By Paul Gover.
Q: My husband has a 2016 Toyota Prado GXL and he is wanting to trade up to the current model Prado.
His question is when is the best time to do this? Should he wait for certain time of the year?
Chris N
A: Best time is the end of financial year, when Toyota always does its sharpest deals. But the Prado is a top seller so he will not get a huge discount.
Q: I am driving a Holden VF Calais V, a nice car, and looking at upgrading with about $60,000 give-or-take a bit to spend
What would be some of your recommendations?
Gary B
A: The Kia Stinger with the punchy turbo engine is a lot like the Commodore for driving enjoyment, otherwise you will need to pivot and look at something smaller, like a new 3 Series BMW if you can make the sums work.
Q: I’m wondering if you could enlighten me a little with regards to the new Volkswagen SUV.
I am looking for a car for my son, roughly around $30-35,000 as we own a Golf Highline and have been very happy with that.
Initially we were considering the Tiguan but this seems to be another option?
Amanda S
A: There are actually two smaller SUVs these days from Volkswagen, one based on the Golf and the other on the Golf. The T-Roc is from the Golf and should be your starting point, then there is the smaller T-Cross.
Q: I have bought a 2019 Mazda CX-5 and they said it was a demo model, but being registered for the first time only 12 days before and only with only 140 kilometres on the clock I couldn’t understand why they would call it a demo.
Any idea?
Rob A
A: Dealers often ‘pre-register’ a car before they have a buyer to hit the target for a bonus from the importer. Mazda Australia is not the only brand that does this.
Q: I am currently driving a 2017 Hyundai i30 and have moved from Melbourne to the country and still doing around 45,000 kilometres a year.
I will looking for an update early next year, don’t have kids and enjoy the car I have, but find the i30 a suspension a bit stiff on long drives.
Thinking about a new-shape Toyota Camry.
Stuart D
A: Hyundai Australia has done local suspension development and deliberatly chosen a sporty tune for the people who like the i30. The Camry will definitely be more plush and better for long-distance country travel.
Q: I’m researching a car for my wife, looking to spend no more than $18,000 on an automatic hatchback.
Any help or suggestions would be appreciated, as we have only just started looking for a small second car.
David D
A: Based on value for money, and future value and reliability, it’s the Hyundai i30 every time with a Kia Cerato as second choice.
If you have a question for the Car Doctor, send an email to [email protected]
