DON’T PAY TOO MUCH

I have $50,000 to spend on a family 4WD. I can get a new Mitsubishi Pajero Sport which would be lovely, but am I better looking at a 2018 Isuzu MU-X for the same money? I think it’s a better car but it’s four years old and has done 80,000km.

Guy Farrugia, email

I like the MU-X but the 2018 model has been superseded by a far better, safer version. Get the Mitsubishi. The GLX 4WD is about $52,000 driveaway and offers solid off-road ability, strong safety and decent inclusions. Mitsubishi provides a tenyear warranty if you keep servicing with the dealer network and capped price services are good value. Used prices – especially for lifestyle 4WDS – are shockingly high, so don’t get caught out.

WELL INSURED

Re: High used car prices and insurance, what should I reinsure my 2015 Holden Calais VF 3.6-litre sedan for? It’s travelled 136,000km, always serviced at the selling dealer and it runs as perfectly as the day I bought it.

Chris Day, Upper Ferntree Gully

It’s good to hear your rolling slice of Australiana is serving you so well. The VF is arguably the best car

Australia ever produced, sadly launched at a time our SUV obsession hit overdrive. I’d insure yours for $25,000 – it’d cost that much to replace likefor-like. With Holden’s passing, nostalgia and appreciation for these cars may increase values further.

MONEY FOR NOTHING?

When booking my wife’s 2013 Hyundai ix35 in for its service the dealer advised its fuel pump needed replacing. I queried this and was told it was standard procedure for a vehicle of this age. It’s travelled 87,000km. Is this normal or is the dealer undertaking unnecessary work at my expense?

Frank Ryan, email

A fuel filter needs replacing as part of scheduled servicing – apparently every 60,000km/two years for an ix35 – but why a fuel pump if it’s working? If your car doesn’t start or has intermittent power loss then the fuel pump could be the culprit, but you’ve not reported this. The fuel pump isn’t normally part of scheduled servicing, unless your dealer can explain why? If not, get a second opinion from an independent workshop and move your business there.

PREMIUM PRICES

My 2004 Jaguar X-type was serviced at my closest Jaguar dealer, 72 kilometres away. I was told it needed a new water pump ($1167 fitted) and new breather hose ($500 fitted). I was astonished. I bought a $123 X-type water pump online and it was fitted by a mechanic for $267. The breather hose was $100 and I fitted it myself in two minutes. In total, about $1200 cheaper than the dealer. Why do they charge such excessive amounts?

Paul Bownas, email

At a main dealer you know you’re getting genuine parts, the right diagnostic equipment, expertise and relevant training on your specific car (although less likely on an older Jag like yours) and usually a courtesy car. But look at that shiny showroom, prime location and fancy coffee machine. These help push the hourly rate higher and I hear horror stories of ludicrous mark-ups on parts. Your Jag is 18 years old and the dealer’s a long drive. Stick to your local mechanics if you trust them, and ensure they use approved parts – buying parts online can be risky.

PADS ARE CHEAP

Re: using engine braking rather than brakes to slow down, this was a skill I learned in my road/rally car and motorcycle and seemed an accepted method of driving. I’ve been informed by a more learned driver that gearboxes are more expensive to repair than brakes, so why downshift all the time?

Nigel Tice, Palm Beach

I hear it quoted a lot too: new brakes are cheaper than new gearboxes. I agree to a point, as I’d expect a modern, well-maintained gearbox to easily handle such work. I’m with you on motorbikes. The brakes are so rubbish on my classic Honda CB250 that if it weren’t for engine braking I’d have ended up in a few paddocks.

ROLLING THE DICE

I’m considering a Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel from 2013-2015. I’ve heard many negatives about the petrol model, but are the diesels okay? Reading forums, it appears most gripes are about Jeep dealers rather than the vehicles.

Noel Desmond, email

The gripes about dealers were because they weren’t dealing with complaints effectively or fairly. Then-new Jeep Australia boss Kevin Flynn admitted this in 2019, promising to rebuild trust. I’m certainly receiving fewer letters from disgruntled, angry Jeep owners these days.

Buying used is always risky, especially a Jeep of this age with not the best reputation for reliability. I can’t stress the importance of using a Jeep specialist for a pre-purchase inspection. Favour a post-july 2013 version to get the 184kw/570nm Ecodiesel engine with eight-speed auto and better economy. Check that all the (many) recalls were carried out, there’s been no off-road damage and the service history’s immaculate. Prepare for pricey service bills, but otherwise it’s a solid, great-cruising SUV with strong towing and off-road clout.