Hair in the wind
Q: Have you heard of the possible arrival of an electric convertible model? — Peter F.
A: Several manufacturers have so far expressed the intention of producing an all-electric convertible. Tesla will likely be the first to sound the charge with the Roadster. This should theoretically enter the market during the year. Polestar confirms, for its part, the arrival of the 6 (resulting from the O2 study) and Genesis could also give the green light to the production of its X Concept prototype presented in preview last fall.
A good deal ?
PHOTO PROVIDED BY HYUNDAI
Hyundai Venue
Q: I currently have a 2018 Honda HR-V with 90,000 km. I get an offer for a 2020 Hyundai Venue Ultimate with 18,000 km for $25,000. Should I consider this offer or just keep my Honda? — Francine C.
A: You receive an offer, but it is not necessarily attractive. The value of your HR-V (considering its in-service date and mileage) is almost as high as a 2020 Venue Ultimate with such low mileage. Better to keep your HR-V and if you want to dispose of it, better to sell it yourself.
Where are the townspeople?
PHOTO PROVIDED BY KIA MOTORS
The subcompact category has only three vehicles (Kia Rio, Mitsubishi Mirage and Nissan Versa) in Canada. And the Rio (photo) appears to be the best choice.
Q: I own a Prius C that I love. She is now nine years old and I should think about replacing her in a few years. There no longer seem to be any subcompacts of the same type as my car on the market. Are there interesting models on the market or which will appear soon with fuel economy and reliability comparable to my car? — Julia C.
A: Unfortunately for you, the small (subcompact) car market is dying. Currently, this category has three vehicles (Kia Rio, Mitsubishi Mirage and Nissan Versa) in Canada. And for the moment, there is no reason to believe in the resurgence of this segment in the short or medium term. Moreover, none of these three vehicles are hybrids. That said, if you had to choose among them, the Rio appears to be the most versatile (in the broad sense of the term).
Take out the calculator
PHOTO PROVIDED BY HYUNDAI
A 2015 Hyundai Sonata
Q: When I retired 10 years ago, I bought a new Hyundai Sonata Limited. Today it has 120,000 km. Its maintenance has been rigorously respected, it has no rust and is very pleasant to drive. My dilemma: do I sell it? If so, for which other vehicle? Or do I keep it? — Michael B.
A: And why not keep it? To read you, it seems in impeccable condition and, moreover, you love it. Currently, the market value of your vehicle is around $10,000. Replacing it, for example with a Sonata of the year (Luxury version), will cost you at least more than $44,000 with, at the time of writing, an interest rate of 4.9%. Your insurance premiums will be higher and, when winter comes, you will have to consider buying rims or winter tires. That’s a big expense for a vehicle that averages 12,000 km per year, don’t you think?