Your questions answered: Will Aussie classics ever be affordable again?

There’s currently a huge amount of interest in performance cars built in Australia. The demise of the local manufacturing industry seemed to kick start the wave of buying before the pandemic lockdown supercharged attention on the segment and has been driving up prices further still.

With no international vacationing on the agenda for a year or so (New Zealand notwithstanding) how else can cashed-up hedonists spend their money?

One way is to splash out on a near-new Toyota LandCruiser and an off-road caravan to see remote parts of the country. Or you could spend big on a car that will continue to appreciate, as long as you don’t drive it anywhere.

This investor speculation has led to a dearth of affordable Aussie-built performance cars wearing Ford, Holden and HSV/FPV badges. And when cars reach the market, they’re snapped up quickly – at eye-watering prices for the true enthusiasts.

Question: I’m currently looking for a Holden Commodore ute. I’m after a 2016-2017 Series II VF SS-V Redline, automatic, with less than 50,000km. I’ve been chasing around for three months and had a look at a couple a month ago when the rough asking price was $50-55,000.

Now the same thing is $60-70,000. In your opinion, should I wait until things settle, or are they just on their way up in dollars? To me there seem to be less cars online now and at higher prices. – Mark J

Answer: There is no sign yet that the market for Aussie V8s such as you are chasing has peaked, although there have been plenty of predictions in the past. You’re chasing something pretty specific and it’s unlikely prices will come down this year because there is limited supply and lots of demand.

Question: I currently drive a 2009 Mazda3 and, although I’m very pleased with it, I would like to upgrade to a new Mazda. I am deciding whether to purchase a hybrid Mazda, which might be the equivalent to the Mazda3, or whether to purchase the full-electric Mazda.

I am just concerned that if I purchase a hybrid and then all cars become electric soon, then my new Mazda will devaluate in a very short time after purchase. Do you think it's worth buying the hybrid Mazda now or waiting to buy the full electric Mazda? – Anna-Jo H

Answer: Electrification will not have any major impact on the value of a new Mazda because we’re a very long way from a battery takeover – with only 5000 cars or so sold last year compared to a total market of 900,000. The first battery-powered Mazda will be the MX-30 Electric due in Australia in August, which we’ve driven as a hybrid and found to be very nice, but you need to look at the costs. Right now, a battery electric car is close to double the price of an equivalent car with a petrol engine. So, if you want to go green, a hybrid makes more financial sense for now.

Question: Do you know if the new C-Class Mercedes-Benz out later this year in Australia will be available in a coupe? I have a three-year-old model and will be looking to replace it. – Keith W

Answer: There will definitely be a new C-Class coupe but don’t expect it in showrooms before the middle of next year, at the earliest.

Question: I bought a Mercedes C230 Elegance new in 2006 with the 2.5-litre engine and I have been very happy driving it. It has power, visibility and very few problems over the years. It still drives well but I also want all these new features such as parking camera and all modern gadgets which my children enjoy.

However, I find in all new Mercedes-Benz cars that the visibility is not great. The windows are smaller and I feel claustrophobic. So what would you recommend in a new Merc? I like the look of the C 250, but this time I cannot afford a new car and a 2019-2020 would be attractive. – Lynn B

Answer: Many new cars share the trend to smaller windows and a bigger windscreen and side pillars. This is due to crash safety requirements and the popularity of coupe-style design in everything from baby cars to SUVs. The outgoing Mercedes-Benz C 250 is still a great choice and you will become used to the visibility with time, particularly with radar assistance for everything from changing lanes to parking.

Question: Just writing on the off chance you could advise me in choosing between two small SUVs. I am considering the Mazda and the Kia Seltos and looking for safety, reliability, comfort and pizzaz. I’m driving to Perth so I’m hoping to make a choice very soon. – Robyn W

Answer: Do you mean Mazda CX-30 or MX-30? If it’s the MX-30, it will definitely do the job and has the pizzazz – check out the clamshell-opening rear doors – to make you smile. But between the CX-30 and Seltos, the Kia is better value and comes with a longer warranty. Perhaps a bit boring compared to the MX-30, but it does the job.

Question: My Ford Falcon G6E 2012 has completed 82,000km and on a recent service the report stated that my tyres were 2.80mm, 3.10mm, 2.4mm and 2.30mm. The report added that all tyres were low on tread and require replacing. I measured all tyres and they were between 5 and 6mm. Also reported were both outer diff bushes needed replacing at $1100, and the tail-shaft coupling split for $410. Is the company having a lend of me or are these in need of replacing? After the tread size I am not sure. –Warren F

Answer: In defence of the dealership, were you measuring the tread at the same point? You must measure at the lowest level, which often is at the edges, and not in the centre. The differential bushes and tail-shaft do suffer wear-and-tear on sporty Falcons. On the tyre front, go to an independent specialist and get them to assess the tyres in the same way as people sometimes get a ‘second opinion’ from doctors on a health problem.

Question: My 18-year-old daughter is looking at upgrading her Ford Fiesta. She is thinking of a Kia Stonic, with the 1.0-litre turbo engine, and I was wondering what you think of these cars? – John A

Answer: A good car and the right sort of upgrade, as the Kia Stonic won’t be too big after driving a baby like the Fiesta. It gets The Tick every time.

Question:

Answer: All three of those are good choices with the Tiguan and Karoq from the same Volkswagen Group stable. They must test drive all three and take the car seats and kids for a trial fitting to make sure they are ‘fit for purpose’ with their family. The Karoq is an excellent choice and would be the one for me but I would also highly recommend the latest Hyundai Tucson.

Question: I would welcome your advice regarding a larger SUV to be used for off-road travel in the Outback – like the Gibb River Road and Oodnadatta Track. The rest of the time will be spent on the Mornington Peninsula (Vic). I have been looking at the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Pajero, or the Ford Everest. Something priced between the high $50,000s and low $60,000s. – June W

Answer: You need to consider your day-to-day use more than occasional trips into the Outback, so something like a Subaru Outback should also be on your short list. The Ford Everest is an excellent off-roader but isn’t cheap once you choose higher specification models. The Pajero Sport is a wagon version of the Triton (as the Everest is a wagon version of the Ranger) and isn’t high on our list. The Pajero is almost at the end of its life and although it’s proven in the Outback, it’s still not really a match for a Toyota Prado once you get deep into the tough conditions. You need to drive the big SUVs to understand what you gain but, more importantly, what you lose for regular driving around home.

Question: My son has an old ute and does lots of camping and off-road and loves it. He wants to upgrade to a Ford Ranger Wildtrak, Toyota HiLux, Nissan Navara or Mercedes-Benz X250. I suggested Volkswagen Amarok but he is not keen. What would you recommend please? – Simon de W

Answer: The Ford Ranger is carsales’ Best Dual-Cab 4x4 Ute and has been the best ute available since its release in 2011. But he should also crunch the numbers and test drive the all-new Isuzu D-Max as well. The HiLux is costly and the Benz is just a Navara with a three-pointed star – and it was killed off just before the recent Navara upgrade. Next year’s all-new Ranger will be better again, as will the new Amarok due a year after that – because it will be based on the Ranger for its second generation.

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

Find more of Your Questions Answered by carsales here