Michael McAleer answers your queries
From M O'Dea:
We've been looking at the new Nissan Primera automatic, with reversing camera as standard. My daughter will be learning to drive next year and it would be a great help if she was able to use something like that. Can one do a driving test in the Primera and use the camera? A friend says you need a manual transmission and you can't use parking assistance or cameras during the test. Is this true?
First, if your daughter passes her test in this car, her licence will only be for automatics - she will still be a provisional driver on manual models. However, passing the test in a manual car gives a licence for both manuals and automatics.
Our advice is, if possible, learn with a manual and do the test with it, so as not to limit yourself in the future.
On reversing cameras, you may use such devices in the test, so long as they are not the only thing you use. If the instructor notes that you failed to turn around and look out the rear window yourself, or that you depended solely on the camera, it's likely you could fail the reversing element of the test.
If your daughter is learning to drive in the Primera, it's vital you get her to apply basic control procedures. She is unlikely to drive an automatic with a reversing camera all her life, so it's best to get her acquainted with the basics first.
From Jim Doherty:
I'm thinking of buying a diesel passenger 4x4, either a used 2003 Range Rover, a new Toyota Landcruiser LWB or a new Volkswagen Touareg. I have €65,000 to €70,000 as my budget - I will be leasing this amount which will hopefully include a balloon payment of around €20,000 to keep monthly payments down.
Which car would be the better buy, considering depreciation, re-sale, running costs etc. Occasionally I will need to put the rear seats down in order to carry goods.
The most dramatic depreciation occurs when you drive a new car off the forecourt so, if net resale value is your main concern than the used Range Rover will probably cause you the least financial pain.
However, it's worth noting that the other vehicles are strong on resale: the Land Cruiser for off-road strength and popularity with those who actually go off-road; and the Touareg for strong image and popularity with the urban SUV set.
About carrying goods, the LWB LandCruiser offers the best space in the rear. However, as you say this is not required very often so residual value remains the most important issue for you.
It's the sort of dilemma many of us would love to face, but perhaps the 2003 Range Rover offers the best chance to keep the depreciation hit at a minimum.
From L. McHugh:
Can you briefly explain the situation regarding car warranties? I find the whole thing quite confusing.
Warranties are widely misunderstood. Even sales staff can be confused about them. Basically, new cars can come with up to three types of warranty.
All warranties will have the maker's general warranty, some may have an extended warranty and all have an anti-corrosion warranty.
The maker's warranty generally ranges from one to three years, coving replacement of defective parts which by their nature fails prematurely. The car must be brought to the maker's authorised dealer who will not charge for parts or labour.
Specific terms and conditions vary with each maker, but most require that routine services be completed properly at the intervals outlined in the booklet.
However, be warned. If the fault cannot be attributed to the maker but is due to work carried out by anyone inside or outside the approved network of repairers, the warranty no longer stands. In these cases, the customer must seek redress from the outlet which did the work.
Warranties don't usually cover parts with expire from wear and tear - wipers, tyres, shocks, upholstery etc. Warranties usually refer to such exclusions.
Some distributors and dealers offer "extended warranties" which may have different terms, conditions and restrictions from the maker's warranty.
Anti-corrosion warranties effectively cover rust. To maintain warranty entitlement, makers may ask that damage to the body be rectified if there's potential for rust and that the body and underfloor be checked at the various service intervals.
Finally, always remember that a warranty is a right for the consumer to seek redress for a fault and is in addition to other consumer rights. It is presumed that goods sold are of merchantable quality. If they fail to meet standards, various consumer rights come into play, but the nearer to the date of sale that the fault occurred the more likely it was the maker's fault.
Send your queries to
Motors Help Desk, The Irish Times, Fleet Street, Dublin 2 - or e-mail them to motorshelp@irish-times.ie