Letters to the Editors
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Subject: "Fueling Up With Ethanol"
From: Amanda
I just read Tara Balkus Mello's article "Fueling Up With Ethanol: Are flexible fuel vehicles the answer to our oil addiction?" With a subtitle like that, one would think both sides of the issue would be researched and presented.

Sadly, Ms. Mello did not present the drawbacks (environmental, economic or political) of ethanol. In fact, she only presented a rosy picture of ethanol, to such a swooning level that she sounded like a National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition board member.

I hope that in the future such articles either receive proper titles or, preferably, proper balance.

Amanda, we're sorry you found the title of that article misleading. The purpose of that piece (originally published early last year but updated to include current model-year vehicles) was to introduce ethanol to readers who may not have been familiar with this alternative fuel. In general, our editors consider ethanol only a small part of the alternative fuels solution — one that isn't yet cost-competitive. For a more comparative look at ethanol's pluses and minuses relative to gas, take a look at, "E85 vs. Gasoline Comparison Test". — Ed.

Subject: Most Wanted Hybrid?
From: Larry
I have been constantly visiting your Web site and read your reviews, articles and information about vehicles. I would like to commend you on the quality of your tests and reviews. Your site is very helpful, especially when I'm planning to buy a new car.

In the wake of the wave of social awareness regarding global warming and the influx of hybrid cars, may I suggest that you also consider a hybrid pick in your Editors' Most Wanted list? I am thinking my next car is going to be a hybrid. You helped me pick my last car (a 2005 Volkswagen Touareg). I hope you will also help me pick my hybrid.

Thanks for all of your help to the consumers and more power to you!

Larry, thanks for the great feedback, and we're glad you've found the site useful. In past years, there have simply been too few hybrids to make inclusion of this segment in the Editors' Most Wanted lineup a viable idea. However, with all the very recent hybrid introductions, the landscape has changed considerably. We'll take your idea under advisement.

As you select your hybrid, be sure to check out our Green Car Guide. Here you'll find a wealth of information about hybrids and other issues that are relevant to environmentally conscious shoppers such as yourself. — Ed.

Subject: Cars for Tall People?
From: Ryan
I currently drive a 2006 Volkswagen GLI 6MT. It has lots of legroom but the seats suck for back support, and the way the windshield and driver are situated makes it hard for a tall person to see stoplights. There's also bad visibility; if the seat is pushed all the way back, it's right next to the B-pillar, resulting in nothing but blind spots.

Anyway, a top 10 list of cars for taller people (and please don't include just cars in the $30K range, because there are poor tall people also) would be great! It's frustrating. You see a car that looks large from the outside or even a midsize vehicle that you think may have enough space. Then you sit in it and you're disappointed to find it doesn't have adequate room for someone of your height.

Ryan, thanks for your question. We offer a top 10 list that, to a certain degree, addresses the needs of taller folks like you. Check out our "Top 10 Cars for Driver/Front Passenger Space for 2007." — Ed.

Subject: "Carmudgeon — No More Classic Muscle Cars"
From: Ted
I read your article "No More Classic Muscle Cars" with great interest. As I've joined the ranks of retiring baby boomers I've watched the price of cars of the '50s, '60s and '70s skyrocket to outrageous numbers. I'm sure that much of this is from the hype of events such as the Barrett-Jackson auctions. Folks associated with this have gone so far as to even have books on the development of the auction. It's all about the dollar, not about the enjoyment of the hobby.

While I've had my share of era-cars — '64 Falcon Sprint, '69 GTX, a few drag cars — as my resources have increased, my interest has waned looking at the asking prices. As my wife and I attend local cruise nights I see an increase in the number of "For Sale" signs, and the willingness on the part of the owners to bargain. A smart owner can foresee that the end is in sight, that the boomers will be looking for retirement funds and that the cars will need to be sold.

Incidentally, when I got out of cars I got into motorcycles, specifically Harley-Davidsons. I've also seen the rise of H-Ds, and I predict that a subsequent fall is soon to follow. H-D no longer sells motorcycles. It sells "shareholder value."

Thanks for an interesting article.

Subject: "Editors' Most Wanted"
From: Arthur
I wanted to commend you on your picks for the convertible list. I love cars that handle great and I was happy to see your choice of the Porsche Boxster as the best convertible under $60K. I have been on a mission to buy a "fun" car for myself after years of getting the ones that made the most sense — my Toyota pickup, my wife's leftover '98 Mercedes E430, etc., etc.

Awhile back I took a Honda S2000 for a test-drive and loved it, but now as I approach 60 and thoughts of "this might be my last great driver's car" hit me I decided to spend the extra cash and look into the Boxster. I took one for a test-drive a week ago and I'm like a kid waiting for Christmas to come. What a wonderful, fun car. I'm glad you felt the same. You could have opted for the S2000 instead of the Miata (which I also tested and thought was boring) but I totally agree with you on the Porsche.

Subject: Leasing Inquiry
From: Patricia
Am I a bit early looking for my next lease or purchase? I have 8 more payments left on my current lease and I realize that it is possible for a dealer to buy back those months but I also realize that there isn't a dealer on earth that will pay cash dollars for my present car. Someone has to pay for those eight months and guess who that person is — me! Those eight months are spread over the 60 months of my new lease, right? I recently looked at a 2007 Passat 2.0 Sedan which I would love to have for my next vehicle. I went to a dealer to look about a lease. I asked them who pays for the last 8 months of my current car. When they told me the burden would be on my shoulders, the tour was over. I believe in homework!

Patricia, you are correct that you will be the one paying for the remaining lease payments, whether you pay them up front or have them rolled into your current lease. The only exception is when your current lease company offers a "pull-ahead" program. However, if this is available, it requires leasing from the same make again.

As for your intention to lease for 60 months: We think this is a very bad idea. While it might give you the lowest payment (but not always), you will almost certainly end up going past the manufacturer's warranty. When this happens and something goes wrong on the vehicle, you will be responsible for fixing it, at your own expense. You will essentially be paying to fix someone else's vehicle, which is not a good idea. Plus, after 48 months, expensive items like brakes and tires usually need to be taken care of, adding to your total lease expense. Generally speaking, 36-48-month leases offer the best balance of payment and warranty protection. The Passat is a great car and one you should consider when you get closer to your lease being up. — Ed.

Subject: Flood damage
From: Norman
I'm looking into purchasing a used 2003 Cadillac CTS. It is a beautiful car with 68,000 miles on it. Its Carfax report showed that it was in a flood. How should I figure in this issue when purchasing the car?

Norman, our advice is to walk the other way. Flood damage is one of the worst impairments you can run into when it comes to buying a car. Even a small amount of water can ruin a car's increasingly complex electronic systems. Just like you would never consider dunking your home computer in a bathtub and then expect it to work, cars contain computers that are just as complex. Water can also cause widespread damage to a car. It can corrode airbag controllers and electronics. It can also contaminate lubricants and threaten mechanical systems, making the car dangerous to drive. Once a car has been submerged by flood water, the damage can be severe and it may not show up immediately. Problems crop up months or even years after the flood, as corrosion continues to work over time. — Ed.