Michael McAleer answers your queries
From Fergus Doyle:
My wife and I are expecting our third child next August. However, our Almera will not fit three child seats across the back seat properly. Are there any saloon cars in the mid to low price range available that would do so, or would I have to look at an MPV? I think that my available financing would stretch to a '01 or '02, at best.
While most saloons are now fitted with three fully operational three-point inertia reel seat belts in the back row, that seems to be less the case when it comes to the ISOFIX fittings, with normally only two fittings available on rear seats.
Yet you should be able to fit certain child seats into the back of most cars using the rear seatbelts.
However, with three children, and all the paraphernalia which accompanies them on their travels, perhaps the MPV option should be considered. While you might just find a saloon that can accommodate your three baby-seats in the back row, you'll need a trailer to carry all those prams and nappies.
For around €17,000, you should be able to secure a used '00 Hyundai Trajet 2-litre GLSi or an early version of the Opel Zafira. Our hope is that, given the expertise of our readership, we'll no doubt have a more informed answer for you next week.
From John Deasy:
My Mercedes Benz C180 was purchased new in September 2002. Before Christmas I noticed that the external mirror heaters are staying on all the time. After examining the car for a day and a half, the dealer said the mirror heaters are designed to stay on permanently. The mirror is now discoloured from the heat and is difficult to use. Have you any advice on where to go from here?
We have contacted MDL, the Irish importers for Mercedes Benz, and Ciaran Allen explains that "the heated mirrors are controlled by an ambient temperature sensor in each mirror.
"If the temperature is below 4 degrees the mirrors are heated automatically and if the temperature is above 4 degrees then heating function does not come into operation."
If the mirrors have started to discolour we suggest you return to the dealer and seek to have the heaters switched off or the sensors deactivated.
From Lloyd Courtney, Dún Laoghaire:
Do you think is there any way to get the powers that be to see the light and reduce the VRT and tax on smaller, more fuel-efficient cars as an encouragement to buy them?
To buy a new Smart Fortwo is about the same as a new Ford Fiesta. Which would you pick? Cars like this are designed for use in town and are infinitely more practical (and cooler) than all the BMW 5-series clogging the roads in the morning.
The short answer to your first question is: not likely. Tax policy on motorised transport is not very advanced from the principle that if it burns fuel to provide power, then it's worthy of punitive taxation. At present, cars under 1,400 cc are taxed at 22.5 per cent VRT. As to your second question, there is a case for these small models to carry more lenient tax regime, and even parking charges.
In Britain Smart's two-seater range qualifies for lower company car tax and the British equivalent of road tax. Both are due to its low CO2 emissions. The fortwo is categorised somewhere in the region of a motorbike. Here, the Government did take a more lenient view with regard to hybrids when the Toyota Prius first appeared on Irish roads, though this was largely the result of concerted campaigning by the Irish importer.
As yet Smart has not lobbied the Irish Government for special status. However, it's likely the Government will be unwilling to give rebates without political or public pressure, and to judge by the sale of fortwos here, the loss of a dozen votes will probably not be of primary concern to policymakers.
From Linda Gallagher, First Ireland Risk Management:
I refer to your query from Mr Garrett Findlay regarding Classic Car Insurance in Motors (February 25th). I am delighted to advise that we have been running a Classic Car Insurance Scheme for the last 15 years. We can offer your reader a quotation for a Classic Car, whether it is a second car or his main and only car.
The scheme offers numerous mileage options and comprehensive cover. The contact number is 01 882 0860.
We contacted Ms Gallagher after receiving this e-mail and she gave us a couple of sample quotes. Obviously they are concerned to keep it strictly for the classic car community and as such all applicants must be members of a classic car club and have a full clean driving licence and no claims bonus.
With that in mind, the prices quoted to us were: a 1.8-litre car over 20 years old and valued at up to €30,000 limited to 4,000 miles would cost €293 for comprehensive cover, but a main car would be required for this. Alternatively a 10,000 mile option on the same car with no main car required would cost €528. According to Ms Gallagher, the general market price for such an equivalent policy would be €948.
• Send your queries to
Motors Help Desk, The Irish Times, Fleet Street, Dublin 2 - or e-mail them to motorshelp@irish-times.ie