Ask The Guide

Is it ‘jumpy’ every time you start it, or perhaps only when the engine is cold? If it is the latter it could be that it’s not getting the correct enrichment and that could be a temperature sensor issue on the motor. If it happens every time you start up it could be that the engine needs a tune-up.

The newest car in the best condition with the fewest kilometres and the best record of service is normally the best. All are good cars and all should give you good reliable service, but using the above the Peugeot 308 would seem to be the best choice for you.

It’s not unusual for the steering wheel to wear, and your car is now nine years old, so I doubt you would get any help from Hyundai. Go to an auto retail shop, such as Autobarn, Repco, Supercheap, Auto Pro, or one of the many others, and ask for their assistance in treating the wheel.

Is it something new, or has it always been this way? I’m wondering if you’re just feeling the diesel engine, which works best at lower engine speeds. Rev it too high and you’ll lose the effect of the diesel torque. It could simply be that, or it could be an electronic problem. Have a mechanic run a diagnostic check on it to see if there is a problem.

Keeping a car for the long term is always risky because there’s no guarantee that it won’t breakdown some time on the future. But you say your Honda has been regularly serviced, garaged, and hasn’t been in a crash, so if you’re prepared to keep up with the service and take good care of it there’s no reason to get out of it. On top of that 182,000 km is not a lot by today’s standards, so there’s every reason to keep it going. If you do want to switch any of the top selling small hatches should fill the bill.

Most small hatchbacks have similar width footwells, so I would suggest you try the most popular ones, Toyota Corolla, Hyundai i30, Kia Rio etc. to find the one that’s best for you.

The GQ Patrol was a tough old bird, but it’s old and buying one now is a gamble. You could consider a Toyota Landcruiser, but again your budget will limit you to an older vehicle and that is always a risk. You could perhaps consider fitting power steering to the XF ute.

I think you’ll struggle to get a refund, after all Jeep is prepared to fix the problem by changing the engine.

If you want to have the problems attended to at no cost you need to negotiate with Jeep in the hope they will come to the party with a good will gesture. If that doesn’t result in an outcome satisfactory to you try enlisting the help of your state consumer affairs people.

I can’t give you a specific answer to which has the lowest cabin noise, except to say that all the leading brands are relatively quiet. I would suggest you test drive each and decide which suits your needs the best.