By Paul Gover.
Q: My son just got his P plates and is looking for a car, unfortunate timing as used cars are so inflated and new are hard to find.
He is looking at the Kia Picanto GT, new most likely, and wondering your thoughts with so few cheap cars below $20,000.
We are wary of buying used at the moment as there seem to be a lot of people both raising prices, during negotiations, and also a lot of dodgy deals.
We’re not keen on the MG, looked at the Mitsubishi Mirage, but liked the Kia better. Yaris nice but, again, a bit much at the moment.
Michael H
A: The Picanto is surprisingly good, and well ahead of the MG3 in almost every area. It gets The Tick for a first-car buyer.
Q: I currently drive a 2017 Mercedes CLA250 and I am looking at the Genesis G80 for my next vehicle.
All the reviews I have read claim the G80 to be a great car and very good value for money, so I would appreciate your views on whether they are as good as they claim and also why you don’t see many of them on the road here in Melbourne.
Hugh H
A: The G80 could hardly be more different from a CLA, more like a Benz E-Class, but it is a good car. It’s nicely refined, quiet and comfortable, and massively better than the first G80 that came to Australia and was only popular with value-first hire-car drivers. The Genesis brand is still in its very early days, and struggling for acceptance, but the car is good and great value.
Q: My daughter is pregnant and she and her husband plan to get a new or used car before the baby arrives in five months time.
I have mentioned to them the delay in obtaining cars at the moment.
They are keen to get a Subaru and I’m wondering whether there are delays on this make of car please?
Sue S
A: In a world of SUVs, not surprisingly the Impreza hatch is the only Subaru that is freely available at the moment. I contacted Subaru HQ and the likely delay on the XV, Forester and Outback is approximately 3 months. That’s not great, but far better than some brands including Kia.
Q: I’m hoping you can help me with a telephone problem.
I have a 2017 Hyundai Kona, and I love it, but over the last six months or so I’m having a lot of call drop-outs lost though the Bluetooth.
I was wondering have you ever heard of this happening before?
I wouldn’t say my phone is that old, a Samsung A50, and I do a lot of highway driving.
April.
A: Your problem is becoming more and more common, as car infotainment systems are outpaced by smart phone developments and also, according to independent expert Mark Sully, by the number of updated ‘protocols’ now coming down the phone line. Perhaps a newer phone, or a switch to iPhone, will help.
Q: I’m 63 and looking for a larger car as we now have three grandchildren under five.
I’m not one to go with the herd and was looking at a Skoda Octavia RS wagon in preference to a Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia SUV.
What do you think?
Paul O
A: You are making a very smart choice, as a sporty station wagon is always more enjoyable than to drive than an SUV. Not just that, the The Octavia RS wagon is a ripper thing and a great pick. It gets The Tick from me.
Q: I am a bit confused between the Mazda MX-5 RF 2021 and the Toyota GR Yaris Rallye edition.
I like the convertible features of the Miata but the Yaris has more power and fun.
I want something for my daily driving in the city and on mountains during weekends.
I also wonder which car will keep its price better in the next five years and which one is more reliable in terms of the running cost?
Ansar
A: They are very different cars with very different strengths and weaknesses. On a wet or windy road the Mazda won’t see which way the Yaris went so if fast is your thing then go for the GR. But there’s a real joy to piloting an MX-5 and speed isn’t everything, as open-air driving is also fun. The GR Rallye might be slightly better on depreciation, but the only way to choose is to drive both – not just around the block – and see which one gives you the bigger smile.
Q: I get my Subaru serviced at the dealership where I purchased it.
Now it needs a new battery and they have quoted $359, installed.
If I decide to put the battery in myself, do I have to re-set the electronics or is it better to use the dealership?
Edward P
A: Subaru is not as strict as BMW, which has a ‘smart’ charging system that needs to be recalibrated for a new battery. Even so, Subaru spokesman, David Rowley, replies: “We recommend that, where possible, customers use professional services to change batteries, for reasons of both safety and avoiding potential damage if the unit is incorrectly installed. The basic process is: clean the battery cable terminals and apply grease to retard the formation of corrosion; connect the positive (+) terminal and then connect the negative (-) terminal of the battery. After the battery is installed, initial diagnosis of the electronic throttle control is performed. Wait for 10 seconds or more after turning the ignition switch to ON, and then start the engine.”
Q: We have bought a 2020 Subaru Forester, a great car and top of the range, but high beam is terrible.
When we bought the car I wanted to fit a light bar and was told the dealership would not fit one as Subaru would not warranty it.
Since last October, when we bought the car, my partner is out at nights from Bright to King Valley and Wangaratta in Victoria, where kangaroos are the main problem but all other animals as well.
My investigation has shown that aftermarket light bars can’t be fitted as LED lights don’t have a power pick-up.
I have been told that Toyota has a special loom for its Prado but only fitted by Toyota. I have tried to find out if Subaru have such a loom without success, but I have put a light bar on the car with a separate switch which is less than ideal.
Geoff D
A: Once again, Subaru’s David Rowley replies: “We don’t have any additional lighting or harness as Subaru genuine parts. Lighting is ADR-related and it is a safety concern if light bars are not correctly installed or orientated. Issues can include current over-draw and potential effect on on-coming vehicles. Depending on the variant, the Forester may also have adaptive driving beam, which uses the EyeSight cameras and manipulates the high beam. We couldn’t guarantee what may happen to a light bar as the system tries to control the shutter within the headlight.”
If you have a question for the Car Doctor, send an email to [email protected]
