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150922 holden vf series ii 35
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2015 ford territory
John Wright20 Mar 2021
NEWS

Top six Aussie cars to invest in now

The used-car market is booming but there’s still plenty of money to be made from these homegrown heroes

COVID-19 has had – and continues to have – an extraordinary effect on the used car market. As ships ferrying overseas-made vehicles to Australia virtually stopped arriving, prices of used cars have increased in unprecedented fashion.

Dealers were unable to get stock, auction prices for even very ordinary early-this-century cars – many with engine warning lights blazing – soared and clearance rates remain at near record levels.

In particular, late-model Australian-made cars – especially upmarket V8s from Holden, Ford, Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) and Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) – have attracted a big increase in interest and continue to set auction records.

But unlike imports such as the Ford Mustang GT, supply of these homegrown cars will not be subject to shipping. That said, a late-model Mustang recently sold at auction for $51K. The same car a year ago would have fetched less than $40K and originally retailed for less than $50K. So if you want a used Mustang, maybe wait until new car supplies return to normal.

Cars sold by licensed dealers or at auction have clear title. If you’re buying privately, you need to make sure you are not inheriting someone else’s debt, so get a REVS check online before you buy – it’s very inexpensive insurance!

Dealers and private buyers alike take a punt when buying at auction unless the vehicle is being sold with a current roadworthy/safety certificate, which many are – especially dearer and/or newer cars.

At a recent auction I attended, a dealer friend of mine bought two cars, one for $5500 and the other for $4K. He had no idea how much work would be needed to obtain the necessary certificates before they can be on-sold as going concerns. The test drive for one was by me taking it back to the dealership!

Many cars bought in the $3000-$10,000 (or higher) range may require expenditure of up to 50 per cent of the purchase price to pass the test; some will be prohibitively pricey to repair.

It’s always a good idea to look for leaks underneath any car you are thinking of buying; some cannot be repaired without removing the engine. Steering, brakes, suspension, even items like seats (no holes or rips, even under seat covers) and electric windows are all safety items. If an electric roof on a convertible won’t open, it must be repaired.

It's good news when an engine uses a timing chain rather than belt – like most models from BMW and Mercedes-Benz, all Holden Commodores and Ford Falcons and Territorys, and the Honda Accord Euro.

The more history you can view in the guise of service books and receipts the better, but the absence of same should not stop you considering a particular car: it’s the condition it is in now that counts! And always buy the best example you can afford.

There has been increasing interest in Australian cars since local auto manufacturing (except for specialist concerns like Brabham) ceased in 2017. Here are the top six models I recommend to invest in, from dearest to cheapest.

2015-2017 VFII Holden Commodore SS-V Redline

At a Brisbane auction last month, an immaculate low-km, one-owner example in an especially fetching dark metallic blue sold for $55K after frenetic bidding, during which one man held his hand up the entire time.

This was just after the Mustang mentioned earlier sold for $51K, but the difference is that there will never be a renewed supply of Commodores, let alone V8 versions.

The key here is that the top-line Commodore sports sedan is a serious half-price alternative to a late-model HSV (which are sometimes advertised by prestige specialist dealers at $120K-plus), and prices should continue to rise.

There are currently more than 200 examples of the VFII (MY16-17) SS-V Redline Commodore – Holden’s finest and final homegrown V8 – advertised on carsales and one of the last to be produced recently sold at auction for $750K.

Some ambitious owners are even asking up to $70K for rare VFII V8s like the base Ute SS manual, which you could drive away new in for under $45K in 2017.

Price to pay: $50K-$60K

Search for a 2015-2017 VFII Holden Commodore SS-V Redline on carsales
150922 holden vf series ii 35

2003-2007 BA/BF FPV Falcon GT

Under legendary boss the late Geoff Polites, Ford Australia was not going to relaunch the famous Falcon GT badge until it had a worthy donor. That model was the Polites-inspired BA FPV GT of 2003.

The Blue Oval’s FPV performance sub-brand produced a series of great cars from 2002 to 2014, but these early GTs are among the most affordable and likely to benefit from the moniker in future. Excellent examples are available from as little as $25K.

Price to pay: $25K-$35K

Search for a 2003-2007 BA/BF FPV Falcon GT on carsales
fpv 2003 ba falcon gt

2011-2016 SZ Ford Territory Titanium

With the launch of the facelifted SZ Ford Territory with the 2.7-litre turbo-diesel V6 option in 2011, the old Ghia badged was dropped in favour of Titanium.

This top-spec Territory is a luxurious and versatile SUV with the choice of rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and a 4.0-litre petrol six or the aforementioned diesel, plus a seven-seat option.

Ford Australia imported the very first BMW X5 into Australia (ie: before BMW Australia!), pulled it apart and used it as the inspiration for Project E265, which resulted in the all-new 2004 Territory – the only SUV ever built in Australia and arguably the best SUV ever made by Ford anywhere.

Diesels were high fashion then but are now on the nose throughout Europe, so maybe the lusty DOHC 4.0-litre petrol engine is the more sensible choice.

Price to pay: $10K-$30K

Search for a 2011-2016 SZ Ford Territory Titanium on carsales
2015 ford territory

2010 FG Ford Falcon XR6 50th Anniversary

There’s no sign yet, but eventually this special version of the Ford Falcon XR6 is sure to attract collector interest.

In real terms the six-pack sports Falcon is every bit the equal of its XR8 sibling (V8 rumble aside) – a dynamic, robust, utterly versatile machine that’s as good for taking the family on holiday as doing a track day.

Of course, in 2010, no-one knew Ford Australia would cease manufacturing within seven years, so 50 years of the Falcon – 56, finally – was worth celebrating since very few automotive sub-brands endure so long.

Price to pay: $12K to $22K (Turbos cost a bit more)

Search for a 2010 FG Ford Falcon XR6 50th Anniversary on carsales
ford falcon xr6 50th anniversary

2006-2008 VZ/VZ Series II Holden Adventra

Unlike the Ford Territory, the Holden Adventra was not an SUV designed from the ground up but, rather, a raised Commodore wagon with a sophisticated all-wheel drive chassis.

It was actually a superb car with superior off-road abilities to the Ford, which was never intended to go bush. Holden’s engineers – worked hard by then-boss Peter Hanenberger – did a brilliant job.

To experience the stability of an Adventra on loose surfaces is a joy. Best served with a V8 engine!

Price to pay: $6K-$10K

Search for a 2006-2008 VZ/VZ Series II Holden Adventra on carsales
holden adventra diwn

2005-2008 Mitsubishi 380 GT

The Mitsubishi 380 is one of the Australian automotive industry’s sad stories. This was an excellent car, too late and poorly marketed.

The premium GT variant is the pick with a lovely leather cabin and a high level of equipment, but remains scarce. Next best is the VR-X.

Unique to Australia, the 380 is an outstandingly well engineered large front-drive sedan and the swansong of local manufacturing for Mitsubishi in 2008.

Price to pay: $5K-$8K

Search for a 2005-2008 Mitsubishi 380 GT on carsales
mitsubishi 380 gt
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Written byJohn Wright
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