Michael McAleer answers your queries
From Jerry Mc Carthy:
Can you tell me if the V W Sharan is being renewed this year? I've been told by a reputable source not directly involved with the motor trade that a new model was to be unveiled at the Geneva show and would be coming on the Irish market later this year.
Seat has told a main dealer that the Alhambra is not changing. I'd appreciate if you could help me on this one.
I don't know where your source got his or her information but the Volkswagen Sharan had a minor facelift last year - with air-conditioning added to the front and rear - so there are no plans for a new version in the short-term. Certainly it was not on show at Geneva.
As for the Seat, it received a minor facelift over two years ago and no change is expected before 2007. Given the relationship between the two firms (Seat is controlled by VW), a new-look Alhambra is unlikely before a new Sharan arrives.
From Brian Collins:
I want to raise an issue which I'm sure will affect more and more people in the future. I recently sold my relatively new car which was valued at €20,000. I've attempted to buy an old VW Golf privately. This car is a 1998 example but in perfect condition and a bit of a bargain.
The problem is that it's not currently under an NCT but has been checked over and everything is spot on, so I'm confident it will breeze through the NCT. I called my insurance broker but he has informed me that no insurance companies will touch a car without a valid NCT certificate.
I'm a genuine motorist who has never driven without tax or insurance or NCT - if required - but I find myself in a position where the insurance company will not even allow me drive this car from the seller's house to an NCT test centre to get it past the test and the seller has neither the time nor interest in doing this for me.
So it leaves me missing out due to the insurance companies.
Surely the insurance companies should allow a short period of grace when a person buys a car to allow them put it through the NCT.
It would seem the only solution is to pay someone to tow the car to the NCT centre for the test. It does seem to be a little pedantic on the part of the insurance company, but I suppose it fears opening itself up to any sort of risk that people will abuse the situation and drive without an NCT.
From Ken Mawhinney:
According to motorway signs, L-drivers are prohibited from driving on our motorways. But what exactly is an L-driver? Does this mean, for example, that drivers on a provisional driving licence should not be on motorways?
If so, have the Gardai been carrying out checks on the M50 and the other motorways? Or is there a likelihood that they will?
No one is allowed onto the motorway network without a full driving licence. That means learner drivers.
Provisional drivers should not be on the motorways.
Of course, there is an anomaly in the whole system in that if they don't get experience on the motorways, and are not accessed on this increasingly important element, then we end up with qualified drivers who don't know what they are doing when they are on the motorway.
To judge by the number of L-plates on the M50 and M1 these days it would seem to be a rule that's going rather unchecked.
From J Mills:
What's the cheapest SUV on the market at the moment? I'm imterested and I have a budget of under €30,000.
Don't laugh, but it's the Fiat Panda 4x4 climbing. I know it sounds like some kind of April fool's joke, but by all reports the little Panda is a feisty off-roader.
I haven't driven it yet, but Motors writer Justin Hynes was at the launch some months back and still speaks fondly of the eager little Italian.
However, it might not suit the image you are wishing to portray. If that is the case, you might want to look to the Suzuki Grand Vitara starting at €22,795 for a 1.6-litre three-door, the Toyota Rav4 beginning at €28,450 for a 1.8-litre 3dr.
If you're doing more than crossing pavements and actually want to go off-roading, then the best bet is the Land Rover Defender, with the hard-top version starting at €26,150. These are not only one of the toughest beasts around, but they have also become quite fashionable of late.
There are others you should look at from the likes of Hyundai as well, which fit your price bracket, but none will match the capabilities of the Defender in the rough and tumble for that price.
Also take a look at the opportunity to get a commercial version if you are using it for work. The punitive Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) is 13.3 per cent for these as opposed to 22.5 per cent, 25 per cent or 30 per cent for normal cars. The downside is the limited seating.
Send your queries to
Motors Help Desk, The Irish Times, Fleet Street, Dublin 2 or e-mail them to motorshelp@irish-times.ie