I see your location says your in perth?
So if your planning road trips, will it be around the WA area?
If thats the case, i would really suggest staying with the 'staple' vehicles of the area. It'll make it a LOT easier for maintenance and parts, particularly if your in a very outback area.
So, Falcon and commodore wagons can be had quite cheaply, and not very old, or perhaps a bit bigger budget and look at a 4wd like a landcruiser.
+1 on the Skyline wagon, its a bit of a bastard child so they can be had VERY cheaply. There is also the 4 cyl Pintara version, but its pretty gutless and engine parts can be a bit of a pain to get if you cant wait.
While it definately is a buyers market, try to be careful about what you get.
That Renault as a good example, would make a great daily for around a built up area, but if your 600kms out in the middle of WA and you bust a balljoint on some rough road corrugations, how long and how much would it cost to repair? Would anyone out there even know how to say 'Renault'?
If you are going to put a bed in the back though, make sure you have the leg room to stretch, nothing worse than several nights sleeping cramped up, trust me on that.
how about a Volkswagen Caravelle?
