Your questions answered: What to do when you can’t get the car you want

There’s a weak link in today’s automotive supply chain. It’s the humble semi-conductor that runs all the gadgets in your car.

With post-COVID demand for computer chips outstripping supply by a huge margin (across all industries, not just automotive), car manufacturing plants simple cannot produce enough cars for global consumption.

Ordering a car, having it built overseas and then shipped to Australia has always involved some delays for buyers, but the wait has increased – to the best part of a year, in some cases.

That’s the point when most buyers – even the most patient and understanding – will question whether there’s an alternative that can be sourced from local stock right now.

Question:

Answer: If you can get a Skoda immediately there is no reason not to go ahead. The brand has a range of SUVs (Kamiq, Karoq and Kodiaq) and I’m sure you will find one with the right amount of rear legroom. Head to a showroom and it should all become clear. Pity about the Kia, but it’s not alone in having HUGE supply problems.

Question:

Answer: That’s a simple one, as they are essentially the same car. Under the skin, the Cerato and i30 are twins from the Hyundai-Kia conglomerate in South Korea, so the differences in Australia are the suspension tuning, price and warranty. Best to test drive before you commit, but the Cerato is likely to be slightly better value.

Question: I’ve just bought a 2018 Toyota LandCruiser VX 200 Series for towing my caravan, which is around 3100kg. I have found it shifts up and down the auto when towing. The result is I’m using a lot of fuel – I’m averaging around 22 to 23.0L/100km. I’ve been investigating having the transmission control unit recalibrated to change gear sooner and hold in gear longer and wondered what your thoughts were on the subject. – Steve H

Answer: The quickest and easiest solution is to drive it as a manual, picking the right gears yourself. That should give you a better measure on the fuel economy, too. If you get a marked improvement, then you have the right information to be investigating a recalibration.

Question: I have a 2001 Holden WH Statesman Caprice 2001 with V8, leather and sunroof, two owners and 344,000km. Am I correct in the understanding that this model may be valued now between $15-30,000 as a collectible car? Also, do you have suggestions for a cheap SUV which will tow a caravan should that be required? I have seen Jeep Grand Cherokee models around 200,000km, diesel and petrol, which seem appropriate. Or could a Hyundai Santa Fe do the job? – John M

Answer: The price of the Caprice will definitely have improved, but the best way to check the value is to search for similar cars in carsales’ classifieds or go to an enthusiast car specialist like Shannons. If the caravan is below 2000kg then a Santa Fe will do the job.

Question: My wife and I are considering updating our vehicles from a 2019 Holden Trax and a 2010 BMW 320d. Ideally, we would like a vehicle similar in size to the Trax with the quality of the BMW. We like the look of the Audi Q3 but haven’t test driven one. Is there a BMW or a Mercedes or some other vehicle that might suit our purpose? – Gary W

Answer: If you like BMW, then the 1 Series will probably do the job. The Q3 is nice, but really a dressed-up Volkswagen for considerably more cash.

Question: My wife and I have three boys (7, 5 and 2) and our VE Holden Commodore has become very small, very quickly. What is the best seven seat option for us? Most of our driving is around metro Melbourne but we love road trips to NSW and Queensland once a year. Our budget would be about $50,000. – Simon C

Answer: There are many seven-seat SUVs but they are all a compromise between seats and luggage space. You would really be best off with a Kia Carnival, especially as those boys grow. If you’d rather an SUV, you could look at the Kia Sorento, Toyota Kluger or Skoda Kodiaq.

Question:

Answer: This the official reply from Volvo Car Australia spokesman, Greg Bosnich: “We do know that not all ski regions insist on diamond pattern chains – single-sided chains or ‘socks’ are accepted in other ski regions. Some regulars to the ski fields use winter tyres or fit smaller wheels to the cars to allow chains. It’s not recommended to use chains on the rear only as the chain will be of no assistance for steering or braking”.

Question: I currently own a 2014 Toyota Corolla ZR sedan and I’m thinking about trading it in for the latest one. My car has very low mileage and I was told I could trade it in and buy the new one for an extra $15,000. Can you tell me if the new Corolla ZR is any good? What are the differences between both? – Sav

Answer: The difference between any 2014 model and a 2021 model will be huge, from economy to safety. The latest Corolla is fine but, unless you are going to a hybrid, there are cars that as good and far better value. Before you make a final decision, take a test drive in a Hyundai i30.

Question: I currently drive a Holden Epica that has done over 420,000km. It's been a great car but needs replacing, but I’m reluctant with today's pricing and backlogs. I'd like an SUV but not sure which one. I’m 55 with grown kids so they are rarely with me these days. I also travel from Geelong to Parkville in Victoria for work. I'm looking at Toyota RAV4 and Kluger, Subaru Outback or Forester. I'd really like a hybrid but realise they are expensive and not necessarily as beneficial with my driving. – Jan G

Answer: It’s definitely time for the Epica to go, but a hybrid will not work for you with so much time at highway speeds where they run purely on petrol power. From your list, the Forester will be the best choice between comfort and economy, driving more like a car than an SUV, and will have enough space.

Question: I am tossing up between the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and I’m starting to lean heavily towards a Hyundai Tucson Highlander with 1.6-litre turbo petrol motor or equivalent Kia. Also my partner's heart is set on a Venue for herself, is it recommended? – Mike B

Answer: The Tucson is excellent and so is the Kia Sportage, both of which have just been updated with all-new generations. The RAV4 Hybrid is good but there’s a giant waiting list. The Hyundai Venue is definitely recommended.

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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