Expert advice | The automobile in question: the rich cousin

Q. My partner and I have a 2010 Golf that we love but is getting old. For $25,000 to $30,000, we hesitate between a very recent used Golf or a slightly older Audi A3 e-tron. We drive mostly in town (20 km round trip from the office), but we regularly go to Ontario (seven to eight hours at a time). Does the rising gas price justify the Audi, considering that we also gain in comfort/luxury? We like the Golf, which seems more reasonable, but we love the less generic look and feel of its luxurious cousin. We will keep it for at least five years. What to choose ?

— Julian P.

Eric LeFrancois
special cooperation

R. As you probably know, the A3 e-tron is a plug-in hybrid, so it will be more economical at the pump than the Golf, as long as you use a charging station. That said, the more reasonable choice is to opt for a more recent Golf (same technical architecture as the Audi) and which will be under warranty. And if you’re looking for a less generic look, why not seek out the Alltrack version of the Golf?

DO WE KEEP IT?

Q. The three-year lease on my 2019 Rogue ends next April. I will have about 30,000 km. For what I use it for, I’m happy with it. I intend to buy it back. The dealer is asking for $20,000 with taxes. Good choice ?

— Alain R.

R. If the vehicle has been properly maintained, has no problems and is still suitable for your needs, yes.

FUTURE MARKET

Q. Next April, we will receive our 2022 Ford Transit and we will begin the conversion to make it our recreational vehicle. We are retired and will spend the summer there to carry out the work to our liking. We want to make escapades all over the country and sell it within five or six years. What unsettles me at the moment is the resale. The electrification of vehicles is coming soon, but this type of vehicle, once transformed, does not seem ready to drive kilometers on our roads in electric mode. Do you think there will be a market for a gas-powered recreational vehicle around 2030?

— Sylvia D.

R. There will still be a market for a gas-powered vehicle in 2030. There is no need to worry about that. The Canadian government intends to ban the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles from 2035. But there will still be a lot of gasoline-powered vehicles on the road at that time.

PATIENCE

Q. I am currently leasing a 2019 Subaru Crosstrek that I really like. The lease will end with 75,000 km on the clock, in May 2022. I’m hesitating between handing over the keys, buying it or even renting/buying a new Crosstrek hybrid or an electric Kona from Hyundai. However, this one is not four-wheel drive. Petrol, hybrid or electric? I am mixed up. I do about 300 to 350 km per week.

—Richard D.

R. Since the Hyundai does not meet your criteria and the Crosstrek hybrid does not fulfill its promises (electric range of 30 km), why not keep your vehicle and closely monitor market developments? Several new features are expected in the next two years and some technological breakthroughs are to be expected.