By Paul Gover.
Q: I am driving a 2016 Toyota RAV4 but was considering a newer option.
However, is it reasonable to assume that a tipping point has been reached and it’s better to wait some 2-3 years and get an EV given that I’m okay with the current car for my usual city driving with 2-3 people and occasional long-distance highway driving.
Navid N
A: Australia is nowhere close to a battery-electric tipping point, despite all the coverage of new battery-electric cars and talk about charging infrastructure. Sales of fully-electric cars are tiny, at less than one per cent of the market, and even hybrids are a rarity outside the major cities. If you want to go green, your best choice is the latest RAV4 Hybrid.
Q: The Luxury Car Tax was introduced to protect the Australian car manufacturing industry.
Seeing as we no longer have a car manufacturing industry, how come we still have the electric car tax?
Is it just Government greed?
Damian M
A: The LCT was a cash grab from the start, remembering it was only set at the price of the Holden Statesman and Ford Fairlane and not to ‘protect’ the lesser locally-made model including the Toyota Camry. It should have been removed when local manufacturing ended, but was not because people with nice cars are a cash cow. Currently, the biggest earner for the government from LCT is the Toyota LandCruiser, which is neither luxury nor a car. And now it’s shifting focus to electric cars at a time when all governments should be encouraging, not taxing, the changeover.
Q: We are looking at a choice between three SUVs.
They are the BMW X3 and X4, or the new Genesis GV70 which my son is telling us is a better buy
What are your thoughts on all three?
Nik D
A: The X3 is the better of the BMWs, even if the X4 has a coupe-ish body that lots of people like, since it got a complete overhaul a couple of years ago. But the GV70 is a really impressive car, all-new this year, from a brand that is doing everything to make an impact in Australia, and with better value. I’d go for the Genesis.
Q: Hoping you can offer some suggestions in small to mid-sized SUVs for our new P-Plate driver early next year.
She is currently on her Ls and is doing her hours in a Nissan X-Trail ST-L 2019 model.
We’re looking for something similar, with good on -road and safety features, especially in wet conditions and also need sufficient boot space for instruments (saxophone/trombone).
Annie D
A: If you’re buying secondhand you cannot go past the Subaru Forester, which drives like a car but has the space you need. It has a great reputation and there are plenty around. To compare with something new, take a test drive in a Hyundai Venue for its size and city-first practicality.
Q: I have an Isuzu MU-X LS-T on order with 20-inch wheels as standard, but I would like to put 17-inch wheels on it
The local dealer is not helpful on if this is possible.
I spoke with Isuzu head office and the only thing they would say was that they don’t recommend changing anything and we’re no help otherwise.
Looking at the specifications between the three models I cannot see any reason why I could not change the wheels after the vehicle is delivered.
Peter M
A: Since there are 17, 18 and 20-inch alloys as standard on the MU-X then Isuzu has no real drama with what you’re suggesting, and the smaller wheels will definitely be better for comfort. The best idea would be to advertise a straight swap with an owner of a new LS-M with the 17s. Or ask the dealer if they want to do a swap between two cars, offering your ‘premium’ 20-inch wheels for someone who has ordered with the cheaper 17s.
Q: Just wondering your thoughts on the current Ford Mustang.
I’m thinking fastback versus the convertible and the V8 versus the 2.3-litre four-cylinder, taking into account the price difference and petrol costs.
I have heard that the four-cylinder actually drives better than the V8.
Ray S
A: Unless you’re a giant sun lover then the coupe is definitely the one to have. It’s a lot more costly as a droptop and the chassis is not as rigid. The four-cylinder ’stang is better balanced and the economy is way better, but most Mustang buyers are going for the full immersion of the V8 soundtrack and then thump away from the lights. Most Mustang purchases are emotional, but if you’re truly focussed on value then the smaller engine is the way to go.
Q: I have a 2019 Mazda CX-3 in that beautiful red colour, which I love.
However, I find the boot too small as I now play golf and I cannot get my clubs and buggy in the boot.
I have just had a hire car, a Kia Cerato, which has a massive boot and my clubs and buggy fitted in the boot.
I am now looking at changing my CX-3 over for a SUV with a bigger boot, I am looking at the Kia Seltos.
Your thoughts?
Julie R
A: The Seltos is an excellent choice, compact but also nicely refined and good value. You might not be aware, but the reason the boot is so small in the CX-3 is because it is actually based on the baby Mazda3, and not the Mazda3 suggested by its name.
Q: We currently have two BMWs, a 2017 330i Tourer and a 2010 125i, and are thinking of upgrading the 2010 car to a BMW 440i or a Mercedes C43.
We have not test driven either, but do you consider one a better car than the other.
Reading the different reviews online we get mixed messages as to what seems to be better.
A: The C43 is a lovely car, but we get a considerable number of complaints about front tyre scrubbing and wear. On that basis alone, and given how close the car are in most areas, the BMW seems the better choice.
If you have a question for the Car Doctor, send an email to [email protected]
