Ask the Expert with Paul Gover

Got a question for Paul? Email him at community@startsat60.com

Q: My name is Yvonne and I’m now in my 70s and, believe it or not, I have never had a new car. I’m now planning to buy my first (and probably only) new car and I would really appreciate any advice or suggestions. My first car was an old Rover to drive between my first teaching appointment in Bendigo and home to Melbourne on weekends. Then came an old camper van that a group of girlfriends and I drove around Europe, breaking down in many countries. Third was an old Morris 1100, then, only briefly, an MG TF, before I bought an MGB GT in London and had it shipped out. Unfortunately, having lived its early life in England with salt on the snowy roads, rust regularly appeared. And you cannot fit a baby capsule in an MGB GT, so once I had my daughter we had to ‘upgrade’ to a bigger car. Since 2002 I’ve happily driven a Toyota Avalon bought from a friend who changed cars each year. Like its owner, the Avalon is ageing, and I’m determined to have one new car in my life. I’m happy with Toyota and considering a Toyota Camry or similar. I would like a hybrid car, not all-electric, and I’m nervous about getting a car that kind of ‘takes over’ some of the driving. As a retired teacher, money is a bit limited but about $30,000 would be possible.

Yvonne Pagram

A: What an easy choice. The Camry definitely gets The Tick from me and you should spoil yourself with the most luxurious package you can afford. It’s a hugely good car and massively underrated in a world where everyone seems to want to ‘sit up high’ in some sort of SUV.

Q: We are purchasing a Lexus NX. They have offered protection packages ranging from $3290 for exterior protection and legal tint up to $7490 for interior and exterior protection, legal tint, and front and rear dash cameras and a power pack. Is this worth it or a sales pitch?

Philip Wilkinson

A: Avoid the ‘after-sales department’ at all costs. To your cost, actually. This is a major profit centre for almost all new-car dealerships and, while it can be convenient, you can get the same stuff, or better, for less money by going to a specialist in the field.

Q: I purchased a Lancia Beta sedan in 1977 and loved it. No rust. Anyhow, I used to care for my two nephews and niece at that time and was always worried about where they were when reversing my car. So I cut the wire going to one of the reversing lights and installed a piezoelectric speaker which emitted a high-pitched siren noise when reverse gear was selected. It worked like a treat. Should be compulsory on all cars. Just a side note, after having driven BMWs for 35 years, I retired and couldn’t afford them any more on a part pension. So I gave my last Beemer, a 2019 X1, to my nephew’s wife and purchased a Renault Koleos last year. For $36,000 drive-away and a seven-year warranty, I thought it was great value for money.

Brian Riley

A: What a great safety innovation, and similar thinking to the reversing buzzers on trucks. As for the Koleos, not just good value but a good car, as it’s a Nissan under the skin with French fashion on top.

Q: I am looking at moving on from a 12-year-old Volkswagen Polo with 191,000 kilometres on the clock. What is your opinion on a new Skoda Fabia Select?

Brian Noble

A: I like it. The Skoda brand is vastly underappreciated in Australia despite having all the benefits of the Volkswagen Group. The Fabia gets The Tick from me.

Q: I am deciding between a Ford Ranger Wildtrak and an Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain. Usage is mostly city driving, six to 10 road trips per year and some caravan towing over the next 10 years. Regular trips to the Surf Coast, no serious four-wheel driving, but the road trips may involve off-road rather than four-wheel driving. Approximately 15,000-20,000 kilometres a year. Do you have a leaning towards either model?

Tim Merrett

A: Ranger every time. By a margin. Lots of people like the D-Max for towing, but as a ‘car’, which will be most of your driving, the Ford is a clear winner.

Q: I am 81 years old and currently drive a 2021 Kia Stonic Sport, and prior to that I had a Hyundai i30. I want to buy a new car which is higher and easier to get in and out of, and was interested in a Kia Seltos Sport+, but they are a bit pricey. I have heard you advising on the GWM Jolion and was thinking of the Vanta petrol model. In your opinion, going by what I have driven in the past, am I going to be disappointed? Three of my grandchildren are driving MG ZSs, which I am not impressed with.

Garry Jagoda

A: Stay the course with the Seltos, but you don’t need to spend all the money on the Sport+ model. The basics are very good and the best value is always in the mid-level grade. A Jolion is OK, but best to test drive back-to-back with the Kia.

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