The automobile in question | The Press

Our collaborator answers questions from readers

Wait or not?

I had left my contact information with a Mazda dealer to be notified when the Mazda CX-70 arrived in Canada. I have just been called to tell me that only the CX-90 will come to Canada immediately. Exact ? I did the same for the Outlander PHEV last year, but the price has gone up a lot since then. I have the impression that government subsidies were used as a pretext. Am I hoping for his arrival or am I aiming for Mitsubishi?

H.

The CX-90 will indeed be the first vehicle of this new generation at Mazda. A complete test bench of this vehicle will be published next month in our notebook. As for the CX-70, its marketing will begin later this year. Unfortunately, it is impossible to tell you at this stage whether you should wait for it or not since we do not know its price or its characteristics. This model will have two rows of seats compared to three for the CX-90. As for the Outlander PHEV, the nomenclature of this model today is much wider than it was, hence this impression of a significant increase in price. The entry-level model is offered at $46,538. For the record, the 2022 model was displayed at $44,198, but offered none of the advances of the new model (electric range, modern platform, more sophisticated all-wheel drive, etc.).

To find a smile

We are a retired couple. We have been in the country since retirement and need an SUV (fishing, cabin and icy country roads in winter). If I keep the same dealership, my choice of SUV comes down to the Lexus NX. It’s not my favorite. My choices go personally to the Acura RDX or more modestly to the Toyota RAV4. What do you think ?

Francois G.

If your choice is NX and you don’t like it, why consider it? It’s time to smile again, and the Acura RDX is much more homogeneous (comfort, versatility, dynamic performance) than the NX. The RAV4 in its Trail configuration is also a good idea, but when leasing, you will probably get better terms with Acura and, what’s more, a more generous warranty.

Still miles to go

We own a 2016 Subaru Outback with 85,000 km on the clock. She is fully paid. We love this vehicle and its all-wheel-drive system. We have a big dog and a cabin in the Laurentians. Given its resale value, we wonder if we should keep the vehicle or change it. We generally keep our cars for about 10 years. Is it better to change it and, if so, should we rent or buy? I would still look for an Outback or the Crosstrek. Do you have any other suggestions? We are retired and drive about 15,000 km per year, mostly on the highway.

Serge C.

Why change? The mileage is low, and this vehicle seems to give you satisfaction. If you keep your vehicles for a period of 10 years, your current Outback is perfectly capable of achieving this goal, as long as you take care of its maintenance.

We are waiting for the return of the beautiful season

I would like to acquire as a passenger vehicle (second car) a 2010 Porsche Boxster, 73,000 km, automatic PDK transmission. What do you think of the reliability of this vehicle? What are its weak points? What should I check specifically? Does it require a lot of maintenance? Despite the fact that the seller is a Porsche dealer, should I have the car inspected by an independent mechanic?

Alan L.

The reliability of this vehicle is generally very good, provided the vehicle has been properly maintained. It is important to check this aspect very carefully before affixing your signature to the bottom of the contract and to negotiate too, even if at this time of year, the convertible market is waking up.

It is also prudent to have the vehicle inspected if the facts put forward by the dealer (monitoring) are not verifiable. As for maintenance, it would be relevant to inform you of the costs associated with it before concluding this transaction. You might be unpleasantly surprised. This vehicle, like many others in this category, requires ongoing maintenance by qualified technicians. In addition, the poor mechanical accessibility of this model (rear central engine) also complicates things.