Hi John, I have recently driven two Skoda Octavias, the 103kW and the 132kW - both have the 7 speed automatice DSG gearbox. The main criticism is that when you planted the foot the car was sluggish for the first few seconds. I did a little research and it has been explained as an issue with the DSG. In all other respects I enjoy this car but I shouldn't have to manage the gearbox manually from a stop to avoid this 'lag'. Am I overreacting/over critical?
Read MoreG'day John, my son has just turned 15. We are now preparing him for his path to obtaining his NSW Learners Drivers Licence. We have the Handbook. I wonder John is there a NSW road rules app? Or even better a NSW road rules quizz app? I think an app like this would be great for new drivers like my son and old school drivers who need to refresh and/or sharpen up their knowledge. I would love to know if there is anything like this.
Read MoreWith reference to motorists over the age of 60 allegedly driving dangerous older cars, Mr Cadogan this is age discriminatory and frankly in many instances it is untrue - many more young drivers drive old cars - however to say that new cars are safe is rubbish - because they crumple say you. Mr. Cadogan - I have a hardy 1985 Subaru Leone which because of its build save me from a severe accident. So please be more careful when you use age - it is a reportable discriminatory comment.
Read MoreI'm also looking at moving on from my current car (Alfa Giulietta QV) to something a bit bigger, and I'd love to know what your recommendations are for something similarly exciting that'll fit 2 kids plus a baby seat across the back for around $50k-ish. I did want to hang on for the forthcoming Alfa Giulia, but that doesn't seem to be coming any time soon.
Read MoreI just got off the phone with you on Radio 2UE and you asked me to email you. I bought the Nissan Dualis new and have been putting 98 Octane Premium Unleaded in it. You said that's definitely waste of money. Should I put 91 in it? I'm not a fan of e10. Thanks.
Read MoreHow can I tell if my car can safely use e10 unleaded petrol?
Read MoreI have been reading your answers to many questions about cars. I just want to ask what are thoughts about CVT vs Sports Automatic.
Read MoreI have done 265,000km in my 2002 Mazda 323 SP20. Someone said if I change the injectors and fix the wheel bearings it should keep going OK. I need a reliable car as I drive from Menai to Wollongong (65km) four days and week. Rego is due in July. If I spend $20,000 to $25,000 max on a new car would you recommend a Hyundai Veloster, Hyundai i30, Volkswagen Golf or Mazda3?
Read MoreFord, Holden and Toyota blame everyone and everything (except themselves) for the demise of local car making. The Federal government blames the opposition, and vice-versa. And the Victorian and South Australian premiers blame the feds. It’s all political buck-passing. Here’s what really killed car-making Down Under:
Read MoreShould BMW rotate my tyres during service?
Read MoreOnly elite racing drivers get to experience - routinely - three or four Gs. The rest of us can only dream … or maybe not. The video above is - quite possibly - insane. Pathalogically. Crazy. But cool. But definitely crazy. It’s one of the most profoundly comfort-zone obliterating experiences you’ll ever have.
Read MoreIt's very hard to know where any car is really made. It's easy to presume, and be dead wrong. In practise, the car industry does not want you to know. And yeah; it matters. We've got allegedly German cars built in South Africa, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, the Slovak Republic and Spain. So-called Japanese cars that come from 'Straya, the UK, India and Thailand.We’ve got notionally American cars coming from Mexico and Canada, and allegedly South Korean cars coming from the Czech Republic and India. There are even French cars coming from South Korea, and Italian cars from Poland. It’s a multi-cultural motoring mish-mash, and the car industry really doesn't want you to think too hard about it. Not on the cusp of writing that big, fat cheque. Especially ze Chermans.
Read MoreMercedes-Benz took a potshot at free-market competition recently, firing a gravity bomb into insurers, but what they’re really doing is trying to engineer a monopoly, so they can rip you off, with impunity, until the end of time. Mercedes-Benz even calls them "counterfeit" parts - framing the debate conveniently as if alternative suppliers of parts are in some way criminals, or perhaps black marketeers. In fact, what they are, are direct marketplace competitors.
Read MoreI want to make use of the EOFY sales and want to buy a Toyota Kluger GXL. It advertises the full drive away price (12 month rego and ctp) as around $55k. How much do you think I can realistically haggle it down to?
Read MoreI have had a few wheel alignments and I feel the car is still pulling to the left. Some mechanics say it's supposed to pull to the left for safety reasons-if one falls asleep at the wheel it won't veer onto on-coming traffic. Is that right? It seems to be worse on some roads more than others. It's a 2011 Hyundai i30.
Read MoreYou can save hundreds of dollars if you get your car serviced by an independent mechanic. And your new-car warranty absolutely will survive. Here’s everything you need to know to save the cash and keep your warranty intact. According to the ACCC, provided you comply with three sensible conditions, your warranty will survive. Unfortunately, though, many car owners just don’t understand the rules of this game.
Read MoreTo rectify this fault, I have been informed that a new module will cost in excess of $3000!!! I have also been informed that a second hand unit will not suffice, because the module is suitable for a single vehicle use only. As I understand it, if a used module is simply transferred from one car to another, the computer becomes "confused" and it will not run at all. John, may I ask if this scenario sounds reasonable to you?
Read MoreWe have a relatively heavy caravan and we are towing it with a Toyota HiLux. Frankly, the HiLux is not coping too well and we need to upgrade. What vehicle would you suggest? The GVM of the van is 2330kg, and we have a budget of approximately $75,000.
Read MoreI was told by a friend that if you occasionally put some methylated spirits into the petrol tank (say half a cup) that it absorbs any water that may have accumulated on the bottom. Do you believe that?
Read MoreHi John, What is your opinion on hydrogen generators for cars? (The ones that are available on the internet.) I enjoy your talkback program on Brisbane Radio 4BC.
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