By Paul Gover.
Q: My wife and I are due to change our Mercedes 2014 C-Class as our five-year lease is due to end.
My wife has her eyes set on the GLC 200 Mercedes SUV.
So I was wondering what you think of them or would you recommend we look at something else.
Fabio P
A: If she wants a Benz that’s most likely what you will be getting. But the GLC is not great and can be very heavy on tyre wear (I have a friend with one). Honestly, the latest BMW X3 is a better car and so, too, is the Volvo XC40.
Q: My 2010 Hyundai ix35 was written off and I would like to replace it with a smaller SUV.
My husband and I are both in our 70s and mainly use the car in suburban Melbourne with a couple of trips a year to regional Victoria for about a week at a time.
We take our dog with us who uses a bolster seat which took up half of the back seat of the Hyundai. A main requirement in a new car is a decent size boot.
My budget is around $30,000 for a new car but could consider a used car if you thought that was a better option.
Janise W
A: If you want a new car, the Hyundai Venue should be the first stop for a test drive. It will hit your budget and do the job. For something a little bigger, and perhaps secondhand, I’d recommend a Kia Sportage.
Q: We own a Hyundai ix35 2-litre diesel Elite which we have have since 2012.
It has been a fantastic car and we have towed a small light-weight 1000kg caravan with no problems at all.
But we believe that with future caravanning we will not be able to use caravan park toilets or showers, so we look like having to update our caravan to include a toilet and shower.
The ix35 only has 140kg tow-bar weight and a tow rating of 1400kg and the replacement caravan we are looking at is around the 1850kg dry weight.
We were looking at the Santa Fe although the tow rating is only 2000kg which doesn’t allow any additional weight. The other SUV we are looking at is the Isuzu MUX with the 3 litre diesel which seems to tick all the boxes but this appears a much larger vehicle.
Frank C
A: The 2021 Santa Fe has an improved tow capacity of 2500 kilos. So it ticks your box and is a better all-round vehicle than the ute-based Isuzu.
Q: I have received an inheritance and will have between $18,000 and $22,000 to spend on a quality secondhand or demonstrator vehicle.
The four finalists I’m considering are the Toyota Camry RZ, Kia Optima, Subaru Liberty and Holden’s ZB Commodore.
I have a lower-back injury and find it difficult getting in and out of some cars that have a narrow B pillar or getting into the back of cars with sloping C pillars.
I currently drive a 2011 Kia cerato which has done 200,000 and is still running sweetly, and has comfortable seats.
Trevor L
A: From your list the Camry is by far the best choice. You should avoid the Commodore, because it’s now an orphan and not popular, but my personal top choice is the Skoda Octavia, which will surprise you in every way.
Q: My husband has an old Ford Ranger, 2008 I think, which we would like to up-date before our next trip.
We have a Jayco penguin caravan which accommodates a small tinny on top. We’d like a 4WD which already may have a few extras, 2 or 3 years old.
My husband likes the look of the latest Ranger but has heard from a brother in motor mechanics that there’s an issue with the transmission. We would prefer an automatic this time as I don’t like driving manuals and want to help with the driving next trip to WA.
We don’t go off road too often. We’ve done Googs track and been to Birdsville twice. Looking for a smoother ride now that we are coming up to retirement years.
Andrea T
A: There are transmission niggles in some Rangers, but why a dual-cab truck (sorry ute)? I would steer you towards a Suzuki Grand Vitara. Excellent vehicle, good off-road, quality reputation, not a top seller so usually good value.
Q: I currently own a 2012 VTI-L Honda Civic hatch which I am looking to upgrade.
I have been very happy with everything about the Honda except the lacklustre engine, so I am wanting something a bit zippier.
I know the newer models have a turbo engine but I would like to know if there is something better that I should be looking at.
I have a budget of up to $45,000, I don’t mind too much whether it’s a hatch or sedan, but need something reliable and fairly economical as I do approx. 15-20 thousand kms city driving.
Laureen C
A: Honda is moving away from passenger cars so I would suggest a change of brand. In a similar size, I would go for a VW Golf or a Hyundai i30.
