Q: Should I buy a Tesla Model 3?

Question: I’m about to make the shift into an EV and am confused about what to buy. I’ve usually bought luxury brands but they all seem fairly expensive. I love the look of the Hyundai IONIQ 5 but it’s also pricey. All of which has me coming back to a Tesla Model 3. Is it any good? – Brian W Answer: The Tesla Model 3 is arguably the pick in the EV market right now, not only because it’s decent to drive and has decent range, but also because you can easily get hold of one. The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is a great car, winning carsales’ Car of the Year in 2021 , but getting hold of one has been challenging. Like the excellent Kia EV6 with which it shares its electrical architecture (the Kia is a nose ahead), it’s also expensive. The Tesla will take a rethink of the way you operate a car, but for anyone smartphone savvy it’s an easy transition. The base Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive can benefit from rebates in most states and territories , potentially saving you a few grand. Plus you have access to the Tesla charging network, which is a lot more reliable than many other public chargers these days.

Q: Will traditional car engines really survive in the long term?

Question: I see Europe is pushing to allow internal combustion engines to survive despite the big push for EVs. This seems to make sense. Am I missing something? Why don’t more manufacturers head down this path? – Katie G Answer: The push to continue with internal combustion engines involves fuelling them with e-fuels or synthetic fuels. Such fuel can be produced with a net-zero carbon dioxide impact. In other words, the CO2 emitted when it’s burnt in the internal combustion engine was offset in the creation of the fuel. It’s a win for big-engined Ferraris, Lamborghinis and the Porsche 911 – and could certainly allow cars such as those to continue making big noise in future. It would also allow existing vehicles to negate their carbon impact, which is obviously appealing. There’s one big elephant in the CO2 room, though: efficiency. Combustion engines are hideously inefficient, with only about one-third of the energy in the fuel used to move the vehicle (most is lost in heat). For that reason, we’d expect far more efficient electric motors to dominate for transport in future.

Q: Should I buy a Mazda BT-50 or Isuzu D-MAX?

Question: I’m ready to replace my D-MAX and am thinking I’ll just go another D-MAX. But with everything being shared with the Mazda BT-50 I’m wondering if I should also consider that? – John W Answer: You should definitely stick the Mazda BT-50 on your shopping list. Same mechanicals, same underpinnings and it comes out of the same factory. It drives identically to an Isuzu D-MAX . There are obviously differences in the styling, mainly from the outside. Plus there is different warranty coverage: five years/unlimited kilometres for the Mazda and six years/150,000km for the Isuzu. There are also pricing differences and differences in the models, so start scouring the brochures and chat to dealers about deals. Another consideration is resale values. RedBook forecasts that the Isuzu will hold its value better; that’s typical of model sharing arrangements such as this, where the original model tends to be more desirable on the used car market.

Q: Why don’t car-makers switch the indicators from left to right?

Question: We’ve just taken delivery of a new Skoda and love it. But as a long-time Mazda driver it took me a while to get used to having the indicators on the left of the steering wheel. Surely it can’t be too difficult to change over? So why don’t manufacturers do it? – Dom K Answer: The short answer is because most consumers don’t really care. You’re right in that it’s relatively easy to switch the indicator stalk from one side of the other, but it will add another few parts to the thousands that go into a car and add another process to the production line. That costs money and a bean counter somewhere will have asked how many sales will be lost by not switching the indicator stalk. The answer would be none. Also, it’s less of an issue in an era when most cars have auto transmissions, so you’re a better chance of having your left hand on the steering wheel more often. Got a question but don’t know where to find the information you need? Email us at editor@carsales.com.au Find more of Your Questions Answered by carsales here Ends

Question 1

Is the Suzuki Jimny a good car for the big Aussie road trip?

Accepted Answer

Question: I’m taking a gap year with my girlfriend and want to do a lap of the country. We’ve looked at all sorts of options, many of which seem very expensive. But the one I keep coming back to is the Suzuki Jimny. It looks cool and everyone says it’s great off-road. What are your thoughts? Should it be on our shortlist? – Matty P

Answer: The Suzuki Jimny is certainly a great way to get cheap, reliable transport. We’re assuming you’re looking at something second-hand (Find a Suzuki Jimny on carsales), in which case you need to check it carefully and learn a bit about how it’s been used.

If the underside has been punished with rocks and mud, there’s a good chance it’s had a hard life doing all the sorts of things you’re about to embark on. As an absolute minimum check its service history to ensure it’s had fresh oil at the appropriate intervals.

And you’ll need to recalibrate your brain on how it drives on bitumen. Sure, it’s a terrific little off-roader, but it’s pretty sloppy on-road and has a very modest engine that needs to be thrashed for even modest performance.

You can add to that once you load it up for the big trip.

Speaking of loading it up, you’ve probably noticed there’s not a whole lot of luggage space. A five-door Jimny is coming, but that’ll obviously be more expensive.

Question 2

Will new car prices keep increasing?

Accepted Answer

Question: We’ve got our first baby on the way and have made the decision to buy our first new car. But compared with the prices we were looking at late last year so many of the cars we were considering are now more expensive. We don’t want anything too flash, just something safe and sensible, like a Toyota RAV4 or Hyundai Tucson. We’ll be buying a car around the middle of the year, so are we going to be paying even more than now?
– Grace Y

Answer: Congrats on the imminent new arrival! Now for the transport… You’re right, new car prices have been increasing. It’s partly a reaction to inflation but could also be some brands bolstering their margins.

There’s every chance we’ll see more price rises over the next year, although exactly when is like predicting who will win the AFL premiership this year.

Don’t expect price rises as dramatic as we’ve seen over the past six months, though, some of which were ushering in the new year.

The good news is there are deals creeping back into the market, something that could work in your favour, particularly around the middle of the year when end of financial year deals often kick in.

As for the vehicle, the hybrid version of the RAV4 is the one you want and the wait lists are currently too long. If you want a hybrid check out the new Nissan X-TRAIL e-POWER.

Otherwise, pop into a Kia dealership to check out the Kia Sportage, which was carsales’ Best Mid-Size SUV for 2022.

Question 3

Should I cancel my Toyota LandCruiser order?

Accepted Answer

Question: We’ve been waiting more than a year for a new 300 Series LandCruiser and I’m frankly getting sick of waiting. The dealer doesn’t seem to know any more about exactly when I might get my car. I’m getting to the point where I really want a new set of wheels to go exploring in. So I’m wondering if I should cancel my order and go to something else? Maybe a Nissan Patrol? – Kane N

Answer: Don’t cancel your order. You placed your order when the price protection guarantee was in place. It means you won’t pay more than what you were quoted at the time, even though there’s been a decent price rise on the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series since then.

You can always cancel it closer to the delivery, whenever that may be.

Better still, you could check out used prices for LandCruisers when you finally get a delivery date. If they’re higher than what you’re about to pay it could be a good little earner.

As for the Patrol, it’s still a surprisingly good 4WD. Not as competent as the ’Cruiser in really challenging terrain. But arguably a better Outback tourer.

You’ll obviously use a lot more fuel in a V8 Nissan slurping premium unleaded, but you’re saving tens of thousands of dollars getting into it.

One of the biggest negatives with the Y62 Patrol is the lack of tech. It doesn’t even get Apple CarPlay or Android Auto connectivity.

Question 4

Should I buy a Tesla Model 3?

Accepted Answer

Question: I’m about to make the shift into an EV and am confused about what to buy. I’ve usually bought luxury brands but they all seem fairly expensive. I love the look of the Hyundai IONIQ 5 but it’s also pricey. All of which has me coming back to a Tesla Model 3. Is it any good? – Brian W

Answer: The Tesla Model 3 is arguably the pick in the EV market right now, not only because it’s decent to drive and has decent range, but also because you can easily get hold of one.

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is a great car, winning carsales’ Car of the Year in 2021, but getting hold of one has been challenging.

Like the excellent Kia EV6 with which it shares its electrical architecture (the Kia is a nose ahead), it’s also expensive.

The Tesla will take a rethink of the way you operate a car, but for anyone smartphone savvy it’s an easy transition.

The base Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive can benefit from rebates in most states and territories, potentially saving you a few grand. Plus you have access to the Tesla charging network, which is a lot more reliable than many other public chargers these days.

Question 5

Will traditional car engines really survive in the long term?

Accepted Answer

Question: I see Europe is pushing to allow internal combustion engines to survive despite the big push for EVs. This seems to make sense. Am I missing something? Why don’t more manufacturers head down this path? – Katie G

Answer: The push to continue with internal combustion engines involves fuelling them with e-fuels or synthetic fuels. Such fuel can be produced with a net-zero carbon dioxide impact. In other words, the CO2 emitted when it’s burnt in the internal combustion engine was offset in the creation of the fuel.

It’s a win for big-engined Ferraris, Lamborghinis and the Porsche 911 – and could certainly allow cars such as those to continue making big noise in future.

It would also allow existing vehicles to negate their carbon impact, which is obviously appealing.

There’s one big elephant in the CO2 room, though: efficiency. Combustion engines are hideously inefficient, with only about one-third of the energy in the fuel used to move the vehicle (most is lost in heat).

For that reason, we’d expect far more efficient electric motors to dominate for transport in future.

Question 6

Should I buy a Mazda BT-50 or Isuzu D-MAX?

Accepted Answer

Question: I’m ready to replace my D-MAX and am thinking I’ll just go another D-MAX. But with everything being shared with the Mazda BT-50 I’m wondering if I should also consider that? – John W

Answer: You should definitely stick the Mazda BT-50 on your shopping list. Same mechanicals, same underpinnings and it comes out of the same factory. It drives identically to an Isuzu D-MAX.

There are obviously differences in the styling, mainly from the outside. Plus there is different warranty coverage: five years/unlimited kilometres for the Mazda and six years/150,000km for the Isuzu.

There are also pricing differences and differences in the models, so start scouring the brochures and chat to dealers about deals.

Another consideration is resale values. RedBook forecasts that the Isuzu will hold its value better; that’s typical of model sharing arrangements such as this, where the original model tends to be more desirable on the used car market.

Question 7

Why don’t car-makers switch the indicators from left to right?

Accepted Answer

Question: We’ve just taken delivery of a new Skoda and love it. But as a long-time Mazda driver it took me a while to get used to having the indicators on the left of the steering wheel. Surely it can’t be too difficult to change over? So why don’t manufacturers do it?
– Dom K

Answer: The short answer is because most consumers don’t really care. You’re right in that it’s relatively easy to switch the indicator stalk from one side of the other, but it will add another few parts to the thousands that go into a car and add another process to the production line.

That costs money and a bean counter somewhere will have asked how many sales will be lost by not switching the indicator stalk. The answer would be none.

Also, it’s less of an issue in an era when most cars have auto transmissions, so you’re a better chance of having your left hand on the steering wheel more often.

Got a question but don’t know where to find the information you need? Email us at editor@carsales.com.au

Find more of Your Questions Answered by carsales here

Ends

Your questions answered: Can a Suzuki Jimny handle the Big Lap?