Ask The Guide

Now, that’s a mystery. You’re best to take it to an auto electrician and get it checked over.

Based on what you’ve told us it would seem to be a fair call, but I’m guessing that Land Rover won’t be keen to come to the party and will attempt to repair your car. But being so new, and knowing the damage that water can do to a car I would also be keen to have it replaced.

The service refill capacity for your car is six litres.

As it is an intermittent problem it’s hard to be definitive, but I would suggest you look at the fuel system, and check for a faulty electrical connection that could affect the operation of the fuel pump or injectors.

A HiAce of that period is generally worth between $1000 and $2000, but being rusty and unroadworthy yours is not worth that much. It could be worth a couple of hundred dollars, but I reckon you’ll struggle to give it away.

The obvious benefit is fuel economy, the diesel is much more economical than the equivalent petrol model. On average the diesel consumes 20 per cent less fuel than the petrol model. The other possible benefit is that the diesel has an automatic transmission whereas the petrol has a CVT transmission.

The later you can afford the better, particularly as the 2010 model is quite an old car now, without even considering the possibility of an issue with the gearbox. I would recommend you go for a model that is no more than five years old. It would be also be a good idea to have it assessed by an automatic transmission specialist.

Check the electrical connections on the horns and also check the fuses.

No doubt there are 4WDs available for $3100, but they will be old, worn out, and probably unroadworthy. Try something like a 2000-2001 Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Nissan X-Trail, Subaru Forester, or Suzuki Grand Vitara, and buy the best one you can find.

You’ve pretty much covered the field there, so it should come down to what you want from your car. Do you want comfort, safety, fuel efficiency, offroad capability, cabin space? If you are mostly driving on the highway, then a diesel SUV is probably the best bet. I would rule out a dual-cab ute because of comfort, unless you need the flexibility a ute gives you. I would rule out a hybrid, they’re not at their most efficient on the highway; they’re better suited to town use. Based on your annual mileage I wouldn’t keep the car any more than 3-4 years, that way you’ll have a decent resale value when you get out of it.