Letters to the Editors
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Subject: Why Buy Hybrids?
From: Thomas
What I would like to know is the actual environmental benefit of a hybrid versus say a Civic, Corolla, Focus or Matrix. These vehicles are all purported to be PZEV (Practically Zero Emission Vehicles). So if I am able to buy a Corolla for $8,000 to $10,000 less than a hybrid that produces zero emissions, why would I buy the hybrid? I really wish someone would help me quantify this.

There are many reasons for buying a hybrid besides the cost savings and the real environmental benefits. For example, people feel they are paying less as they go to the pump, week by week, even though they have actually paid more in the first place to buy a hybrid. You are quite right that a Corolla, for $8,000 less than a Prius, saves money while gas is at $3/gallon. However, the hybrid will emit less pollution. The difference between the Corolla and the Prius will be very small on the cosmic scale of things. The actual difference is beyond our ability to compute or describe. Ultimately, your decision of what car to buy will probably be reached by considering a variety of emotional, environmental and financial factors. To give you more food for thought, see Why We Buy Hybrids and visit our Fuel Economy Guide.

Subject: "Shopping for a Fuel-Efficient Car"
From: Jerry
Your article states that diesel is not permitted in all states. Is that correct? If so, which states?

Currently, no light-duty diesel-powered vehicles are sold new in California, Maine, Massachusetts, New York or Vermont because of stricter emissions standards in those states. (Diesel-powered trucks, such as the heavy-duty versions of the Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra, Dodge Ram and Ford F-Series, fall under different emissions rules and they are permitted.) — Ed.

Subject: Gap Insurance
From: Maria
Is it true that you can only purchase gap insurance from the dealer or from the finance company?

I wonder who told you that? Gap insurance, which covers the gap that might exist between what you owe and what the insurance company will pay for your totaled vehicle, is sold by most major insurance companies. It is also sometimes included in some lease contracts . For more info on gap insurance, see our story, Gap Insurance — Ed.

Subject: "Comparison Test: 2007 Jaguar XK Coupe vs. 2006 BMW 650i Coupe"
From: George
I have a BMW 650i convertible sitting in my garage at the moment, and after reading your test on the coupe, I note you conspicuously left out any mention of the way-too-short bottom seat cushions. This is a common failing on a lot of cars, but has no business in an $80K ride. My Lexus LS has much better accommodations.

The short seats and iDrive are a deal-killer unless you're a masochist. It's crazy to pay that kind of money and have to put up with these major shortcomings. Yes, it's a very nice car, but it's ruined by the seats and iDrive (what a piece of crap that is). Mine's going back and I'm shopping elsewhere.

Subject: "Top 10 Cars With the Worst Residual Value"
From: Anonymous
Saw the list with the cars with the worst residual value. True, they may have low residual values, but at least they are affordable. I own a 2004 Kia Optima and love it — no problems.

I visit your site often and think it's great, by the way. Toyota (I also own a 2002 Sienna) and Honda better watch out because if Kia keeps on doing what it's doing, they are going to be challenged big-time. I know people who have been in accidents with their Kia, and bad ones at that, who have lived to tell about it. Kias might not be so hot on the list now, but the big boys are going to be biting their tongues soon enough.

You're absolutely right; the silver lining that comes with many of the cars on our list is that they are extremely affordable when purchased new. Additionally, these cars are often a steal on the used-car market. Check the second paragraph of the story and you'll see that both of these points are mentioned, by the way. — Ed.

Subject: "Diesel, Dirty No More"
From: Adam
Kudos to you and Tara Baukus Mello for the 5/17/06 article titled "Diesel, Dirty No More." Most informative!

I'm looking to read more on modern diesel applications. Do you have any additional articles related to this one?

You bet we do. Here are links to some of our diesel-related stories:

Diesel Reborn

Grease is the Word or, How I Taught My Diesel To Drink Veggie Oil and Love It

Diesel Center: 2006 Buying Guide

Diesel, Gas or Hybrid?

Hybrid and Diesel SUV Roundup

Also, be sure to check out our Fuel Economy Guide for more info on related topics. — Ed.

Subject: "Top 10 Features Every Minivan Should Have"
From: Marilyn
Your list is great but you forgot the very most important thing — adjustable-height seatbelts. I am 5'4" and I cannot find any seatbelts that do not cut across my neck. I have to wear a makeshift belt to strap the lap belt and shoulder straps together every time I drive.

And speaking of seatbelts — my Honda Odyssey (1995) has a comfortable driver seatbelt, and that's it. All the others tighten up with use, causing passengers to unlatch the belts to loosen them up every few minutes. What a pain!

For something as basic as seatbelts, you would think the automakers would have fixed these annoyances by now.

Thanks again for your excellent list of other things.

Subject: "Top 10 Features Every Minivan Should Have"
From: Michele
How about AWD? Yes, traction control is nice, but FWD or AWD are much better. I have searched your site high and low, and would really love a listing of all minivans or crossover SUVs with available AWD, yet all I can do on your site is look up every minivan and see if it's an available model, and finding out if a car or minivan has FWD is really a pain!

"Top 10 Minivans/Crossovers With Available AWD/4WD" — sounds like an excellent topic for another top 10 list. Many thanks for the suggestion. — Ed.

Subject: "Top 10 Features Every Minivan Should Have"
From: Anonymous
I was surprised that Stow 'n Go seats were not included in the must-haves. This feature offers lots of utility for those who use minivans to haul both people and cargo.

Stow 'n Go seating is indeed a must-have for many minivan buyers, which is why this feature was ranked second on our list. "Stow 'n Go" is a marketing term conjured up by the folks at Chrysler; in our list, we describe this feature as "in-floor storage." It's offered by the Chrysler Town & Country, the Dodge Grand Caravan and the Honda Odyssey. — Ed.

Subject: Hybrid Reliability
From: Rich
What do you think the long-term reliability of hybrids will be? Considering how complex the charging system, do you think it will be costly to repair these vehicles when the mileage becomes heavy?

Hybrids have been on the road now for about six years and the dire predictions made by skeptics have not come true. We have heard no horror stories of malfunctioning electrical systems or defective batteries. Furthermore, hybrids are usually sold with an eight-year warranty on the hybrid powertrain. Yes, they are complicated, but the computer system of a normal car is pretty complicated, too, and can be very troublesome. This concern should not stop you from buying a new hybrid although it might give you some pause about buying a used hybrid with lots of miles. — Ed.

Subject: Not So Smart
From: Barbara
The new Smart car boasts 40 miles per gallon. However, in 1979 I had a new Datsun B-210 that got 48 miles per gallon, consistently. It was well over 8 feet long and my 6-foot-tall husband was quite comfortable in it.

Why can't the auto manufacturers produce a car like that today? Wonder if it has anything to do with the obscene profits the gas companies are chalking up today?

Subject: "Full Test: 2006 Lincoln Zephyr"
From: Clifford
I think your comment about the "soupy" ride that would only appeal to those who remember the Depression was very tacky. It appears that the writer is knocking older people; however, even those who are not so old appreciate a smooth ride and don't want to feel every bump in the road. Evidently your writer hasn't traveled a lot on long-distance trips (300-plus miles). I travel weekly on business trips (sales) and believe me, I don't want to feel every bump in the road and very much appreciate a smooth (soupy) ride. You should have someone evaluating cars who isn't so prejudiced and has driven cars on long trips often, and not just on test tracks and back and forth to the store.