Your questions answered: Should I sell my LandCruiser?

Factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic have had a significant impact on the prices of new and used cars in Australia.

And, in particular, the prices for trusted brands of reliable workhorses are going through the roof.

So, what is the advice for someone with a used Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series? Sell now, or wait for the 300 Series replacement to arrive?

Question: I have a 2016 Toyota LandCruiser Sahara with 100,000km on the clock. I need a 4x4 as we’re active campers with a light camper trailer and we’re a family of five. Given the current market, I am wondering if I should sell it now while they’re fetching such good money and buy something like the Toyota Prado, or similar, which will come with a new-car warranty. The LC200 is obviously bulletproof and will truck on for years to come so the option is to not get caught up in the hype and just keep it, but I’m also worried that used car prices will fall off a cliff soon. – Peter C

Answer: Prices for used LandCruisers should stay strong until after the arrival of the 300 Series, which Toyota Australia refuses to discuss but is due sometime later this year. Remember that the Prado is part of the LandCruiser family, so it’s not going to be a bargain and you’re still likely to face a waiting list.

Question: What is the best way to sell our 200 Series LandCruiser? It’s in excellent condition, and features leather seats, sunroof, tow bar and bull bar, having travelled 210,000km. We’ve owned it since new and it has been regularly serviced, but have had it advertised on a couple of online sites but only had one enquiry. What are we doing wrong? – Jo R

Answer: Have your advertised it on carsales? And have you followed our tips re: selling your car? It’ll be the only LandCruiser NOT getting enquiry if that’s the case...

Question:

Answer: The asking pricing on ads on carsales.com.au vary and move much faster than specialist valuations. They are more ‘real time’ and up-to-date. Commodore V8s are hot at the moment and values are changing quickly.

Question: My husband and I, with our toddler, are looking for a slightly bigger car than our current 2002 Toyota Corolla. We were hoping for something just a little longer, like a wagon, but they don’t seem to exist, according to dealers. Everything is higher in SUV-style cars. But what is the reason for cars being higher? Do you think it is simple fashion? If you have any suggestions for makes and models that would be great. – Jacqui S

Answer: What rubbish you’ve been fed. The whole world is in love with SUVs because people think they are safer, or bigger, or because they are older people who don’t want to bend down to get into a car, but there are lots of great wagons around. Get to a Skoda dealership and test drive a Skoda Octavia wagon. It’s brilliant, well priced, and from the Volkswagen Group, so no dramas.

Question: I am very keen on the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC 300. I currently drive a 2017-model X3 diesel and plan to buy a new car this year. Which would you recommend? – Sula T

Answer: The BMW X3, by a fairly big margin. When the new model came out in 2019 it jumped to the top of the class and is still there.

Question: I heard that the Mercedes-Benz ute is a high-end Nissan Navara with Benz badging and I wondered if a similar thing is true for the new GLA models. I just bought a GLA 200 and love it but it looks worryingly similar to one of the Nissan models. I’m hoping that is mere coincidence, so please put my mind at rest. – Simon N

Answer: The Mercedes-Benz GLA was the basis for the Infiniti Q30 and QX30 in the past, and Infiniti is a Nissan-owned brand. But there’s zero Nissan engineering in the GLA. Lots of SUVs look similar. The X-Class was a one-off experiment that failed and will not be repeated.

Question: Can you recommend a car as I drive 700km. Not a small car as I currently drive an old Commodore. – Annie D

Answer: Get a Toyota Camry Hybrid. It’s a good size, bulletproof and cheaper to run than the Commodore, and will be comfy for lots of travel. The Skoda Superb is another to consider if you want something from left field.

Question: I would appreciate your advice on a replacement for a 2016 Hyundai Tucson Highlander which is now too big for our needs. My wife and I like the high seat position of SUVs so have listed Skoda Kamiq, Ford Puma, Kia Seltos and a Toyota Yaris Cross as options to test drive. Budget is up to $40,000 and we live down on the Mornington Peninsula and drive up to Melbourne quit often. – Greg M

Answer: From your list I would go with the Skoda Kamiq, which is a ripper little thing and good value.

Question: I own a Mercedes Benz GLC 43 and, as you’d be well aware, this vehicle has a known issue, known as ‘crabbing’ with the front tyres. I have raised this issue with the service team at my local Mercedes Benz dealership, however they have disregarded the issue and been completely unhelpful. I am of the understanding that this crabbing issue can actually be fixed, with parts and labour cost approximately $6000. Are you able to provide some advice on what my next steps should be? – John H

Answer: Mercedes-Benz refuses to acknowledge any problem, although it will point you to ‘less grippy’ tyres to minimise the effect. From what I understand, and I’ve talked to non-Benz engineers, the front suspension problem geometry is set for high-speed stability in Europe and the choice of sticky tyres on cars like the AMG models. But there is no plan to change and it affects lots of models – as I know from test driving – through the SUV range.

Question: What do you prefer out of new petrol Hyundai Tucson or Kia Sportage? I’m not towing anything. – Larry B

Answer: It’s the same car under the skin, as Hyundai owns Kia. The differences are the styling, slight changes in local suspension tuning, and the value package, with people leaning toward the Kia Sportage because of its price and warranty.

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