Chloe writes about the money side of buying a car — insurance premiums, financing options, and how to avoid overpaying at every step. She translates fine print into plain English.
Australian child car seat rules set a minimum age for each stage, not the right age. The law allows a forward-facing seat from six months, while the Child Restraint Evaluation Program recommends waiting until around 30 months. Here’s what each age requires, and where the law stops. What car seat does the law require at […]
You’ve reached a flooded road, the water looks shallow, and the detour is long. Driving through floodwater is the leading cause of flood deaths in Queensland, and float testing used by the Victoria State Emergency Service puts a small car’s limit at 15cm. What you can see from the driver’s seat tells you almost nothing. […]
Passing a road train is less about nerve than arithmetic. The longest combinations on Western Australian highways now stretch to 53.5 metres, roughly double a 27.5 metre truck, per the Government of Western Australia. They are predictable once you know what the driver needs from you. How long is a road train? A road train […]
Most of the HiAce import resale value question is decided the day you buy. Imported HiAces resell here for $28,000 to $45,000, against $25,000 to $35,000 for used Australian commercial vans, according to Commercial Motor Group. Where you land in that band is mostly your own doing. How are imported HiAces valued against Australian-delivered vans? […]
Loaded vehicle tyre pressure isn’t a number to guess. A tyre just off the highway can read 6 to 8 PSI above its cold pressure, according to iCheck TPMS Australia. Start with the placard, measure cold, then adjust for the surface. Where does the correct pressure come from? Photo: Alexander Schimmeck (Unsplash License) The correct […]
Your campervan water tank can’t be planned separately from the toilet and waste system. A portable cassette alone can hold 21 litres of waste and 15 litres of flush water, according to Thetford Australia. Start with the trip, then check the weight. How much water should a HiAce camper carry? Photo: Mitchell Orr (Unsplash License) […]
A HiAce camper solar setup usually fails for one reason. It was sized by guesswork. REDARC’s worked example puts a typical camper at 67 amp-hours a day, with the fridge taking 56 of them. Everything else follows from that number. How much power does a HiAce camper use in a day? Photo: Pavel Danilyuk (Pexels […]
A budget van conversion fit-out costs $3,000 to $8,000, according to Rising Rides, against $25,000 or more for a professional one. Most of that gap buys finish and labour, not function. Two areas are worth paying for. Almost everything else you can cut. What does a budget van conversion actually cost? Between $3,000 and $8,000 […]
Most of the money wasted on a HiAce campervan conversion goes on work done twice. Two rules decide what can sit behind your lining: the caravan and motorhome wiring standard in force since 18 November 2023, and a fit-out code written well before that. Build in the order they imply. What order should I build […]
Capped price servicing looks like a fixed cost, and mostly it is. MG Motor Australia publishes a price for every scheduled service across its range, from $135 to $565, and says the listed figure is what you pay. What no cap fixes is how often you come back, or what your warranty quietly depends on. […]
HiAce running costs start with fuel, but servicing and lost work can be harder to budget. The Green Vehicle Guide rates the 2025 diesel range at 7.4 to 8.1L/100km. A five-year estimate also needs your kilometres, insurance quote, tyre plan and daily revenue. How much will fuel cost over five years? Photo: Public Domain Fuel […]
Why do first-time buyers keep choosing a small SUV? How much do you need to spend on a first new car? Which safety numbers actually matter? How do the Chery Tiggo 4 and MG ZS compare? How much car do you get for the money? So which small SUV should you buy? A brand-new small […]
The cost to charge an EV at home is usually lower than petrol, but your power plan decides the margin. The Electric Vehicle Council says off-peak charging can be up to 90 per cent cheaper. Start with your electricity rate, then account for timing and solar. How much will home charging add to your power […]