuel economy benefits as well and the overall figure should be around 12L/100km, nudging down towards eight on the open road.
In balancing ride and handling, the engineers favoured the former. The Maxima conducts itself well over all surfaces but the compliant ride does mean the handling is a substantially softer and less positive than in, say, the 380.
Like it or not, the slabby fake wood highlights do give the interior a luxurious feel. Seats are very good and there is a high standard of equipment even in this base model. Dual-zone climate control, electrically adjustable front seats and 17-inch alloys are not normally inclusions in an entry level variant, but then you realise that at $40K when new the Maxima ST-L was considerably dearer than a Commodore Executive.
One disappointment is a ski-port in lieu of split-fold rear seat backs.
» Search for used Maxima ST-Ls here
2005-2006 TOYOTA CAMRY ATEVA (more here)
The current shape Camry arrived in July 2006 to make this previous model look even more old-fashioned. Frankly, even when it was first shown in September 2002 it was a dated, slab-sided design. But no-one buys a Camry for cosmetic reasons unless perhaps it's the Sportivo variant.
By 2008 standards the 3.0-litre V6 delivers only modest performance. The four-speed automatic doesn't help. Despite the promise of 145kW of power backed by 284Nm, you'll need 9.6sec to reach 100 km/h and almost 17sec to nail the 400 metres. These times put the Camry V6 distantly last in this company.
The four-speed automatic transmission contributes to such lethargy. At least the engine is sweet sounding and fuel-efficient. Expect an average of 12L/100km and a best of eight.
From the driver's perspective, the engine is actually the best part. Handling is dull and doughy, very 20th century fleet car. The ride is okay but no better, although the Camry stands up well to rough roads. The steering is numb.
There's less to say about the Camry V6 than any of the others because there's less of interest. The cabin is okay in a fleet car kind of way and the build quality is very good but no better than any of the others, except the Falcon and Commodore.
» Search for used Camry V6s here Are you really, really sure you want to?
THE CARSALES NETWORK'S PICK OF THE BUNCH:
The Driver's Choice
This group divides itself quite neatly. On the top line are the 380 and Falcon. The enthusiast who wants rear-wheel drive will choose the Ford. But the Mitsubishi has a very sweet engine and chassis. On a twisty mountain pass, the Mitsubishi and Falcon would vie for the honours.
The Sensible Choice
No question: it's the Nissan Maxima ST-L.
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