By Paul Gover.
Q: We’re looking to spend a maximum of $25,000 on a safe car for our daughter, maybe a demonstrator or maximum 3-4 years old.
She needs to travel to and from Melbourne to Canberra for university, so something with a bit of storage and enough grunt would be good.
Cruise control, satnav and Bluetooth are all musts.
I am driving a hire car at the moment, a Kia Stonic, which I actually really quite like.
Could that be a contender?
Sue R
A: You’ve answered your own question, as the Stonic is a very sound choice and will also work well with your budget.
Q: I bought a Subaru Forester hybrid and find it to be underpowered but reasonable on 91 unleaded fuel at about 6.5 litres/100km on the open road.
I am disappointed with it and want to change but still want to go more green.
I am thinking of a C200 or C300 Mercedes sedan or maybe the new C300 sedan – but are there any other options you might suggest, perhaps an A5 Audi or BMW 3 or Volvo Polestar?
But not full electric. Tesla Model 3 is not on my list as I live half way between Geelong and Ballarat so, with 45 kilometres each way, I’m still range-hesitant because I do a lot of country driving to northern and western Victoria.
John G
A: The Benz will be the best car on your list, and a big step up from a Subaru, but if you are also thinking about an SUV body style as you shop for a hybrid then the Volvo Recharge is worth a look and a test drive as a plug-in hybrid.
Q: Your thoughts please on the 2021 Nissan Navara Pro-X at about $65,000 drive-away?
Your opinion and advice is always appreciated.
Elie A
A: If you can stretch the budget to afford the new Warrior it is by far the best Navara package and highly recommended, as it picks up all the stuff that most buyers add after the showroom with great engineering by Premcar and a full factory warranty. Otherwise, the Pro X also gets The Tick.
Q: We currently drive a 2010 Hyundai Tucson City Elite which has served us wonderfully and been an incredibly reliable car.
However, with our child growing and a new puppy we are finding the boot space just isn’t large enough.
We have a budget of $32,000, mostly do suburban trips and have considered a seven-seater.
We love Kia Sorento and we were looking at the Nissan X-Trail from 2017, but have read the X-Trail doesn’t appear to have a good reputation.
We would love to stick with Hyundai as our car has been bullet-proof, so wondering if we get a pod on our existing car and a bike rack.
Allie C
A: With used car prices as they are, many of the true seven seaters will be out of your budget. An X-Trail isn’t a bad choice, but it’s only midfield in the small-medium SUVs. On current pricing, 2018-2019 models of the Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander and more recent Tucsons will be in your price range and will offer better tech, safety and more room than your 2010 vintage Tucson, although you might still need the pod and rack.
Q: We would like to upgrade our 1998 Nissan Patrol Ti as we plan to travel Australia when again possible.
Thinking of towing a van also, so suggestions about a Toyota, Nissan or other models to consider with a budget of $50,000 approximately,
Linda T
A: Most people go for Toyota but you will get much better value in another Patrol, and don’t forget the Mitsubishi Pajero which could be best of all with that budget. Remember that prices of all heavyweight towing four-wheel drives have gone through the roof because so many people are planning a local getaway just like yours.
Q: I’m interested in your take on the Kia Picanto, GT-Line auto version.
It will only be for doing city-metro driving under 10,000 kilometres a year.
Alan G
A: It is great value and fine for short zippy driving, but the size and price means it only comes with a four-star ANCAP safety rating.
Q: I have heard complaints about AM radio not working in a brand-new car and I have a similar story.
I’m driving a 2015 Hyundai iLoad and the dealership could not find any fault despite reception problems.
So I had to become a radio repair expert and found a fantastic place in Pascoe Vale in Melbourne – CVE Electronics.
They looked at my van for 30 seconds and said it’s the amplifier and it would be be ready in two hours.
Haven’t had an issue again.
Matthew C
A: Thanks for the tip and another suggestions is to turn on the rear-window heater, because the metal element is often used as the aerial.
Q: My Ford Mondeo XR5 cracked a cylinder head in December 2020, the mechanic said probably good time to replace due to repair cost, and we went an purchased a new Mazda CX-30 Astina X.
We’ve found it lacks initial power and zip.
A friend is buying a new car and has offered her 2015 BMW 435i coupe with 29,000 kilometres for $40,000.
Would you keep the Mazda or sell it and buy the BMW?
Phillip P
A: The BMW will be a huge step up, won’t be short of zip, and will make driving far more enjoyable. I’d definitely do the upgrade.
If you have a question for the Car Doctor, send an email to [email protected]
