The vehicle in question | The Press

Our collaborator answers questions from readers.

Greetings

Q: I still drive my trusty 2006 Honda Civic. It has 330,000 km thanks to strict maintenance. I have to resign myself to changing it soon. I’m semi-retired. In winter I travel every weekend between Montérégie and the Hautes-Laurentides and about 30,000 km a year. As I am more and more scared, I am looking for a reliable used car with good road handling. For a green turn, I expect the offer to be more diverse and accessible. I’m looking at the Honda HR-V, Subaru Crosstrek and Mazda CX-30. I like manual transmissions. Which of these models do you think meets my criteria?

Claudine C.

A: Congratulations! You will bear another proof of the benefits of a strict and observed maintenance. Well, if a manual transmission is among your most sought-after criteria, the answer is simple: Subaru Crosstrek. Honda offered such a transmission until 2019, but you should know that it does not come with the version equipped with all-wheel drive (four-wheel drive), only the towed (front-wheel drive). That said, the HR-V is a very good buy. It’s a reliable and consistent vehicle that excels at nothing, but shines at everything. This model is however less comfortable than the CX-30, less rewarding (quality of materials and finish). The Crosstrek is somewhere between the two and therefore represents the best compromise in terms of reliability, comfort and usability that you are looking for.

Small price

Q: I am looking for a multipurpose vehicle. I thought of the Nissan Kicks, which seemed economical to me, with an affordable price. Do you have other suggestions?

Gilles F.

A: Kicks is an honest proposition and is offered at an attractive price if you stop at the basic version (S). If you fall for the SV or SR versions, there are other vehicles with superior features (driveability, warranty, comfort, etc.) that you should consider, such as the Kia Seltos and Chevrolet Trailblazer. But before proceeding, it is important to clearly establish your needs. A sedan, even cheaper, but offering the versatility of a hatchback body, will likely suit your needs as well.

Wait or not?

Q: I am thinking of buying a new car. I currently have a 2004 Toyota Sienna and would like to trade it in for a Subaru Forester. As you can see, I keep my cars for a very long time. Is it better to wait until 2024? I understand that this model will be retouched.

Daniel H.

A: You’re right, the Forester will get a complete overhaul. Since you keep your cars for a very long time (so the reliability factor is important), why not treat yourself to this model before its overhaul? In its current form, the Forester has reached the final stage of its development.

Not an investment

Q: Seven years ago I bought a 2005 Volvo S40 AWD. I love this car, it only has 190,000 km on the odometer (which is pretty low for a Volvo). Unfortunately, he is starting to show signs of his age. Considering that I like this car, but it no longer has the reliability that would allow us to take it on long trips, should I keep it until the end of its useful life, which is always the most -ecological? I could probably spend $5000 on it to get it “refurbished”. My mechanic tells me it’s still good, but the repair speed will be faster. He is not convinced that an investment of this kind is the best choice. And then I want to power up as soon as model availability returns to some semblance of normalcy. Would my $5,000 be better invested in a new car? Or in a used car, but newer?

Philip F.

A: Let’s agree on one thing, a car is not an investment. Yes, I know there are exceptions, but the S40 is not one of them. Your garage has good advice. It is better to sell your car and offer yourself a reliable and newer one. With this, you can register with a dealer of your choice to get the electric vehicle of your dreams for years to come.