If you have a motoring question, ask Paul by emailing community@startsat60.com
Q: I have a 16-year-old Volkswagen Golf which has been, and still is, an amazing car.
I am now considering buying a Skoda all-electric Elroq 60.
I am an older driver looking for more safety features.
Would really like your feedback and any help or advice as it is really confusing out there in the car world at the moment.
Maree Giardina
A: A Skoda will keep you in the Volkswagen family of brands so, provided you’re ready for fully-electric motoring, the Elroq will be a good car. It definitely has the safety features, but make sure to get a full briefing on pick-up so you understand how they work – and their limitations. Also be mindful that secondhand prices for all EVs in Australia are currently very poor after as little as two years.
Q: Just wanted to reach out for some advice on what sort of car you would think to be suitable for an 18-year-old boy about to go for his licence.
He is wanting a Mitsubishi Triton and has a budget of up to $12,000.
Any guidance would be much appreciated.
Cassie Caligiore
A: Not a Triton, unless he is a tradie and needs it for work. With that budget it’s likely to be 20 years old, without almost nothing to recommend it for safety, driving dynamics or fuel economy. Far better to get a small hatchback as a starter car, and invest in advanced driving training, with a company like Murcotts in Melbourne.
Q: What sort of price I should put on a Toyota Yaris that “Hasn’t even been driven to church on Sundays” that I have to sell.
It has approximately 8000 genuine kilometres on the clock, was always serviced by Toyota dealers until it was virtually retired to my garage and has been there now basically only moving to keep the battery charged.
The car is in perfect condition with just a very minor scrape on the front fender that would probably polish off if I tried.
The last significant trip I took in this car was from Melbourne to Narrabri and return and it performed remarkably well with excellent fuel performance as you would expect from such a small motor.
Steve Bennett
A: Best way to get the pricing is two-pronged: drive it to a Toyota dealership, pretend you’re looking to buy something more expensive – say, a Camry – and get a trade-in valuation. Then go to a website called www.carsales.com.au and enter the details of your car, as if you were looking to buy. It will throw up equivalent cars with their pricing. Then decide on how to price yours. Best idea is to go to the ‘friends and family’ network for a buyer, as a Yaris is a fantastic first car.
Q: My son has told me I should be looking at a Cupra.
Just broadly, are they reliable and are they expensive to maintain and service?
Evan Binos
A: Cupra is the sporty Spanish division of the Volkswagen Group. They have a great reputation and the cars are fun for driving. No more expensive than rival brands on the maintenance front.
Q: I have a 2020 Corolla hybrid hatchback.
I’m 65 and find the Corolla a bit low.
I was considering the Yaris Cross, but found it a bit noisy- is the Corolla Cross better?
Open to any advice
Margie
A; Because it’s larger, the Corolla Cross will be more refined and quieter than the smaller Yaris Cross. Both ‘Cross’ models are higher riding with a different type of tyre, more suitable for gravel roads, which could add to road noise. So drive the Corolla and see how it compares.
Q: I believe Toyota is making changes to new builds of LandCruiser to reduce thefts.
I ordered a VX model end of December ‘25 that was due to be built by January 15 then on the water with an ETA in mid-to-late February.
They didn’t mention anything about upgrading security but said we would need to pay an extra $1595 to have a Stealstopper installed to reduce theft risk.
Do you have any advice for what I should ask them about this new security that Toyota is installing in new builds at no extra cost or any more information on exactly what they are doing.
Geoff Donovan
A: The anti-theft change is not just software, and cannot be retro-fitted, but Toyota Australia refuses to give any details to stop thieves finding a counter measure. So pressure heavily at your dealership to get the VIN number and build date of your car, asking them – and Toyota Australia – about the upgrade. You will be within your rights to refuse to take a vehicle without it.