Ask the Expert with Paul Gover

Q: I think an EV may be the right choice for me and am looking to purchase later this year. I like a mid-sized to larger car, but I am not a fan of SUVs which limits my choices. Most of my driving is city driving with occasional trips down the coast, likely within about a 400-500 kilometre round-trip range. I’ve had a look at the BYD Seal and the new Mazda 6e as possibilities. Do you have a view on these two options and whether there are any other options to consider?
Jamie Hammond

A: Surprisingly, the Mazda is not as good as expected and pricing is not great. So it would be the Seal for me, as BYD is doing good stuff at great prices.

Q: I am 65 and I’m driving a 2011 Nissan X-Trail. I like the small, high SUV with a good view out the windows, but I would like something a little bit more modern with cameras and sensors as I struggle to turn my head. But not with all the bells and chimes and safety crap. And hopefully no adaptive cruise control or I can turn it off.
What would you recommend? I don’t mind spending probably $10-15,000 and I really like the Nissan as it is very reliable.
Brian Cowell

A: That’s a skinny budget but will likely get you a much newer X-Trail without the safety stuff you don’t want. Since there is ‘bracket creep’ as new models get older, you might even find better value and what you need by staying in the Nissan family with a Qashqai.

Q: I have a very ‘left field’ question for you. My wife and I are both fencers – as in the Olympic sport, not the other kind! We have always bought cars solely based on being able to fit two fencing bags in the boot, a Mazda 6 hatch for years, Kia Optima in 2015. We need them to fit in the boot, not folding down the back seat, as there have been numerous cases of the bags being stolen from cars. Maybe they assume they are golf clubs? The bags are 120 centimetres long and rigid so, other than angling them in, not negotiable. And 30×40 centimetres wide, although somewhat squashable in this direction. We want to buy an EV sedan/hatch that would accommodate 2 fencing bags, but most of the EVs seem to have smaller boots than the old ICE cars. Can you suggest any EVs that have a boot big enough to fit two of these bags? I would hate to buy another ICE if I can avoid it.
Peter Osvath

A: You need to take the bags and do ’trial fit’ work in some showrooms. My best choice, and a great car, is the Toyota Camry. But, even though it’s a hybrid it fails the full EV test. The place to start is BYD, one of the best Chinese EV brands, with its Seal. Also the Tesla Model 3, but that could be too tight in the tail.

Q: I would like to know what you think of buying cars in Grays Online please.
Sharon Walker

A: Why? If you cannot see and touch the car, and preferably also drive it, I would never recommend buying. Even the best auction sites, physical and online, require a lot of research and a degree of trust that I do not have.

Q: Our 2022 Renault Koleos is due for its four-year service.  The car has done 38,500 kilometres but the service is for 120,000. The cost will be over $1000 because it includes replacing a driving belt. If we don’t comply we lose our warranty.  What would you suggest?
Jane Howie,

A: Car servicing is always by date or distance, whichever comes first. You might be below the distance trigger, but not the time line. You can switch away from a dealership and maintain warranty, but only if you continue to service the Koleos ‘by the book’.

Q: I’m wondering if you could please give me some advice on a pre-owned mid-size SUV. I’m currently looking at a 2021 Toyota RAV4 Cruiser with about 59,000 kilometres and a 2023 Mazda CX-5 Akera turbo with about 32,000 kilometres. Between the two is there one you would recommend and are there any other mid size SUVs around $40,000 and below i should be considering?
Jacob Raymond

A: They are both excellent vehicles but, based on the age and kilometres, the CX-5 is a clear winner for me. And any secondhand RAV attracts a premium on the pricing just because of the Toyota badge, nothing more.