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We have had an unreliable European car and want to get back to what we had earlier which was reliable. We're looking at a Nissan Maxima, or similar larger , older car, with low kilometres ie 2002 ST with 50-60,000km, with a budget of $10-12,000. What are the advantages / disadvantages to this as a strategy? What makes, models could you recommend? We are prepared to pay more for petrol to get more reliability as we do 20-25,000 rural miles per year. Thanks, Neil

The advantages are clear - you have lost faith in the reliability of your current car and are going back to what has worked for you previously. However, older vehicles will likely have a poorer ANCAP crash test rating than your newer European vehicle. An older vehicle isn't without faults either and even though you are reducing the risk by buying a low mileage vehicle you could be purchasing a vehicle that has had a tough life.

You don't have to buy a thirsty 3.5L V6 to find reliability and the CVT transmission fitted to the Nissan Maxima doesn't have the best reputation either.

You could look at a Mazda6/Atenza 2.0L or 2.3L with low mileage - these sedans have a good reputation and will use a lot less in fuel.