ROADSIDE ASSIST TIGHT SQUEEZE
I need to upgrade my ancient Holden but am limited with choice as I’m 205cm tall and struggle to fit in most things. I’m looking for a manual 4x4 as I like to get off-road, but most are utes and I find my knees still touch the dash when the seat’s fully back and steering columns have limited adjustments. I’ve so far found three vehicles I fit. A VW Amarok, just, but I’m wary of the company’s history; a RAM pick-up but it’s way beyond my budget, and an LDV SUV, but I’m reluctant to buy Chinese. Any suggestions?
Mick Campbell, email
I can’t speak from personal experience as I’m only 182cm, so I consulted my 200cm motoring journalist mate. He says a 4x4 with manual gearbox makes your choice very limited. A Suzuki Jimny and Jeep Wrangler can be had with a manual, but both are pretty poor for tall folk. He recommends the Ranger-based Ford Everest SUV if you can live with an automatic gearbox — good for tall drivers and excellent off-road. If not, go with the VW Amarok. It’s still an excellent ute and VW’s five-year warranty should give solid peace of mind.
TOURING DE FRANCE
Re Size Matters you recommended a Skoda wagon and said there are “no Japanese large wagon rivals.” No, but there is the Peugeot 508 Touring, while I have a 308 Touring. I compared mine to Volkswagen’s, Skoda’s and Mazda’s wagons and none get near the space, comfort or economy of the Peugeot diesel. Gil May, email
Fair shout. I love the new Peugeot 508 Wagon but its $60,000 starting price puts it out of reach to most. The diesel 308 Touring’s a fuel miser and has clever flat-folding rear seats, but alas, it’s a bit too small for our letter writer needing a car for three young kids.
TURNED ON
I’m astonished by the number of people driving at night without headlights. I can only put it down to them thinking daytime running lights (DRLs) are the actual headlights. Most appear to be older drivers. They don’t realise they have no tail lights on which is very dangerous. A solution may be to make the “auto on” headlights a default setting on new cars. Phill Dawson, email
Fair point, but auto headlights have been criticised for not detecting low light soon enough and staying off. Sweden has made full headlights mandatory during daytime on many roads — with fines for those not doing so — and when you get a rental car there its lights are permanently set on. Perhaps that’s the way we need to go.
KEEP IT COOL
Re John Carey’s Nissan Leaf e+ review, he omitted the vital aspect that the updated Leaf still has no liquid-cooled battery pack. Was he writing an ad for Nissan or am I too cynical? Joe Boehm, email
You’re right, the Leaf e+ still doesn’t have liquidcooled batteries, unlike, say, a Tesla. Hot batteries mean reduced range, slower recharging and potential damage. In his review, John also wrote of the Leaf: “Quality isn’t great, considering the high price.” To that end, Nissan probably won’t ask him back if they paid him to write an ad.
LEAF IT ALONE
Re John Carey’s Leaf e+ review, Nissan are surely having a laugh? What sane person will stump up an eye-watering $62,000 for a small hatch with numb steering, rubbery suspension and “rhino scrotum” interior plastics? Tony Watkins, email
It would be remiss of me not to mention Nissan’s
sold 500,000 Leafs globally. But you’re right, they’re a lot of money.
ENDLESS CHOICE
When asked to recommend a small SUV you didn’t include the Suzuki Vitara. Is this because it’s substandard and a poor choice?
Alan Fraser, email
Not at all. I recommend after learning what I can about an individual’s planned use, needs and budget. There are some 40 small new SUVs for sale in Australia, so competition is fierce. The Vitara is a solid, good looking and good value offering but lacking the latest safety kit.