Author: Ray Magliozzi
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Car Talk: Even if rebuilt, old cars aren’t as safe as modern cars
Dear Car Talk: My friend Rick just told me that he and his wife are expecting their first child. Rick wants to buy a 1960-’64-era Ford Falcon … he plans to add electronic ignition, improve the suspension and put on disc brakes. In short, he thinks he can make a car of that vintage a…
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Car Talk: Dealer shops versus independent mechanics
Dear Car Talk: Until recently, I have had my new Toyota Avalon serviced every 5,000 miles at the dealer for free. Now that it is 2 years old, the 5,000-mile services will no longer be free. What is your thought on having them done by an independent mechanic, if I can find one? I recently…
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Car Talk: Stop-start retrofit is costly and difficult
Dear Car Talk: Would you recommend that a “stop and go” feature be added to my car, a 2014 Subaru Forester? By “stop and go,” I mean a feature that shuts off the engine when you pull up to a stoplight and automatically starts the engine again when you press on the accelerator. — Don…
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Car Talk: The lone advantage of manual transmissions is fun
Dear Car Talk: My wife and I have been driving Japanese cars with manual transmissions for decades. They’re fun to drive, more fuel-efficient, and they never break. Plus, the once-in-a-lifetime clutch repair is a fraction of the cost of repairing an automatic transmission, if the horror stories I’ve read are any indication. My wife has…
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Car Talk: Synthetic versus regular motor oil
Dear Car Talk: I am an old geezer who probably has lived through 100 or more oil changes in my lifetime, always using regular motor oil. Now I own a 2014 Honda CR-V that I bought used with about 10,000 miles on it, and it’s due for an oil change. The previous owner used synthetic…
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Car Talk: No need to turn off ac when driving on steep grades
Dear Car Talk: I’m hoping you can settle a family dispute. You see, my wife and I have come a long way since our college days at UC Davis, when we drove a 1967 Mercury Cougar. It was a great car, especially since gas was 75 cents a gallon, except it would overheat on every…
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Car Talk: Engine oil leak doesn’t necessarily spell death for car
Dear Car Talk: I have a 2002 Subaru Forester with about 135,000 miles that I love so much. About four months ago, I had the head gaskets replaced for $3,300. The mechanic said, “Oh, what a great car — it will keep going now for another 60,000 miles.” At the next oil change, he said…
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Car Talk: Trend alert-Compact crossovers are the next big thing
Dear Car Talk: Do you hear from many moms who miss their minivans? I transitioned to a Pontiac Vibe eight years ago, after driving minivans for 15 years. Although I enjoy the Vibe, and it has been a good vehicle, I miss sitting higher, as well as being able to sit four adults comfortably. Plus,…
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Car Talk: Slipping transmission needs to be replaced
Dear Car Talk: We love our 2000 Volvo V70 and know she’s getting old and in need of some TLC. We use her mainly as an in-town second car, and as a tow vehicle when traveling. Her transmission, a five-speed automatic, slips periodically, but she has only 207,000 miles. We had the tranny “superflushed” with…
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Car Talk: Stick versus automatic when learning to drive
Dear Car Talk: I’m a single mom, and I have four children (three boys and a girl) who will all be driving in the next two to five years. I want them to learn on a manual transmission. I did, and I believe (of course) that it made me a better, more knowledgeable driver. But…