Buyer Guide

Car buyers guide: Something for the golden ages

The dilemma:
Gordon and his wife, Lorraine, are about to embark on the adventure of retirement and, as is the way at this intersection in life, they are wondering what to do about a car - one that might have to last them for years. As part of his farewell package, Gordon gets to keep the company's Holden Calais - and get this, the fuel card - for six months, but after that, they're on their own. With a modest but worthwhile private superannuation to bolster the Government's fortnightly handout, they're thinking of something a step or two up from the super-econocars that so many golden agers buy. They like the idea of a mid-size diesel 2 or 3 years old. Is that sound thinking, and what should they look at?

Buyer's Guide likes the idea of shopping for a car that will still have low mileage yet have had several big bites of depreciation chopped from its new price. Even better if there are a few months left on the three-year new-car warranty, and if it has records that show it was serviced according to those warranty requirements.

The budget: About $30,000 but hopefully less

The shortlist:

BMW 320d
A good 320d from around 2008 is likely to top this week's budget, but we're including it in case our couple decides they'd like a golden age splurge. The 320d, which comes in several versions, is a stunning car. Great to drive, great to be seen in, its powerful 2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel gives the car better performance than many petrol rivals, yet sips only six litres per 100km for a Fuelsaver rating of five out of six.
$ 40 000

Ford Mondeo
Powered by a high-tech 2-liter turbodiesel developed by Ford and Peugeot, a well-kept 2008 Mondeo offers great value for money depreciated. It is quite spacious, has good performance helped by a six-speed automatic transmission and overall fuel consumption is 7.1 liters per 100 km, for a rating of 4.5 out Fuelstar 6.
$ 24 000

Hyundai Sonata Elite
Hyundai Sonata has developed gradually into a car that matches or even surpasses its rivals in Europe and Japan.Originally a producer of cheap cars and gay, Hyundai became obsessed with quality and technology. Its two-liter engine provides a dynamic performance and earned a good reputation. Buyer's Guide prefer the Elite version better equipped, but do not exclude others.

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Some annuities have stated terms. When the term is up, the contract may automatically expire or renew. You’ve usually given a short period of time, called a window, to decide if you want to renew or surrender the annuity . If you surrender during the window, you won’t have to pay surrender charges. If you renew, the surrender or withdrawal charges may start over. In some annuities , there is no charge if you surrender your contract when the company’s current interest rate falls below a certain level. This may be called a bail-out option.

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