The Nissan Cube is a uniquely styled compact car that stands out with its boxy design, spacious interior, and urban-friendly practicality. Loved for its quirky looks and efficient performance, it offers surprising roominess and comfort in a small footprint. Whether you’re buying new, locally used, or imports, this guide helps you choose the right Cube.

Long before Tesla became the cool trend in electric mobility, the Nissan Leaf was making major inroads in the electric car segment and it carved out a name as the first electric car to achieve commercial success. In New Zealand, it has achieved great success thanks to the growing concern for the environment and demand for efficiency. The Nissan Leaf, like all electric cars is inherently complex and nowhere is this more prevalent than the used car market. The amount of conflicting information on the Leaf out there is overwhelming and it can be quite daunting for buyers to get to the facts.

The Nissan Navara has undergone tremendous change over the years and it’s now one of the best pickups in the market. It’s a versatile truck that can be deployed for various applications such as hauling cargo, family transport and off-roading. It faces stiff competition from its perennial rivals such as the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi Triton and Isuzu D-Max which are all excellent pickups. What sets the Navara apart is its strong off-road capability, spacious cabin and affordability. It’s however haunted by a history of unreliability mainly with the first generation but the issues still linger on with the subsequent generations.  In this guide, we will tell you how reliable the Nissan Navara is and the problems to look out for when buying a used one.

When it comes to efficiency, practicality and affordability, nothing beats the Nissan Note. You will be hard-pressed to find an alternative that can match it across these parameters. In New Zealand, the demand for the Note is shooting through the roof but historically, the Note has not been stellar. It takes a hit when it comes to long-term reliability and stories abound of how it does not age gracefully. Its engines have also been fingered to be less than stellar when it comes to longevity. Is this still the case or has the Note improved? This is the question we seek to answer.

The Nissan Serena has become very popular due to its affordability and versatility. It can be adapted for various applications such as transport – both passenger and cargo and as a camper van. It’s however one of the most misunderstood minivans in the market and there’s a lot of conflicting information on its reliability. In this guide, we set the record straight on its reliability and how it compares with its closest rivals such as the Toyota Noah and Mitsubishi Delica D5. We also delve into the engines that come with it and tell you which ones to avoid. We tell you about the common problems to look out for when buying a used Serena plus and how to spot these problems.

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication, and nothing exemplified this more than the Nissan X-Trail. It thrived in simplicity and owners here in New Zealand loved it for its DIY maintenance. However, this has changed and the current X-Trail is nothing but simple. It’s laden with the latest technologies such as idling stop and an array of safety systems that make it a complex SUV. These systems are good when they work but problematic when they don’t. If you are a buyer looking for a used X-Trail, you need to be knowledgeable and meticulous in your search. This guide will equip you with useful information that you need along your ownership journey.

The Subaru Impreza offers exceptional 4WD capability that cannot be matched by any of its competitors. The Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system is an ingenious technology that gives the Impreza unparalleled performance in slippery conditions. This is what sets it apart from a crowded playing field that includes the Audi A3, Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Auris (Known as Corolla Sport in later years), and Mazda Axela. In this guide, we give you a detailed comparison of these storied hatchbacks and tells you which one comes on top. We also tell you about the new FB engines that come with the Impreza, why they can be problematic and what to do to avoid such when buying a used Impreza.

The Subaru XV excels in off-road performance, an area where most of its rivals and even many of the so-called big SUVs struggle. The Ingenious symmetrical AWD gives the XV exceptional traction making it one of the most capable compact SUVs in the market. On the flip side, there have been issues reported with the FB engines and the CVT transmission and it generally needs a buyer to be extra careful when buying a used Subaru XV. In this guide, we will delve into these issues and how to avoid them when buying a used XV.

In the ever-changing landscape of automotive engineering, the Suzuki Swift stands out like a sore thumb as one of the few cars that has maintained its simplicity. This simplicity however comes at a cost as simpler cars are often less safe than the complex ones. It’s a double-edged sword and a dilemma that most buyers grapple with. Should you choose a simpler car that is reliable but less safe or should you choose a complex car that is safer but less reliable? Nowhere is this dilemma more acute than when buying a Suzuki Swift. Worry not, this is the main question that we address in this guide. We go into detail on the safety of the Swift and tell you about its safety and reliability. We delve into the engines that come with the Swift, these are the 1.2-Litre DualJet K12C Engine (Petrol), the 1.0-Liter BoosterJet K10C Engine (Turbocharged Petrol) and the 1.2-Liter DualJet Hybrid (Hybrid). We tell you about their performance and efficiency in real life scenarios. We compare the Swift with its closest rivals such as the Toyota Vitz, Honda Vitz, VW Polo and Mazda Demio.  At the end of this guide, you will be empowered to make the right decision.

The Toyota Aqua, also known as the Toyota Prius C in some markets, is a compact hybrid hatchback that offers exceptional fuel efficiency and a range of innovative features. Its market positioning in New Zealand revolves around affordability, eco-friendliness, and urban practicality. Its small dimensions make it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. Additionally, the Aqua offers a comfortable interior with ample cargo space, making it versatile for both daily commutes and weekend adventures.

The Aqua is widely recognized as an affordable and low maintenance car which makes it an attractive option for buyers on a budget. Compared to its larger sibling, the Toyota Prius, the Aqua comes at a lower price point, making it an accessible choice for those who want to experience the benefits of a hybrid vehicle without breaking the bank.

It combines a conventional gasoline engine with an electric motor, resulting in significantly lower emissions and excellent fuel efficiency. This makes the Aqua an environmentally friendly choice for car buyers who prioritize sustainability and want to reduce their carbon footprint. But, it goes without saying that hybrids are much more complex than conventional cars and buyers need to take extra precaution when buying a used hybrid such as the Aqua.

In this guide, we equip you with the right information to navigate the hurdles of buying a used Aqua. We delve into the problems that bedevil the Aqua and guide you on how to check for them and avoid them. Our information comes from New Zealand’s best car mechanics and they give you insights you wont find anywhere else. If you are considering the Aqua as your next car, then get this Buyer’s Guide. It will save you money and the headache of buying a problematic car. Through it, you will unlock the full potential of the Toyota Aqua.

The Toyota Aqua, also known as the Toyota Prius C in some markets, is a compact hybrid hatchback that offers exceptional fuel efficiency and a range of innovative features. Its market positioning in New Zealand revolves around affordability, eco-friendliness, and urban practicality. Its small dimensions make it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. Additionally, the […]

The Toyota C-HR is an eccentric car that appeals to a wide clientele thanks to its sporty and SUV-like profile. It’s popularity in New Zealand has been climbing steadily and it’s now a top selling car. It comes with a choice of engines that are frugal on fuel but powerful enough to give the C-HR excellent speed. It’s an enjoyable car to drive and you will get compliments wherever you drive. In this guide, we tell you about the engines that come with the C-HR, their pros and cons and the one we recommend. We also talk about its long-term reliability and its maintenance costs here in New Zealand.