Ask The Guide

You'd like to think that once fixed it won't happen again, particularly as it is happened to you once before, but no one can predict what might or might not happen in the future. No one can guarantee 100 percent that it won't happen again, but Subaru should be able to explain what caused the problem and give you a reasonable assurance that it wont re-occur. The dealer's responsibility is to fix your car; Subaru's should be to explain what happened and why so you can get back to driving your car with confidence. If the dealer doesn't want to help go directly to Subaru and ask to talk to an engineer. If you don't get any satisfaction go further up the company ladder until, if necessary, go all the way to the top. If the repairs are going to take some weeks as you suspect you should ask for a loan car so you're not without wheels.

In neutral with the clutch engaged, but that's not the safest way to go because it takes longer to react if something untoward happens around you while you're sitting there. With the clutch disengaged all you need to do it is to let the clutch out and go.

I can understand your frustration; the only option is to get out of the car. Ford has obviously offered you a deal that is unsatisfactory to you. You won't get back the money you have already spent on the car, your best course of action is to negotiate the best possible deal you can with Ford. You could try Consumer Affairs for help, or consult a lawyer, but should you do that you should be prepared for a long and protracted process that it is only likely to cause you considerable anguish. If a satisfactory deal can't be worked out with Ford go shopping and buy a car from another brand.

You'll find most cars will be noisy on that type of surface and I'd be loath to recommend one without having driven it on your roads. Another possible solution if you like the Mazda 6 is to remove the rear seats and install some sound deadening on the wheel arches.

The Suzuki is the best bet, by far. Avoid the older Audi, it's likely to be too costly in terms of service and repairs, the Impreza is a good car, so too is the Liberty, but the best is the Suzuki.

I couldn't say with any confidence that the problem has been sorted and I would be reluctant to recommend the car to you given that you travel short distances. I have asked Mazda to comment and will get back to you once that response has been received.

You are being treated absolutely appallingly, by the dealer and by VW. The problem starts with the dealer, if they can't fix it it's their responsibility to go to VW and ask for assistance. It is not for them to tell you to go to VW, that's passing the buck. It's also not VW's place to tell you to go back to the dealer, as the car's manufacturer it's their responsibility to fix it. Go to the dealer and express your dissatisfaction with their service, and ask that they request VW's help in sorting the problem. VW has technicians who can assess and hopefully fix your car. If they can't fix it they can request help from VW in Germany. Keep escalating the problem up the tree, from the dealer, the VW Customer Care, to VW's Managing Director or higher if needed. It is their job to fix your car.

Overseas designed cars that are not tested in Australian conditions would be my first explanation. My second would be that the companies have decided that the risk of having stones penetrate the air-conditioning condenser doesn't warrant the extra cost of fitting a screen to keep the stones out.

In a word, no. I'm not convinced the gearbox issues are fully fixed, and I certainly wouldn't buy one outside the warranty period.

We don't have a definition of what constitutes a lemon in this country, but I wouldn't call your car a lemon. Most of the problems you've had could be called maintenance issues, like the battery, brake rotors, shock absorbers, tailgate struts. They're not major issues, more frustrating ones. I wouldn't be trading it in because of your experience. I would recommend that you find a specialist Peugeot mechanic to service your car; you'll save heaps by doing that.