PRE-LOVED, PLEASE
I’m seeking a second-hand car for about $20,000, petrol and automatic, that can tow a small trailer. Everything seems to be frontwheel drive — do they not make rear-wheel drive cars anymore? I like the look of the Ford Territory, Mazda CX-5, Mazda6 wagon and Ford Mondeo. Are they suitable for towing? Antony Hoogenboom, email
Your budget buys you a newer wagon than an SUV and typically cheaper running costs. That budget affords a 2015 Mazda6 wagon with 1500kg braked towing capacity, or a 2015 Mondeo Wagon with 1200kg towing (petrol) or 1600kg (diesel). Both should handle a small trailer. Rear-drive is a rarity these days outside prestige cars but consider a 2015-16 Holden VF Commodore Sportwagon — thirstier than the Mazda and Ford but is rear-drive and tows 1600kg.
IMPORTS ‘R’ US
Re the spokesman saying, “Holden 100 per cent owns the Commodore nameplate.” Can we please ask the same person whether the badges are made in Australia or China? Bill Lancaster, email Today’s imported Holdens are made in Poland, Korea, Germany, Canada, Thailand, UK and (when the Acadia arrives) US. Nothing Chinese there.
BOOT BOTHER
We’ve had trouble from day one closing the boot on our new Hyundai Kona. The dealer said the catch cannot be realigned, so we just have keep slamming it, sometimes several times. Anyone else had this problem? Pauline Punnett, email A quick search on global Hyundai forums shows a few instances of the same Kona boot closing issues, Pauline. Hyundai is typically very proactive in solving such problems, so persevere with your dealer.
DEARLY DEPARTED
It’s a shame Nissan no longer brings the Murano SUV to Australia. My 2010 Ti is the best vehicle I’ve driven in 40 years on the road, with heated seats, power tailgate, two sunroofs, push button start and perfect reliability. The new Murano in the US looks a treat and would be a big seller in Australia. Alan Dean, email
Great you’ve enjoyed your Murano, Alan, and yes, it was withdrawn from sale here in 2015. The current model is left-hand drive only so won’t come here. The previous one had a loyal following but sold pretty poorly in Australia. Nissan’s SUV line-up is already saturated with its Juke, Qashqai, X-Trail, Pathfinder and Patrol but the Murano was an interesting oddball that many miss.
FLUID SITUATION
My Kia Picanto apparently has to have its 30,000km service because it’s two years old, but it’s only done 9600km. Is this fair? The poor thing is barely run in. Elaine Hobbs, email
Time as well as kilometres travelled can lead to deterioration in you car’s oils and fluids — that’s why the annual check and oil services are required.
A Picanto’s service schedule is annual or every 15,000km, whichever comes first, and sticking to it keeps things safe and that long Kia warranty valid.
SOUND ADVICE
Re hips and backs. We’re in our 70s and need a car that’s easy to get in and out of — our Holden Equinox is just that. Seats are comfy and supportive, there’s good space for the
driver’s feet and the bonus was seven years’ warranty and roadside assist. Graham Cobb, email
Re downsizing to a smaller SUV. I care for a 90year-old lady and the Honda HR-V has proved perfect. The rear “magic seats” fold up so we can stow the wheelie walker and there’s still space for groceries. Jeanette Mowbray, email Re flexibility issues getting into cars. I’m in an identical situation. I tried the Mitsubishi ASX but it was horrible on broken roads, the Mazda CX-3 was tiny inside and the default Toyota Corolla is too low for us “oldies”. My suggestion is a Kia Soul. It looks a bit like a brick and is as aerodynamic as Blenheim Palace but the view out is brilliant and it works for me. Tony Watkins, email
RATTLE AND ROLL
My 2012 Hyundai i30 with 42,000km occasionally makes a strange noise on startup. There’s neither rhyme nor reason about when it happens. There’s lots on the internet about others experiencing it. Any ideas? Frank Young, email
We sent your video of the problem to Hyundai. The reply: “The noise appears to be related to the timing chain tensioner which is normal operation. The engine uses a timing chain with a chain tensioner to remove any slack from the chain. This is operated by the engine’s oil pressure (so) the reason the ‘rattle’ is audible on cold start up is because the oil pressure needs to increase. Please note oil specification can influence how the rattle is heard, and although the rattle may sound damaging, it isn’t.”
TAX THE RICH
We no longer have locally made cars, so why do we still have a luxury car tax? Are there plans to abolish it, and if not why do we need it? Robert Keleher, email
Car companies and private buyers have long lobbied against the LCT (which has been with us since 2000) as we now have no local car manufacturing to “protect” from these imports. Why have we still got it? Government doesn’t want to give up the $500 million it brings in each year. A mooted free trade agreement with the EU should (hopefully) bring down the curtain on the tax in 2019.