Michael McAleeranswers your questions.
From TA, Co Wicklow:
I was planning to buy a new BMW 320i in the new year. Do the changes in VRT mean it's better to wait until next year to buy a new car?
It's too early to say for definite what impact the changes will have on car prices as the Government has only announced the start of the consultation process.
Given that you are opting for petrol, I think it's best if you buy now as if there is to be a strong move towards taxing new car prices based on CO2 emissions then petrol models will come out worse than their diesel equivalents.
From K McMorrow, Co Dublin:
Following on from the query by a reader moving to France, my family recently bought an apartment in Italy. We were hoping to buy a small car out there but other foreign owners have said that you can't own a car in Italy unless you are a resident for more than one year. Is it true?
This may have been the case several years ago but since 2003 - when the Italian government passed EU Directive 214 into law - you should have no problems.
Since you have purchased a property there, you will no doubt have received - or can get - an Italian social security number, similar to our PPS. You will need this to quote for insurance and tax purposes. Once you have that, there is nothing stopping you from owning a car in Italy, provided it is taxed and insured locally. You simply have to make a self-declaration to the local motor tax authorities that you own property in the town and then you are free to buy a car.
For those not buying but renting property, you need to stay in Italy for 185 days and declare this fact before you can be registered to buy a vehicle.
From J Walsh, Dublin:
I have a used Toyota Camry and it's been a pleasure to own these last four years. Apart from the usual servicing and maintenance I've never had a moment's trouble with it. However, I read in your paper some time ago that they have stopped selling them here.
Can I buy one in Britain or get one from somewhere else? I really don't want to change models.
As you mention, the Camry is no longer on sale in Ireland and it has been withdrawn from the European market entirely. You should be able to pick up a used version from dealers here or in Britain but after that you will be restricted to a Japanese import.
My advice is to seek out an import or perhaps consider a change of car. While it's not as big as the Camry, the Honda Accord offers similar levels of comfort and practicality, and the Touring version has a truly massive boot.
From A Doyle:
My son is a big car fan and I was wondering if you have any advice on a good motoring book?
There are plenty on offer, though the quality can vary greatly.
You could get him a road safety book, but that's a bit like getting your wife an ironing board; it sends all the wrong signals about your opinion of his driving.
In many cases the general motoring books largely comprise page after page of images and very little reading.
The Top Gear team all have books on sale at present and they often provide a humorous slant on the motoring world, but for a more insightful read you can't beat LJK Setright's Drive On!: a social history of the motor car.
Setright was one of the most forthright motoring writers of his time and the book is not your typical mechanic's guide but an insightful tour through the social and economic impact of the car.
He even manages to make a chapter on the history of tyres into an enjoyable read, and that's no mean feat. The author has sadly passed away, but the book should be available in larger bookstores.
There is also a very good biography of Enzo Ferrari on sale at present by Richard Williams.
Finally, Richard Feast's Kidnap of the Flying Lady: How Germany Captured Both Rolls-Royce and Bentley is a great buy for those with an interest in the intrigues of the business world as well as the car industry.
From J Steele:
I'm looking to buy either a new Opel Corsa or a Peugeot 207. I've read that both have dramatically increased in size of late. As I'm getting out of a 1.6-litre VW Golf from 2001, I'm worried these cars will be underpowered in comparison. Are they too heavy for the small engines on offer?
Of the two cars you are looking at, the Corsa is more powerful when you compare their 1.4-litre engine offerings. If you stick with these options you are going to notice a fall in power, particularly if you opt for anything smaller than the 1.4-litre engines. Both are heavier than their predecessors, but with the Corsa at least, the performance does not seem to have suffered dramatically in response. It's a much better car than before.
Send your queries to Motors Helpdesk, The Irish Times, Tara Street, Dublin 2, or e-mail motorshelp@irish-times.ie