SELLER’S MARKET
IAIN CURRY GETS ANSWERS
WRITE TO MOTORING AT CARS@NEWS.COM.AU OR PO BOX 2808, GPO SYDNEY, 2001
I’ve been offered $20,000 more than I paid for my near-new Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series. Should I sell it, hold out for more, or keep it? Harrison Smith, email
That’s a tidy return. Prices are crazy for LandCruisers right now as buyers snap up the last of the V8s. Dealers are asking $160,000+ for exdemos, and one ambitious private seller has a 2020 Sahara grade, with a recommended retail price of $124,000, up for $200,000. You could cash in and get a Nissan Patrol to suit your needs. That $20,000 will buy plenty of petrol – and with a V8, you’ll need it. The new LandCruiser 300 Series should arrive late this year, and should be a better thing in every regard, with a twin-turbo diesel that has more grunt than the current V8. Will the appetite for the 200 Series then drop and prices normalise? I reckon yes, but I’ve heard from many who disagree.
SAFE TOWING
We want a new or near-new SUV and can’t pick what to buy. Budget’s up to $70,000 and it may need to tow a small caravan. I like the Skoda Kodiaq, but reliability and resale are a concern. My son has a VW Tiguan Allspace, which is great but I worry about parts cost. I’ve also considered the Toyota Kluger as I’d feel safe with its reliability and ease to get parts when touring. We’re close to retirement age and this will probably be our last car, so reliability is key.
Danny Ward, email
All are very accomplished SUVs, so the weight of your caravan is important. The Kodiaq and Kluger’s braked towing limit is 2000kg; the Tiguan Allspace’s is between 1800kg and 2500kg. Ensure your van’s weight is well under these limits. The VW appeals for its tow rating and not feeling quite as cumbersome as the others, but the Toyota’s a brand-new model with bang-up-to-date features, very cheap servicing and a rock solid reputation for reliability. Look at a Kia Sorento too. Your budget buys the range-topping GT-Line, which oozes luxury, has a 2000kg tow rating and a seven-year warranty.
HOT PROPERTY
I’ve read in the newspaper that in the past five months, 95 cars were stolen in the ACT for their catalytic converters. Seems there’s a black market for recycling rare metals and catalytic converters are a good source.
Les Lyons, email
Precious metals values have surged in recent years, and the palladium, rhodium and others in catalytic converters are worth a tidy sum. Rhodium is about ten times the value of gold. Hybrid cars’ catalytic converters are most desirable as the metals in these are less likely to corrode due to infrequent use. Older hybrids are more desirable again as they contain more precious metals than newer ones – it seems a thief can flog one for about $1000. Lock up your Priuses!
RISKY BUSINESS
I own a 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer showing just under 150,000km. Its timing belt was changed in 2012 at 75,000km. I’m 85 years old and money is tight. Should I have the timing belt replaced or is it worth taking the risk? Long trips are rare.
Jack Muller, email
Mitsubishi says the belt should be changed every 100,000km, so in theory you’ve another 25,000km in hand. But time wears them down as well as mileage. My mechanic suggested a new one every five years – with a new water pump – is best practice. This should cost just shy of $1000 – not cheap, but far cheaper than a new engine. If you choose to roll the dice and stick with your current one, at least have a mechanic check it over for damage or excessive wear.
WHERE TO GO?
Our 2012 Mazda CX-5 has been very good, but
its satnav maps are out of date and next to useless around Melbourne. My Mazda dealer advised me they “no longer support that product” and no software update was available. I asked what options we had and was told there were no alternatives. I’ve ended up buying a satnav unit to stick to the windscreen.
Gerry Hanily, email
Updating sat nav maps is a necessary evil in many cars. The 2013 Mazda CX-5 had a TomTom unit (an update is $85), but yours predates this and it appears an update isn’t supported. Hopefully your windscreen mounted nav will suffice, but an aftermarket head-unit supporting smartphonemirroring – Apple CarPlay/Android Auto – is another option. This way, your satnav will always be up to date as it uses your phone’s maps. They cost about $400 at auto stores, but the cost of fitting varies.
CASHING IN
Re: Kerry Malone’s Holden Astra, I also have a 2017 R+ model. It’s been great, but I’m worried about resale and parts availability long term due to Holden’s closure. Should I sell now while the used market is hot?
Isaac Rollinson, email
Kerry’s Astra was bought in late 2017, so came with an excellent seven-year warranty as Holden fought for survival. If your Astra has the same, I’d keep hold of it. When General Motors shuttered Holden it promised to provide servicing and spare parts for at least ten years. The new-car market is also hot with no bargains to be had. I’d wait for the new-car market to cool before trading your Astra – it’s a damn good car.