MICHAEL McALEER answers your questions.
From Michael Coyle, Dublin 18:
I'd like to add my tuppence worth to the recent update you gave on the issue of digital maps of Ireland and SatNav car navigation devices.
I have a Garmin eTrex GPS handset and am on my third version of Garmin MapSource s/w which covers all of western Europe.
Different parts of Europe are covered to different levels of detail; in general Great Britain, France, Germany and Italy are covered down to the individual address, so you can see every street in every town and all of the major and minor roads. Coverage of other countries varies. The map of Ireland has Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick to a very good level of detail, but otherwise you're looking at just the main roads.
In the case of Ireland, I've been told by that the biggest impetus for improved coverage was the fact that motoring tourists were complaining to their car dealers when they went home that as soon as they drove into Connemara or West Cork the SatNav map display went blank.
What happens next is the car company then applies pressure on the company whose devices are fitted to their cars. Bear in mind the old adage: 'the squeakiest hinge gets the grease.' Therefore, if you are unhappy with the coverage of Ireland, complain to the company who produced the device, it's not the fault of Ordnance Survey Ireland.
It seems like the most obvious advice in the world - something I've become a relative expert in dishing out in the past few years - but car buyers should do just as you say - complain.
Sometimes it's the only way to get things done.
From T Mooney, Dublin:
What's the rule on driving with L-plates on the motorways? In particular, the move towards cutting the letter L out of the white background so it becomes less noticeable?
The rules are clear: you can't drive on the motorway if you only hold a provisional licence.
Of course, those drivers with L-plates may not necessarily be learner drivers; it may be someone else insured on the car.
However, I share your doubts about this being the case in the majority of instances where you see L-plates on the motorway.
As for the L-plates themselves, they are sold the way they should be displayed, so no, they can't be tailored to suit the preferred design of the motorist.
From Ciara Harrington:
I am a regular reader of the Motors supplement and whereas I fantasise about driving a Ferrari the reality is I need an eight-seater car.
Do you know of any eight-seater on the market that doesn't look like a mini-bus?
I'd greatly appreciate any suggestions you can make to solve this problem.
Sadly the answer has to be a qualified no. There's simple maths and physics involved, and eight into anything other than a dressed-up minibus simply doesn't go. There is perhaps one alternative: the SUV market. Yes, I know this goes against all the basic principles about not recommending SUVs for the commuter market, but the only vehicle we can think of that doesn't resemble a minibus is the Toyota Landcruiser which can be ordered with eight seats.
And before the e-mails start flooding in about the fact I'm always praising the LandCruiser, the simple fact is that in this case it really does warrant consideration.
The downside, and one that is insurmountable for many, is that it starts at over €65,000 and even the used versions are quite expensive. There are cheaper alternatives if you are prepared to sacrifice your hatred of the mini-van look, but if you want sports car looks then I'm afraid you'll have to either opt for the Toyota, buy the people carrier or go for the Ferrari and send the rest of the clan on public transport.
Send your queries to Motors Helpdesk, The Irish Times, D'olier St, Dublin 2 - or e-mail motorshelp@irish-times.ie