# General Discussion **URL:** https://community.cartalk.com/c/general-discussion/8.md?page=346 [Latest](https://community.cartalk.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://community.cartalk.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://community.cartalk.com/tags.md) **Page:** 347 --- ## [New Car Decision](https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-car-decision/74042)
**Author:** [@Mrs\_C](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mrs_C)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2012, 3:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-car-decision/74042 "2012-08-14T03:16:38Z")
Does anyone have any thoughts about the advisability of buying a used Honda Element since I just learned that Honda quit making them in 2011. What does that do to the value--and what about parts? It'll probably be my … --- ## [100 mph 96 mpg](https://community.cartalk.com/t/100-mph-96-mpg/74010)
**Author:** [@oldbodyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldbodyman)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2012, 3:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/100-mph-96-mpg/74010 "2012-08-14T03:16:04Z")
I have drove a lot fast cars, but 100 miles per hour in this? Then again 96 mpg around town mite not be all bad. http://www.bloomberg.com/video/93631839-famed-f1-designer-unveils-96-mpg-100-mph-smartcar.html --- ## [Easy to be legal](https://community.cartalk.com/t/easy-to-be-legal/74062)
**Author:** [@ken\_green](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ken_green)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2012, 1:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/easy-to-be-legal/74062 "2012-08-14T01:36:59Z")
Sell red light bulbs ! ( a pet peve of mine for 33 yeears in the parts business ) Yes, I know that's waay too difficult due to DOT rules & regs and all that crap, but it's high time for that to change. After all, the rul… --- ## [A Blog Post that is a small tribute to Car Talk](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-blog-post-that-is-a-small-tribute-to-car-talk/74038)
**Author:** [@JBFirelotus](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JBFirelotus)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2012, 2:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-blog-post-that-is-a-small-tribute-to-car-talk/74038 "2012-08-13T02:22:38Z")
Hey Folks: Well, I was going to actually email this to the folks at the show, but when I went there, it encourages people to post here. Hence, if this seems like shameless promotion (which, I guess, would mean it shou… --- ## [The Buzzzzz](https://community.cartalk.com/t/the-buzzzzz/73934)
**Author:** [@Geo\_Lady](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Geo_Lady)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2012, 3:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/the-buzzzzz/73934 "2012-08-12T15:19:19Z")
Help! I have a 1995 Geo Tracker convertible which is used for farm chores. It works fine. My problem is with the company it is keeping. A month ago my farmhand decided to powerwash it as a birthday present. He manag… --- ## [First car. Volvo?](https://community.cartalk.com/t/first-car-volvo/74000)
**Author:** [@vintagestapler](https://community.cartalk.com/u/vintagestapler)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2012, 2:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/first-car-volvo/74000 "2012-08-12T14:30:06Z")
I asked about the VW rabbit Diesel being safe on this form a few days ago and I see that it's not safe. But now, I need another car as a first car. Im not some jerk kid with $10k for a first car. I have a modest 2k (i co… --- ## [News flash: Pakistani water car breaks laws of physics!](https://community.cartalk.com/t/news-flash-pakistani-water-car-breaks-laws-of-physics/73933)
**Author:** [@jesmed1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jesmed1)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2012, 9:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/news-flash-pakistani-water-car-breaks-laws-of-physics/73933 "2012-08-12T09:13:15Z")
A Pakistani engineer claims to have invented a car that runs on water: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/05/world/asia/boast-of-water-run-car-thrills-pakistan.html?ref=world Ummm, sorry. Fail. Pons and Fleischmann, wher… --- ## [VW Passat 2000, 20v.turbo Trans/Electric ? Prob.. Sell/fix/trade?](https://community.cartalk.com/t/vw-passat-2000-20v-turbo-trans-electric-prob-sell-fix-trade/73840)
**Author:** [@Lazy\_Otis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Lazy_Otis)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2012, 9:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/vw-passat-2000-20v-turbo-trans-electric-prob-sell-fix-trade/73840 "2012-08-11T21:44:24Z")
Hello So heres my story Get Front /Rear Axil seal replaced Electrical Trans Probs Starting in Second/third gear Water in Passanger Side and computer sitting in harness there 800$ mechanic dries out comp/wiring with heat… --- ## [We said it first here](https://community.cartalk.com/t/we-said-it-first-here/73991)
**Author:** [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2012, 5:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/we-said-it-first-here/73991 "2012-08-11T17:07:11Z")
There is an article about how to protect yourself when buying a car in USA Today. It reads like the advice that everyone has been passing on for years here. Anyone care to grade the author on completeness? http://www… --- ## [Fun safe car?](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fun-safe-car/73998)
**Author:** [@eduk80](https://community.cartalk.com/u/eduk80)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2012, 2:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/fun-safe-car/73998 "2012-08-11T14:54:55Z")
My mom needs a new car. This is the first time she'll buy a car that she only has to think of herself (doesn't have to agree with my dad, doesn't have to fit kids). She wants something cute and fun, more than 25mpg and… --- ## [1930s? art deco car that I can't remember the name of](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1930s-art-deco-car-that-i-cant-remember-the-name-of/74017)
**Author:** [@thewatchguy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/thewatchguy)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2012, 1:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1930s-art-deco-car-that-i-cant-remember-the-name-of/74017 "2012-08-11T01:09:25Z")
Its a art deco style car most likely from the 30s. It is a tall sitting coupe with a large front end and little windshield its a rare car that might be a plymouth. I think Wyclef jean might have owned one. Its bugging me… --- ## [1980 vw rabbit diesel safe?](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1980-vw-rabbit-diesel-safe/73935)
**Author:** [@vintagestapler](https://community.cartalk.com/u/vintagestapler)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2012, 4:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1980-vw-rabbit-diesel-safe/73935 "2012-08-10T04:13:20Z")
I want to buy a restored 1980 VW Rabbit Diesel (from my grandfather). I am a new driver and I would be driving to school 22 miles each way every day. My dad had this same car and got amazing millage and outstanding relia… --- ## [Stick shift stop uphill](https://community.cartalk.com/t/stick-shift-stop-uphill/73921)
**Author:** [@LevellingUp](https://community.cartalk.com/u/LevellingUp)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2012, 3:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/stick-shift-stop-uphill/73921 "2012-08-10T03:48:03Z")
Hey there Car Talk folks! So I've got an 89 BMW 325i with a manual transmission, which is fun as heck to drive. Sometimes when I'm bored in traffic and stopped at a light on an uphill, rather than applying the break, I… --- ## [Ants in Car](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ants-in-car/73995)
**Author:** [@AHoward](https://community.cartalk.com/u/AHoward)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2012, 1:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ants-in-car/73995 "2012-08-10T01:49:35Z")
Any suggestions for how to get rid of an ant infestation in a fleet of work cars? I have tried putting Raid on the tires to keep them away, sprayed Raid in the car, put ant bait in the vehicles and they keep returning. … --- ## [Small hatchback for tall driver?](https://community.cartalk.com/t/small-hatchback-for-tall-driver/73897)
**Author:** [@essjay](https://community.cartalk.com/u/essjay)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2012, 12:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/small-hatchback-for-tall-driver/73897 "2012-08-10T00:25:26Z")
Not finding the perfect fit among the new cars (decent mpg, acceleration and handling, reputation for reliability, price ~20k), so thinking about used model from Lexus, Infiniti, Acura. Ideally no more than175" length, w… --- ## [What hath Docnick wrought?](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-hath-docnick-wrought/73848)
**Author:** [@kmccune](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kmccune)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2012, 5:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-hath-docnick-wrought/73848 "2012-08-09T05:24:32Z")
Well Docnick you brought up an interesting concept in"Why do we love our cars so much?" not wishing to interupt or hijack this thread,I would be curious as to what vehicle you would recommend for me.I like to work,almost… --- ## [Car Talk with Natalie](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-talk-with-natalie/73992)
**Author:** [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2012, 4:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-talk-with-natalie/73992 "2012-08-09T04:27:22Z")
On the Today Show this morning, Al Roker was doing his "English Lesson", today it was about automotive terms the Brits use, i.e. bonnet, petrol etc. Natalie Moralis got them all right and Savannah Guthrie said "OK, car … --- ## [Buying Subaru Impreza hatch but the need is intown driving?](https://community.cartalk.com/t/buying-subaru-impreza-hatch-but-the-need-is-intown-driving/73917)
**Author:** [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2012, 1:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/buying-subaru-impreza-hatch-but-the-need-is-intown-driving/73917 "2012-08-09T01:00:52Z")
I am wondering about the negative effects of AWD: - apparently the all 4 tires need changing at the same time to protect the AWD mechanism...if true, it makes it is an unnecessarily expensive - additional maintenance rel… --- ## [2013 Escape: tow package or no tow package?](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-escape-tow-package-or-no-tow-package/73924)
**Author:** [@Cat42](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cat42)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2012, 8:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2013-escape-tow-package-or-no-tow-package/73924 "2012-08-08T20:59:23Z")
I'm planning to buy a 2013 Ford Escape with the 2.0 liter Ecoboost engine. I'm considering getting it equipped with the Class II trailer tow package. I've never needed to tow anything before, but then again, I've never h… --- ## [To salvage a "totaled" car, or replace it? Advice requested](https://community.cartalk.com/t/to-salvage-a-totaled-car-or-replace-it-advice-requested/73945)
**Author:** [@Nathaniel\_Day](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nathaniel_Day)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2012, 5:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/to-salvage-a-totaled-car-or-replace-it-advice-requested/73945 "2012-08-08T17:51:52Z")
Greetings, denizens of our fair online city, Our dear 2002 Honda Civic (120,000 miles, spotless maintenance and repair record) was recently declared totaled by our insurance company (valued at $6500) following an acci… --- ## [Specifically: Lake Tahoe Snow - Best car/suv with either 4x4 or AWD around $3000?](https://community.cartalk.com/t/specifically-lake-tahoe-snow-best-car-suv-with-either-4x4-or-awd-around-3000/73552)
**Author:** [@powpow](https://community.cartalk.com/u/powpow)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2012, 4:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/specifically-lake-tahoe-snow-best-car-suv-with-either-4x4-or-awd-around-3000/73552 "2012-08-07T04:11:50Z")
I'm new here and need some advice from those who know a lot more about cars than I do. I've done a fair amount of research, but some is conflicting, some helpful and some seems to say that in the price range I can't depe… --- ## [Do I need to use premium unleaded](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-need-to-use-premium-unleaded/73944)
**Author:** [@ichiro](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ichiro)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2012, 12:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-need-to-use-premium-unleaded/73944 "2012-08-07T00:46:21Z")
I am looking to buy a used 2001 lexus es300 for my son, will he still need to use premium unleaded gas it says is required? With gas at the prices they are not sure if he should have this car. Are there any other concern… --- ## [Cabin filter](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cabin-filter/73953)
**Author:** [@Dickie](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Dickie)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2012, 11:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cabin-filter/73953 "2012-08-06T23:03:50Z")
does a 1999 nissan maxima have a replaceable cabin filter? --- ## [Which to sell?](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-to-sell/73939)
**Author:** [@Hankers](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Hankers)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2012, 6:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-to-sell/73939 "2012-08-06T18:55:04Z")
Just purchased a 2005 Ford Escape from family and now my husband and I are deciding which of our older cars we should sell. My car is a 1996 Saturn SC1 (2 door sports coupe) with 60k miles on it. My husband's car is… --- ## [Smallest vehicle that can fit a power chair lift and be modified for reduced effort steering](https://community.cartalk.com/t/smallest-vehicle-that-can-fit-a-power-chair-lift-and-be-modified-for-reduced-effort-steering/72806)
**Author:** [@Frazzled](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Frazzled)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2012, 11:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/smallest-vehicle-that-can-fit-a-power-chair-lift-and-be-modified-for-reduced-effort-steering/72806 "2012-08-05T23:31:28Z")
I need to get a vehicle that can be fitted with a lift in the cargo area for an electric wheelchair, like the Bruno lift (http://www.bruno.com/vehicle-lift-curb-sider.html) and that can also be modified to have reduced e… --- ## [Thermostats](https://community.cartalk.com/t/thermostats/73923)
**Author:** [@honda](https://community.cartalk.com/u/honda)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2012, 8:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/thermostats/73923 "2012-08-05T20:20:43Z")
Would any of you good mechanics know if a 2006 honda CRV has the newer fail-safe type of thermostat or is it still the old type that I have changed many of in my younger days ? Also any idea what the fail safe type cost.… --- ## [How long does my car have to live?](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-long-does-my-car-have-to-live/73875)
**Author:** [@Unsprung](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Unsprung)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2012, 6:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-long-does-my-car-have-to-live/73875 "2012-08-05T18:09:25Z")
I have a 1997 Honda Civic with 268k. It runs well although it lacks the pep it used to have. Recently I was told that my compression is only about 110 on each cylinder, while it should be 135-180, and that this is normal… --- ## [AWD for driving on the beach](https://community.cartalk.com/t/awd-for-driving-on-the-beach/73910)
**Author:** [@Conte\_Yvette](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Conte_Yvette)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2012, 5:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/awd-for-driving-on-the-beach/73910 "2012-08-05T17:16:26Z")
What are your thoughts on using a 2008 Honda CRV AWD on the beaches in NC . I have experience driving on the beach and plan to air down the tires to 19psi. In the past I have rented a 4WD. How do think the car will ha… --- ## [MINI Cooper or Jeep Liberty](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mini-cooper-or-jeep-liberty/73879)
**Author:** [@jaclyn090290](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jaclyn090290)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2012, 5:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mini-cooper-or-jeep-liberty/73879 "2012-08-05T17:04:11Z")
Looking at both of these cars. 2008 or newer for the Jeep and 2007 or newer or the MINI. Which would you recommend and why? --- ## [Keep the '01 Jetta?](https://community.cartalk.com/t/keep-the-01-jetta/73896)
**Author:** [@essjay](https://community.cartalk.com/u/essjay)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2012, 6:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/keep-the-01-jetta/73896 "2012-08-05T06:50:26Z")
Bought a new auto V6 in 2000, with the idea that when the 10 yr. service contract expired, we'd sell it (loved how it drove, but knew/know that long term durability is not what this car is known for). Now has only 89K… [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/c/general-discussion/8.md?page=345) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/c/general-discussion/8.md?page=347)