Q: My daughter wants to replace her 8-year-old Kia Sorento diesel with a smaller SUV. Her friends are encouraging her to buy a BYD model but I’ve always trusted established brands with a history of reliability, strong service and spare parts plus proven depreciation figures. I don’t know anything about the BYD range but I do know there’s some really good things for about $60,000 from Kia, Hyundai, Skoda and even Volvo. Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Geoff McDonald
A: BYD is one of the better Chinese brands and has big plans for Australia, including vastly expanding its dealership and service network. But no-one knows yet about long-term reliability and resale, where Hyundai and Kia are winners. Skoda is great value and Volvo is the prestige choice, so they each make a strong case against anything from BYD.
Q: We are retired and enjoy driving holidays, now looking at changing cars from a Peugeot 508 2-litre diesel which has been good.
Thoughts please on a used Lexus RC six-cylinder with 60,000 kilometres and a full service history? Or are the Germans better?
Mick and Sue
A: The RC is very under-rated so you’re likely to get a good deal, and it will be a lovely touring car. But you need to check access and also luggage capacity for touring. Also, nothing in the sporty class will have the ride comfort of the brilliant suspension on the Peugeot.
Q: I’m looking to buy a GX 2023 Toyota Kluger as it’s in my budget. I know the petrol variants are a bit cheaper than the hybrid which I may end up choosing.
Besides fuel economy and probably a bit quieter is there much difference between the hybrid and the petrol and features etc?
Rob Marino
A: If you’re mainly doing short-haul work then the hybrid will be a worthwhile purchase for the fuel economy savings, but if you’re mostly on highways then a petrol Kluger will be fine. The other thing to consider is that the hybrid will have stronger resale value at the other end of your ownership.
Q: I just wanted your general thoughts on four cars I am deliberating over. Would you rule out any, or rate one over the others? At the price range of $100,000 I will be looking at the entry level and trading my Subaru Outback 2017 The cars are Mercedes-Benz GLC, Audi Q5, Volvo XC70 and, perhaps, Genesis GV70.
I need decent boot space for big trips when traveling with dogs and gear, and hay consider plug in hybrids.
Jen Alleyne
A: The Genesis should be your benchmark, as it’s a very classy car and a value benchmark. The German brands are still the benchmark, so best to do a comparison between the Mercedes and the Genesis, taking a long test drive of at least an hour in each.
Q: I’ve got a GT Ford Mustang 2016 which has done around 15,000 kilometres and been serviced regularly. I recently found out the aircon cooling is not working, and when I approached the Ford dealer I purchased the car from I was informed that there had been issues with the aircon system but said Ford would not cover this problem. I also I’ve heard through my mechanic that knows of at least six people that have had similar issues. Just wondered where I stand with all of this?
David Luttrell.
A: Your car is well out of warranty and things do go wrong eventually on all cars. Best suggestion is to avoid the dealership, ignore anything said to pacify you, and find an air-conditioning expert for assessment and necessary repairs.
Q: How long should my battery last for my Peugeot 2008? I bought it brand new in 2018, have had it serviced at Peugeot religiously., and had the battery replaced in October 2023. At the last service all was well but a few weeks later the service light came on and I was quoted $1060 by the dealership. I had the battery tested elsewhere and it was 71 per cent health, so I asked Peugeot to recharge the battery overnight and re-set all the electricals which they did but told me the battery health was no good. Is the battery supposed to fail in just over 2 years?
Sofia Alexiou
A: Modern sealed batteries are failing more rapidly than in the past, but two years sounds unusual. Avoid the dealership and go to a specialist electrical company for a full diagnosis, and make sure there are no ‘micro drains’ from accessories like a dashcam.
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