MAKE THE SWITCH

My dad needs a new car to replace his problematic 2014 Renault Kangoo. He wants an EV with long range and a minimum of five seats for about $60,000. What do you recommend?

Isabella Ndaira, email

It’s a good year to be considering an electric car, as some 30 new models are expected to arrive in 2023. Of the newbies, I’d consider the MG4 (450km range with 64kWh battery), Renault Megane E-Tech (450km) and Cupra Born (511km).

All should be priced around your budget, the latter confirmed at $59,990 plus on-roads. Of those on sale now, the Tesla Model 3 ($65,500, 491km range) remains a standout, as does Hyundai’s Kona EV ($60,500, 484km), although I’d wait for the new Kona EV due in mid-2023. Supply’s your enemy, so make your choice and join a waiting list ASAP.

FIRST CAR FINDER

My 18-year-old granddaughter is looking to buy her first car for about $10,000. What should she consider?

Dennis Crawley, email

Used prices remain high, sadly pushing most latemodel cars out of reach. Safety is paramount – inexperienced drivers are susceptible to accidents – and insuring the car mustn’t blow the budget. I’d consider a 2012-14 VW Up!, a 2015 VW Polo, 2014/15 Ford Focus or Fiesta (as long as it has a manual gearbox) or 2015 Suzuki Swift. All are cracking to drive. Avoid unreliable Holden Barinas and Cruzes – they’re priced low for a reason.

MODERN SOLUTIONS

Re: stop/start technology in cars, I believe it wouldn’t be as necessary if traffic light sequences were better synchronised. Keeping traffic flowing should be prioritised and when turn lanes have no cars in them, these lights should stay red. Improvements would require investment, but shouldn’t be hard in this computerised age.

Colin Cronin, Gold Coast

Agreed. Traffic lights must do better, especially in congestion havens such as the Gold Coast. Smarter systems would reduce traffic queues, but the sheer number of vehicles wouldn’t eradicate it. Another solution? Let cars turn left at a red light once giving way. It’s legal in the US (right at a red light) and Jeremy Clarkson once said it was America’s only contribution to Western civilisation.

FUTURE IMPERFECT

Re: EV battery replacement, your point about future prices being unknown is valid, but what about battery price as a “spare part”? Who’ll buy a six-year-old EV when the battery may fail out of warranty in two years, with replacement cost making it an economic write off? Duttons in Sydney told me they won’t trade in Teslas. Such fear factor will apply to all EV resales. The depreciation on 2014/15 Teslas is massive.

Ross Kroger, Barwon Heads

It’s hard getting car companies to quote a retail “spare part” cost for a battery, as it’d be replaced under warranty. EV batteries degrade/lose capacity over time, so the car will just drop range rather than fail to proceed. Nissan’s Leaf is old enough to be out of warranty, and the replacement cost for its 24kWh battery (the short range one) is about $12,000. Australian EV data site Zecar claims it has seen total replacement costs of $17,000 for a Tesla Model 3’s 57.5kWh battery and a Hyundai Kona Electric’s 64kWh battery for $13,500 plus labour. I note 2014 Model S Teslas – now with their eight-year battery warranty expired – still cost about $75,000 used – not massive depreciation at all. Tesla owner figures show globally, on average, batteries have degraded less than 15 per cent after 200,000 miles (322,000km), which, if true, is very impressive.

TIDES ARE TURNING?

Regarding your second-hand car advice to the estate agent, I can agree about inflated used prices. I’ve long been in the market for a used ute with some factory warranty remaining. Do you think the RBA rate increases will lead to the used (and possibly new) car market dropping? Surely people are prioritising cost of living over a new car? Are new-car sales falling? Scott White, email

New car supply is improving and Aussies are still buying. Despite rate increases, sales climbed for the fifth successive month in November. But sniff the air and change is afoot. Haval and Jeep are advertising special offers and more brands will surely follow. My local car dealers’ forecourts look better stocked than a few months back. Moody’s Analytics’ Used Vehicle Price Index has seen a steep price fall since September for preloved cars. If you find a used ute, make a low offer. Sellers may get desperate as the market shifts.

LUXURY CAR CRIME

There’s been a spate of luxury car thefts in our region over the festive period, typically involving home break-ins to steal keys. I’m really concerned as we have a 2020 MercedesBenz GLC43 AMG. I can cope with it being stolen, but not my house being broken into and my family being at risk. We have locking electric gates and security cameras but is there more we can do?

Tim Partridge, Noosa Heads

You’re right to be concerned. These break-ins can tragically turn fatal. Many car thieves aren’t idiots: they use range-extender or repeater devices to mimic your car’s “keyless entry” fob and once inside can disable tracking devices. I’d install a removable steel bollard on your driveway. They’re a pain to remove before driving, but the visual deterrent is excellent. That said, in a home invasion, they may demand keys for the bollard as well as the car.