Economical luxury
I have a 2019 Audi Q5 with low mileage. I would like to change it for a vehicle that is as comfortable with good handling, less energy-consuming and not electric (perhaps hybrid). A smaller, luxurious and reliable vehicle with a high seat. Do you have any suggestions ?
Lucy
Right now, you might consider the Lexus UX. Raised driving position, comfortable (for the size), reliable and offering very correct handling, the UX is a hybrid. It does not need to be recharged, but you will still make significant savings (6 L/100 km according to Natural Resources Canada). For comparison, your Q5 (you do not mention the variation) consumes more than 9 L/100 km according to tests conducted by the federal authorities. By doing so, you will help reduce air pollution.
SUV wanted
PHOTO PROVIDED BY ACURA
2022 Acura MDX
We are a family of four, with children aged 4 and 7. We have a 2012 RAV4 that shows 130,000 km and that we want to change. We also have a sedan. We want an SUV with good cargo capacity for luggage, travel and sports. We do not want to reduce cargo capacity compared to the RAV4. We want a more luxurious car. We are hesitating between the Volvo XC60 and XC90 and the BMW X3. We looked for an occasion (2022 or newer). Is it worth buying a new vehicle? Is the XC90 worth it for the trunk capacity (third row down), knowing we won’t have other kids, or is it too big and expensive for our sporadic needs? Are repair costs really higher for BMWs? In short, your opinion would be interesting! If you have other suggestions, we are open. We excluded the Audi Q5 due to its lower cargo volume than the others. We want to get the car fairly quickly.
Geneviève T.
Luxury brands (especially European ones) require ongoing maintenance and, once the warranty expires, lead to costly repairs. A recent study conducted by Consumer Reports provides further proof. To stand out, luxury brands seek to innovate, sometimes to the detriment of reliability. The XC90 is, in its current form, a model at the end of its career. The Sino-Swedish brand promises a more modern version (EX90) fully electrified within a few months. But you want to get your vehicle quickly… That said, you could treat yourself to a vehicle with three rows of seats to carry out your activities, but is that really necessary? If so, you might consider a vehicle like the Acura MDX, a safe bet and a less expensive vehicle to maintain. On the European brand side, you might consider Audi’s Q7. For a vehicle with two rows of seats, the BMW X3 or the Acura RDX are among the best choices.
Longevity
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Mazda 3 2013
I own a 2013 Mazda3 Sport, purchased new, with 143,000 km on the clock. The maintenance of the vehicle has always been carefully followed, as has an annual anti-rust treatment. How many years (I drive less than 15,000 km per year) can I still count before major expenses? And precisely, at what annual amount do we enter the zone of major expenses?
Nicholas S.
At this rate and assuming that you will always ensure that it is properly maintained, your vehicle will probably have three or four years before reaching the “major expenses”, as you say. How much annually? Please note that the market value of your vehicle currently ranges between $7,500 and $10,000 (depending on the version, condition and equipment). This gives you a good indication of the total that should not be exceeded for so-called “major” repairs. According to the CAA running cost calculator, the annual maintenance cost of your vehicle is approximately $1,800. This amount includes periodic maintenance and certain major repairs.
Visit the CAA website
Wisdom
PHOTO PROVIDED BY GENESIS MOTORS
Genesis G70 2020
I own a 2020 Genesis G70 that has 17,000 miles and the lease ends in a month. The surrender value is $25,000. I considered leasing an Ioniq 6, but the cost of insurance is exorbitant ($2500/year) as well as the rental rate (6.49%). Is it wise to buy the Genesis and keep it for another two or three years? As you see, we only drive 5000 km or less per year.
Marc G.
Excellent idea. Especially since your vehicle is still under warranty. This is a reliable vehicle.