Advice for Young Drivers on Emergency Stopping
My son is learning to drive, and I want him to learn how to perform an emergency stop - but I don’t how to do one myself. (Nobody ever showed me.) So: How do you do one?
My Car Uses Too Much Oil - What Should I Do?
There are two types of oil consumption: Consumption deemed 'normal' by the manufacturer, and excessive consumption resulting from a defect in the engine.
Message from a Former Car Salesman
I just wanted to say that I am so impressed with your forthright advice and integrity, and particularly what you had to say about the VW debacle >>. I agreed with every word. I think many other so called journalists are prepared to let them off far lighter than they deserve for this shocking betrayal. Your indignation expressed precisely how I felt, and it was great to see it expressed so well!
Help: My Toyota RAV4 is a Lemon
Hi we bought a brand new Toyota RAV4 via lease in September this year, and since this time we had the car in the service department five times now. Each time something different on the display shows up and they fobbed me off saying it was all okay.
Why are car dealerships so bad at customer service?
Independent research online means many dealers today are in fact disinclined to assist with anything other than a purchase transaction. If you're not buying right now, you might as well be a hologram on the showroom floor - in many dealerships.
Volkswagen Announces Affected Cars in Australia...
Volkswagen announces affected cars in Australia ... but leaves Audi out of the total. Predictable as always.
How do I tell what a used car is worth?
I have been looking at some used cars for a while now, and seems like everytime I mention values with car salesman, they all say the don't regard Redbook as a guide at all: "only insurance companies use the Redbook to calculate payouts". The guy who said that is a buyer, and he said because he buys 100 cars a week, so he just knows what is selling and how much for.
How Volkswagen Betrayed the World
2015: The year the Volkswagen Group went from being simply incompetent and unhelpful to being a breathtakingly, globally criminal enterprise
How Does a Vehicle's Model Year (MY) Really Work?
I'd like to know when Jeep will start building the MY16 so I can order a MY16 regardless of if is built in what is remaining of 2015?
Top 6 Mistakes New Car Buyers Make
Buyers at new car dealerships keep shooting themselves in the feet. Don't make these common car buyer errors next time you're at a dealership.
Engine Tech: What is Direct Injection?
You always talk about direct injection on your website. I thought all cars were fuel injected. What gives?
Here's How Honda Lost its Mojo
This is the true story of the power of pipe dreams: Honda trades on its reputation today, but it’s really been asleep at the wheel since before the GFC
Top 6 things new car buyers forget to check
It's easy to get obsessed with styling, cost and the test drive - but if you're in the market for a new car now, have you checked these six things?
Buying a Repaired Write-off
Dodgy used cars cost Australians more than half a billion dollars every year. It’s big business. So here’s how to sidestep ‘rebirthing’ and other used used car sales scams - by making sure you don’t unwittingly drive away in a repaired write-off.
Size Matters: How Small Cars Got Big
The industry calls them 'small cars' but they are anything but. Here's why the most popular cars in the country are effectively trading under a false name.
Should I buy gap insurance for my car loan?
I took a loan offered from dealer, but they kept pushing me towards the taking gap shortfall insurance. I did not take it. My thoughts were that I did not want to spend another $800 on top of the loan (plus interest on it for five years) just to make sure that if my car gets written off, the shortfall is paid to the lender. I believe that if I get a comprehensive insurance policy then that should cover it off in the event my car is written off?
USED CAR WARRANTY FACTS
Looked at the Nissan Pulsar (a used 2013 model with 40,000km on the clock) and kinda liked that one but it had not been serviced by Nissan so not sure what the repercussions with factory warranty / extended warranty would be.
Should I Buy a Dealer Demonstrator?
That demonstrator you’re thinking of buying? Is it a good way to get a cheap new car or a great way to to get one that’s been thrashed or crashed?
Holden Colorado 7 versus Isuzu MU-X
We want to tow a sports car (V8) on a trailer, and also a caravan also (don't have the van yet so not sure about mass), so the 3000kg towing capacity on the Colorado 7 seems attractive. I have limited interest in off-road (4WD) use of the vehicle. I imagine we will keep the new vehicle for a long time.
Do We Need Tougher Lemon Laws?
You are totally at the mercy of the carmaker’s capacity for good faith, in a dispute. Diagramatically, this is a prime example of the tail wagging the dog.