Yeah, those bargains are now the 90s-2010 cars now.
Usually cheap BMWs for me. You can get a cheap E39 or even a E46 real cheap. That vintage of 95-2005 are pretty reliable - straight 6 like a ford.
If you can work on a Bseries you can work on a BMW. Best thing is you'll never run out of parts - unlike falcons there is a worldwide supply. More parts at wreckers too as they don't get crushed as quick because the wrecker values them more than a domestic.
E46 sedan 3l i6, 170kw, ZF auto $3k
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...-6170792/?Cr=1
E39 wagon, unfortunately only a 2.8L with 141kw, harder to get wagons with a 3L*
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...-6573579/?Cr=4
You can get them, one was for sale around me for ages for $4500, I hated the interior colour though - it was that orangey colour.
Budget $4k for suspension, gaskets, hoses, plastics and you'll have a well sorted car that drives well for another 5-7 years.