By Paul Gover.
Q: I have a 1998 Honda Accord V6 and have just received a recall notice to buy it back for $2600 due to the faulty Takata passenger airbag.
The car has only 100,000 kilometres on the clock, and is in magnificent order, so we do not want to get rid of it.
They say that parts are not available for these airbags due to the age of the car so is there anything we can do to keep this beautiful car?
Neal G
A: Sadly, nothing can be done. Honda has a legal requirement to get the cars off the road, because there will never be parts to make them safe.
Car companies are under pressure to get every Takata car off the road.
Q: I have a 2014 Holden Commodore GTS 6.2 supercharged V8.
I was just after your opinion on if it’s worth keeping or selling since Holden are leaving Australia?
I know it’s like the age-old question ‘How much will my car be worth?’, But I’ve been offered $80,000 for it but I’m just not sure.
Lee W
A: How much do you love the car? If it’s your passion then keep it, otherwise it’s impossible to know the future value and that looks like a good offer.
Q: I bought a Kia Sorento but unfortunately it was the victim of a hail storm and has many dents in the roof and a few in other panels.
My insurance excess is $800 and I believe the resale value of the vehicle will be significantly reduced when I trade it in, either soon or in a couple of years.
Do you think I should pay the $800 and get it fixed or just call it bad luck and keep it the way it is?
Paul P
A: Get it fixed. But use one of those ‘dent buster’ companies and avoid a traditional panel beater.
Q: I’m thinking about upgrading my Mercedes A200 to an SUV.
I’m thinking of the Audi Q3 Sportback, Lexus or maybe stay with the Mercedes GLA. I use my car for work, on road a fair whack so do want some luxuries and more importantly safety is critical as I do some long haul travel.
Mary M
A: If it was me, I’d wait for the all-new GLA in the second half of the year.
Q: I would like your advice on Hyundai Accent compared to Toyota Yaris or Corolla
I have had a Toyota Ascent for nearly 20 years and my service man said it would do me for a few years yet.
Beverley N
A: Do not buy an Accent because it is old and basic, but there are plenty of good models in the Hyundai-Kia family, from the Kia Picanto through to the Cerato and Hyundai i30.
Q: I have four children, ages 1-11, and we have a Ford Territory seven-seater.
But the 11-year-old has to climb over the back seat to get into her seat as we have thre car seats in the front rowand with the back row of seats up we cannot fit the pram and scooters in the car at the same time as all the family.
So we are looking for your recommendation for a second-hand van that would fit us all, and our equipment.
Ange R
A: Being totally honest and blunt, you need a people mover and not an SUV. Best of the SUVs will be the Hyundai Santa Fe, in your price range, but if it was me I would be going for a Kia Carnival because it’s not trying to be a pseudo SUV and actually a functioning family van.
If you have a question for the Car Doctor, send an email to [email protected]
