By Paul Gover.
Q: Can you please advise whether it is a good time to purchase a car, and whether we should purchase before the end of the Financial Year or after?
Further, can can you please give your thoughts on these vehicles: Subaru XV or Mazda CX-5
Dino
Q: It’s always best to buy in June as all car companies have giant sales to clear their books. The XV and CX-5 are in different size classes, but the Mazda would be my pick ahead of the Subaru.
Q: I had a bad experience with my last car which was a Holden Captiva.
I have finally sold that and I’m now looking at buying a new or demo Mazda CX-3 2019 model or CX-30 2020.
Amber F
A: No surprise on the Holden, which was always called ‘craptiva’. I would not recommend the CX-3 as it is tiny, and over-priced as it’s based on the Mazda2, a baby car, and not the Mazda3 as the name suggests. The CX-30 is a much better size, completely new, and is my choice.
Q: I currently have a Toyota Prado which is 11 years old this July and has done 175,000 kilometres.
I would like to get either the same car, but what you would recommend in that range of vehicle.
I am tossing up whether to stick to the diesel or move to petrol as the price of petrol seems to be cheaper more often than diesel.
I would appreciate your recommendations together with your thoughts on diesel versus petrol.
Peter W
A: It’s an easy piece of advice – if you can afford it, get another Prado. Nothing else does what it can do, unless you’re able to upgrade to the larger LandCruiser. No need for diesel unless you do heavyweight towing, as it takes more than 30,000 kilometres a year to offset the extra cost of the engine and diesel fuel.
Q: I was looking for a new Hyundai i30 Go automatic and was wanting to know if there are any issues to look at or problems.
I was looking to spend $20,000, so do you think that is possible.
I have been told I can get a Kia Cerato automatic for under that price brand new.
Do you think the price is possible if I am flexible to get a new i30 this month at that price.
I don’t need any extras.
A: The Cerato and i30 are the same under the skin, but your budget will be a bit tight as they generally do $20,000 drive-away for the manual only. That said, there are big bargains right now, if you have not already committed, so it could work for you. Just ensure you’re prepared to take a car they have sitting in stock at the dealership, or ask if they have any ‘demo’ cars as these are often pre-registered and come with good savings.
Q: your opinion on a 2017 Holden Commodore SV6 sedan or 2017 Toyota Aurion Sportivo and any problems with either one?
Peter F
A: The Commodore will be a sportier drive if that’s your goal, but otherwise the Aurion will be quick enough, more classy and has a better reputation for quality and reliability.
Q:I am looking at buying a Kia Seltos GT Line on a lease arrangement.
Are these cars worth the $42,000 and will they hold their value or should I be looking at something else that offers better value for money?
I am certainly impressed with the level of features on the Kia but just worry about the brand and whether its value will hold over the five years I have it.
A Subaru, for example, is similar in price but they seem to hold their value well.
Kevin G
A: It’s impossible to know the future value of an all-new model but Kia has a great reputation in Australia and secondhand prices are improving. You’re looking at the top model for $42,000 but you don’t need to spend that much. In any case, the Seltos is better than an equivalent Subaru such as the XV
If you have a question for the Car Doctor, send an email to [email protected]
