washingtonpost.com - Click and ClackClick and ClackCLICK &38; CLACK : Checking This List Twice- April 23, 2005 Q Dear Tom and Ray: At my last oil-and-filter change, the service department at the local Subaru dealer did the "free 25-point inspection" and came back with the following diagnosis: (1) Replace valve cover gkt $320 (2) Rear oil seal $620 (3) Frt cam seal $450...http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23757-2004Dec23.html?nav=rss_business/colum... CLICK &38; CLACK : Get Off the Gouge- April 23, 2005 Q Dear Tom and Ray: I have been trying to buy a new Toyota Prius. Recently, two Southeast Florida dealers have told me they're in short supply. They both say they'll put me on the waiting list if I give them a deposit of $1,000 and agree to pay $5,000 above...http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A10168-2005Jan14.html?nav=rss_business/colum... CLICK &38; CLACK : Going Big, Staying Green- April 23, 2005 Q Dear Tom and Ray: I am an environmentalist who somehow went and had three kids -- one 6-year-old and 2-year-old twins. My husband wants us to get a van or -- heaven forbid! -- a sport-utility vehicle, but I am trying very hard to hold out until a hybrid...http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55656-2005Feb26.html?nav=rss_business/colum... CLICK &38; CLACK : Shatteringly Suspicious- April 23, 2005 Q Dear Tom and Ray: My 19-year-old son works for a rental-car company. Recently when he put the top down on a Chrysler Sebring convertible, the rear window shattered as the roof came down in back, breaking into hundreds of pieces and falling into the back seat....http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A38023-2004Dec30.html?nav=rss_business/colum... CLICK &38; CLACK : Lubrication Lore for Winter Conditions- April 23, 2005 Q Dear Tom and Ray: The owner's manual for my 2004 Pontiac Vibe lists two maintenance schedules. The long-trip plan calls for the engine oil and filter to be changed every 7,500 miles (or 12 months), while the short-trip maintenance schedule sets a 3,000-mile...http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A38944-2005Feb20.html?nav=rss_business/colum... CLICK &38; CLACK : A Honey of a Settlement- April 23, 2005 Q Dear Tom and Ray: My beautiful 1993 Chevy Caprice Classic four-door sedan with only 28,000 miles on it -- and no dents or scratches -- is now a pile of junk. While parked in front of my home, the engine began to smolder, then burst into flames. Within 10...http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A9388-2004Dec17.html?nav=rss_business/column... CLICK &38; CLACK : Ditch That SUV Marketing- April 23, 2005 QDear Tom and Ray: I recently drove from Mississippi to Oklahoma to visit my family for Christmas. I made my trip one day after a winter storm had moved through the area. I saw several vehicles off in the ditch, which I presumed were accidents that happened...http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A19917-2005Feb12.html?nav=rss_business/colum... CLICK &38; CLACK : Playing It Safe Is Smart- April 23, 2005 Q Dear Tom and Ray: I know you guys don't like big SUVs, so you'll be glad to hear that we are downsizing from an SUV to a wagon. We are having trouble finding a wagon we like. We want something sporty, with some power. Consumer Reports recommends only the...http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A34121-2004Dec3.html?nav=rss_business/column... CLICK &38; CLACK : Pass on 'Platinum' Protection- April 23, 2005 Q Dear Tom and Ray: I have purchased a 2003 Toyota Prius hybrid (with 29,500 miles), and the dealer is urging me to buy extended insurance that covers "everything" (parts and labor) to 100,000 miles. It costs $1,200, and I wish I could determine whether that's...http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A574-2005Feb5.html?nav=rss_business/columns/... CLICK &38; CLACK : Ugly and Then Some- April 23, 2005 T OM: I think we can all agree that my brother and I know ugly. And we've noticed something recently: There are some truly ugly cars on the roads these days.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A9425-2005Mar5.html?nav=rss_business/columns... |