Michael McAleer answers your questions
From Gerard Roche:
I am interested in buying a second-hand MPV which will double up not only as a people carrier but also as a delivery van.
I would prefer if the seats could be stowed away in the vehicle rather than taken out. I would consider a new vehicle if needs be. Any suggestions?
If stowing the seats on board is your criteria then there's really three potential buys we'd suggest. First is the Opel Zafira, with its flexispace seating. It was the first to come up with this ingenious seating arrangement and there's nothing better on the market as yet.
Others have followed it and are worth a look. In particular, our current favourite is the Toyota Corolla Verso.
A more recent entry is the new Mazda5, though it only has six seats rather than the seven of the other two.
However, it does feature a foldaway seating arrangement (we will have a road test of the Mazda5 next week).
Though you mention you would consider a new vehicle, perhaps you could also look to the used market. There may be a few Versos on the market by now, though we reckon it will be next year before you really see them featuring in the classifieds, but there are plenty of Zafiras to choose from.
If you are looking for heavy mileage however, I would suggest you opt for diesel.
From Alex McDonnell:
The wipers on my Alfa Romeo are very noisy particularly when it is raining intermittently. Any solution?
There is a serious problem with scum on the windscreen when using wipers. Additives to windscreen wash do not solve the problem.
From P Carroll:
Please help! I parked my car under trees during the summer and now have a Vaseline-type resin on my windscreen.
It is a nightmare to drive with it, especially when it is raining and/or dark. I have tried everything to remove it - washing up liquid, detergent, special windscreen cleaner, white spirit, power hosing, scrubbing, rubbing - you name it, I've tried it. But it's still there.
You can actually see the wipers whipping it back and forth across the glass. You are my last resort - short of replacing the windscreen.
I'm going to try and answer both at once: methylated spirits.
We contacted Alfa directly with regard to Mr McDonnell's query and the wiper experts there suggest that meths could be the answer to the squeaking blades. However, they also suggest you check and see if the blades need replacing - they may be worn.
As for Mr Carroll's query, meths should also work to shift the gunge from the windscreen. Again the advice would be that prevention is a better protection. Parking under trees is not good for a car for a number of reasons. While resin is the problem here, there's also the problem with bird droppings.
These can do serious damage to the paintwork if left untouched for a long time.
Send your queries to Motors Help Desk, The Irish Times, D'Olier St, Dublin 2 - or e-mail to motorshelp@irish-times.ie