Ask The Guide

Audi keys are fairly simple. Start by pressing and holding the unlock button on the remote, then hold the unlock button, and insert the key into the ignition. Turn the ignition to the on position while holding the unlock button down for approximately two seconds. They key should now be programmed.

There’s clearly no point in talking sense to you, your head is in a complete muddle. You want a fix for your mid-life crisis, yet you talk about resale value, warranty, fixed-price servicing and boring stuff like that. You need to think about what it is you want from your “sporty-ish” car, do you want a performance car that will be thrilling to drive, or are you a park-and-poser and just want to look good when you stop at the café for a latte. The VW Golf GTi is a thrill-a-minute hot hatch; you like the i30N, and both would be good buys. Buy the Lux if you decide on the i30N. You could also think about a BMW M3, or an older Porsche Boxster. I wouldn’t suggest a Commodore SS or a Falcon XR6T ute, they’re a bit boring.

Is the clutch you fitted a dual-mass one, if it is I would suggest you fit a solid clutch. Before doing that I would suggest you call Clutch Industries (1300 369 787) and ask for their advice.

You shouldn’t run diesel in a car made to run on petrol, and it seems that’s what you have done. You have to drain the fuel, flush the fuel system, refill it with petrol and hope that that’s enough to fix it. You might have to replace other parts of the fuel system, like fuel injectors, fuel pump etc.

There are three petrol engines in the current Forester range, beginning with the 2.0-litre non-turbo engine, which boasts 110 kW, will accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 10.6 seconds and has a top speed of 190 km//h. Step up to the 2.5-litre engine, also a non-turbo, and it has 126 kW, will accelerate to 100 km/h in 9.9s, and has a top speed of 196 km/h. The top performer is the 2.0-litre turbo model with 177 kW, an acceleration time of 7.5s, and a top speed of 210 km/h. So, yes you are missing out on some serious performance if you choose not to buy the turbo. When buying a used Forester look for an engine that consumes more oil than normal, and check for signs of use off-road.

It hasn’t been hit, which would be obvious to an experienced eye, and there haven’t been any repairs done to it, so how does Skoda explain that. Your options are to continue pursuing Skoda to repair your car for free, enlist the help of your state consumer affairs people in the hope they might be able to assist you, or pay for it yourself and move on.

HSV produced 500 SS Group A versions of the Commodore in 1991 to homologate it for racing, i.e., Bathurst. It sounds like one of those, maybe built after the introduction of the VP in September 1991.

The Nissan’s price is on the money for a private sale, although the mileage is at the top end of the range. The Subaru’s price is above the top end of the quoted value for the model, which is probably due to its very low odo reading. Generally, the one with the lower odo would be the one to go for, but when it’s double the price of the other you really have to want it to hand over the extra cash.

Here and now the X-Trail would be the better value.

You can sell it without a RWC; the buyer will have to get one before it can be registered in their name. When you sell it send the forms to Vicroads to inform them that it has been sold.

You haven’t told us anything about the car, like the model and the year, so we can’t give you a value.

You can call Kia’s customer assistance service on 1800 600 010, but I suspect you won’t get the satisfaction you’re looking for. I believe you’ll find that the accessories you are waiting for are aftermarket items fitted by the dealer, and not from Kia.