Michael McAleeranswers your questions
From D Dunne:
With the advent of many new models in the past few years, some sporting "panoramic glass roofs", can you say if there might be a safety concern in a vehicle with a glass roof in an accident, say in a roll-over scenario?
The new Alfa Romeo Brera is on my shopping list for a new car, but I would be a small bit concerned with a glass rather than a metal roof.
I would not be unduly concerned about the glass roof. Panoramic roofs are made of the same protective glass as car windscreens - and often they are further strengthened - so they are resistant to a certain degree of scraping and impact in a roll-over situation.
The cars in which they are fitted must undergo the same roll-over crash tests as others and legislation covering the strength of A and B-pillars means that in the case of a roll-over the roof structure - as with a convertible - must protect occupants in the same way that a metal roof would.
From Patrick E, Dublin:
I am not having much success in selling my 2005 Nissan X-Trail even though I have dropped the price to below what it's worth. I'm considering selling it at a car auction. Any advice?
The first thing to say is that, unfortunately, the price "it's worth" is determined by the market rather than the seller. I could not be sure that you will increase in value simply by selling through an auction.
This is usually a last resort for private buyers as the competition for sale is largely made up of models from the trade. The exception to this rule is when the car has specialist appeal. Prices then may well exceed what's offered by a dealer.
Dealers often use auctions to convert used car stock to cash quickly. You are competing with them for buyers and they often can take a bigger hit than you can.
Also most of the buyers are trade as well and if they opt for your X-Trail, you can be sure it will be for less than what similar cars are going for on forecourts in order that they can make a profit on the sale for themselves.
The details of selling at a car auction are straightforward. The auctioneer will advise you on when the car will go into the sale. A successful sale will mean you get a cheque for the car, minus the auction commission and entry price.
You will obviously be setting a reserve price, but if you set it too high you may not sell and face yet another loss in the way of your entry fee, which can be between €50 and €100.
Auctions are really only for those wishing to convert a car into cash quickly and prepared to take a hit on the price. You are very unlikely to walk away making the sort of price you seem to expect.
If you can't get the desired price through a private sale, then you're unlikely to get it at auction.
From Eoin Barrett:
I currently drive a 2002 Audi A4 1.9 TDi (130 bhp) Quattro that I bought in the UK last year. When allowing for VRT, exchange rate and travel expenses the total outlay was circa €18,000. Judging from current prices on some websites it could achieve a sale price of approx €20,000.
I was thinking of going back to the UK to buy a 2004 Saab 9-3 1.9 TiD Vector Sport (150 bhp). This model could be secured for €22,000 after exchange and VRT and this seems to be good value when comparing the price of similar models in Ireland.
My one concern is that the engine for this particular model is manufactured by Fiat and would not seem to have the build-quality/durability of those used in the Volkswagen /Audi group.
On the price of the A4, it's likely that while advertised prices are €20,000, that builds in some bargaining room. Be sure that if you go to sell at €20,000, potential buyers will be seeking to cut you down to €19,000 or lower as they would do with any dealer. Those prices are often listed by dealers who also offer a year's warranty with their sales, something you cannot offer. That will also impact on your potential sale price for the A4.
The Saab 9-3 is a good buy, but there are several on the market in Ireland already and they are a good buy used.
Your concern over the engine is largely unfounded. Whatever doubts you have about Fiat's build quality, the one item that rarely lets them down is their engines. Anecdotal evidence suggests that Fiat engines often last much longer than the cars in which they are housed. The 1.9-litre TiD is a well-established and respected diesel.
From G Dillon:
I am moving to a mountain region of southern France and given the remote location of my new house, I'm considering a couple of four-wheel-drive vehicles.
What I really need is some form of pick-up, but I would not be buying new. Any suggestions?
If it is practical pick-ups you are looking at, then two vehicles come to mind immediately.
The Land Rover Defender and Toyota HiLux would be the best options on the market at present. The latter is the favoured choice of drivers in some of the world's most challenging conditions. Indeed, Robert Fisk, in his book The Great War for Civilisation, refers to getting a lift through the Tora Bora mountains in a HiLux on the way to interview Osama Bin Laden. As the Toyota traverses the unforgiving terrain, his Al-Qaida driver tells him that "Toyota is good for Jihad".
I'm not suggesting you join that cause, but it's certainly a strong recommendation on the ability of the Toyota pick-up.
Send your queries to Motors Helpdesk, The Irish Times, Tara Street, Dublin 2, or e-mail motorshelp@irish-times.ie