A HIKE TOO FAR

CARS@NEWS.COM.AU OR PO BOX 2808, GPO SYDNEY, 2001 Re: Toyota wait times, I’ve just cancelled my RAV4 Cruiser order, placed in July 2022. I paid in full at the time, but the price has since increased from $48,275 to $50,025 and now $53,180, with me liable for the extra. We the customers cannot take this 10 per cent increase as justified and warranted. Glenn Boudville, email

Anyone ordering a RAV4 in 2022 must have expected a significant wait, but I can understand how the price rises have forced your decision. It seriously stings for those who’d signed a contract and paid up. I’ve since learnt the Toyota dealer refunded you within three days and offered to pay your current car’s rego costs while you were waiting for your delivery. Fair play there.

TIME SENSITIVE

Re: Toyota wait times, my wife’s waited 500 days for her RAV4 Hybrid. We were told by head office last week it was being built this month, with delivery in April. I’m not holding my breath.

Almost a century ago, the Americans built the 102story Empire State Building in less time than Toyota’s taken to produce your RAV4. They had fewer microchip shortage issues back then, but even so.

Peter Long, Mornington HEADING SOUTH

As the trend toward electric cars quickens, there’s sure to be many unsold internal combustion cars looking for a market. I can see Australia becoming a dumping ground for cars, especially as countries like the UK bans petrol and diesel sales. And what will motoring journalists do in a world bereft of V6s and V8s? Peter Manwaring, email

EVs can be ludicrously fast, but I’ve not tested one that comes close to the fun and engagement offered by a fossil fuel burning car. What will journos do? Grumble, reminisce about the good ol’ days and cry into our beers. Australia already is something of a dumping ground for polluting cars. The US, Europe and much of Asia follow strict “Euro 6” emission standards that won’t come into force here until 2027. If carmakers have built them and aren’t allowed to sell them in other markets, they’ll be coming to Aussie showrooms.

NEEDLESS TASKS?

Re: Come Clean, since the introduction of fixed price servicing at car dealers, I’ve noticed overpriced and unnecessary add-ons are rife. Injector cleans, $100+ wiper blades, fuel additives and the absolute profit king: the aircon filter. The dealer tried to charge me $180 plus fitting for this $30 part which takes five minutes to replace. I feel for people with no mechanical knowledge being well and truly fleeced.

Peter Lion, email

As with all industries and services, there are good and bad car dealers. That’s why a dealer or independent mechanic you implicitly trust is a godsend.

EYES ON THE ROAD

I ride a motorcycle every day and notice electric car drivers appear to concentrate more on what the dash is saying rather than watching the road. Instead of flowing with traffic, they seem to be staring at screens and keeping electricity use to a minimum.

Ian Gregory, Regents Park.

Interesting observation. EVs require a different driving technique: the car slows with regenerative braking when lifting off the throttle, rather than using the brake pedal. Let’s just say many EV drivers haven’t yet mastered it. Drivers are far more attentive if they’ve got manual gears to shift, no driver aids mopping up mistakes and physical dials instead of a touchscreen. In making cars smarter, we’ve made drivers dumber.

MIRACLE CLEAN

Re: Ian Morris’ costly Audi AdBlue issues, we were shocked by Audi’s $6000 quote for a new diesel particulate filter (DPF). Our SQ5 was just out of three-year warranty and Audi was unwilling to cover any costs under goodwill. Instead, we took the car to a German specialist who cleaned the DPF for $180. The dash’s DPF warning light turned off. That was two years ago and there’s been no issue since. Brad Hurren, email

Such stories are lessons to us all. When presented with a significant quote, always get a second opinion, ideally from a specialist. As you’ve found, sometimes cleaning /repair is possible instead of a hugely costly replacement.

EXCUSES WEARING THIN

I’ve owned five Toyota LandCruisers and on my current one the driver’s seat side has cracked. Toyota’s told me I’m getting in and out of the vehicle incorrectly. There’s nothing in the manual instructing how to do so. It’s a great vehicle, but Toyota’s service is slack! David O’Connor, email

As excuses go, that’s a belter. Are you getting in an out with sandpaper on your trousers? Is that your “mistake”? If it’s the dealer saying “you’re getting in wrong,” contact Toyota Australia’s customer care, send them pictures of the damage and request goodwill assistance with repairs.