Michael McAleer answers your queries
From David Tobin:
I have a query in relation to a piece in last week's Motors in relation to a price drop Nissan are planning on the 350Z model.
I was a bit shaken after reading the article having just purchased a used 04 350Z last week based on it being bought new for €65,000.
So now I am deeply worried of the drop in value and feel that I could be literally out of pocket by €10,000.
Also I would just like to state that I am not a hugely wealthy person who can just walk in and buy one of these cars and not worry about the money. I am a big car enthusiast and have worked very hard saving to be able to get this beautiful 350Z. And now a week after I read this.
I was wondering about the comment in the article that said existing 350Z owners would be looked after when trading in.
Maybe if this is the case then I have no need to worry and can come away with a new 05 but I am just very anxious at the moment.
Nissan Ireland says that it is dealing with each owner on an individual case-by-case basis. Paul O'Sullivan, marketing director of Nissan Ireland says he has since been in touch with you.
"All negotiations will be between individuals and ourselves. Our ultimate goal is to look after our customers and we hope to retain as many customers as possible."
It seems that if you bought from a Nissan dealer - even a used model - then a deal is likely to be reached.
However, Mr O'Sullivan declined to offer any reassurance to those who bought imported models. "We will be looking after our own customers first and foremost. The others ultimately come from competitors."
From David Nisbet:
What is all the hysteria about metrication and speedometers? Any car I have been in for many years now has had a dual display.
I admit that the metric part may be difficult to read on the road, but it should not be beyond the competence of the average motorist to maintain the correct speed.
As for resale value, I would not be put off buying a second hand car just because it had an "old-fashioned" speedometer.
I concur that it should not be beyond the competence of the average motorist to equate the km/h speed with the mph speed reading on their clock. However, in most instances this is a rather imprecise guide in small numerals under the larger numbers. Provided you stay under 30mph in a 50 km/h area you are fine and stay around 35mph in a 60 km/h again you should avoid a ticket.
However, it's when you stray slightly over these limits that you can suffer. While the Garda has not commented on whether or not they operate a zero tolerance approach, it is conceiveable that you could slip over 37mph in a 60km/h zone and find yourself with at least two points.
As for the impact on residuals, it is less a practical problem than an image thing. Of course, having a km/h clock will make it much easier to monitor your speed, but it also means you're car will seem more modern than one with mph, despite there being perhaps only a few months in the difference. It is like having a car registered in December 04 rather than January 05. We all know it's only a matter of weeks, but the perception is a twelve month gap. Logic goes out the window in many instances here.
Send your queries to
Motors Help Desk, The Irish Times, Fleet Street, Dublin 2 - or e-mail them to motorshelp@irish-times.ie