Axle Opinion

G'day mates, I'm eyeing off a few dual-cab utes on heavything.com, particularly a decent-looking Toyota Hilux that's showing up in the $35K range. It's coming out of Brisbane, but ...

Online pricing guides show a 'fair market price' or 'great deal' badge. How accurate are these? If I pay what they suggest, am I getting taken for a ride, or is it genuinely fair?

Expecting second child and need to upgrade from compact sedan to fit two rear-facing car seats without front passengers eating the dashboard. Any tall parents have recommendations?...

Every dealer wants to bundle everything - new car price, trade-in, financing into one payment number. I know this hides things. Best way to keep trade-in negotiations separate and ...

I've heard horror stories of 4-6 hours at dealerships. Is that normal? What can I do to speed it up? I can't lose an entire Saturday.

Trying to decide if the CPO premium is worth it long-term. Does the CPO designation actually impact resale value when I sell in 4-5 years, or does the premium evaporate by then?

Finance manager offered 8.9% on a used car and I have 720 credit. Seems high. Can I negotiate the rate like the car price, or is it take-it-or-leave-it?

Coolant reservoir is below minimum and I need to top off. Don't know what brand the previous owner used. Can I just buy any coolant from the auto parts store, or do I need specific...

Found a 2022 Honda Accord priced about $2,500 below market. The vehicle history shows minor rear-end with 'cosmetic damage only' and no airbag deployment. It looks and drives fine....

This is my first time buying a car on my own. Beyond my driver's license and method of payment, what should I actually bring with me? I've seen lists online that include everything...

I owe $19,000 on my car but trade-in value is only about $15,500. Need a different vehicle (moving to a colder climate, need AWD) but don't have cash to cover negative equity. Can ...

Debating between Tacoma and Tundra. I don't tow heavy - maybe a small utility trailer once a month. Mostly hardware store runs, mountain bikes, daily commuting. Full-size feels lik...

My dealer's website says their CPO program includes a '150-point inspection' but I can't find the actual checklist anywhere. What should actually be inspected on a CPO car? Are som...

I have a deal negotiated, but the finance manager is aggressively pushing warranties, paint protection, gap insurance, tire coverage. I've said no three times and he keeps coming b...

Dealer pushing 72-month loan because lower payment. I know longer terms cost more in interest, but 60-month payment is a bit tight. Is 72 months ever the right call?

Every used car I see has a 'clean vehicle history' posted. But I've heard of cars with clean reports that had major accident damage. How reliable are they really? What might they m...

Manual has two schedules - normal and severe. Under severe, oil changes, transmission fluid, spark plugs are done much more often. I mostly do city driving with short trips under 8...

I know exactly which car I want (2023 Honda Accord hybrid) and I want to get the best price. How do I actually pit dealers against each other without it being awkward? Do I email t...

Looking for a used midsize SUV for family of four. Priorities: reliability, cargo space for strollers/sports gear, decent fuel economy. Budget $25-30K. Considering CR-V, RAV4, CX-5...

My 2020 Camry has a golf-ball-sized dent on rear door and cracked mirror housing (mirror works fine). Trading in next month. Worth fixing first, or won't recoup repair cost in high...

I see CPO cars everywhere but I'm not sure what the standard is. Is there a universal process, or does every manufacturer define it differently? What should I actually expect from ...

Spent a while negotiating and the dealer wouldn't come down to my target (about $800 apart). Felt really awkward walking out after they'd invested so much time. Was I being unreaso...

Going to look at several used cars this weekend. What's the most important thing to check first when you walk up? I don't want to get distracted by a shiny exterior.

Credit score around 650. Made mistakes in my early 20s that I'm fixing. Need a reliable car for work and have $4,000 down. Am I going to get destroyed on rates? How can I get the b...

High-pitched squeal when braking, especially at low speeds in parking lots. Brakes still feel fine, no grinding, pedal is firm. 2021 CR-V with 60,000 km. Can it wait until next oil...

I've heard the end of the month is best because salespeople need to hit quotas. Is that real? Is there also a best day of the week? I'm flexible on timing and want to maximize my n...

Just moved to a region with real winters (from a warm climate) and car shopping. Everyone says I need AWD or 4WD. What's the actual difference and which is better for snowy commute...

Trading in my 2018 Ford Escape with 110,000 km. Got wildly different online offers - $8,500 to $12,000. What's the best strategy to maximize trade-in value? Should I detail it firs...

Comparing 2022 Honda Accord CPO at $26,000 vs similar non-CPO at $23,500 from independent dealer. CPO has extended warranty (7yr/100K powertrain) and 182-point inspection. Is the $...

I'm looking at used cars in the $15K range and seeing options from 100,000 km to 200,000 km. I know it depends on brand and maintenance history, but at what odometer reading do thi...

Going for my first test drives this weekend and I'm nervous. What's the normal process? Should the salesperson come with me? How long should the drive be? What questions should I a...

Buying a used car next month. Credit union pre-approved at 5.75% for 60 months. Should I take that or let the dealer try to beat it? I've heard dealers sometimes offer better rates...

I drive about 20,000 km/year in a FWD sedan. Manual says rotate every 8,000-12,000 km. Is this actually important or is it one of those things shops push? What happens if I skip?