Ideal Pre-Owned Road Trip Cars For Every Budget

Quoting famous words from Greek philosopher Heraclitus, “change is the only constant” - this could not feel any more evident the past two years since Covid struck, resulting in restrictions and rules that tweak more often than we can keep up. But one thing’s for sure, we have somehow been forced to “acquire” the skill of living in the present.

For drivers in Singapore that yearn to embark on extended drives, now is the time to celebrate. Authorities have announced that fully vaccinated travellers were able to cross land borders between Singapore and Malaysia in their own vehicles from Friday, the 1st of April. We came up with a simple guide to ensure your drive into Malaysia is fuss free, too.

But even if you don’t own a car now, your future car purchasing decision could lean towards acquiring one that is more utilitarian, reliable or even more luxurious, now that we are able to explore Malaysian roads freely. This shortlist of pre-owned cars for every budget might help you to narrow down on your ideal road trip companion!

Do not be fooled by the Jazz’s pint-sized stature - it is a smart, capable all-rounder with a couple of neat tricks up its sleeves. Its “magic seat” configuration can fold flat to transport bulky objects. The base of the rear seats can also be flipped up, “cinema-style” - perfect if you are visiting the vast orchards in Johor and want to transport fragile vases filled with pretty floral arrangements. All four generations of the Jazz/Fit are ideal, but we find that the 2nd generation Fit is the most bang for buck if we are keen to delve into the pre-owned market. Our buyers’ guide for the Fit (GE) could help in your research. This example looks ideal - an interior left mostly unmodified, with a depreciation of S$8.5k per year expiring on September 2025.

In a highly competitive segment contested by Honda’s Accord and the Toyota Camry, we often overlook another highly capable family sedan from Mazda. The Mazda 6 looks and drives in a sporty manner, and the 2-litre variant is more than sufficient for city spurts and high speed cruises. Special mention goes to the suspension that is very well sorted - it offers a pliant ride and yet does not dip excessively under hard braking. This unit has a depreciation of S$12,800 per year, which we find is a fair deal when Accords and Camrys are asking for slightly more for similar mileage and age. The Mazda 6 will put a smile on the driver’s face, while taking care of passengers’ needs in a plush cabin with ample space.

Toyota ranks high up in the charts when it comes to reliability. The Harrier will give drivers a peace of mind, along with a lux-centric approach to motoring given that it is strikingly similar to the more premium Lexus RX. Both are essentially made from the same foundation, but the Harrier can be had at a depreciation of under S$17k for a decent, low-mileage unit. Creature comforts for well-specced Harriers in Singapore include a panoramic roof and auto tailgates. We’re confident that the 148bhp 2.0-litre petrol variant can withstand the test of time on challenging Malaysian tarmac like Genting Highlands, and not skip a beat on steady cruises on Karak Highway. This six year old unit can be an ideal family companion for long haul journeys.

We are leaving specific models open here, but have a soft spot especially for Audi wagons, or Avants in Audi speak. With the Avant, Audi asserts that they had “worked out a new kind of car that has often been copied by the competition”. A strong statement of intent, but it is this sort of confidence that allows us to tackle less-than-familiar tarmac on extended road trips. This 3.0-litre S4 Avant churns out 328bhp - perfect for North-South Expressway runs. If you value boot space over fire-breathing capabilities, the 2.0-litre A6 Avant that swallows at least 1,680 litres worth of luggages with rear seats folded down might suit you.

The Range Rover range of vehicles by Land Rover are hugely tempting cross border companions, primarily due to a combination of muscular, yet stylish aesthetics paired with a luxurious cabin. We often felt that these machines should be utilised more frequently if given the chance, as they are built to be exemplary, premium private commutes. This 5.0-litre supercharged V8 Range Rover Vogue sprints to 100km/h in 5.1 seconds, making easy work of Malaysia’s vast roads. Or a newer, lower mileage Range Rover Velar in striking red could do the trick for you and your road trip companions.

Find your ideal road trip car on Carousell.

Credits: Gerald Yuen