Michael McAleer answers your queries
From Maria Walsh:
I would be grateful to receive your recommendations for cars that will comfortably accommodate two rear seat passengers each of whom is over 6 ft. I am working on a budget of €14,000 or less and I generally prefer to buy older low mileage cars and avoid heavy depreciation.
We're going to make some assumptions about your intended purchase. We take it you are not looking for a 4x4 or a people carrier, but rather a regular saloon or hatchback.
With that in mind there are several options on the market, though the price tag and mileage will restrict your market.
Two cars come to mind immediately if its a family car you're after: the Skoda Octavia and Toyota Camry. Neither would be described as exciting or dynamic, but both can cater for taller rear seat passengers and if you look to models from 2001 and 2002 you may just be able to pick up a deal.
Your best hope is with the Octavia. We recently came across an '02 model in the south of the country with 30,000 miles on the clock and on sale at €13,650.
Camrys are harder to find with low mileage under €14,000 and you are probably looking at closer to €16,000 for a good quality 2001-2002 version. However, prices vary considerably depending on the area of the country and its best to shop around. Also carefully check the history of both cars: the Camry and Octavia are popular taxis.
If it's a town runaround you are looking for, then cast your eye on the Honda Jazz (€12,000-€14,000 for an 02 model with 15,000-20,000 miles). In general cars have grown bigger in recent years, but the average pre-2000 saloon is still a bit cramped for a six-footer in the back over a long journey.
From William Roe, Mullingar:
I found Bob Montgomery's article (April 7th) quite interesting, but especially the accompanying photograph.
Unless I am mistaken, it was of a dark green Hillman Minx which was involved in an accident with a bus, at the junction of Palmerston Road and Belgrave Road in Rathmines sometime around 1948. The out-of-service bus (and perhaps the car) skidded on the tramlines, and rammed the car into the corner of a low wall. Miraculously, the woman driver was thrown into the back seat, but survived.
For a good few years thereafter, the tramlines and cobblestones remained on Palmerston Road, even though trams hadn't run on them for years - and of course the Harcourt Street line was still working in those days. Déjà vu.
Just crossing the Abbey St lines on foot recently, the metal tram lines seemed particulary slippy.
Given the rather weak warnings to cyclists and motorbikers to be careful when crossing the lines, we suspect they are probably going to cause a few problems in the coming months as the Luas system is rolled out.
Trams mix with cyclists and motorists in the Netherlands and other European cities, but that's largely through years of experience and awareness.
We hope an information campaign will accompany the arrival of the trams this summer (or whenever) informing other road users of the dangers and implications of the Luas tracks.
Lets hope it doesn't end up feeding our litigious culture even more.
From Tony Savage:
It occurs to me that a used police motorcycle might well fit the bill for somebody seeking a well-specified touring-type machine.
Such a vehicle might be expected to have been carefully ridden by well-trained and responsible professionals, and to have a first class service history. Do you agree?
John Wheeler advises: "Having owned two ex-police Pan European ST 1100s, I would suggest that the advantage over well-maintained civilian model is marginal.
"The ex-police machine will inevitably have a higher than average mileage. They are usually retired around the 35,000 mile mark.
"After some use you could well find the timing belt needs replacement. Most are used in heavy traffic conditions, so replacement clutch plates could soon be needed.
"Steering-head bearings may well need replacing around 50,000 miles. Despite these apparent drawbacks both my ST 1100s did over 30,000 miles in 12 months and were sold on for virtually their initial cost price - excluding VRT and the above replacements."
From Julian Finnerty, Galway:
With reference to your comments that a senior member of Government was worried about the roads teeming with newly licensed drivers in the (unlikely) event they did manage to overcome the current waiting list (for driving tests), I thought it funny, when you compare the current situation, where the roads are teeming with unlicensed drivers.
Send your queries to: Motors Help Desk, The Irish Times, Fleet Street, Dublin 2 - or e-mail them to motorshelp@irish-times.ie