Michael McAleer answers your questions
From Aoife Ryan:
I bought a brand-new Mazda3 1.4 5-door Touring a year ago which I absolutely love - the spec is great and it's a lovely car to drive. But in 12 months I've put almost 40,000km on the clock because of my long work commute.
The work location isn't going to change, and my car is losing huge value because of the high mileage. Should I keep it for a few years or change it in August 06 with my SSIA money. If so, what do I go for? I heard that Toyota has a new 1.4 Corolla diesel - is this an option?
If it's any consolation, the greatest single depreciation you've suffered was when you drove it off the forecourt. While 40,000km seems incredible upon first sight, it's actually only about 25,000 miles, which is high for such a small car, but not excessive.
An expert in the industry suggests that you should cut your losses in January, when the car will have reached around 45,000km and get yourself a diesel. You may want to wait until August, but it's best if you keep the mileage below 50k. There's a difference in perceptions about petrols and diesels. With smaller petrol engines high mileage is penalised.
As for what to buy, there are several small diesels on the market that would suit you well. Toyota's 1.4-litre D-4D diesel Corolla is well worth a test drive and given your high mileage it may prove the most reliable operator on your long commute.
Alternatively, you may want to stick with the Mazda3, in which case take a look at the 1.6-litre diesel on offer there. It has a similar power output to your current petrol version, though it does cost a bit more.
From Kevin F Curran:
I'm not surprised to read results of research about the dangers of SUVs for pedestians but I notice the ever increasing number of SUVs in Dublin with full or partial bull bars.
Are these bars legal and if so why? I can understand why farmers may need them but surely they are lethal in a urban setting.
We've answered this question in the last year or so, but happily revisit it again. It's still not illegal, though there are plans within the EU to introduce a directive on standards for frontal protection systems.
The plan would be to ban bull-bars from the front of vehicles put on sale from the date of introduction of this standard. In truth, it's only when the manufacturers stop fitting them - either during or post-production - that you are going to notice a reduction in their numbers.
While bull-bars serve a purpose if you're warding off charging rhinos in Zimbabwe or organising a coup in Equatorial Guinea, there are not many wildebeeste roaming through the shopping centres in Sandymount or Montenotte in Cork.
Bearing in mind that the design of a modern car is such that the bonnet and windscreen should provide a cushion if a pedestrian is struck, these bars block off this potential safety feature.
Without the bars, several of the SUVs are already scoring very low on the Euro NCAP ratings for pedestrian safety. With them - and the requisite set of spotlights - attached, these cars can actually be lethal.
From F Quinn:
My 14-year-old son wants a quad bike for Christmas. I've heard about various accidents involving them in the recent past and I'm concerned about their safety. Is he too young?
It seems a bit of a cop-out, but it really depends on your son. In the wrong hands they can of course be lethal. Then again, so can an ordinary bicycle.
Ozzy Osbourne is perhaps the most celebrated victim of the quad bike. For a man who has diced with death and proved indestructible to chemical doses that could comatose a herd of cattle, the thought of Ozzy in safety gear seems anathema.
Yet Osbourne is perhaps a bad example. From his TV persona it would seem he can hardly handle a remote control never mind a cross-terrain bike capable of 80mph.
It all goes back to basic training. Children as young as four can ride these bikes safely, if they get the proper safety equipment and training. Invariably problems arise when people don't bother with the training and jump straight onto the likes of the 660cc Yamaha Raptor, a bike with the equivalent acceleration of a good two-litre car, without learning the basics on a smaller bike.
Today, a huge range of four-wheeled ATV models is available, from small 50cc quads capable of 25-30 mph, designed for kids of four years and upwards, to the ultimate 660cc sports models used by racers. Prices here range from €1,630 to €12,000-plus for a standard Yamaha Raptor or Polaris, a firm better known for its military hardware.
Although retailers advise purchasers on basic safety instructions and recommend that riders wear the proper padding and helmets, there's no licence required and few ways to encourage people to ride them wisely. If you're going to spend €6,000 or more on a bike the least you can do is spend another €300 on a helmet and body armour.
Common sense, as with all motor vehicles, is the key. If your son will wear the safety equipment and take on board the training you will invariably get him to take, then he should be fine. Most quality retailers will be able to suggest a good training programme.
Send your ueries to Motors Help Desk, The Irish Times, Fleet Street, Dublin 2 - or e-mail to motorshelp@irish-times.ie