# General Discussion **URL:** https://community.cartalk.com/c/general-discussion/8.md?page=333 [Latest](https://community.cartalk.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://community.cartalk.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://community.cartalk.com/tags.md) **Page:** 334 --- ## [New car advice](https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-car-advice/76541)
**Author:** [@Wheatenmom](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Wheatenmom)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2013, 3:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-car-advice/76541 "2013-01-07T03:50:54Z")
I am buying a new car and was thinking I should get a hybrid but the more I read, the more I am unsure. The majority of miles I put on my cars are highway driving. I live in a small town so there isn't much "city driving… --- ## [Ticking](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ticking/76525)
**Author:** [@Paddlfreak](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Paddlfreak)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2013, 10:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ticking/76525 "2013-01-06T22:37:59Z")
Hello, I have a 2004 Chevy cavalier with 133,000 miles. For the last week I have been hearing a ticking noise - seems to be coming from inside the dash board on the passengers side (glove compartment). The ticking noise… --- ## [Suggestions for traction aids in deep snow?](https://community.cartalk.com/t/suggestions-for-traction-aids-in-deep-snow/76445)
**Author:** [@Robert-Gift](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Robert-Gift)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2013, 10:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/suggestions-for-traction-aids-in-deep-snow/76445 "2013-01-06T22:05:19Z")
Hospitals have called for blood transports during blizzards. The emergencyehicle (4WD Expedition) has Nordman 265/70 R17 Winter tires and two shovels and has never failed to get through on closed interstate and state hig… --- ## [Car not starting](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-not-starting/76534)
**Author:** [@Carfun](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Carfun)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2013, 6:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-not-starting/76534 "2013-01-06T06:12:24Z")
We have a 2012 Nissan Altima. There have been 3 times that it would not start -all times were after a long drive and a trip to the coast! Battery is fine. Nissan dealership could find nothing wrong. Any ideas why thi… --- ## [2005 Volvo XC70-keep or sell?](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-volvo-xc70-keep-or-sell/76544)
**Author:** [@jaysr](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jaysr)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2013, 4:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-volvo-xc70-keep-or-sell/76544 "2013-01-06T04:15:37Z")
Hi all, Let me first explain what is going on with this car. It has around 115k miles and the check engine light came on last week. There is now oil in the coolant. 2-3 years ago, this XC70 had a slow coolant leak. … --- ## [Magic of Television](https://community.cartalk.com/t/magic-of-television/76475)
**Author:** [@casper](https://community.cartalk.com/u/casper)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2013, 3:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/magic-of-television/76475 "2013-01-06T03:44:48Z")
I don't know if this has been discussed here previously but ever notice when somebody goes to steal a car on tv or in a movie, they just reach under the dash and then magically grab two pre-stripped wires (which happen t… --- ## [Sequential shift transmissions](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sequential-shift-transmissions/76513)
**Author:** [@godzdog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/godzdog)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2013, 3:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/sequential-shift-transmissions/76513 "2013-01-06T03:34:24Z")
While looking for a new auto I came across something called an automatic sequential shift transmission. I know basically that you can use them as an automatic or choose the gear you want. If someone wants to expand on … --- ## [What's Your Favorite Bumpersticker?](https://community.cartalk.com/t/whats-your-favorite-bumpersticker/75165)
**Author:** [@Car\_Talk](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Car_Talk)\ **Replies:** 172\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2013, 9:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/whats-your-favorite-bumpersticker/75165 "2013-01-05T21:04:13Z")
We don't know about you, but we're a bit tired of all the political bumperstickers we're seeing right now. So, this week on Car Talk, we're kicking off a little election-year antidote. You can get the full scoop right… --- ## [Going down in 4 WD low](https://community.cartalk.com/t/going-down-in-4-wd-low/76381)
**Author:** [@Hikemore99](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Hikemore99)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2013, 7:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/going-down-in-4-wd-low/76381 "2013-01-05T19:48:52Z")
We have to drive a very steep gravel road with 4 hairpin turns. We have a 2001 Toyota Tacoma truck (automatic). When the road is snow covered, my husband drives in 4 WD low when going down the hairpin turns. He is using … --- ## [Round rubber and rolls](https://community.cartalk.com/t/round-rubber-and-rolls/76424)
**Author:** [@kmccune](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kmccune)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2013, 6:05am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/round-rubber-and-rolls/76424 "2013-01-05T06:05:32Z")
Were are the "tweels" at? cant hardly wait till they are availiable(if you can afford them) I know Michelin markets them for skid steer loaders -Kevin --- ## [Community Account Recovery](https://community.cartalk.com/t/community-account-recovery/76509)
**Author:** [@MyOriginalAccountIsL](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MyOriginalAccountIsL)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2013, 12:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/community-account-recovery/76509 "2013-01-05T00:12:59Z")
For reasons unknown I have been unable to login to my previous account. I have been unable to contact a forum moderator to recover the account so I created this secondary account simply to post my experience and request… --- ## [Tire Dilemma](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tire-dilemma/76489)
**Author:** [@ClickClackClunk](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ClickClackClunk)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2013, 8:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/tire-dilemma/76489 "2013-01-04T20:02:12Z")
I live in Upstate NY and I'm just about to start my second semester of grad school in Upstate SC. I'm currently preparing for the drive back down south, and I'm not sure which tires to put on my car for the semester. I h… --- ## [Best first car for a 16 year old boy](https://community.cartalk.com/t/best-first-car-for-a-16-year-old-boy/76487)
**Author:** [@Kaisa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Kaisa)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2013, 4:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/best-first-car-for-a-16-year-old-boy/76487 "2013-01-04T16:37:26Z")
I know this is a perennial question, but what's a good car for a 16 yr. old boy, and what price range is reasonable? How about an upper limit on mileage? He'll be driving almost entirely locally, but might be making a fe… --- ## [Best way to store tires mounted on rims for winter?](https://community.cartalk.com/t/best-way-to-store-tires-mounted-on-rims-for-winter/76442)
**Author:** [@Robert-Gift](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Robert-Gift)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2013, 10:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/best-way-to-store-tires-mounted-on-rims-for-winter/76442 "2013-01-04T10:40:42Z")
The OEM M+S tires on their 18" wheels have been removed and replaced with 17" rims on which winter tires are mounted. Should I place the stored tires in garbage bags or anything? Thank you. --- ## [Recommendations for buying a used car to replace a Volvo wagon to transport large dogs](https://community.cartalk.com/t/recommendations-for-buying-a-used-car-to-replace-a-volvo-wagon-to-transport-large-dogs/76354)
**Author:** [@jimboG](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jimboG)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2013, 10:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/recommendations-for-buying-a-used-car-to-replace-a-volvo-wagon-to-transport-large-dogs/76354 "2013-01-03T22:53:58Z")
My wife currently drives a 1996 Volvo 850GLT wagon with 218K miles. She loves the car, but it is starting to show it's age, and even minor repairs are very costly now. As car owners go, we tend to drive a car until it i… --- ## [Dating cars on TV](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dating-cars-on-tv/76183)
**Author:** [@MG-McAnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MG-McAnick)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2013, 4:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dating-cars-on-tv/76183 "2013-01-03T04:06:46Z")
I have always been good at being able to tell the year of manufacture of most cars. It started when I was three or four and found out I was better at it than my eight year old cousin who stayed with my family a great de… --- ## [Why does a tranny rebuild cost $3500?](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-does-a-tranny-rebuild-cost-3500/76297)
**Author:** [@UsedEconobox\_2\_UsedBMW](https://community.cartalk.com/u/UsedEconobox_2_UsedBMW)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2013, 2:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-does-a-tranny-rebuild-cost-3500/76297 "2013-01-03T02:43:56Z")
I see rebuild kits for $200. Does this mean it takes over 30 hours to rebuild a tranny? In reality, how long does it take them to rebuild a tranny with a kit? --- ## [Column shift cars?](https://community.cartalk.com/t/column-shift-cars/76451)
**Author:** [@daryleann](https://community.cartalk.com/u/daryleann)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2013, 2:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/column-shift-cars/76451 "2013-01-03T02:24:04Z")
I have no use of right thumb so cannot push button to shift in console automatic transmissions. I truly need column shift; are there cars out there that I could purchase? Currently driving Mercury Marquis 2000, but as I … --- ## [Which used Beetle drop-top do I choose?](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-used-beetle-drop-top-do-i-choose/76321)
**Author:** [@Bindle](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Bindle)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2013, 6:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-used-beetle-drop-top-do-i-choose/76321 "2013-01-02T06:53:45Z")
HELP! Neither head nor heart can choose. 1. 2009 Black, black convertible top, black leather; 59k miles. 2 year warranty. $10,953+trade 2. 2010 Final Edition, two-tone (pale blue/cream), black convertible top, white leat… --- ## [Bad gas](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-gas/76448)
**Author:** [@zlots](https://community.cartalk.com/u/zlots)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2013, 6:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-gas/76448 "2013-01-02T06:31:10Z")
car was running fine on trip to florida. traveled about 800 miles filled up at station was a old station not one that had alot of business. drove about 90 miles car started to sputter and died , was told it was my fuel p… --- ## [Buy a car for teenager](https://community.cartalk.com/t/buy-a-car-for-teenager/76268)
**Author:** [@klink](https://community.cartalk.com/u/klink)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2013, 5:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/buy-a-car-for-teenager/76268 "2013-01-02T05:08:59Z")
My son is 14, and hard to live with as an adolescent. Can't wait for him to turn 25. Nothing awful, but I don't have a way to be in his world. Grunts. Sassy talk. "Whatever." Looking for ways for us to connect. He can't … --- ## [Please share ADVICE on buying a late model used car](https://community.cartalk.com/t/please-share-advice-on-buying-a-late-model-used-car/76433)
**Author:** [@Twainiest](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Twainiest)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2013, 4:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/please-share-advice-on-buying-a-late-model-used-car/76433 "2013-01-02T04:29:40Z")
My last two cars have been a 1999 Plymouth Breeze and a 2006 Dodge Stratus, both purchased used. I want to buy a four-door sedan, but something a little nicer (but not too expensive). I'm especially interested in a car… --- ## [Oil](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil/76390)
**Author:** [@nitrodude](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nitrodude)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2013, 8:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil/76390 "2013-01-01T20:42:41Z")
i have three vehicles 06 charger/rt hemi,05 ram/hemi 02 accord 4 cyl. i have always changed my own oil and about three years ago i began using full synthetic oils for all the cars. i have been going about 8k miles betwee… --- ## [Lifetime XM Everything (XM Radio)](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lifetime-xm-everything-xm-radio/71428)
**Author:** [@jimster](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jimster)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2013, 7:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/lifetime-xm-everything-xm-radio/71428 "2013-01-01T19:10:23Z")
In December 2009, I was contacted by an XM Radio call center representative to inquire about transferring my current annual subscription to Lifetime XM Everything for the cost of $461.19. An annual subscription rate at … --- ## [4wd](https://community.cartalk.com/t/4wd/76401)
**Author:** [@Arnie\_Stokol](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Arnie_Stokol)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2013, 11:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/4wd/76401 "2013-01-01T11:25:10Z")
Is the 2013 Ford Explorer true 4WD (i.e. does one of the settings really engage all four wheels) or is it like all the other "intelligent" AWD SUVs on the market? Many thanks, Arnie --- ## [Cheapest source of inside-tire pressure transmitters?](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cheapest-source-of-inside-tire-pressure-transmitters/76349)
**Author:** [@Robert-Gift](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Robert-Gift)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2013, 8:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cheapest-source-of-inside-tire-pressure-transmitters/76349 "2013-01-01T08:35:25Z")
The Expedition's OEM 18" wheels with M&S tires are stored and 17" aggressive Winter-tired wheels installed. The tire pressures are checked weekly, but would be nice to make use of the tire pressure monitoring system and … --- ## [2005 subaru transmission replacement](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-subaru-transmission-replacement/76425)
**Author:** [@Cara](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cara)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2012, 5:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-subaru-transmission-replacement/76425 "2012-12-31T05:44:05Z")
I need someone's opinion. Two months ago, I took my 2005 subaru forester into the dealership shop for what they refer to as an "Intermediate Service", recommended every 15,000 miles. On top of an oil change (which is w… --- ## [Vehicle moving](https://community.cartalk.com/t/vehicle-moving/76112)
**Author:** [@gossip70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/gossip70)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2012, 2:59am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/vehicle-moving/76112 "2012-12-30T02:59:36Z")
How much does it cost to ship Honda Accord 2011 from Florida to Illinois? Some companies ask for almost $2,000. --- ## [No power to vehicle](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-power-to-vehicle/76380)
**Author:** [@Scrunch](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Scrunch)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2012, 10:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-power-to-vehicle/76380 "2012-12-29T10:49:44Z")
Vehicle will not respond to anything. Remote key access wont work. No clicking or starter movement. No lights, radio, etc. Not the battery. --- ## [What is a good replacement for a gen 1 prius?](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-a-good-replacement-for-a-gen-1-prius/75785)
**Author:** [@Belkorin](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Belkorin)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2012, 6:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-is-a-good-replacement-for-a-gen-1-prius/75785 "2012-12-28T18:47:47Z")
My 2001 prius that has served me well for the last three years has gotten to the point where I feel I should replace it instead of continuing to pour money into it (HV battery and who knows what else are going, at nearly… [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/c/general-discussion/8.md?page=332) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/c/general-discussion/8.md?page=334)