HELPDESK:Answering your motoring queries, writes MICHAEL McALEER
From RO’D:
We had a minor crash last month that left us facing a €900 bill for repairs to the front of a rented Micra. It was only a minor bump. The rental company showed all the paperwork and a mechanic friend said it seemed to be in line with what you have to pay these days. My problem is, why don’t these cars have proper bumpers? A minor tip and you need a new light cluster and entire front nose. It’s crazy.
The developments in pedestrian protection means that modern cars no longer need the bumpers of old, much to the delight of designers. Many cars now have more pliant front noses that can take a gentle brush from a wall and return to their original shape with only minor scrapes. It’s a serious problem, however, for owners and we’d have to agree that it does seem to lead to increased repair bills. Certainly on small cars used in urban areas where parking is tight, it makes sense to have a little protection on the front and back. In short, it’s time for car firms to bring back the bumpers.
From CR:
I’ve a Mini convertible that I’ve been looking to sell on with low mileage but the trade-in prices I've been offered are pretty low, certainly lower than I expected. I am looking for a low-mileage runabout with a bit of style. It’s not the main family car so the price would have to be reasonable. It doesn’t have to be a convertible either as we never really took the roof down that much. Ideally it would have more load space than the Mini as well. Any suggestions?
If you want to stick with something like the Mini, then its new Countryman crossover is worth a look. We had our doubts about this being little more than a desperate attempt to extend the Mini line-up, but a few hours behind the wheel last week has won us over. It has overcomes the space limitations of the regular Mini while retaining much of its character but adding in ample load space. It’s good fun to drive as well and priced competitively at €23,800 for the entry model, though the best buy is probably the Cooper D at €26,530.
Alternatively, you might consider the Kia Soul, a car with a lot of styling cues similar to a Mini but a lot more functional space. You can get the fully-loaded GSE model for €22,305.
In terms of selling your Mini, the problem is that convertible sales are minimal once the winter weather starts to arrive so dealers will be fearful of being stuck with the car until next spring. You might try a private sale to get a better price, or alternatively sit tight and wait until the weather improves and the prices for such cars pick up again.
- Send your queries to Motors Helpdesk, The Irish Times, Tara Street, Dublin 2 or e-mail motorshelp@irishtimes.com