Letters to the Editors
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Subject: Full Test: 2006 Chevrolet Impala SS
From: David
After reading John's road test, I came away thinking that he really liked the car. Well, my wife bought an LT3 in December with the 3.9 V6 (242 hp). We love it! Chevy did their homework on this one. I really don't see any need to go to an overhead-cam engine, the pushrods are bulletproof. We managed to average 30.2 mpg on a trip from Manville, New Jersey, to Dover, Delaware, a distance of 143 miles. I think that the fog sort of forced our hand in staying between 60 and 65 miles per hour. It wasn't thick but it cut visibility enough so that we kept our speed down. One thing, though, every time the car exceeded 65 there was a high-pitched noise coming from the right seat. Yep, it's her car and if I didn't drive it the way she wanted me to, boy did I get an earful!

Moreover the car is quiet, rides like a dream, handles well and when one puts the hammer down, it goes!

It's as good if not better than any Asian nameplate.

Subject: "Internet vs. Traditional Car Buying"
From: Andrew
It amazes me how many dealers and salespeople out there still try to monkey around with people with respect to buying a car. In this day of instant information, you would think the salespeople would be more honest in their dealings to avoid looking like total idiots.

I lease my vehicles and I can tell you that my dealings with the dealerships on my last few vehicles — which were a Lexus, an Acura and a Volkswagen — have been straightforward and without incident. All of these salespeople disclosed all figures up front and without the slightest hesitation. There was no pressure to buy at the time and I was able to leave and check the figures with my lease calculation program. The Lexus dealership even gave me the same program they use to calculate their leases.

Subject: "Internet vs. Traditional Car Buying"
From: David
I just read your article concerning advice/information on buying a car on the Internet vs. buying on a lot. It's possibly the best-written, best-researched consumer advice article I have read in my 66 years on this earth (and I'm not in the market for a new car).

Bravo Zulu to you and your staff.

Subject: "Top 10 Best Cars for Seniors in 2006"
From: John
I was a bit surprised at the list of 10 cars for seniors.

Take a look at the paragraph below:

"Seniors have their own unique and varied set of needs when it comes to vehicles. The CDC reports that more than 60 percent of adults age 65 and over suffer from some 'difficulty in physical functioning.' Accordingly, choosing a vehicle that properly caters to each driver's specific challenges can make a big difference in overall comfort and, indeed, safety."

That paragraph reinforces my belief that driving should not become easier for seniors. That is an industry perspective, and one that does not require any skill development or maintenance. These are all BIG cars which only require steering rather than driving. Rather, I believe we should be offering and encouraging, if not requiring driver "re-testing" to get rid of bad driving habits. With the increased maneuverability of vehicles today, folks simply must know how to drive better. Some skill-building classes, preferably behind the wheel are really needed for most drivers, not only seniors.

I further believe that a smaller, more maneuverable vehicle will be just as safe as a larger one if the driver is properly skilled and trained. For many senior drivers, we should be discouraging them from driving rather than encouraging them.

Thanks for listening.

Subject: Shopping Around for the Most Affordable Repair Shop
From: Robert
The repair shops have figured out how to maximize their profit by charging anywhere from $40 to $90 just for the privilege to taking the car to their shop. They claim to have to use expensive computerized instruments to analyze and pinpoint the problems and spend anywhere from half an hour to an hour ("service engine soon" light on) just to find out what needs to be done to fix the car. In one shop they told me they wouldn't do any customer-recommended repairs without them analyzing the car. So there goes competitive bidding out of the window.

I would appreciate your advice on how to get around this problem.

The diagnostic tools used to read the trouble codes in your car's computer when the "service engine soon" light comes can be quite expensive. While the weekend mechanic may be well suited with a $100 scan tool suitable for one car, many repair shops need the more versatile and expensive tools necessary to diagnose the multiple makes/models of car they see on a regular basis.

My advice as to how you can "get around this problem" is to find a repair shop that you trust and stick with them. Establishing a relationship with a good mechanic can go a long way toward both saving money and easing the stress associated with car repairs. Family, friends, and co-workers are all great sources for networking and finding a mechanic who makes you comfortable. — Ed.

Subject: Why Not Lease, Then Buy?
From: Brian
One possibility that none of the car magazines, or you, have ever mentioned in advice about buying and leasing is the possibility of leasing and then buying. Common sense would indicate that one would not want to "invest" in something which will lose value.

If you decide what new car you want — and think you will PROBABLY want to own it, you can lease it at the best possible terms (preferably a subvented lease) and then buy it at the end of the lease, if you want to.

Four advantages:

1. In Connecticut, anyway — you pay the sales tax on the monthly lease payment.
2. The leasing companies will often offer very attractive financing for buy-outs at the end of a lease.
3. You know EXACTLY what your costs are for the term of the lease — because you have a warranty and therefore do not have the risk of expensive mechanical repairs.
4. You are driving a new car with the monthly expense (cash-flow impact) of a used car, although your property tax and insurance may be higher. Meanwhile, you will be able to save money for investments.