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Hi there, what brand of car would you recommend? There are so many to choose from and I need one that will not cost me an arm and a leg just for parts! My current Mitsubishi air trek 2003 has cooling issues and been told it needs new engine! Been told Toyota brand is good..am not sure though as I have only owned the Mitsubishi and have spent so much money fixing it up..it had a lot if mileage.
Any tips on what to look out for when am searching for my next car? Cheers

Most new cars these days are good but in general Japanese vehicles have one of the best reputations as well as being more affordable to maintain. You are correct, the Toyota brand is good and they are sought after cars which unfortunately pushes their prices up in the used car market. If you can give us an indication on the budget and type of vehicle you are looking for we will be able to advise you accordingly. The lower mileage car with a excellent service/repair history is the way to go.

Budget would be between $10-$15 grand at the most as I have to pay for the current Mitsubishi to be repaired before I can try to sell it or trade in for another vehicle. Preferably we would prefer a wagon,sedan or something of the sort but not a hatchback(tiny car) as we are a growing family of four. Ay tips on what to look out and avoid when purchasing vehicle?really appreciate any suggestions/ideas on this as I know very little about vehicles. Will definitely be avoiding the high mileage ones...but when is mileage considered high? Within what range? Cheers

In this price range you could consider the Mazda Atenza/6 wagons or sedans, Ford Mondeo or Focus wagons/sedans and Hyundai's i30 wagon. Try stay below the 100,000km mileage but if this cannot be avoided then try not go over the 150,000km. These vehicles have good reputations and are popular choices. You should get a AA Pre-Purchase inspection carried out to give you some peace of mind.