Your questions answered: Is the Ford Mustang reliable?

There’s no denying the Ford Mustang has been a success story for the blue-oval brand in Australia.

But as popular as the sporty Mustang coupe and convertible have been here, they do attract some tall-poppy critiquing from the sidelines – for crash safety, as one example.

But how reliable is the first global Ford Mustang in service?

Question: Can you please advise your thoughts on the Ford Mustang GT FN MY18 models? I was told that they aren’t the best, but my wife is breaking my chops to get her one and I do not wish to purchase a lemon. Looking at something with around 30,000 to 50,000km, if these are good cars. – Rob R

Answer: There was an updated Mustang in 2018 that brought good improvements, from a digital speedometer to a 10-speed automatic and extra safety equipment. It’s not a Ferrari but it’s a good car and my friends rave about their Mustangs.

Check out or recent Buying Used story on pre-facelifted (2015-2018) versions of the first global Mustang.

Question: I’m tossing up between the Skoda Octavia RS and the Kia Sportage GT diesel. I know one is an SUV and the other a wagon, but what are your thoughts? I have driven the Skoda and like it but trying to find a Kia to test drive is the challenge. – Pierre F

Answer: If you are someone who enjoys driving then the new Skoda Octavia RS is a clear winner.

Question: My Subaru Outback has almost come to the end of its life and I need a vehicle in which I can fit my gardening tools. With the Outback I used to put the back seat down. Can you suggest which vehicles would be suitable for me to look at please? – Gwen B

Answer: The updated Outback is a very good thing, much more modern in the cabin and with improved safety, so that should be your first stop. The Outback is officially classed as an SUV, but it’s packaged more like a conventional wagon. An alternative to the Outback is something like the Volkswagen Passat Alltrack, but other SUVs should be able to accommodate your gardening tools, because they all come with seats that fold down.

Question: My mate has a 2004 Mitsubishi TL Magna ES sedan which has done 350,000km and is consuming oil which he needs to top-up every few weeks. As a result, he is in the market for another vehicle and likes large passenger sedans which handle well – not firmly like a Cerato GT – and steer accurately. He has up to $25,000 to spend and would also prefer a traditional torque-converter transmission.

We recently took a 2016 Toyota Aurion Sportivo for a test drive and it ticked all his boxes apart from the steering. It didn't feel direct and he complained that he had to move the steering wheel at least two centimetres before the car changed direction. – Mike

Answer: There is some steering play in mainstream cars so they are more relaxing to drive, with what’s called the ‘sneeze factor’ to prevent veering. The Aurion fits into that range. It won’t take him long to adapt and the Aurion is a good car in every area. If he wants something more ‘sporty’ in feel, and similar in budget, get him to test drive a Mazda6 or a Ford Mondeo.

Question: I'm looking for a used car for my grand-daughter and I have heard good reports on the Hyundai i30. I drove a hired i30 recently and it was very impressive. I heard the Kia Cerato is similar, so is that correct? – Bill H

Answer: Depending on the generation, the Cerato and i30 are essentially the same under the skin, with slightly different equipment and local suspension tuning. Either will be a great choice and your final selection will probably boil down to personal style preference and the better deal.

Question: We have had a Volvo XC60 T6 for eight years and have been very happy. We want to upsize and want to consider a hybrid. That knocks out the Volkswagen Touareg, which looks great. We’re considering the Volvo XC90 T8. What do you think of our hybrid strategy and what luxury SUV would you recommend? – Chris P

Answer: The XC90 is a terrific vehicle, so if you think a hybrid will work for you on short trips to maximise the benefits, then it gets The Tick from me.

Question: My family have had four generations of Volkswagen people-movers. We currently own a 2007 V6 petrol Multivan, a fantastic car which has done 200,000km. We might be able to afford to replace it in the near future but I refuse to buy diesel. I just don’t like the sound and the mess on the ground and on my hands. If not another Multivan, what do you think of the newest people-mover version of the Toyota Hi-Ace? – David W

Answer: Move on from Volkswagen to the Kia Carnival. You won’t be disappointed. The Toyota is not as refined and the value is not great.

Question: We are buying a Volkswagen T-Cross and have been offered a five-year service plan. Are these worth considering? – Andrew L

Answer: VW Australia says it is doing the service plans as a benefit to customers. If you negotiate hard, a lot of dealers are adding them as a sweetener to new-car deals and given the value that’s a package that's definitely worth having.

Question: The airbag warning light is coming on in my 2013-model Hyundai i30. It was intermittent a few weeks ago and now it is on constantly. Also, when I go over a bit of a bump or dip at a high-ish speed the car also makes a long beep noise. I called my local Hyundai dealership and they told me it would cost $180 just for a diagnostic test. – Karla T

Answer: A warning light is just that – you avoid having it diagnosed at your peril. Your car is getting older and you need to get it checked. If it’s doing it over a bump it could be something as simple as a loose wire. Sorry, but the diagnostic fee is common to all brands these days. But you should also contact Customer Service at Hyundai Australia and get a case number from them before you go to the dealer. If there is something more serious then ask for a ‘loyalty contribution’ from Hyundai HQ.

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