Ford Problems

I have no personal experience but know that car bras can chafe, potential cause overheating and can be difficult to fit and remove. Personally, and knowing that companies such as Porsche fit the clear plastics to all of their demonstrator cars for paint protection, I would choose it ahead of a car bra.

It's very low mileage for a car that is 18 years old, so make sure the odometer is correct. If it is you've most likely got a good buy on your hands. The BA Falcon is a solid and generally reliable car. There's little to worry about with the engine, there can be problems with the automatic transmission, but it shouldn't be a problem if it drives normally when you test-drive it.

We have asked Ford for an outlook on the availability of your diff, but so far haven't had a reply. If the diff is being done under warranty then wait it out, but if it's not and you're going to be charged for the diff I would take the car to a diff specialist and have them fix it.

Recalls only happen when there is a potential safety issue involved, the clutch problem on the dual-clutch transmission in the Focus isn't considered a safety problem and as such isn't recalled. That's where our pathetically weak consumer laws let us down, because carmakers can get away with selling a known faulty product knowing there is little likelihood anything will be done about it. It was only the public backlash about the problem with its dual-clutch gearbox that forced VW to act. The trade-in price guide for your car is $9300 to $11,100, so Ford has offered you a high-end trade-in price. But you're right that you have been offered what is in effect a wholesale price for your car, and no doubt you are being asked to pay the full retail for the new car. Ford isn't doing you any favours, so I wouldn't be rushing into a new Ford. Assuming the clutches have been replaced and the car is currently driving normally I would consider trading it on a car from another brand. If you do, try and avoid a car with a dual-clutch automatic.

Getting Ford to do anything for you is going to be very difficult. The first thing to do it to request the dealer to ask Ford to cover the cost of replacing the transmission, or at least part of the cost. If that fails go direct to Ford's customer service people and make you request directly. If that also fails, as I suspect it will, talk to the people Bannister Law (ph: 03 8899 6050) who are conducting a class action suit about problems with this transmission.

From my personal experience, Hella makes a great range of both HID and LED driving lamps. I'd lean to HID for best long-range penetration. Get a professional to do the installation to ensure the wiring is right and also there is no shake in the lamp mountings.

There is legal action under way in Australia from some unhappy owners of cars with double-clutch gearboxes. Ford executive Stephen Kruk says: "We encourage customers to work with their local dealers on their individual circumstances. Ford is committed to providing its customers with top quality vehicles. We are equally committed to addressing potential issues and responding quickly for our customers. We have addressed the majority of our customers' questions and are pleased with our ongoing improvement in customer satisfaction levels."

The Kia Sorento, our Car of the Year in 2015, gets The Tick from me. It has everything you want and need and is a good drive, with a seven-year warranty. If it's out of your price range, go for the smaller Kia Sportage.

Good to hear from someone who is happy with the auto transmission in their Focus. Others could do well to have their car updated if they haven't already done so.