The Centralian Advocate Fri 28 May 2021
Centralian Advocate; NewspaperNT
2021-05-28
Made available via the Publications (Legal Deposit) Act 2004 (NT).
English
Community newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Alice Springs; Tennant Creek (N.T.) -- Newspapers; Alice Springs (N.T.) -- Newspapers; Australia, Central -- Newspapers
News Corp Australia
Darwin
Copyright. Made available by the publisher under licence.
News Corp Australia
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2019C00042
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/838630
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/838631
28 MOTORING NTNE01Z01MO - V1 whats the best or easiest way of transacting this money to ensure it goes through without any issues? Daryl Rowe, email An in-branch bank transfer between buyer and seller is safest. This proves the buyer has the funds, and once transferred, they can drive away the new car. Cash is quickest, but Id suggest, if possible, doing the exchange inside a bank where youre both on camera and the cash can immediately be deposited. Internet bank transfers can take a few days to clear, and like a bank cheque, can be cancelled. Write out a receipt with the cars details, registration and full details of buyer and seller. CREEPY KIA Kia has a rather creepy ad at the moment featuring a large shadowy vehicle and the line: The first GUV. My interpretation would be Great Ugly Vehicle? Patricia Woolcock, email Oh, Patricia. Just when Kia has made people movers sexy! The ad is for the new Carnival, and GUV stands for Grand Utility Vehicle. I recently tested the Carnival SLi Diesel ($62,790 driveaway) and have developed an unhealthy obsession with the eight-seater. Ive become a practicality-loving dad in my old age, plus its luxurious, loaded with safety and looks gorgeous. But why the ad is shot at a racetrack is beyond me. Its a lumbering unit, not a sports car. POOR PASS Ive witnessed motorists giving cyclists too much space when overtaking them, crossing way over to the wrong side of the road regardless of oncoming traffic. The rule is onemetre width when passing in a 60km/h or lower zone, and 1.5-metres if over 60km/h. Cyclists riding to the left of the cycle lane would help their longevity too. Johnny Aldersey, email Better too much space than not enough. Its not always practical for a cyclist to be to the left of a cycle lane due to potholes, broken glass or debris. Drivers can briefly cross painted lines to overtake, but only when theres a clear view and its safe to do so. I know it can feel inconvenient waiting to pass a cyclist, but if the risk of killing someone isnt incentive enough, on-the-spot fines may be. In Queensland, if the matter goes to court, a fine of more than $5300 can apply. After reading your Kia Niro electric vehicle article it highlighted a long-term problem all EVs will have. If I buy this latest Kia and the new model (EV6) arrives in 12 months with far quicker charging times, can this new battery pack go into the Niro or are the fittings incompatible? Basically, can an older model be retrofitted with new technology batteries? Guy Huntley, email Good question. Battery technology is improving apace, and fitting more efficient units of the future to older EVs will hopefully be an option. Concerning your Kia example, the just-launched Niros battery cells, packs and modules look the same as the far more exciting EV6s. It launches later this year/early 2022. However, the latters architecture and battery pack mounting points are different, so a straight swap wouldnt be as easy as taking Duracell AAAs out of your remote control and putting them in an alarm clock. BATTERY SWAP I agree with Paul Williams; I miss exciting Australian-made cars. My VF Commodore SSV Redline wagon always has me looking back when walking away. I remember when buying new cars was exciting. My wife just tested the Mazda3 and Toyota Corolla. She didnt like either, and has instead fallen in love with a Mazda CX-30. Damn SUVs! Matthew Simpson, email If you must buy an SUV, the CX-30 is a very good one. Yet picking one over the gorgeous and talented (albeit pricey) Mazda3 has me with head in hands. Exciting new cars are out there if you can afford them but the trend towards SUVs, dull design and auto/CVT gearboxes is bad news for those who still love cars and driving. GLOBAL SHORTAGE Re: your advice to get a bicycle rather than wait for a new car due to supply issues, there are waiting times for those too. I put a deposit on one in March and have been told it wont arrive until late July. Dave Lardner, email Its not just pushbikes either. I see motorcycle makers Yamaha, Honda and Kawasaki have apologised for delays in new deliveries too production slowdowns due to the pandemic, freight issues and global shortage of semiconductors. How about I recommend people just catch the bus from now on? KEEP IT REAL As a consistent reader of your column, I note many car owners have issues and faults with relatively new vehicles. People need to realise age is often not the issue but how well the cars maintained, driven and serviced. I own a 2004 Citroen C5 wagon, bought three years ago for $4000. Airconditioning aside, its had barely an issue and I travel between 200km and 700km per week. Its checked mechanically before long trips and valeted twice a year. My 17-year-old cars an extension of my home office, so why should it be any less clean or well maintained? Ira Zettler, email Too true. Fresh lubricants and sticking to service schedules is usually a cost-effective way of preventing problems. Sadly, it wont always work that way and even the best-maintained cars get sick. Conversely, my old housemate had a 1984 Ford Falcon XE beach car he proudly boasted hadnt seen a mechanics workshop or fresh engine oil in six years. Somehow, it refused to die. CASH IN HAND With the used car price surge and more cash changing hands for privately sold vehicles, R O A D S I D E A S S I S T WRITE TO MOTORING AT CARS@NEWS.COM.AU OR PO BOX 2808, GPO SYDNEY, 2001 IAIN CURRY GETS ANSWERS THRILL IS GONE FOR CAR LOVERS