By Paul Gover.
Q: I want to buy a mid-size sedan for normal city driving and am considering Toyota Camry, Mazda6 and Subaru Liberty.
What do you think, and should I be considering anything else?
If I go for the Camry, should it be the SL ,or is the SX enough?
John C
A: The Camry is far better than most people realise and would be my pick. No need for the SL as the SX will tick all your boxes.
Q: I currently have a Toyota Prado which is 11 years old and has done 175,000 kilometres.
I would like to get either the same car or what you would recommend in that range of vehicle.
I am tossing up whether to stick to the diesel or move to petrol as the price of petrol seems to be cheaper more often than diesel.
Peter W
A: Stay with the Prado. Nothing is better. Don’t go with diesel as fuel prices have flipped, also you need to travel a minimum of 30,000 kilometres a year to cover the extra costs of the engine and the fuel.
Q: I was looking at purchasing a Mazda CX-30.
What are your thoughts on this car and which model would you recommend?
Also, what other cars should I compare it with in the small SUV market up to $50,000?
Neil M
A: The CX-30 definitely gets The Tick from me. It’s nicely sized, classy and has a prestige feel. No need to consider anything else and get the model that works best for maximum safety in your budget.
Q: I’m looking for advice regarding a new car for my wife.
She currently drives a Toyota Avalon Grande, but she’s finding it too big for her now.
The Hyundai Kona has taken her eye, what do you think or have you any other suggestions?
We’re looking at between $25k to $30k as a price range.
Gary M
A: The Kona is good, but if it’s just for her then also take the latest Hyundai Venue for a test drive. It might be even better and save you some money.
Q: I am needing your advice on my 2019 Toyota Prado GXL diesel which the owners manual says should be using fuel consumption of 8 litres/100km.
I am getting 11-14L/100 around Melbourne and on freeways. I have spoken to Toyota at my last service and they gave me lip service.
I am not a heavy-footed driver, being a 62-year-old executive retiree. I have booked in again at Nunawading Toyota this week where I bought it.
This is my third Prado diesel and my 2012 was giving me 8-9L/100km.
Graham B
A: The latest Prado is big and heavy. And you’re driving around town. My best advice is to fill the tank and go for a 100-kilometre test drive (after COVID) and check the economy when running at 80-100km/h without any traffic lights or stop signs to give you a real-world baseline and not the Toyota figure from a laboratory test.
Q: I currently drive a 2009 Toyota Corolla with 55,000 kilometres on it and I’m looking to update my car to either a Toyota all-wheel drive or a Subaru.
What would be your recommendation?
I will only be driving AW drive to where my daughter lives as my current car can’t handle the dirt roads as it seems to drive sideways.
I need it not to be too much bigger than the Corolla but as l am getting older l want something slightly higher.
Jenny S
A: You should get a Subaru. They drive like a car, either the XV or Forester, and have good grip and ground clearance.
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