Michael McAleer answers your questions
From Maureen D:
I need to buy a car for my recently graduated son to commute to work. He's 21 and just on a provisional licence so nothing too expensive (I'm budgeting at €5,000).
There is plenty of small car choice out there for this sort of money. Obviously when learning, a small city car or supermini would be best - and cheaper to run. There are dozens of VW Polos, Toyota Starlets and Seat Ibizas on the market, all of which I would recommend. They are easy to drive and relatively cheap to maintain, though parts for the VW can be more expensive than the others.
It's best you come to some sort of agreement as to what exactly he is looking for, and what you want him to drive. Whatever car you decide upon, be sure to take it for a decent test drive and get as full a service history as possible. Buying from a dealer means you will get a warranty as well, so it's worth the extra effort. There should be plenty of dealers willing to do a good deal in the next few weeks as they want to get ready for the New Year and clear some space on the forecourt. At this time of year it's a buyer's market.
Whatever you choose to buy, can I request that before he takes to the roads, he takes several lessons from a qualified instructor. And he should really apply for his driving test now to get his name on the list.
It will give you peace of mind when he leaves the house each morning and save money on insurance in the long-run.
From Chris Morris:
Does any car firm produce a 4WD 5-door turbodiesel car under about 1400cc with sunroof or air-conditioning? Has any maker ever tried something like this? Which car is currently the nearest to this specification?
You are certainly a man who knows what he wants. In fact you paint a perfect picture of the Fiat Panda 4x4 with its 1.2-litre mulitjet diesel engine.
The sunroof and air-con come as optional extras, or course. It will set you back €16,000. I've never driven it, but my colleague Justin Hynes has, and he found it a blast. I also have a colleague in work whose wife owns one and he's full of praise for it. Not exactly built for conquering Croagh Patrick, but keen and eager nonetheless.
From John Morton:
Do you think that "personalised", or non age-related plates will ever be a reality here, as they are in Britain. From my point of view there would be some advantages: it would do away with the snob value attached to an "06" plate and, perhaps, re-kindle interest in older cars, and could also provide additional revenue for the Dept of the Environment, which could be ring-fenced for something or other.
Also, and here's an indication of my own snobbery, the ability to re-register a car that was bought in another county would be great, and could further stimulate motor sales throughout the country.
There have been several calls made for a review of our current registration system and personal plates is certainly an element that could feature in a revised system.
However, the real pressure will need to be brought to bear by the car industry and at the moment they are divided. Some distributors appreciate the constant return trade from buyers too, caught up in neighbourhood rivalries to be seen in an older car.
Others see the nonsensical nature of having all your business in the space of a few weeks at the start of the year.
It's hard to say who will win out, but until the industry has one united voice, it's likely the Government will leave well enough alone.
From J Watters, Co Meath:
Could I make a request through the Helpdesk to Dublin's traffic authorities to suspend the Bus Lane on the outbound side of the Finglas Road/North Road from Glasnevin Cemetery. I believe it serves no useful purpose, is a poor use of road space and is a cause of considerable delay to traffic.
Last Friday, in the 25 minutes it took to travel from the cemetery to the Old Finglas Road junction, I cannot recall seeing any bus using the bus lane.
Due to the poor sequencing of traffic lights, traffic on the main road was delayed by vehicles entering from side roads and, in particular, the industrial estate.
Traffic turning right onto Old Finglas Road was also a cause of delay.
I believe the suspension of the bus lane (perhaps even for an experimental period) would greatly assist traffic flow in the area without causing any undue delay to public transport.
Happy to let you make the plea, but I wouldn't hold out much hope of a change.
The traffic tsars are determined to push motorists out of the city and leaving you steaming in a long line of traffic.
Staring at an empty bus lane is merely a little mental torture for motorists in their book.
Send your queries to Motors Helpdesk, The Irish Times, Tara Street, Dublin 2 or e-mail motorshelp@irish-times.ie