A gift
I have a quiet and comfortable 2016 Buick Verona with only 72,000 km on the odometer. I want to give it to my daughter. Now, what should I buy? Know that I have never had an SUV. My budget is about $33,000. With a gas engine, no hybrid.
Claude B.
There’s no need to climb into an SUV, you know. You might very well consider a compact car that has exterior dimensions roughly the same as your current vehicle. You might consider the Toyota Corolla, the Honda Civic or even the Hyundai Elantra.
A decision to make
PHOTO PROVIDED BY JEEP
The 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit
I own a 2016 Grand Cherokee Summit, 5.7L V8, 110k miles on the odometer. Recently I noticed a valve lifter clicking when starting. After a minute or two the noise goes away. I am starting to worry about the long term reliability of this vehicle. Should I change it? I am interested in the 2024 RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid, it seems like a good choice. Should I wait for 2025? Any other suggestions for a plug-in SUV are welcome.
Yvon C.
A faulty valve lifter can cause other engine components to break, so it’s best to get it fixed sooner rather than later. We suggest getting a quote on the cost of the repair first so you can make an informed decision. Also, you should know that your vehicle – if it’s in great condition – can easily sell for over $20,000. Should you trade it in? If it no longer meets your needs, here’s your chance to pass it on to someone else. Also, the RAV4 Prime is a good choice. You’ll probably have to wait until 2025 to get one, as supply still doesn’t meet demand. You might also want to consider the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.
The season is open
PHOTO PROVIDED BY STELLANTIS
The Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
We are looking for a vehicle to go hunting and fishing, and tow a trailer of about 3200 pounds. This vehicle would also be used for all daily trips, as we would like to have only one vehicle. So far, the only vehicle that seems to check all of these boxes is the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. I would like to get your opinion on this vehicle. Are there other vehicles on the market that would fit our needs?
Jef L.
Jeep’s offering is tempting, but its reliability is, unfortunately, much less so. Among the options available to you: Subaru’s Wilderness versions, which allow a towing capacity roughly equivalent to that of the Jeep and sometimes even a higher ground clearance, or the Toyota RAV4 Trail.
A desire to be fulfilled
PHOTO PROVIDED BY ALFA ROMEO
The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio GTA
I drove an Alfa Romeo Giulia on a trip to Italy in 1984. I still dream about it. The model that has been around since 2016 is still attractive. I am tempted by the Competizione livery. Far from being a driver, I love driving. I live near a rare dealership of the brand in Quebec. I know that it is a niche model with an uncertain resale value and that it is no longer cutting edge, but what about its reliability? The rumors are scary, but according to some, this now mature model does not have a worse record than its German competitors. Would an extended warranty be appropriate here? That this diva is at the end of its journey does not bother me. On the contrary, I worry that it will disappear next year like the Quadrifoglio. Is that the case?
Pierre P.
The Giulia’s reliability is not bad and is comparable to that of some German cars in the same category. To avoid problems and costly repairs, we suggest you opt for a version powered by the four-cylinder engine. This one is less problematic than the Quadrifoglio. Although it is not as fast, this version still provides superb driving pleasure. As for the extended warranty, yes. But we ask you to negotiate it.