When it comes to choosing a used car on a tight budget, the Suzuki Swift is a clear winner thanks to its reputation for quality and long-term reliability. Photo: James Coleman.
Q: We currently own a Ford Everest Trend 3.2D 6SP 4WD. We tow a caravan around twice a year with a family of five. Metro trips every other time. We’re looking to purchase a new vehicle and wondering what your thoughts are on the Ford Everest Sport V6 4WD, or any other vehicle in that price range we should consider.
Steve Whitehouse
A: If you’re only towing twice a year, prioritise the day-to-day requirements, which means the Everest will be great. For a comparable tow vehicle, test-drive an Isuzu MU-X.
Q: I have a one-year-old Toyota CH-R with a small problem that Toyota cannot or will not fix. When the lefthand passenger gets in the back seat and tries to put their seatbelt on in the wrong hole, it sets off the sensor, thinking someone is sitting in the middle rear. As I drive off, the seatbelt alarm goes off and then I have to stop the car and connect the middle seatbelt to stop the alarm. Can anything be done about it?
Corrie Hoeboer
A: That is what is called ‘’operator error’’, not a fault of the car. Instead of fiddling with the belt, it’s probably easier just to turn the car off and restart, which should reset the system. Or teach the back-seat passengers how to correctly latch their seatbelts.
Q: I have a 2012 T5 Volkswagen Transporter six-speed manual decked out as a camper van with all our gear in it. When we go away, it weighs about 2.2 tonnes so I am thinking of buying a van that weighs, loaded, about one tonne, but I have heard stories about towing with a manual gearbox. I would like your opinion.
Geoff Singleton
A: So, how did people tow before automatic gearboxes? Exactly. Whatever you’ve been told is likely to be questionable at best, rubbish at worst. A manual gearbox is fine and dandy for towing, so the one thing you need to check is the tow rating for your Transporter.
Q: I’ve been interested in the Mazda CX-90 since its release last year and I thought Mazda was on the right track bringing out a prestige car, with its looks and features, to compete with the likes of Lexus, Volvo, Audi and BMW. They are all quite a bit more expensive. What has dismayed me, though, has been the fact that the CX-90 has failed to sell in significant numbers and I have seen about six of them in my home city.
Being the first of this model, I was wondering that maybe it had some ‘’bugs’’ that needed to be ironed out and that the buying public are just waiting for the next model; or that they are waiting for the full electric or PHEV model to come along.
Ron Van Oosten
A: The price tag is what is putting people off. And the thirsty six-cylinder engine. It’s a big leap to look at a Mazda with a showroom sticker over $100,000. But it is a lovely car, roomy and comfortable, beautifully finished and with the sort of ambience you expect in a luxury family SUV.
Q: Can you please suggest which brand and model I should buy for a car with up to 150,000 kilometres?. I’m looking for reliability and some choices are Holden Cruze or Barina, Nissan, or a Toyota from around 2010.
Sash
A: Suzuki Swift. Best by far for your needs and a tight budget. And better than the ones on your list, with a bulletproof reputation for quality and long-term reliability.
Q: I am a young 76-year-old and I think it’s time I had a toy. I am considering a 2017 Commodore SS-V Redline 2017 manual, which has only done 23,000 km. Is the 2017 Redline a good car? I will travel a lot more km.
Dennis Wallace
A: I’m a huge fan of the SS-V Redline and have some great memories of driving a test car. It should be ideal for you.
Q: I am having a problem with the airbag light coming up often in my Nissan. My mechanic has fixed it with the code, but it keeps coming back. It was replaced when they called back the airbag problem. Any suggestions?
Cheryl Gordon
A: This is not a job for a local mechanic. Get it to a Nissan dealership. It will cost a little for a diagnosis fee, but you cannot take chances with safety.
