SPIRITED DEFENCE
IAIN CURRY GETS ANSWERS WRITE TO MOTORING AT CARS@NEWS.COM.AU OR PO BOX 2808, GPO SYDNEY, 2001
Re: Tone it Down, I say turn it up mate! Skoda is only recently getting a fair go from motoring writers as it’s become increasingly apparent how good the marque is. May I suggest if Mr Eldridge left his bias at the showroom door and looked at the Skoda range more objectively, he’ll see why over 5000 sold here last year.
John Kruger, email
Re: Tone it Down, Mr Eldridge must drive a Skoda before judging them. We had four adults in a Fabia for ten days in Europe – brilliant power and handling. We noticed almost every taxi in Greece was a Skoda – mostly Octavias – so they must be good to handle the treatment there. Our next car will be a Skoda if our VW Eos ever wears out.
John Beattie, email
We’ve twice given a Skoda our Car of the Year award: the brand’s value, features and practicality typically being standouts. But big price rises for its new offerings will seriously test the relationship. Its Fabia city car is only available in one high-spec grade and costs $37,990 on the road. I bought a Fabia (wagon) seven years ago for $17,490 driveaway. The new car is much safer and tech-laden, but the current price makes it a lot less accessible.
DEALER DEMANDS
Re: Toyota wait times, perhaps dealers should ask for an increase in deposits to about 25 per cent for all orders in the system. If buyers refuse, they get their original deposit refunded. Hopefully this would weed out a few who have purchased elsewhere and those hanging out for a quick profit. Delivery times would be reduced for we genuine buyers. I’ve already waited 11 months for my RAV4, after an initial estimate of five months.
Ian White, email
I see your reasoning but demanding more money from already frustrated customers – while they still haven’t received ordered cars – would be a PR disaster for Toyota. I’d be irate in your position too, but can we blame people for taking delivery of a car then immediately flipping it for $10,000 profit if they’re able? You’d be crazy to cancel an order with that potential payday.
KEY INFORMATION
Re: replacement smart keys, I had a similar problem to Ms Vincent’s Kia. I needed new remote keys for my Holden VY Commodore and my mechanic couldn’t source original ones due to the new button battery legislation. I used Mister Minit key cutters, it was quick and for $120, a third of the cost of original equipment. They do most cars and align the electronics with the car.
Chris Chapman, email
Excellent result for you Chris and this method is usually an option for those with damaged, lost or stolen smart keys. Cloning your spare key is the go here. If you lose both your smart keys, it could cost thousands to reprogram or replace the car’s computer. As you found, a third-party locksmith can usually produce another smart key for a lot less than a dealer charges. Smart keys may be brilliant, but lose one and you’ll long for the days when it was just a bit of metal slotted in the door lock and ignition.
STICK OR TWIST?
I am one of many considering cancelling my BYD Atto 3 order. My numerous requests for information about warranty and roadside assist have been ignored by BYD and (Australian importer) Evdirect. I fear BYD may fall foul of Australian Consumer Laws if it retains the existing warranty conditions, which start with only one year on certain items.
Kevin Clark, email
There’s so much hype around this new Chinese EV. Thousands have apparently put down deposits without seeing, let alone testing, an Atto 3. Personally, that’s not something I’d do for a $45,000 car. BYD has reduced its promised warranty by a year to six years and only reduced sky-high servicing prices after customer backlash. Battery and drive unit warranties are good at eight years, but some warranty exclusions are concerning – including just three years for the integral multimedia system. It’s your decision alone if you want to cancel, but it sounds like you’ve already lost some faith in BYD.
NO SALE
Re: Electric Future, a $70,000 electric LDV T60 dual-cab ute with 325km range? To paraphrase HSV: “I just don’t want one.” I just drove my owned-since-new 547,000km 2011 Toyota Hilux from Townsville to Sydney and back. It did 10.3L/100km there and 12.5L/100km home with 500kg in the tray. My average refuelling time was 15 minutes. Electricity’s not cheap, but oil and filters are. Peter Stewart, Wulguru, QLD
It’s a trusty old workhorse, your Hilux. Clearly an electric ute isn’t suited to your needs. Your distances are mighty and you’ll find yourself in remote places where there’s no EV charging infrastructure. For urban-based ute owners – where traffic and sub-200km days are the norm – an electric or plug-in hybrid Hilux or Ford Ranger would make much better sense.