Michael McAleer answers your queries
From Paddy Molloy:
Prices and inflation have gone mad. I lost both keys of my wife's 1999 Daihatsu Cuore. The total cost came to €762.52 - parts were €512.84 including VAT and labour came to €152.38. Cuore owners be warned. Insurance does not cover keys.
Mr Molloy sent us the documentation on this matter and we checked it with the OHM group, Daihatsu's Irish distributor. There are actually three keys with the car. It would seem that, while the loss of one merely means reprogramming the spare one and the immobiliser, if all keys are lost, the entire system needs to be replaced.
The cost also includes a towing charge, but the largest expense was for the immobiliser which came to €250.69. By all accounts this is actually quite cheap for this item.
According to OHM's Anthony Neville, while they appreciate the enormity of the cost, it's a price we have to pay for the improved security demanded by motorists these days. Previously, with only a simple locking system it would only have meant new barrel locks for the doors. But car buyers viewed this system as too insecure so immobilisers were installed.
From Seamus, Leixlip:
After the launch of the new Toyota Avensis, with lots of fanfare around March last, and as a long-standing Toyota user whose car was coming up for renewal, I did my shopping around and clinched a deal with my local dealer for an Avensis 1.8 Luna on April 11th.
It was indicated that there might be a short delay in delivery but that I should have the new car by June. June has come and gone, my dealer was getting no certainty from Toyota Ireland regarding delivery. The latest is that I might be lucky to get it by end August.
Frankly, I think this is a disgraceful performance by Toyota Ireland. It amounts to misleading advertising - there was no mention in advertising literature about such supply delays except, I think, in relation to the two-litre Strata due in September.
This is causing no end of inconvenience to me in terms of cost (having to renew tax on my existing car, undergo an NCT, possible renewal of tyres and spoiling my holiday plans for which I had hoped to have the new car). I'm sure I'm not the only one in this situation.
Ian Corbett of Toyota Ireland says there has been a large demand for the new Avensis and the inital allocation was primarily 1.6-litre models rather than 1.8-litres. "Traditionally we were stronger with Avensis in the 1.6-litre category," he says, "but the new model has proved particularly attractive to buyers of 1.8-litres. We have amended our orders, but there is a slight lag at the moment in getting delivery."
David McKown from Drogheda:
I write to highlight a familiar issue facing those trying to forge careers in the motorsport industry. Those serious about becoming motorsport professionals realise there's an academic requirement no matter what level they wish to reach. Masters degrees run by industry professionals and focusing on key industry areas are available and advice is abundant.
However, there's a widespread lack of funding for these courses. Even the dedicated bodies in the industry are not in a position to support these initiatives. I have personal experience of this - I've spent the past few months examining the most obscure of funding options to no avail.
I'm an automotive engineering graduate with a BEng and a HND and I have secured a place on the MSc in motorsport vehicle dynamics at Kingston University and Lotus Cars for the 03/04 academic year. I have formula student experience and my current motorsport involvement is through two of the most professional outfits in Irish motorsport; one is in a championship winning position in both rallying and, racing and together, they run two cars in the European-based Alfa Romeo 147 cup.
Those I have consulted tell me that I'm in the best possible position to achieve my aim of a successful career in the sport and that, upon graduation, I will be educated to the highest in industry design, development, evaluation and optimisation standards. Yet, I find my preparation for the course disrupted in search of funds. Sadly this is a common situation leading many to abandon studies before they even reach this level.
I would welcome advice from anyone in a position to help me in my search for funding or indeed anyone who can see the opportunity to steer my development according to their own needs.
We sympathise with David on the lack of sponsorship for those wishing to go pursue a master's degree, increasingly a requirement in the industry. Anyone with fresh ideas or ready cash can contact him at davidmckown@eircom.net
Send your queries to
Motors Help Desk, The Irish Times, Fleet Street, Dublin 2 - or e-mail them to motorshelp@irish-times.ie