By Paul Gover.
Q: I am looking into purchasing a Mazda CX-60.
What attracts me is the claim the 2.5 PHEV plug-in gets 2.1 litres/100km.
I travel about 55,000 kilometres a year.
Anthony H
A: It’s not as simple as a headline consumption number. A plug-in hybrid has a ‘pure electric’ range before it needs to default to combustion power, or it can use a combination. So the CX-60 has a claimed range of 76 kilometres if fully charged from a socket or charging station. After that it’s a combustion car. If most of you driving is short-haul work, in the city and suburbs and at less than highway speeds, you could do lots of your driving with battery power alone. But if your 55,000 is mostly long-haul or highways, then you won’t get anything like 2.1 litres/100km consumption
Q: We am looking to buying a Toyota RAV4 but, after we agreed, we were asked to consider ‘extra items’ by the dealership.
These included an interior-exterior Hydro package, extra tint for windows, dash cameras and a ’scratch and dent’ package for five years.
Are these items needed for a new car?
Surely the interior and exterior surfaces, and the factory-tinted windows, on a new car should be adequate for Australian conditions.
I can see that the dash cameras would be useful, but would I get a better deal elsewhere?
Graeme T
A: Never buy any extras from the dealership. Their ‘aftersales’ department is a profit centre. Big profit. Any of it can be bought cheaper, and usually better, from a specialist outside the dealership.
Q: We are looking at replacing our Kia Sportage GT and have short-listed a couple of vehicles.
We are not really interested in a new Sportage due to the long lead times and the fact it now has a DCT transmission, and we have pretty well discounted the Mazda CX-5 as we feel either the new Nissan 2023 X-Trail TI-L or the Subaru Outback Touring is a bit more modern looking with a larger cargo area and perhaps suits our needs better.
Wondering if you can offer an opinion on which is better.
As we are retired we travel around a bit with the luggage requirements for my wife and I and any miscellaneous pieces we purchase in the process.
We are situated in Melbourne and naturally do a reasonable amount of suburban driving but also country trips.
Also, do either Nissan or Subaru present problems if a need arises for warranty help?
Les M
A: Both Nissan and Subaru have a good reputation, although it always comes down to the individual dealer service. After driving both vehicles recently, I would put the X-Trail ahead of the Outback, based on interior space, comfort and quietness and performance. You should do a back-to-back test drive, and not just around the block, but the total update and upgrade of the Nissan has made it a class leader.
Q: I’ve been driving a 2003 LS430 Lexus for 12 years and it’s getting a bit tired.
I’ve been looking on line at the Toyota Crown Majesta imports.
Would you recommend them?
Neil R
A: Any secondhand import from Japan comes with risk, most significantly the availability of parts for servicing and repairs. The Crown is a very ‘Japanese’ car, which means it’s unlikely to have suspension to cope with Australia’s sub-standard roads. Then again, it is likely to be quite plush and relaxing as a ride. Best idea is always to try before you buy, which means arranging proper test drive close to home on roads you know.
Q: The reason for my email is servicing, as I don’t have a lot of faith in dealerships.
I really want to service my new forester with my regular VACC-approved workshop in Victoria
So, if they use genuine and specified parts and lubricants would there be any warranty issues except for possible loyalty repairs down the track if I still have the vehicle.
David W
A: Consumer law means you don’t have to service with a Subaru dealership, but your mechanic must use genuine or comparable parts for any work. The only potential problem is warranty work, as a Subaru dealership is unlikely to give you priority treatment. Also, once the warranty is finished you are almost certain not to get any ‘loyalty’ support from Subaru Australis if there is a drama with the car.
Q: I have a 2016 Commodore and, right from the beginning, the central component which displays reverse parking camera, radio etc kept going dark and not working.
My Melbourne dealer replaced the radio in August 2022.
It’s still not working.
It was paid by GM as it was out of warranty but I had it noted on my invoices over the years.
Now the dealer is ignoring me and not returning my calls. I cannot use the reverse parking camera.
Dianne F
A: Jump over the dealership to GM, but be prepared to fight hard as the company has not had a good reputation since Holden shut down. The other option would be to shoulder the cost yourself, go to a car sound expert and get them to instal a non-Commodore replacement unit.
Q: I am close to buying the Hyundai i30 N-Line sedan premium.
Are you a fan please?
Mark M
A: The sporty-ish member of the i30 range is a good thing. Not as fun and punchy as the full-on N, but still with a sporty feel and good equipment. It gets The Tick from me.
Q: My 23-year-old son is searching for a replacement car.
We’re a Mazda family and he’s had a one-owner 2004 Mazda2 Maxx since obtaining his licence that was fantastic and super reliable.
He’s bucked the current trend and likes a sedan, so we’ve been looking at 2013+ Mazda 6 Atenza, 2013+ Mazda 3 SP25 Astina, 2018+ Kia Cerato Sports+/GT, with an outside chance of a Mazda CX-5.
However, he’s found a 2016 Nissan Pulsar SSS with only 12,350 kilometres for sale – he liked it and then loved it after taking it for a test drive.
Peter D
A: The Mazda6 is the best pick, and likely the best value because people have moved away from mid-sized sedans. The Pulsar was nowhere near as successful when Nissan mounted an over-priced ‘comeback’ with the car, so he needs to check the value against a Mazda6 and also do a back-to-back test drive with a similarly-priced car. I would vote for the Mazda.
Q: My wife has a 2013 Nissan Micra ST-L with the 1.5-litre 4-speed auto.
She’s loved it but wants to upgrade to something similar in size and power.
Any ideas ?
Brod S
A: Small cars have grown a lot over the past 10 years and prices have really jumped up. She will be amazed by the changes, but take a good look at the Kia Stonic as a baby SUV for good access and the Kia Rio as an affordable baby car. Staying with one brand will make it easy for comparisons, but avoid MG and maybe consider Suzuki Swift if the budget is tight.
Q: I am after a mid-sized SUV and have looked at the Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester.
I am interested in the Toyota RAV4, but Toyota tell me that it may take at least 12 months and I need a car sooner than that.
I have chatted to different people about which car to get and seem to get a different report each time.
One person tells me to avoid any car with turbo engines as you can have more issues with them. We did find the Mazda a bit noisy, we currently have a Mazda3 and it has quite a bit of road noise, so wanting to avoid that.
I quite liked the Forester, it was very comfortable but have been told that as it has a boxer engine, that too requires more maintenance.
Anita W
A: Lots of well-meaning people talk rubbish about cars, much of it based on one experience or ancient history. Turbo engines were troublesome – in the 1980s. Subaru has never had problems and has one of the best reputations for reliability of any brand. Go for the Forester, I’ve driven it recently and it gets The Tick. So you know, like the RAV4 there is also a giant waiting list for the Hyundai.
