Your questions answered: What’s wrong with owning an old car?

Everyone loves classic cars. Well, most of us, anyway...

Aussie classics are colourful and charismatic and they speak of a different time – perhaps a time when we weren’t guided by our neighbours’ and friends’ preferences for shades of black, silver and grey and cars that only count if they are wearing a German prestige badge.

But those boring Deutsch-mobiles will run rings around an older car with a leaf-sprung live axle, a carburettor-fed V8 and a three-speed automatic. They’ll also do it more safely and more efficiently, cost the owner less and do less damage to the environment. And the driver will be much more comfortable, too.

Not everyone subscribes to that view, however.

Question: I have been told you think old Fords are rubbish cars compared to modern cars because they don’t have power windows or air-conditioning. I wanted to tell you that I own a Valiant Charger and absolutely love and enjoying driving it. I love her more than my husband, ha-hah. It doesn’t have power steering nor the mod cons of a modern car, which adds to the appeal of the car. I enjoy driving my Charger more than my everyday car as it feels like I am driving a car. It puts a smile on my face each time I drive it and take it to car shows. Valiants were not appreciated back in the day but are now quite sought-after. – Elise E

Answer: All old cars, not just Fords or Valiants, suffer when compared to modern ones. You should try a 1967 Volkswagen Beetle. Nothing from the 1960s or 1970s has the safety, or comfort, or reliability of a modern transport module. But they have the personality that is missing from the vast majority of new cars and they force you to drive. You are right to cherish your Charger, as it’s an Aussie classic.

Question: I have a 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL 350 and I’m wondering if I should sell it. The reason is I’m planning on a trip around Australia and, although I love the SL, it’s impractical for what I want to do. Will the SL increase in value any time soon, or am I selling a gem? – Michael B

Answer: It’s always hard to predict future values, but SLs have been collectibles for decades. If you still love it, then keep it. Otherwise, you will enjoy a wonderful trip with the proceeds.

Question: I have a spotless 2013 Holden Commodore SS-V wagon. If you put new tyres on it you would think it was just off the assembly line. It’s been serviced every 5000km and is stock standard apart from electric brakes. Question is – sell or keep? Love the car but cash is king. – Damian M

Answer: Will you miss it when it’s gone, and what would you spend the cash on for a replacement? Prices are high for cars like yours, but also think of the people who sold a classic Holden Torana XU-1 or Ford Falcon GTHO and now regret it. Cars are not always about the cash.

Question:

Answer: Lots of people are obviously facing the same dilemma. The kilometres are low, so perhaps keep it as a social car for the right days and occasions. There are dozens of new car brands selling cars in Australia today but not one of them will be building anything like your ute in the future.

Question: Just wondering if you could tell me if you think that a 2002 Toyota Corolla Ascent four-door manual five-speed hatch will be worth anything in the coming years? I have owned the car since it was brand-new and it is in very good condition. Just wondering whether I should hold onto it or not? – Joanne A

Answer: It’s not a collectible, and it’s not remotely as safe as a modern car, so it’s probably time for it to go. But it will probably feel like selling a member of the family.

Question: I own a 1981 Ford Cortina Ghia 3.3-litre with auto and air-con. It has just 160,000km on it and was purchased brand-new by my grandparents. It is in original condition, nothing has been changed since it rolled off the factory floor, and everything is in perfect working order. It does have some minor rust around one of the wiper blade wells and some minor marks here and there. The paint has started to fade as well. I was wondering what it would be worth now? Not looking at getting rid of it, just curious. – Vikki C

Answer: That sounds like a wonderful family heirloom, but not a collectible car. According to the valuation specialists at RedBook, it’s worth $7000 for a neat and tidy example like yours. You could check auction results from Shannons, who deal in old-timers, but its emotional value to you is possibly well beyond what you might receive for it.

Question: I currently drive a 2015 Volkswagen Golf R which I absolutely love. I had a Golf GTI prior to the R, but I believe there are no updates on the R until well into 2022. If I’m looking around $80,000, give or take, what alternatives should I consider? I like zippy and not too big overall, NOT an SUV, but it needs good headroom for tall sons. – Jo H

Answer: To stay in the Volkswagen Group, the latest Skoda Octavia RS could be good for you or, taking a totally different tack, have a look at the excellent Hyundai G70 sports sedan.

Question: I’m looking for a good first car for my kids, a boy and a girl, who will be turning 18 in November. The brother of one of their friends was killed recently in a car accident – not driving his own car – and so we are feeling anxious about making sure they are driving something safe, as well as reliable and reasonably economical to run. The cars on our list are the Mazda3, Mazda CX-3 and Volkswagen T-Cross, and I was wondering if you would recommend any of these over the others. We will likely need to buy second hand, with a budget of around $15,000-$25,000. My son is quite keen on getting a BMW or Porsche from the early 2000s as he can see them advertised cheaply. Is it safe to say these won’t have modern safety features – or be cheap to run or reliable?! – Pip M

Answer: With that budget and your needs, the Mazda3 is the obvious choice. But also look at the Hyundai i30, which is a close competitor with better value. A BMW or Porsche would be a mistake in every way. They won’t be as safe as a cheaper, more modern car and they’ll cost a fortune to maintain. But the biggest danger is youthful enthusiasm in the first years of driving; the time to get a sports car is long after the mistakes and mishaps that come at the beginning.

Question: I would very much appreciate your advice and opinion about purchasing a used car or demo. I currently own a 2009 Renault Grand Scenic and it’s started to play up. What is your opinion on the Mitsubishi ASX? Or can you recommend another similar-sized vehicle? – Matilda S

Answer: The Mitsubishi ASX would not be my first or second choice. Instead, look at a Hyundai Tucson or, my preference, a Kia Sportage. If you’re looking at something closer in size to the ASX, try the Kia Seltos or carsales’ Best Small SUV 2021, the Hyundai Kona.

Question: My daughter drives a Mazda2, however it works very hard on her daily drive up and down the Calder Freeway from Melbourne to central Victoria. We have been looking for a new vehicle for her, and we’re considering the Mazda CX-3 Touring or the Hyundai Kona Active. Which is the better vehicle, taking into account everything from delivery time to warranty to finance. My main thoughts are the best safety features in the range for the cost, more so than whether it has leather heated seats or not. – Michael T

Answer: The Hyundai Kona is carsales’ Best Small SUV and comes recommended over the smaller Mazda CX-3. But also look at the Kia Seltos which is mechanically very similar to the Kona but comes with a longer warranty.

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