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A family car for all budgets

A family car for all budgets

Car Torque with Matty J Nov 12, 2025 82 min
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About this episode

Exploring family cars across various budgets, this episode features lively discussions among hosts Matty J, David Prince, Jim Barlow, and Scotty Doe Johnson. Each host presents their top picks for family vehicles at price points of $5,000, $15,000, $25,000, and $50,000, showcasing a range of options from classic wagons to modern SUVs. Highlights include David's nostalgic Volvo V50 and Scotty's sporty Ford XR6. The conversation also touches on personal car experiences, car club events, and even a quiz segment that tests their automotive knowledge.

Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Honda Odyssey
TTTNIS (CC0)
Car

Honda Odyssey

"...So we bought an Odyssey on the podcast last week. Not just any of the Odyssey, but the one that I bought new in 2004 is now back in the world."

The Honda Odyssey is a family minivan that offers a lot of space and comfort for passengers. The 2004 version is known for being a reliable choice for families.

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Term

engine warning light

"...it had an engine warning light come on, which is, you know,..."

The engine warning light is a signal on your dashboard that something might be wrong with your car's engine. It’s important to check it out to avoid bigger problems later.

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Suzuki Acty
DestinationFearFan (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Suzuki Acty

"...with everything from a 96 Acti under Acti K truck to a four, four week old Civic Type R."

The Suzuki Acty is a tiny truck that's great for city driving and carrying small loads. It's very popular in Japan for its size and efficiency.

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Honda Civic Type-R
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Honda Civic Type-R

"... Acti under Acti K truck to a four, four week old Civic Type R. So a 26 spec, 26."

The Honda Civic Type-R is a sportier version of the regular Civic, designed for speed and fun driving. It has a powerful engine and is very popular among people who love cars.

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Honda S600
Prova MO (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Honda S600

"... in recent years and decide he'd always wanted an S600. So he's bought a Honda S600."

The Honda S600 is a small, old sports car that is very rare and special. It was one of the first cars that helped Honda become famous for making fun and fast cars.

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Concept

Adelaide Grand Prix

"But the other cool thing was this week actually was a really good anniversary for me because I shared on social media, but the, it's 30 years ago this week since a mate and I did the Dutton rally to Adelaide for the last Adelaide Grand Prix."

The Adelaide Grand Prix was a big car race that took place in Adelaide, Australia. It was part of the Formula 1 series and was famous for its exciting street racing.

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Concept

Dutton rally

"But the other cool thing was this week actually was a really good anniversary for me because I shared on social media, but the, it's 30 years ago this week since a mate and I did the Dutton rally to Adelaide for the last Adelaide Grand Prix."

The Dutton rally is a car event where people drive and compete over several days, doing different challenges along the way. It's a fun way for car lovers to enjoy driving and test their skills.

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Honda N360
Mytho88 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Car

Honda N360

"...my 1970 Honda N360 scamp. So two cylinder air cooled little, little red rocket..."

The Honda N360 is a small car made by Honda in the 1970s. It has a tiny engine and is very lightweight, which made it easy to drive and park in crowded places.

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Acura Nsxs
TTTNIS (CC0)
Car

Acura Nsxs

"And covered the entry fee to the rally. So it was it was fantastic and he just thought it was gold because after that they had a couple of people with NSX's and things like that, you know, wanting them to, you know, sponsor them."

The Acura NSX is a fast sports car that was made to compete with other high-end cars. It's special because it has a unique design and is very fun to drive, making it popular among car lovers.

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Honda NSX
TTTNIS (CC0)
Car

Honda NSX

"...they had a couple of people with NSX's and things like that,..."

The Honda NSX is a fast sports car made by Honda, famous for its sleek design and powerful performance.

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Lamborghini Diablo
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Lamborghini Diablo

"the two cylinder 360cc Honda scamp produced more kilowatts per litre than a Lamborghini Diablo with just like, it just lacked severely in the in the liters department because it was a 0.36 of a litre."

The Lamborghini Diablo is a famous sports car made by Lamborghini. It has a powerful engine and a unique design, and it was one of the fastest cars when it was released.

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Part

differential

"...there'd be guys, you know, pulling differentials out and they'd be changing clutches and all this sort of stuff in the motel car parks."

A differential is a part of a car that helps the wheels turn at different speeds, especially when going around corners. It makes driving smoother and helps with handling.

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Part

clutch

"...and they'd be changing clutches and all this sort of stuff in the motel car parks."

A clutch is a part that helps you change gears in a car. It connects and disconnects the engine from the wheels, making it easier to switch between different speeds.

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Term

110Ks

"...not doing 110Ks in the hour down freeways."

'110Ks' means driving at a speed of 110 kilometers per hour, which is about 68 miles per hour.

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Term

battery

"...I actually charged the battery up because it had been sitting for a little while."

A battery in a car helps start the engine and powers things like lights and radio when the engine isn't running.

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Mitsubishi Magna
OSX (Public domain)
Car

Mitsubishi Magna

"So I drove Mandy the Beige wagon. And we met up at Williamstown with quite a few other Magna faithful."

The Mitsubishi Magna is a car made by Mitsubishi that was popular in Australia. It's known for being comfortable and reliable.

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Mitsubishi VRX
Jeremy from Sydney, Australia (CC BY 2.0)
Car

Mitsubishi VRX

"Also saw Mr. Bunting's latest Magna as well, as he has moved on the lost and now has a VRX."

The Mitsubishi VRX is a sportier version of the Magna, which means it has better performance and features for a more exciting drive.

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Ford Laser
Jeremy from Sydney, Australia (CC BY 2.0)
Car

Ford Laser

"...and then I have also booked in my Ford Laser to go and be towed to the mechanics next Tuesday..."

The Ford Laser is a small car that Ford made a while back. It's known for being dependable and good for everyday use.

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Ford Excursion
Bull-Doser (Public domain)
Car

Ford Excursion

"... teachers. It was a bad thing on our camper camp excursion. But it's just because I know you're a bit of a ..."

The Ford Excursion is a very big SUV that can carry a lot of people and things. It’s great for families who need extra space and want to go on adventures.

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Toyota Kluger
Dinkun Chen (CC0)
Car

Toyota Kluger

"says the woman who drives a Kluger. Whoa."

The Toyota Kluger is a family SUV that offers a lot of space and comfort for passengers. It's designed for everyday use and is known for being reliable.

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Ford Fiesta
Vauxford (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Ford Fiesta

"So I drove the MR2, put that away, drove the Fiesta a fair bit..."

The Ford Fiesta is a small car that is easy to drive and park, especially in busy city areas.

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Toyota MR2
TTTNIS (CC0)
Car

Toyota MR2

"So I drove the MR2, put that away, drove the Fiesta a fair bit..."

The Toyota MR2 is a small sports car that has its engine in the middle, which helps it handle well on the road.

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GMC Typhoon
_salguod (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Car

GMC Typhoon

"... the Fiesta a fair bit, put that away, drove the Typhoon on the weekend. So I drove the Typhoon to the ge..."

The GMC Typhoon is a fast SUV that was made in the 1990s. It’s special because it was one of the first SUVs designed to be sporty and fun to drive.

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Car

Holden Typhoon

"So I drove the Typhoon on the weekend. So I drove the Typhoon to the gearbox."

The Holden Typhoon is a powerful car that is designed for speed and performance, making it exciting to drive.

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Term

CVT

"...and then I had to drive home in a car with a CVT. Yeah, just a little bit of a chalk and cheese moment there."

A CVT is a type of car transmission that helps the car change gears smoothly without the usual steps of traditional automatic transmissions.

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Subaru Forester
TTTNIS (CC0)
Car

Subaru Forester

"I drove Steph's Forester needs a few things for it's in about less than a thousand K's now for its service."

The Subaru Forester is a type of car that is good for driving in different weather conditions and is often used for outdoor activities.

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Term

external slave cylinder

"And they're an external slave cylinder. So it's not too hard."

The external slave cylinder is a part that helps the car's clutch work. When you press the clutch pedal, this part helps to disconnect the engine from the wheels so you can change gears.

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Toyota Camry
S5A-0043 (CC BY 2.0)
Car

Toyota Camry

"...he only thing I'll have to drive this week is the Camry. And I'm going to go pick that up tomorrow."

The Toyota Camry is a popular family car that is known for being safe and reliable. Many people choose it because it’s comfortable to drive and doesn’t usually have many problems.

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Volvo 240
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Volvo 240

"But my first car for $5,000, which was actually at four grand is an 89 Volvo 240. Nice."

The Volvo 240 is a car made by Volvo that was popular for being very reliable and lasting a long time. Many people still like these cars today.

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Ford Territory Turbo
User3204 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Ford Territory Turbo

"Next car, 15 grand. That was pretty good. Is a 2009 four territory turbo gear. So it's an S Y Mark two. So a late first generation territory turbo. These are quite a good car."

The Ford Territory Turbo is a type of SUV made by Ford in 2009. It's known for being roomy and having a turbo engine, which helps it perform better than regular engines.

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Term

kilowatt

"Like Anthony's one's got 300 kilowatts virtually at the wheel at all four wheels. And it will do it all day every day."

A kilowatt is a way to measure how powerful an engine is. When someone says an engine has 300 kilowatts, it means it can produce a lot of power.

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Subaru Liberty GT
TuRbO_J from Adelaide, Australia (CC BY 2.0)
Car

Subaru Liberty GT

"but this is an 07 Liberty GT tuned by STI."

The Subaru Liberty GT is a sporty version of the Liberty car, which has a powerful engine and special features that make it more fun to drive.

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Company

STI

"the tune by STI's were actual, you know, Australia."

STI is a part of Subaru that makes cars go faster and handle better. They take regular Subaru cars and add special features to make them more exciting to drive.

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Term

Brembo brakes

"...it's got the big Brembo brakes on it. And, you know, it was, it was quite a, you know, it was quite a good effort."

Brembo brakes are special brakes that help cars stop quickly and safely. They are often found on fast cars because they work really well under pressure.

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Term

turbo

"The turbos weren't as bad as, as people made them out to be, just only when they were modified badly were they, were they bad."

A turbo is a part that helps an engine produce more power by pushing in extra air. This makes the car go faster, but it needs to be set up correctly to avoid problems.

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Toyota Crown
Autosdeprimera (CC BY 3.0)
Car

Toyota Crown

"So it's this one here. It's a 2000 Toyota Crown athlete. So it's the, now yes, everyone's like, ..."

The Toyota Crown is a fancy car that is known for being very comfortable and having lots of features. It’s popular in Japan and is considered a luxury vehicle.

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Holden Caprice
RegionVisitor90 (CC0)
Car

Holden Caprice

"All right. So for under 15, I chose 2004 Holgen Caprice. Five and seven and V8, 187,000 K's, one owner f..."

The Holden Caprice is a big, fancy car that is very comfortable to ride in. It’s often used by people who want a luxury experience or need a car for special occasions.

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Skoda Octavia
Matti Blume (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Skoda Octavia

"Okay. But my other choice was a 2019 Skoda Octavia RS345 wagon. 125,000 Ks."

The Skoda Octavia is a small car that has a lot of room inside for passengers and luggage. It’s a good choice for people who want a reliable car without spending too much money.

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Volkswagen Golf
Vauxford (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Volkswagen Golf

"...add that they are so much more cooler than like a golf wagon or something? Of course, yes."

The Volkswagen Golf is a small car that is great for everyday use. It’s known for being fun to drive and has a lot of space inside for passengers and cargo.

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Porsche Macan
Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Porsche Macan

"... a bit more practical than my other one. Porsche Macan. So $48,000, 116,000 Ks with full Porsche servic..."

The Porsche Macan is a fancy SUV that drives like a sports car. People like it because it’s comfortable and has a lot of features, making it great for families.

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Volkswagen Touareg
Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Volkswagen Touareg

"... my collection of cars there. You would suit the Touareg tractors and the mummies in there. Lululemon out..."

The Volkswagen Touareg is a fancy SUV that is good for both city driving and off-road adventures. It has a lot of comfortable features and is built to last.

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Volvo V50
Bull-Doser (Public domain)
Car

Volvo V50

".... To put an 80 example, 184Ks, it's a 2006 Volvo V50, but it's the T5 four-wheel drive. So, it says i..."

The Volvo V50 is a small wagon that is very safe and has a lot of space inside. It’s a good choice for families who need room for kids and gear.

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Holden Commodore
Sicnag (CC BY 2.0)
Car

Holden Commodore

"The white one. This is the Holden Commodore wagon. And it's actually a model year 19.5."
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Hyundai I40
Benespit (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Hyundai I40

"...And I didn't mean to go digging to try and find a Hyundai I40 wagon as well. Oh, yeah."

The Hyundai i40 Wagon is a family car that has a lot of space for things like groceries and luggage. It’s designed to be practical and comfortable for everyday use.

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Toyota Alphard
Vauxford (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Toyota Alphard

"Oh, yeah. A 2019 Toyota Alphard Executive Lounge Auto. It's not a car."

The Toyota Alphard is a large van that is very comfortable and has lots of space for people. It’s often used by families or for special events because of how nice it is inside.

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Maruti R Wagon
Haysnawri10 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Maruti R Wagon

"...f you're listening? His Seat is basically a Golf R wagon, but it's a manual and it's much more,"

The Maruti Suzuki Wagon R is a small car that is very affordable and practical. It has a lot of room inside and is great for driving around the city.

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Mazda 6
Vauxford (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Mazda 6

"Yeah. My picks would be the Mazda 6 wagon. I'm a big fan of the Mazda 6 wagon."

The Mazda 6 MPS is a sportier version of the regular Mazda 6, designed for people who want a fun driving experience. It has a powerful engine and is still practical for everyday use.

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Ford Mustang
Hans-Jürgen Neubert (CC BY 4.0)
Car

Ford Mustang

"Scott. Mustang. Mustang is absolutely correct."

The Ford Mustang is a classic American sports car that is famous for being fast and stylish. Many people love it because it looks cool and is fun to drive.

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Mitsubishi Lancer
TTTNIS (CC0)
Car

Mitsubishi Lancer

"Was it a Lancer? Mitsubishi Lancer. Question number four."

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is a powerful car made for racing and fast driving. It’s known for its great handling and speed, making it popular with car fans.

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Hyundai Ioniq 5N
Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Hyundai Ioniq 5N

"Oh, okay. The IONIQ 5N, the Hyundai IONIQ 5N for the northern shifts."

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is a new electric car that is designed to be fast and fun to drive. It has modern technology and is part of the trend toward more environmentally friendly vehicles.

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Hyundai i30
Vauxford (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Hyundai i30

"David, I'll take your guess. Is it the I-30 sedan? Incorrect."

The Hyundai i30 is a small car that is easy to drive and has a lot of room inside. It’s a good choice for people who want a reliable and affordable vehicle.

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Hyundai Sonata
Benespit (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Hyundai Sonata

"Good guess. Jim, I'm going to guess Sonata. Incorrect."

The Hyundai Sonata is a comfortable family car that is easy to drive. It has a lot of space inside and comes with many features for a good price.

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Hyundai Kona
Vauxford (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Hyundai Kona

"Incorrect. The Kona? Incorrect."

The Hyundai Kona is a small SUV that is great for city driving. It has a cool design and is easy to park, making it a favorite for many people.

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Ford Focus RS
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Ford Focus RS

"the blank, blank, blank, is... Is it the Ford Focus RS? It is the Ford Focus RS."

The Ford Focus RS is a sporty version of the regular Focus car, designed for speed and fun driving. It has a powerful engine and is loved by people who enjoy racing.

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Bmw M1
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Bmw M1

"...my last work who had a Focus ST, Focus RS, and a BMW M1, I think. And they were all her husbands,"

The BMW M1 is a classic sports car that is very rare and special. It was one of the first cars made by BMW to be designed for speed and performance.

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