SLIM SPARES/SAAB owners and drivers aren't unhappy about the space-saver tyre, according to Anthony Neville, the marketing manager of Scanveco, the Irish Saab importers.
Last week in the Help Desk we reported Scanveco as saying that not every Saab customer was happy with the arrangement.
"I apologise if you were inadvertently given the wrong impression," says Neville. "In fact we do not find any level of concern among Saab owners about the spare wheel. As you know, most manufacturers now offer the space saver tyre as standard. Motorists appreciate the many benefits of the wheel which far outweigh the one minor disadvantage."
He lists advantages such as ease of handling, more boot space and cost - and points out that the space saver is cheaper than a full-sized alloy wheel.
"When Minister McCreevy's taxes are added the difference becomes significant." He can think of only one small disadvantage, the speed limit of 50 mph until a garage or tyre repair spot is reached - "but it's hardly a major inconvenience . . . just 10 mph below the national speed limit and 20 mph over the urban limit."
Possibly a better solution would be the run-flat tyre, an apparently clever idea that never really took off. Dunlop introduced a run-flat tyre called Denovo about a quarter of a century ago. But it was too expensive and most makers weren't interested in fitting it as original equipment. It was, however, fitted to one version of the Mini as an optional extra. Even then makers said that the incidence of punctures was greatly reduced.
David Hemmings from Dublin asks if run-flat tyres are still sold here. Conor Horgan for Semperit says that a tyre, jointly produced by Semperit and Bridgestone, will have run-flat qualities.
BUBBLE CARS
Can anyone help Robert Ardagh who has written from London? He is researching bubble cars which proliferated on the Irish market in the late 1950s.
"There apparently were a lot of them in Eire (sic) like Heinkel and Isetta. I am particularly interested in Heinkel because it was Irish assembled." Heinkel was actually assembled in the old Great Northern Railway works in Dundalk.
Perhaps there are some folk still around who worked there and could help Ardagh: he says he may write a book on the subject.
Some years ago we asked if there were Heinkels still in working order and the response was amazing. Quite a lot of people still have them, mostly in working order.
The bubble car was a response to the Suez crisis when for a time it looked as if we might not drive big or bigger cars again. The original Mini which was launched in 1959 was also a response to that crisis. The old British Motor Corporation felt that a small car on four wheels was a much more attractive proposition and more commercially appealing. How right they were.
MODIFIED MOTORS
Martin Moore from Ashbourne, Co Meath, was interested that MOTORS last week mentioned a "modified " car show held last March . He would like to have known about it and also about the classic car show held two weeks ago in the grounds of Terenure College, Dublin. "Perhaps you could run a column listing events such as this in Motors each week?" We'll certainly consider it. Where possible we do try to mention forthcoming motor events.
Moore is also wondering what happened to the Irish motor show which used to be held at the RDS. He recalls that it was discontinued because of "falling car sales". He wants us to start a campaign to bring back the motor show and put pressure on the SIMI.
The hierarchy of the SIMI would be keen to revive the show, which always enjoyed huge attendances. But there's no enthusiasm with most importers and distributors. They cite the enormous cost of building stands, over €2 million in some cases. They feel this money could be better spent in other promotional activity.
NEW MAZDA
James Kilmartin from Co Westmeath asks us if the successor to the Mazda 626 has been launched here yet: "I read good reports about it in the English press. I have owned a 626 and it was probably the most reliable car I ever owned in 35 years of motoring."
Well, the 626's successor, called simply the 6, is in Irish Mazda dealerships now. The saloon model has been here since the end of June, the hatchback is just now arriving and the Sports Wagon comes in the middle of next month.
The 6 has indeed had a enthusiastic reception. Mazda6 ex-works prices start at €24,640. There are three petrol engines, 1.8, 2.0 and 2.3 litres as well as a 2.0 litre turbodiesel.
DIESEL DELIGHTS
James Wilkinson from Dublin is a great fan of diesel motoring. He has a BMW 320d and it gives him "a delightful blend of economy and performance." What, he wonders, if the diesel share of the Irish new car market? Is it going up?
The diesel share of new car sales is now around 15 per cent and it has climbed significantly in the past year. It was at about 12 per cent. But we are a long way behind countries such as Austria where diesels account for over 60 per cent of new cars sold.
The growth of diesel motoring is quite a remarkable development. Diesel is hugely acceptable now and even glamorous cars with coupé and sports profiles are marketed with diesel engines.