BACK TO NATURE
My wife and I want to go outback travelling with a 2500kg (aggregate trailer mass) limit. We need to upgrade our vehicle and my wife’s heart is set on a self-charging hybrid or plug-in hybrid. But my research shows there’s nothing on the horizon that would tow this weight except perhaps the Jeep Grand Cherokee. We’re in our 70s so can’t wait years for hybrid 4WDS to become popular.
Graeme Daniels, email
The plug-in Grand Cherokee 4xe is due here in early 2023. Its 2722kg tow rating gives a decent buffer over your van’s 2500kg limit, and I’ve no doubt its combined 280kw/637nm would offer ample towing guts. A compelling vehicle, but Jeep Australia’s top brass told me it would be a flagship model so I expect it’ll cost more than $100,000. If money’s not a problem a Range Rover Sport P400e PHEV tows 2500kg, a BMW X5 45e 2700kg or Porsche Cayenne E-hybrid 3500kg, while the very cool 3000kg-rated Land Rover Defender P400e PHEV arrives in 2023. Sadly, no affordable hybrid/phev tow vehicles are due in the short term.
SOUNDING OFF
Re: noisy cars, you stated you’d never seen the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) enforcing legal decibel limits. There are EPA and police operations doing random noise testing as I was an unfortunate victim. You are issued a fine and have 14 days to repair and get retested at an EPA testing facility. Now I’m older and wiser I think they should do more of these noise testing operations.
David U, email
Re: noise police, although the EPA is the enforcement agency for noise pollution, police regularly refer vehicles suspected of excessive
Roger Alexander, email
Re: noise police, my wife’s 2007 Mini had to be EPA noise tested after a “trained” officer “believed” her car was noisy. She had to go and have it tested and pay $129 for the privilege. It passed at the 4500rpm requirement, but she was told “too bad” when she asked for her money back. This is wrong on so many levels. Stan Amanatidis, email
I notice the EPA has a “Report noisy vehicles” service where you can dob in your fellow motorist and they may get summoned for a noise test. It may be un-australian to snitch on your neighbour, but after sleepless nights, perhaps understandable. As for being forced to pay for a noise test when your car is compliant, that is ridiculous – what happened to innocent until proven guilty?
SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW?
I’m in the market for a ute but only want to spend $40,000. Should I get a new Mitsubishi Triton or GWM Cannon, or a three to four-yearold Toyota Hilux or Nissan Navara?
Scott W, email
Ute safety and features have jumped markedly in recent years, making new models easier to recommend than an older Hilux or Navara, which will be nearly or out of warranty. Many live a tough life, so shopping for a used ute is very much buyer beware. Some of the questions to ask yourself are: 2WD or 4WD? Is it for work or play? Dual cab or single? I tested the GWM Cannon and liked its value, looks and inclusions but not its engine or cornering ability. For a $40,000 dual cab, I’d pick the loaded Ssangyong Musso Ultimate instead. From the single cabs or 2WDS, the Triton has reasonable safety and excellent 10-year warranty. I’d favour it or the even safer Isuzu D-max.
SAFE TO SPEED?
Re: mandatory speed limiters in cars, they are Big Brother, that’s why they shouldn’t be introduced. There was a court case in South Australia, I believe in the 1980s, where a driver speeding when overtaking had his court case thrown out due to it being declared necessary to exceed the limit for safety. On country roads it’s best to spend the least amount of time on the wrong side. One day, when the right flavour government gets back into power in the NT, the derestricted speed zones will be back.
Finn Jenkins, Darwin
Off the bat, I can see why NT’S derestricted speed zones (currently not operational) are both a good and bad idea. You’re relying on common sense being shown and sadly it only takes one idiot to ruin things. As for the SA court case, this may have happened in the 1980s but I can’t see it today. It sets a precedent that, in effect, states you can speed as long as you’re on the wrong side of the road. Again, it only takes one idiot.
DON’T BE A TOSSER
Re: Nailed It, my local tyre dealer loves me. In the last year he’s repaired three punctures and replaced two tyres, all thanks to builders’ nails and screws. Maybe tradies could try putting loose fasteners in a tin rather than chucking them in the back of their utes?
Richard Cosstick, email
Builders’ nails are like cigarette butts and chewing gum. They get chucked everywhere because you’re never going to prove who was responsible.