Your questions answered: Should I buy a Ford Ranger V6?

One happy Ford Ranger owner is looking to upgrade to the top-of-the-range Platinum model and switch four-cylinder propulsion for a V6.

But he’s wondering if the gruntier V6 engine will be as reliable as he needs it to be for towing and big trip duties.

It’s the first of our varied questions this week that also touch on large SUVs and spare wheels for a Subaru EV.

Plus we’re looking into a Mercedes-Benz at the more affordable end of the price scale and whether to look at an EV or a plug-in hybrid.

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

Question: I am considering buying a 2024 Ford Ranger Platinum with 11,000km.

I have had a few qualified people question my decision, as they tell me the motor can be unreliable, and have major issues with the crankshaft and bearings.

I have heard that they are an old Land Rover motor, and can have catastrophic issues at 50,000km.

I travel for six months a year towing to remote locations.

I have had eight Pajeros in the past and found them bulletproof.

Currently I have a 2021 Ranger PX3 2.0-litre twin-turbo, but I don't trust the transmission, as it slips in the mornings and, when hot, has trouble finding the right gear and then often bangs into gear.

I only tow 2.9 tonnes.

I am after an approximately one-tonne carrying capacity, and I like the GCM of the Ranger, as we carry a fold up boat on the roof, and extras in the tub. – Ian

Answer: The ‘Lion’ V6 in the Ranger is based on an engine that was used by Jaguar, Land Rover, Peugeot and others. It certainly had some reliability issues early in its life.

In launching the V6 for the Ranger, however, Ford emphasised how much work it did on reliability and durability. While I’m not an expert on issues for that engine there are obviously plenty on the market covering some big kilometres.

And if it does fail at 50,000km it’ll obviously be covered by the warranty, which is in place for the first five years and any distance driven.

Keep in mind, too, that the 2.0-litre engine in your Ranger – which is still used in the current Ranger – also has a reputation for issues.

As for your transmission shifting issues, have you reported them to the dealer? I’d be getting them to address that before the car is out of warranty. What you’re describing is obviously not normal, so it should be fixed.

Question: My son has a fascination with Mercedes-Benzes. And while he will never buy one of the more upper-end ones, he is currently looking at a GLA 180.

He soon needs to replace his ageing 2008 Mazda3 SP23 – love this car, by the way, and we'll probably buy it off him. With 135,000km on the odo my opinion is that it still has a lot still in it, but fixing the air-con a couple of times has cost a lot.

Anyway, through an estate he has an opportunity to buy a Mercedes GLA 180, not sure yet if it’s a 2019 or 2020 model.

What do you think of this car? Any problems with it?

To me it seems a nice-looking car, economical with a 1.6-litre engine (a turbo, I think), but servicing and parts being Mercedes are probably dearer.

I don't want him to plunge into buying one without doing his homework.

Also, it surprised me that resale doesn't seem that great. Am I right? – Harry

Answer: The higher you step up the Mercedes-Benz range the more it feels like a more traditional ’Benz. Big, solid, dripping in luxury, that sort of thing.

As you may know the GLA is effectively an SUV spinoff of the A-Class small car.

Tech and a classy cabin are its highlights, but it doesn’t have that big Merc luxury flavour.

On the road it’s a car that does the job but doesn’t stand out in its small SUV class.

Yes, it is a turbocharged engine (most European cars these days are) and it pulls well in the middle rev range, but there’s not a lot of fire there when you step on it.

On paper it’s economical, but remember it calls for premium unleaded and like all cars you’re unlikely to match the claimed fuel number in everyday driving.

Similarly, the suspension is comfortable and well controlled but is not as slick as some of the latest BMWs, for example.

In short, it’s a decent all-rounder, albeit one that’s focused more on comfort and looking slick rather than tickling the driving senses.

And as you’ve pointed out, it’ll likely cost more to keep running than a Mazda. That’ll particularly hold true many years into its life if anything big needs attention.

As for residuals, I’d expect a Merc like that to drop faster than a Mazda. And, obviously, the dollar amount you’ll drop early in the car’s life will be greater because the car is a lot more expensive to start with.

And, yes, a well maintained Mazda3 should have plenty more life left in it beyond 135,000km.

Any car of that era will start costing money in maintenance, but you should also find it a relatively economical way to get around.

You quoted Subaru Australia Managing Director Blair Read as saying that the 2024 Subaru Solterra will soon have the option of a full-size spare wheel that will be available for customers.

So far I am unable to find anyone at Subaru Australia or its dealers who can tell me anything at all about this.

I am writing in the hope that you might be able to let me know if Subaru Australia is still working on this, or has given up? – Kris

Answer: The spare wheel holder is now available as an accessory through Subaru dealers.
If you go to the Subaru Australia website and ‘build and price’ a Solterra you’ll be able to add options and accessories.

Click on the ‘Cargo & Tow’ heading under Accessories and down the bottom you’ll see a $1046 option for a spare wheel carrier. There’s no picture of it, but it apparently mounts onto the tow hitch.

If you’re still shopping for the car make sure you check out 2024 models and demos. There are some selling for $20,000-plus less than the standard retail price.

Question:

I know that I am running out of time to access the government 'subsidy' for novated leases on PHEVs. I would like to salary sacrifice.

We live in a rural community, with solar. My husband likes the idea of hybrid because of a lack of guaranteed infrastructure when driving in more isolated areas such as north-western NSW.

I have had an Audi Q5 and I loved it. My husband is a Toyota man.

Can you please give me an opinion about the Audi Q5 versus the Toyota RAV4 in terms of hybrid, and the Audi Q4 e-tron versus the hybrid Audi Q5? – Penny

Answer: The Toyota RAV4 only comes as a hybrid, not a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). It runs purely on petrol but uses less of it and it can’t be recharged externally. So it cannot access the fringe benefits tax exemption you’re referring to.

The Audi Q5 is available as a PHEV but it’s too expensive to take advantage of the FBT exemption.

All EVs and PHEVs leveraging the FBT exemption can never have paid luxury car tax (LCT), which currently kicks in at $91,387 for EVs and PHEVs.

So even if you’re looking at a second hand one below that price it’s likely to have paid LCT previously, thereby ruling it out from the tax benefits.

The Audi Q4 e-tron is available below that price and is a full EV.

It comes with a claimed EV range of up to 540km. For the country road driving it sounds like you’ll be doing you’d probably get around 430km between charges.

If you can make that work then it looks like a decent option.

I’d also encourage you to check out the Polestar 4, which has even more range and is a bigger vehicle than the Audi. It’s a seriously impressive car all round.

And if you’re prepared to go the EV route don’t ignore the Tesla Model Y, an updated version of which hits the road in May.

Question: I have a 2022 Kia Sportage at the minute but we are having a third child. No room. What’s an option at the moment on your radar?

We live in the suburbs and don’t do a lot of country driving. Only to Geelong or the beach etc.

Petrol or diesel? And some options on a larger SUV would be great, thanks. Any dealer runouts on? – Peter

Answer: Would you consider a hybrid? In which case petrol is your friend.

There are some decent ones in the large SUV category you’re looking at, starting with the Kia Sorento and its sister car, the Hyundai Santa Fe.

Each shares the same hybrid system and it’s the newer Santa Fe that is a more convincing car (it looks cool, too).

It’s a great vehicle with loads of space and a fuel-efficient drivetrain.

If you’d prefer diesel – many large SUVs are still diesel – and want something larger look at the Hyundai Palisade. It’s got up to eight seats and more space than the Santa Fe.

Step up to a more expensive model and it’s also loaded with standard gear. The 2.2-litre diesel suits it nicely, too.

As for runouts and other deals, there are plenty of deals floating around these days and they can vary by the day or week. Your best bet is to collate your shortlist and check out carsales to see what’s on offer when you’re ready to buy.

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

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