Best Convertibles
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See all our latest car reviewsBased on 603 reviews
Mazda MX-5
4.4 (44) Summary
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Cameron NSW 110 posts
MX-5 ND G20 RoadsterThe perfect modern day roadsterThis is Mazda’s golden child. For the past 20 years, the MX-5 has set the bar for what a sports car should be. And unlike other sports cars, it's barely changed over that period in all the best ways. It hasn't gained weight, ... Read moreits wheelbase has hardly grown and it's still one of the best value sports cars you can buy today.
The MX-5 has always been more on the practical side of build quality. Everything is put together with great accuracy and a lot of plastic.
That means there aren’t any luxurious trims to be wary of when it starts to rain with the roof down, and it can weather those harsh Aussie UV rays in summer.
For $42,184 drive away, the MX-5 represents the best value for a convertible in Australia. This is the base model MX-5, and to be honest, it’s a fair price against competitors like the Toyota GT86 and Subaru BRZ.
The MX-5 is covered by a 5-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and has capped pricing for its first 5 services.
Service intervals are every 10,000km or 12 months (whichever comes first), and totals $1817 over this period.
MX-5s are notoriously reliable thanks to their simple engine design and lack of complicated parts, especially if you opt for a soft-top variant.
I’ll be honest: the MX-5’s sound system is lackluster. It does the bare minimum, but it’s not going to make you want to exclusively purchase the MX-5 for this reason.
What I was deeply impressed by was the integration of speakers behind the passenger seats. It allows you to listen to music with the roof down, and even make clear phone calls (with no complaints about wind noise from those on the other line).
Road noise is pretty obvious, but despite having a fabric roof, it’s still pretty quiet compared to the Subaru BRZ. However, passing external sounds can penetrate the interior more than a traditional coupe.
The naturally aspirated 2.0L engine doesn’t produce an addicting exhaust sound like you’d find on the likes of a Hyundai N car. Rather, it’s understated, with a deep bass and subtle overrun burbles. You could make it louder aftermarket, but I prefer the subtlety and raspiness of this engine - it reminds me of an old school Austin Healy roadster.
This car weighs just over 1,000kg, so it’s not going to take a lot to stop this thing. The brakes are quick to bite, but are easy to modulate for smooth day-to-day operation.
The MX-5 is now only available with a more powerful naturally aspirated 2.0L four-cylinder motor, producing 135kW and 205Nm!
For a car that weighs so little, this power goes a lot further than you might think.
This engine loves to rev through to redline, and it's rewarding to do so. You truly can have a lot of fun driving this car within the confines of the Sydney metropolitan area.
Even though Subaru worked hard on improving their naturally aspirated four-cylinder, this engine is just so much better. The lack of a turbo generates a more engaging drive and really suits the chassis of this car.
Not to mention, power is exclusively sent to the rear wheels, making harsh acceleration a breeze.
Outside of the Toyota GR Yaris, this is the best 6-speed manual I’ve driven this year.
The slick transition between gears was intoxicating, and clutch control came so naturally. Compared to other manuals I’ve driven, the 6-speed in here made the MX-5. I can’t imagine how the automatic would even be considered with a transmission so great.
Even in traffic and during low-speed manoeuvres, this lightweight transmission requires little effort to operate - not to mention that this is one of the lightest 6-speed manual transmissions ever built.
Mazda has a philosophy of the rider and horse as one. That’s exactly what I experienced in the MX-5. Firstly, you’re sat towards the rear wheels, with the engine and large bonnet leading the charge.
The roadster has a softly tuned suspension setup, making driving over harsh roads in such a low riding car far more bearable than a Subaru BRZ.
Once you’re hitting corners, the MX-5 comes alive. It’s reactive, predictable and playful. Steering feel is some of the best I’ve experienced ever, and allows you to read the road and tires through your fingertips.
Combining a lightweight construction, a rev-happy engine and a six-speed manual, you have the best driving experience for less than $100,000.
The lack of a turbo and the fact that it requires you to rev out this larger displacement four-cylinder means you’ll find the MX-5 to be a little thirsty on fuel.
I averaged just under 10L per 100km when driving around in the MX-5. It’s right on the money for a four-cylinder performance car. What I found obvious is that you could easily reduce that consumption figure, as long as you don’t lay into that throttle often.
This is a tiny car by modern standards. The interior is great for those who are 6’2” and smaller.
You have one of the best driving positions at your disposal, made easier to adjust to your body thanks to the inclusion of a telescopically adjustable steering wheel.
There’s a large rev counter and supplementary info in front of the driver, a basic touch screen slapped in the centre and a few buttons splashed around to control the air conditioning.
There’s nothing outstanding regarding the design, allowing you to have all the basics and simply focus on driving.
What really transforms the driving experience is the ability to quickly unlock the roof and throw it behind you at any given moment. You open up the light and remove the feeling of claustrophobia that the closed roof can bring. I certainly made the most of every clear sky that came my way.
Surprisingly, the MX-5 has been built to maximise every nook and cranny for storage and practicality. There’s a rear boot that’ll house 130L of space, a centre glove box between the drive and a tiny compartment under the driver’s elbow.
You could take a trip away in the MX-5, but you’ll need to ditch the hard shell suitcases for duffle bags and debate which pair of shoes to bring (no, you can’t bring both). But at least the MX-5’s roof doesn’t impact the boot storage at all, and when you raise it up, it provides an additional storage shelf.
Buy this thing if you love driving. That’s my reasoning to myself.
If you value the driving experience above all else, there’s a reason why the MX-5 is still regarded as the holy grail of pure sports car experience.
I love my Abarth 500, but the ND Mazda MX-5 is my next car for now. When I need to move on from my car, there’s nothing really as engaging, unique and encouraging to drive than the MX-5.
I can see clearly why it’s so revered, and it’s deserving of all of its praise. It’s so special that Mazda is carefully working on the NE generation to continue what makes the ND so great into the next generation.
Sure, if you need more space, seats and features, there are other options out there. But nothing - aside from the Subaru BRZ - comes this close to a pure driving experience like this.
*Disclaimer - I work for ProductReview as their independent car and motorbike expert. I borrow new cars and motorbikes from manufacturers and owners to review. I am not paid or incentivised by these brands to post reviews. I write and create content to provide insight and information about any new or used vehicle I can get my hands on.
BMW M3
4.6 (17) Summary
- Starting Price $14,000 to $180,395
- TransmissionSemi-Automatic and Dual-Clutch (DCT)
- Drive TypeRear Wheel Drive (RWD)
- Fuel TypePetrol
Seamus S VIC
CompetitionMore
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EconomicalWe buy the bm m3 f80 and we fine it very eesy to drive an economical. very good car. if you want good economical car this one is very good. Show details
Audi TT (2006-2024)
4.3 (14) Summary
- Starting Price $74,700 to $141,240
- TransmissionManual and Dual-Clutch (DCT)
- Drive TypeFront Wheel Drive (FWD) and Four Wheel Drive (4WD)
- Fuel TypePetrol
Taldree 4220 19 posts
Verified Coupe S LineMore
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Audi, no after sales service, Car good so farPurchased a new TT in Feb 21, car so far has been excellent however, I'm just starting to experience the Audi after sales support. Emailed some general questions to Audi Customer Support, eg Extended Warranty Purchase, but h... Read moreave no answer from them after an initial acknowledgment. Emailed my local Audi dealer service centre but heard nothing from them at all. Maybe I should have bought the Lexus, brilliant after sales service I hear. Well, I'll drive the TT for a while and see what happens, then probably a Lexus.
Mini Cabrio
5.0 (3)
Bigcuddlybear Sydney 4 posts
R57.IIMore
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Always fun to driveI wouldn't change a thing about my mini! Its a breeze through Sydney's traffic and I love crossing the habour bridge with the roof down in the summer. It handles well and feels nippy around the city, gets good gas mileage and... Read more is comfortable enough on long journeys. This car deserves every bit of its cult status
Reliable and nippy!
Back seats could be a bit more spacious but hey....its a mini!
Daihatsu Copen
5.0 (1)
PrinceBuster5 ACT 2 posts
VerifiedMore
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Like having a tempestuous love affairThe Copen is an achingly beautiful dedicated driver's car that you have to WANT to own. If you're unsure whether to get a Copen or a pre 2015 MX-5 with a soft top - go buy the MX-5.
On the other hand, if you buy a Copen you ... Read moreare basically buying a baby racing car with a retractable roof that will be the most fun you've ever had driving! Every drive is a pleasure, changing gears all the time with the close ratio box and it handles like a cat on carpet. See off Porsche Cayennes through roundabouts! Being a Japanese made Daihatsu, build quality is impeccable & if serviced properly these cars will do at least 160k+ km with no problems. Plus, it basically makes everyone who sees it - very happy. You'll be getting "wow, what a beautiful car, what is it?!" regularly and from all ages & sexes, from 18yo girls to 80 year old men & absolutely everyone in between. People just can't help looking at it. Leaving poker tonight I had two young blokes admiring it & asking me everything about it. Out of the factory, the little inline intercooled 659cc twin scroll turbo four has to be a maximum of 50kW under Japanese laws, but these babies were engineered to go much further. Which is good, because stock they are pretty slow but that can be fixed. The engine redline is 8,000RPM but there's no point going over 6,000 - the close ratio box & the small turbo means the engine is always on boost anyway. The seats & driving position are excellent if you're under 6'2". Here's the basic upgrade: replace the deliberately bad air intake with a direct cone filter, put in a straight through 2" exhaust, fit a manual boost controller to get to 15psi boost, remove & cap the 'vent to turbo' pipe to get a fantastic blow-off noise & fit a real time engine temp display since the stock unit is useless & the amount of coolant is very small. I live in Canberra where temps range from -6 to 46deg. Curiously, running the a/c brings the engine temp down 15deg with no noticeable loss of power. Insurance is cheap. Now why you might prefer an MX-5. Copens are exotic outside Japan so you'll be sourcing every part from overseas. You'll have to find a mechanic who either knows Copens or wants to learn. She needs fresh, good quality oil every 6 months and proper logbook servicing. Forget luggage, there is almost no boot when the roof is down so you'll be carrying the shopping home on the passenger seat & in the footwell. In-cabin storage is very limited - better than a current retractable roof MX-5 but that's a very, very low bar to jump. You'll have to learn where controls & buttons are but that's pretty easy. When the roof is up you realise just how small it is. A Copen is not a touring car, it pulls 4k in 5th gear at 100kmh & you'll feel every stone on the road. Fuel economy is about 8.5L/100 km. So, that's what owning a Copen is like. You'll either fall in love or hate all the compromises - it just depends on what you want in a car. If you're a driver, it'll be hard to wipe the smile off your face.
On the other hand, if you buy a Copen you ... Read moreare basically buying a baby racing car with a retractable roof that will be the most fun you've ever had driving! Every drive is a pleasure, changing gears all the time with the close ratio box and it handles like a cat on carpet. See off Porsche Cayennes through roundabouts! Being a Japanese made Daihatsu, build quality is impeccable & if serviced properly these cars will do at least 160k+ km with no problems. Plus, it basically makes everyone who sees it - very happy. You'll be getting "wow, what a beautiful car, what is it?!" regularly and from all ages & sexes, from 18yo girls to 80 year old men & absolutely everyone in between. People just can't help looking at it. Leaving poker tonight I had two young blokes admiring it & asking me everything about it. Out of the factory, the little inline intercooled 659cc twin scroll turbo four has to be a maximum of 50kW under Japanese laws, but these babies were engineered to go much further. Which is good, because stock they are pretty slow but that can be fixed. The engine redline is 8,000RPM but there's no point going over 6,000 - the close ratio box & the small turbo means the engine is always on boost anyway. The seats & driving position are excellent if you're under 6'2". Here's the basic upgrade: replace the deliberately bad air intake with a direct cone filter, put in a straight through 2" exhaust, fit a manual boost controller to get to 15psi boost, remove & cap the 'vent to turbo' pipe to get a fantastic blow-off noise & fit a real time engine temp display since the stock unit is useless & the amount of coolant is very small. I live in Canberra where temps range from -6 to 46deg. Curiously, running the a/c brings the engine temp down 15deg with no noticeable loss of power. Insurance is cheap. Now why you might prefer an MX-5. Copens are exotic outside Japan so you'll be sourcing every part from overseas. You'll have to find a mechanic who either knows Copens or wants to learn. She needs fresh, good quality oil every 6 months and proper logbook servicing. Forget luggage, there is almost no boot when the roof is down so you'll be carrying the shopping home on the passenger seat & in the footwell. In-cabin storage is very limited - better than a current retractable roof MX-5 but that's a very, very low bar to jump. You'll have to learn where controls & buttons are but that's pretty easy. When the roof is up you realise just how small it is. A Copen is not a touring car, it pulls 4k in 5th gear at 100kmh & you'll feel every stone on the road. Fuel economy is about 8.5L/100 km. So, that's what owning a Copen is like. You'll either fall in love or hate all the compromises - it just depends on what you want in a car. If you're a driver, it'll be hard to wipe the smile off your face.
Audi RS4
5.0 (2) Summary
- Starting Price $151,010 to $165,000
- TransmissionAutomatic, Manual and Dual-Clutch (DCT)
- Drive TypeAll Wheel Drive (AWD)
- Fuel TypePetrol
Unhappy _ budget direct NSW 2 posts
B7More
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a manual V8 just something about them an absolute pleasure to drive it almost as it an extension of your physical beingI drive this car as a daily driver, and simply fits with my needs depending on the moment it can instantly become the "Beast" when needed it has got me out of the occasional tight spot, goes with out saying that very few 4 do... Read moreor sedans out there provides this sort of flexibility. I would classify it as the best allrounder I have owned it for 6 years its regularly serviced, I don't find the servicing cost to be unusually excessive when you consider it a performance vehicle that needs special and regular oil servicing to keep it at its peak performance.
would certainly recommend it to anyone that needs 4 door's 5 seats sedan V8 with 420 horses!
finally price I paid 42K it has also appreciated in value if I were considering selling that's a big IF, would envisage sale at 52K to 55K. not only have I driven it for 6 years but actually have an investment gain on the purchase price.
Ford Mustang
4.6 (37) Summary
- Starting Price $49,990 to $74,709
- TransmissionAutomatic and Manual
- Drive TypeRear Wheel Drive (RWD)
- Fuel TypePetrol
Nick VIC 4 posts
MustangMore
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Ripoff2016 purchased a Mustang ecoboost 4 cylinder airconditioning spilling out hot air took it to aircon specialist and has told me that it's leaking from behind the dashboard so take it to a Ford dealer to have a look at it. I r... Read moreang the dealer and I was told that it will cost me $3.500 to have it fix and replace the evaporator, but the main cost will be the removal of the dashboard which will take all day to get to the evaparotor to replace the new one. I looked up on the website problems with Mustangs and yes one was the airconditioning and many unhappy customers. So Ford since you know that this is a problem you should have a recall and not ripoff customers. Knowing what I know now about this particular module I wouldn't have purchased one.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class (1992-2024)
4.6 (5) Summary
- Starting Price $199,100 to $402,500
- TransmissionAutomatic
- Drive TypeRear Wheel Drive (RWD)
- Fuel TypePetrol and Diesel
Sunset_Sam WA 48 posts
S-Class W220/V220More
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Mercedes W220 S320 ... the Best or Nothing?I've owned many cars over the years & if you read my other reviews favor former Australian made cars like Holden.
But I have a soft spot for Mercedes. I've owned a W126 420 SEL, W140 S500 and now a W220 S320.
First of all g... Read more
ood, clean examples of this model are hard to find at a 'reasonable price' without needing work. The W220 is a much maligned model where Mercedes accountants overruled the engineers, hence reliability and quality come into question. You can read about this elsewhere in detail, on the net. These cars ARE COMPLICATED with multiple computer systems from rain detection windscreen wipers to infrared radar distance control on later models. There were so many options that no W220 S Class is ever the same. There is an S280, S320, S350, S430, S500 and the ultra rare S 55 AMG. Mine is a series one S320 V6 M112 engine, 5 speed automatic with 190 000 kms on the clock. I picked up my car at a cheap price as the airmatic system had failed and had multiple oil leaks. But the body was exceptional as was the interior & the air cond had been replaced (by the previous owner) at great cost. All the work I did myself & saved thousands in labor costs alone. My high end scan tool determined where the airmatic suspension leak was. I replaced the rear struts & an air line from the compressor to the air block (This distributes air to all four corners of the cars suspension). My scan tool also recalibrated the suspension which needs to be done after strut replacement. There are some common oil leaks which are easy to fix on the V6 M112 engine if you are prepared to get your hands dirty. The previous owner had spent so much and simply could not afford the multiple repairs that were needed. So for me, it was a bargain. The drains on the sunroof need to be kept clean as do the drains below the wipers. There can block, leak into the interior and fry the ECM, so check the footwells and pillars for dampness. There are excellent aftermarket parts but do your homework and OEM Mercedes parts can be hunted down at good prices. The V6 holds just over 8 litres of oil (yes eight) and there are two spark plugs per cylinder. That aside ... everytime I drive this car it feels special. There airmatic ride is exceptional, even with 18 inch low profile tyres, the 1999 infotainment system is ancient but retro cool and the factory Nokia analog phone is always a treat to show people. The seats are extremely comfortable and if you are on the larger side you will love them. These cars even mine were $100 000 plus when new ... so remember they are luxury cars (maintenance costs can be high if you can't wrench yourself). In all honesty, many modern Toyota's, Kia's etc have many of the options these cars had (and more), are much cheaper to run and VERY reliable ... But that's not what the W220 S Class is about ... it's about how it makes you feel ... it really is special ... But go into ownership with your eyes wide open ... and invest in a high end scan tool that can read/diagnose the multiple systems that these cars have. It will save you much money and will pay for itself in no time.Audi A3
4.0 (55) Summary
- Starting Price $33,900 to $62,490
- TransmissionAutomatic, Manual and Dual-Clutch (DCT)
- Drive TypeFront Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD)
- Fuel TypePetrol and Diesel
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Heather D. NSW 4 posts
8VGreat car, amazing drive, will never go backBought a new A3 Sline in October 2020, easy process and Audi dealer was no hassle. Only annoying thing was the extras lady offering the ridiculous Schmick paint protection package, which actually doesn't cover a lot of things... Read more! But this has always been the norm for dealers in my experience.
Sales guy sold us the car and told us it had features such as park assist, which it turned out our car does not actually have..... so this was a massive disappointment.
Very good warranty 5 years! plus paid 5 years service package for piece of mind.
Car gets used daily for commuting and for the occasional trip, has a good bit off power to it too!
No issues with it so far, only annoying thing is the A3 is the only car in the entire Audi range which does not link up to the My Audi app!! So I have been unable to access any features all other Audi cars have, and have no service record as this is all kept in the My Audi app, of which the A3's have no access too???
Its had one service at Audi, which appears to just be an oil change, the car came back dirty and with windscreen wipers that left smears on the screen, so had to go buy new wiper blades and fill the washer fluid. Ive never been returned a dirty car from service before.
Great car cant fault it, just don't take it to Audi for servicing.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
4.0 (14) Summary
- Starting Price $92,600 to $211,400
- TransmissionAutomatic
- Drive TypeRear Wheel Drive (RWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD)
- Fuel TypePetrol, Diesel and Hybrid
Steve NSW 4 posts
E-Class E400 W212 SedanMore
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Best Car I have ever drivenThis is a drivers car with a very responsive 3 litre Twin Turbo 6 cylinder automatic (also with Flappy paddle).
So many drivers aid options you can only get on more recent model cars. Eco/Sports mode. Lane assist, park assis... Read moret. I drive this car for fun although occasionally i like to ferry the in-laws so it suits both racing and cruising. Fuel economy is always around 9.5 litres per 100 km although on the sedate long freeway runs i have attained 7.4 litres. I have had the car for 3 years and am still discovering all the features (like retuning automatic transmission). My criteria for a motor vehicle was it had to be rear wheel drive, with a bit of power that was fun to drive. Not disappointed in any way. Genuine parts and servicing can be on the expensive side though. My $1200 service at Mercedes cost $400 with local mechanic.
So many drivers aid options you can only get on more recent model cars. Eco/Sports mode. Lane assist, park assis... Read moret. I drive this car for fun although occasionally i like to ferry the in-laws so it suits both racing and cruising. Fuel economy is always around 9.5 litres per 100 km although on the sedate long freeway runs i have attained 7.4 litres. I have had the car for 3 years and am still discovering all the features (like retuning automatic transmission). My criteria for a motor vehicle was it had to be rear wheel drive, with a bit of power that was fun to drive. Not disappointed in any way. Genuine parts and servicing can be on the expensive side though. My $1200 service at Mercedes cost $400 with local mechanic.
BMW 3 Series
3.8 (105) Summary
- Starting Price $56,100 to $82,000
- TransmissionAutomatic and Dual-Clutch (DCT)
- Drive TypeRear Wheel Drive (RWD)
- Fuel TypePetrol and Diesel
- See all
Brad R. WA
M Sportawesome car2015 320d GT, purchased in 2023 low km under 70,000km lovely car to drive sitting on 19" rims i average around 4.6ltr per 100km as i mostly do freeway trips car is perfect, last time i filled up cost me about $93 and i got 11... Read more30km from a tank. Has plenty of power when needed has everything that opens and shuts.
so far no issues car has full BMW service history. Should have purchased years ago.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
3.8 (102) Summary
- Starting Price $62,400 to $165,900
- TransmissionAutomatic
- Drive TypeRear Wheel Drive (RWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD)
- Fuel TypePetrol, Diesel and Hybrid
- See all
Dean64 WA 116 posts
C250BETTER CARS AVAILABLE FOR HALF THE PRICEI bought my first Merc 40 years ago, it was well built, technologically ahead of most other cars and you felt safe in it. I have owned another 6 mercs in the last 37 years and it is patently obvious that as the years roll by ... Read morethe build quality has decreased markedly and the technology is no better than some Korean or Japanese cars. We currently have a C250, a nice looking car and nice to drive, but.......The gear selecter lever is where half the rest of the world has the indicators, on a stalk on the right side of the wheel. The Command Nav system is useless, it can only accept the most basic English words and anything slightly complex, it just makes a guess which is usually nowhere close eg " Glanton way" to which it replies " Stanton drive??" it would be funny if you were listening to someone else trying to use it but not when you're trying to find an address, other than that it is clunky and over complicated, which has been widely criticised by motoring journos. Also, you would think that a $100K 2016 model car would have Bluetooth pretty sorted? wrong!! The Bluetooth connects to my phone roughly 75% of the time, and never when you really need it. The emergency braking system is dangerous and can't be adjusted or turned off eg someone walks in front of the car 50 metres up the road, whilst the car would be reasonably close to said person, it would be nowhere near hitting them, the car goes into full emergency braking and you are just there for the ride, if there is a car close behind you you had better hope they are paying attention and have very good brakes, this "feature" has nearly caused many more accidents than it has saved. Servicing at the dealership is fine if you sell a kidney each time, needless to say I have it serviced at a non dealer/specialist for half the dealership cost. Yes it is a good looking car and nice to drive (mostly) but for half the price, provided you are happy to lose the snob factor, you can get same or better technology and up to 7 years warranty (as I right this I think Mercedes have finally gone to 5 years)
BMW 1 Series
3.8 (27) Summary
- Starting Price $39,000 to $63,990
- TransmissionAutomatic, Manual, Semi-Automatic and Dual-Clutch (DCT)
- Drive TypeFront Wheel Drive (FWD), Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD)
- Fuel TypePetrol and Diesel
Kelly M. WA 2 posts
E88More
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So beautiful and fun to drive! We're keeping it indefinitelyBought one second-hand after one issue was detected by the paid comprehensive pre-purchase inspection and fixed before sale. Future repairs came only years later, as expected. Great fun car. Sexy roar. We're keeping it as long as it runs. Show details
Audi A4
3.5 (77) Summary
- Starting Price $50,750 to $74,800
- TransmissionAutomatic, Manual, Continuously Variable (CVT), Semi-Automatic and Dual-Clutch (DCT)
- Drive TypeFront Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD)
- Fuel TypePetrol and Diesel
- See all
Rod Queensland 67 posts
B9Great all rounderBought my A4 45 S line in Jan 2023 from Audi Centre Brisbane. Drove the car from Brisbane to Cairns and let me tell you, it’s the most comfortable road trip I’ve ever done. The car has a lot of punch when you select dynamic m... Read moreode and have a bit of fun whilst on a road trip, the cabin is quiet with minimal road noise, fuel economy is great, onboard tech is great you can send text messages without touching your phone while on the go, ask Siri or the onboard MMI with anything and it will give you the result. The Quattro system is unbelievable, great handling on all weather conditions and the car sticks like Velcro during wet season. What I like about my car it’s understated, a good looking car, nicely constructed with that deep “thunk” sound when closing the doors as you know you have a well German made car, premium materials used inside the cabin and a bit of a head turner. You can download the my Audi app and it will give you features everything about the car. Audi provided 6yr warranty/6yr servicing/6yr road Assitance which gives me peace of mind and, they will also enrol you in the Audi experience program. The car is an all rounder and I’m glad I made the right decision over a 3 series or c class.
BMW 4 Series
3.5 (6) Summary
- Starting Price $70,900 to $118,929
- TransmissionAutomatic
- Drive TypeRear Wheel Drive (RWD)
- Fuel TypePetrol and Diesel
Disguntaled 3 posts
M440i xDriveMore
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Loving looking car. Poor on coarse chip roadsIf you live in a rural area with allot of typical coarse chip roads do not choose an alloy wheel with run flat tyres. The noise level is on par with a Toyota Corolla (not a joke). Apart from the noise, the car drives really w... Read moreell, very comfortable and handles excellent. The engine is of course a masterpiece. For me though, when you’re spending $130,000 plus the noise level is unacceptable with run flat tyres. I should stress that on smooth pavement it is very quiet.
Build quality was one of the best, I put four stars for cleaning and maintenance because despite the individual paintwork, I found bugs etc very easily stuck to the paint.
Peugeot 308
3.2 (81) Summary
- Starting Price $19,290 to $69,990
- TransmissionAutomatic and Manual
- Drive TypeFront Wheel Drive (FWD)
- Fuel TypePetrol, Diesel, Electric and Hybrid
- See all
Cameron NSW 110 posts
308 P5 Hatchback GT PremiumA step up in design, technology and qualityIt’s the all new and improved Peugeot 308. It signals a new wave of cars for Peugeot and a new direction for the iconic French manufacturer.
It’s more than just a new badge and design. There’s been a deep focus on attention... Read more
to detail here, but that comes with a higher price tag. Almost like it was inspired by Hermes, the build quality in the 308 was exceptional. Leather was plentiful throughout the cabin and it felt oh-so buttery. All digital displays in this Euro hatch were responsive, bright and vibrant. It was a delight to engage with the key functions inside the Peugeot. There’s a noticeable heft in the door feel too, which complements the premium approach Peugeot is hard lining for. This top shelf 308 will set you back $53,504. That puts it into the premium segment and pulls it out of its previous occupation in the more affordable hatchback space. That’s not uncommon, but the main issue my audience has with this price tag is the engine you receive at this price point. Peugeot's 5-year unlimited kilometre warranty promises peace of mind, and service packages are fairly priced, ranging from $1000 for 3 years to $1800 for 5 years. On ProductReview.com.au, the average score for the Peugeot 308 is 3.2 out of 5. That’s not a stellar score from owners of the Peugeot 308. So I’m hoping that Peugeot have addressed previous complaints with the 308’s reliability for better long term ownership experiences. The interior of the 308 is a quiet retreat away from the outside world. I was deeply impressed with the isolation from the road and surrounding vehicles when cruising in this French hatch. In addition, the 10-speaker Focal sound system was more than sufficient, but phone calls ended up sounding like you were talking to someone through a tin can. Nothing particularly impressive about the brakes here. There's a camera/radar fusion autonomous emergency braking system on board in case you forget to spot an obstacle before it gets close. Here’s possibly the weakest argument for buying the new 308 GT. For over $50,000 you’re getting a 1.2L 3 cylinder turbocharged petrol motor. That’s fine, seeing as Toyota has proven to us that a 3 cylinder turbo petrol engine can be exciting. This 3 cylinder only manages to produce a mere 96kW (130hp) and 230Nm. For exclusive city driving, that’s a fine amount of power. There’s a healthy response from the 308 but occasionally that can be disrupted by a splash of turbo lag. Power is sent exclusively to the front wheels, but you’ll never need to worry about spinning tires. This 8 speed automatic transmission is a fine way to get up to speed, but it lacks any crucial feedback if you want to drive this thing like a hot hatch. The 8 speed smoothly switches through its gears, again helping reinforce that French luxury appeal. Here’s the frustrating part for me. The Peugeot 308 is a lot of fun to drive, but all I crave is more power to make the most of this chassis! It’s quick on its feet when reacting to inputs from the steering wheel. It’s honestly a lot of fun to drive through tight and twisty roads. Claimed fuel efficiency is 5.3L per 100km combined. However, I saw figures in the high 6-7L range. I found it hard to get close to that 5.3L claim during my week with the 308. The interior of the 308 GT is the highlight of this French hatchback’s new design. There’s dual LCD displays available, lots of leather and a visually impressive new layout. The driver’s display offers a ‘3-D’ mode, which by reflecting a LCD display onto the digital gauge cluster, can produce a 3-D effect which looks visually stunning. I adored the stitching and materials splashed throughout this 308’s interior too, which helps justify that Premium designation. The headline feature would be the digital buttons below the centre touchscreen, again adding to the ‘Avant Garde’ nature of the new 308. That small shifter also looks a lot like the same shifter you’ll find in the new VW Golf. And even though that steering wheel looks great, its awkward placement can block the gauge cluster at most viewing angles. This forces you to sit in a particular seating position which might not be the most comfortable. The 308 GT Premium has a 384L of boot space with the rear seats up, and 1295L with the rear seats folded. If you’re after a European luxury hatchback, the Peugeot 308 GT Premium definitely stands out as a potential top consideration. The features you’re getting, styling and materials in the 308 makes it a lot more appealing than some direct European rivals and undercuts the big 3 German automakers too. If you can expand your mind past a European hatch option, the new Honda Civic offers amazing attention to detail and packaging that makes it one of the best hatchbacks in its class. Or you could even consider a Mazda 3 which is another strong alternative too. The downside is that the power plant, which is going to be fine for day-to-day driving, might make you wish you had more horsepower out on the highway or during moments of spirited driving. And let’s hope Peugeot has improved the long-term reliability of the new 308 too. *Disclaimer - I work for ProductReview as their independent car and motorbike expert. I borrow new cars and motorbikes from manufacturers and owners to review. I am not paid or incentivised by these brands to post reviews. I write and create content to provide insight and information about any new or used vehicle I can get my hands on.Audi A5
2.9 (13) Summary
- Starting Price $68,900 to $95,000
- TransmissionContinuously Variable (CVT) and Dual-Clutch (DCT)
- Drive TypeFront Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD)
- Fuel TypePetrol
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Unreliable nightmareRequired a new engine after less than 30k. I knew there was a problem with oil consumption but was repeatedly fobbed off by Audi Richmond who told me that using 1L of synthetic oil per week was “normal” :-). After repeat vis... Read moreits to the dealers they finally admitted that there was a problem and kept my car for 8 weeks whilst the engine was replaced. I found the service arrogant and irritating. I’ll never buy Audi again.
BMW 2 Series (2014-2024)
No reviews Summary
- Starting Price $49,500 to $86,829
- TransmissionAutomatic
- Drive TypeFront Wheel Drive (FWD) and Rear Wheel Drive (RWD)
- Fuel TypePetrol
Car still great, normal servicing of car at the dealer is a good service, but Audi Australia still lack customer service and appear to have no communication with their dealers.