TIME TO DOWNSIZE

IAIN CURRY GETS ANSWERS WRITE TO MOTORING AT CARS@NEWS.COM.AU OR PO BOX 2808, GPO SYDNEY, 2001

I love my 2015 Holden Calais V8 but fear parts will become harder to obtain. It makes sense to update given good resale prices. A Hyundai Sonata N Line’s on my radar as it’s similarly sized and goes like stink. What’s your opinion?

Ray Tonisson, email

The Sonata’s 213kW/422Nm turbo four-cylinder offers serious shove. It’s a different drive experience to your muscled V8 Calais and the Hyundai’s exhaust note is a kitten compared to your lion. The Sonata’s been well set up for fun back road driving – cornering ability and steering are excellent – and it’s a decent cruiser too. The cabin space is brilliant, at least the equal of your Calais. You should get about $40,000 for your Holden – well on your way to the Sonata’s $56,800 drive-away. You’ll appreciate the cheaper fuel bills but you’ll miss that bent-eight rumble.

LEFT LEANING

Re: the ex-UPS driver turning on red lights in the US, I also worked there for several years. When returning to Australia in 1980 I assumed the same rules applied and always turned left on red. A passenger eventually pointed out my crimes and I stopped being naughty. But it was immediately obvious it took a lot longer to get from A to B. The fact I did it for three months (without a fine) shows it doesn’t require extra driving skills and it hugely improves traffic flow.

Anthony Kenny, Preston, QLD

A billion cameras would fine you incessantly if you tried such moves today. Our roads have become substantially more congested since 1980, so innovative ways of improving traffic flow are paramount. I’m mystified why recent trials didn’t lead to left turns on red being approved. I fear it’s easier for authorities to stick with the status quo.

BRING BACK CHEAPIES

I’m totally over overpriced new cars. If only we were offered base models there’d be less semiconductors needed but dealers only order expensive high-end grades. Why, when cloth seats are often superior to fake leather and 18 to 20-inch wheels ruin the ride on everyday cars? Smaller tyres are cheaper to buy and have less waste too.

Trevor Pink, email

Amen, brother. It’s the state of play right now I’m afraid. With demand outstripping supply, car companies and dealers are maximising profits by sometimes offering only high grades. Margins on small cars are very low, so I understand the business case. But you’re right – putting small cars and SUVs on 18-inch alloys usually means a terrible ride and expensive re-rubber. To illustrate your point, the current cheapest drive-away prices for popular hatchbacks include the tiny Skoda Fabia at $38,990, the Honda Civic at $47,200 and the Volkswagen Golf at $39,500. Most have loads of gear but good grief those prices are high.

READY TO RUMBLE

With older cars it’s recommended you let the engine run for a minute to get the oil up into the cylinders. What’s recommended with new cars? I read on the internet you can strip oil from the cylinders if you let the car idle too long.

Bob Adamthwaite, email

I’d take what you read online with a pinch of salt. Leaving a new car idling wastes fuel, drains your battery, pollutes the atmosphere and puts more wear and tear on components. Modern engine oils coat the internals in seconds – you can safely drive immediately, just don’t redline the thing until you’ve driven a few kilometres. Fuel injection has long replaced carburettor engines, which did require warming up. My old carbie motorcycle with manual choke runs like a bag of spanners until warm – just like old cars – annoying my neighbours and polluting the household. Sounds great though.

MADE TO LAST

What are your thoughts on the life expectancy of radiator/heater hoses? Should they be changed out of precaution? My 2014 Ford Falcon has 115,000km on the clock and I don’t want to be caught out with a blown hose or even worse, a cooked engine.

Robert Turner, email

One for my trusty mechanic, who has been at the coalface for 25 years. “Valid concerns, but these days hoses fail far less commonly,” he said. “Changing them used to be something we did a lot, but I regularly see 300,000km cars still with original hoses. I’m sure the rubber’s been improved but the big thing is to keep the right coolant in them, either original equipment or factory spec. Coolant’s also improved over the years. It doesn’t need to be changed as often either.” Check your hoses for any signs of damage or perishing, but yours probably have plenty of life in them.

LIGHT BULB MOMENT

Our MY20 Hyundai iMax’s owner’s manual says headlight bulb replacement only involves removing a plastic cover and then the bulb itself. My old, arthritic hands couldn’t access it, so at its annual service I was quoted $12.60 for a new bulb, no charge for fitting. But after having the iMax for three hours the dealer contacted me advising it’d cost $300 to fit the bulb as the front bumper assembly needed removing for access. They thought it acceptable, I didn’t. Any suggestions? Trevor Jones, Hobart

It appears the passenger side low beam assembly is different to the iMax’s other light assemblies, but even so, it’s daft to think you’d need to remove the bumper to get at it. After we contacted Hyundai Australia they said they’d examined your case and would replace the bulb free of charge at your dealer, regardless of how time consuming it is. Good to see them acting so swiftly.