Beat the snow with a four-wheel-drive

HELPDESK:All your motoring queries answered

From J Murphy:

I currently drive a 2008 Nissan Tiida 1.5 diesel SE. However the current weather, along with similar weather earlier this year and last year, is making me think I should change to a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

Can you recommend a suitable vehicle to cope with the wintry weather? I accept that a four-wheel-drive does have its limitations but I think anything which makes my commute safer should be considered before I change my car.

Given that you’re currently driving a Tiida (really, you bought a Tiida with your hard-earned cash?) I’m taking a budget figure of about €20,000, including whatever you will get on trade-in.

Ideally I would point you towards the Ford Kuga, which has a 2.0 TDCi Zetec version with all-wheel-drive for €30,840. You might pick up a used one within your budget but there doesn’t seem to be many used ones on sale with all-wheel-drive at present.

Alternatively you could opt for the likes of a 4WD Suzuki Terios for €18,980.

In reality you are probably better looking at the used car market, where you can pick up the likes of a well-equipped 2008 Toyota Rav4 with four-wheel drive for about €20,000.

From I O’Toole:

We are looking to change our car and are looking for your thoughts. We currently drive a 2005 Volvo XC90 2.4L diesel. We are a one-car family with two school-aged children. We are debating buying another SUV or perhaps an estate. Seven seats are not a necessity.

We are mindful of emissions and would like to stay under 225g/km and possibly even 190g/km. We live on a road with tight parking, so parking sensors are important. Budget would be similar to the Volvo.

If you are prepared to sacrifice the third row of seats then one car immediately springs to mind: the new 5-Series Touring. For €48,000 you will get the 520d SE with automatic transmission, leather, front and rear parking sensors and annual motor tax of €156, due to emissions of only 139g/km. It might be long and spacious inside, but it’s not as wide as the XC90, so that should help with parking.

It’s spacious, family friendly and well-priced. You should be looking at getting about €19,000 for your own car – depending on its condition – and that should keep the costs down.

From A Brennan:

The cable that controls the horizontal movement of the driver’s seat of my 2004 Renault Megane snapped recently.

A simple task to fit a new one – or so you would think. Not so. The same cable controls recline and height adjustment – though these are unaffected. Still, not too onerous a task, I hear you say. It isn’t until you hear the price – €190 for the cable alone. This cable used to cost about €60 until it was “re-designed” by Renault. Could they not just leave well enough alone? Can anyone suggest an alternative remedy?

It took quite a few emails to clear this issue up, but Renault now says it was “an anomaly” on its parts pricing system and the real cost should have been €38.01 plus VAT and fitting. You can get it fitted at this correct price.

This case once again proves that you should always query bills that seem too high.

Send your queries to Motors Helpdesk, The Irish Times, Tara St, Dublin 2 or email motorshelp@irishtimes.com