After a hairy 31 months of plummeting sales, we want to buy cars again. Pent-up demand combined with low supply has pushed prices of used cars higher than they have ever been. Is it better to buy a new or a used car? Is it cheaper to insure a new or a used car? We investigate. Read More
Automotive
Seven things you didn’t know about your car
Many people will be exploring their own state these Christmas holidays. With road trips on the agenda, here’s a chance to become a little more intimate with your car. Find out seven quirky things you didn’t know about cars. Read More
Does in-car tech actually work?
New cars are packed with technologies to make driving safer and more comfortable. While some drivers have no idea about their in-car tech, others may rely on it too much. As new safety technologies in cars are mandated, it is important to ask whether they are doing the job properly. Read More
Most drivers don’t want manual work
When was the last time you drove a manual car? These days, most drivers want automatics and manufacturers don’t even offer manual versions of new models. Is this the end of the gear lever? Or will manual cars now appeal to keen collectors? Read More
How has car use changed in 2020?
Have you become more attached to your car again? The mood today seems to have shifted back towards cars, away from public transport and rideshare. Although car use in Sydney dropped dramatically during lockdown, it has 90% recovered to normal. Is this a lasting trend or just a blip on the way to Peak Car? Read More
Quad bikes or side-by-side vehicles (SSVs)
By March this year, nine people had already died in quad bike accidents. Quad bikes or ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) are often used on farms and not usually registered for sealed roads. But some say quad bikes are misnamed because they are not safe for sloping terrains. For this reason, more farmers are choosing side-by-side vehicles (SSVs). Read More
Mixed messages about car emissions
Back in October 2016, we wondered whether Australians care about car emissions. Nearly 4 years later, there are still mixed messages about cutting emissions. Australia still has no emissions standards. Meanwhile, ridesharing, SUVs and hybrids are increasing emissions faster than electric vehicles can lower them. Read More
Are car safety features effective?
Electronics could make up 45-50% of the cost of a new car by 2030. Many new cars use advanced driver assistance systems, such as automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. But do these extra really improve safety? Some features have proved to reduce insurance claims for BMWs in the US while others had no effect. Read More
Stop your car being stolen
Every 10 minutes somebody in Australia steals a vehicle and one in three owners never sees their car again. One great way to prevent theft is to store keys away from windows and doors but two in five people don’t bother. Be more vigilant if you own a Holden Commodore, live in Northern Territory or go out on Friday nights. Read More
Sedans could make a comeback
Nearly half of new car sales in February 2020 were SUVs, a sign of Australia’s preference for high riding. Passenger vehicles trailed behind, with just over a quarter of sales. Even so, there are a few signs sedans will make a comeback. Read More