Does cruise control actually save fuel?
Cruise control can save 7–14% fuel on a flat highway. On a hilly road, it can cost you more. Here's when to use it and when to turn it off.
Does car colour affect its resale value?
More than most people realise, and probably not in the way you'd expect. Car colour affects resale value in Australia, your running costs, and even how much maintenance the paint demands over time. Here's what the data actually says, and a practical verdict on what to do with it.
White is king, and there's a reason for that
Australia loves white cars. According to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, white has been the most popular new car colour in Australia for over a decade, consistently accounting for roughly a quarter to a third of all new car sales.
That popularity matters for resale. A white used Toyota RAV4, for instance, sells faster and to a broader buyer pool than the same car in an unusual shade. That's the simple reason popular colours hold their value well: not that white is objectively prettier, but that more buyers will consider it, which keeps prices competitive at resale time.
Silver and grey sit close behind on the popularity chart. They're similarly safe choices if you want broad appeal when it's time to sell.
Black looks sharp, but comes with trade-offs
Black is the one colour that can genuinely cause headaches in Australia's climate.
First, heat absorption. A black car sitting in a Sydney car park on a 35-degree day will have a cabin temperature significantly higher than a white equivalent. That's not just uncomfortable. It puts more strain on your air conditioning system over time.
