Dear Tom and Ray: I am in the market for a newer car.
My girlfriend says I am too mature (I’m 61) for my ’96 Miata. I plan to spend about $20,000 for the newer car.
I can get a bottom-end, high-end car (a late- model Volvo S40, for example) or a high-end, low-end car (a late-model Kia Amanti or Nissan Altima, for example) for about the same price. Which way should I go? I’d enjoy telling folks I bought a Volvo, but would they see through my cheapness? I wouldn’t enjoy telling folks I bought a Kia, but would the luxury of the Amanti assuage any embarrassment I might feel? Which way to go? – Tim
Ray: Remember, Tim, there’s always the option of keeping the Miata and trading in the girlfriend. But we’ll try to stick to the automotive part of your question.
Tom: I think you should drive whatever the heck YOU want, Tim.
We’re far too concerned about our images these days and what other people think of us. Who cares? You’re the one driving the car.
Ray: Well, I agree that you should drive whatever pleases YOU, Tim. Even if it’s the Miata. But in terms of the high-end, low-end car vs. low-end, high-end car debate, I would definitely go for a loaded cheaper car.
Tom: Me, too. Cars aren’t like houses, where you want to buy the cheapest house on an expensive street. Cars don’t appreciate in value.
Ray: You say you’d enjoy telling people you bought a Volvo. But will you enjoy DRIVING it? I’m guessing you’ll spend many more hours driving the car than talking about it.
Tom: You might enjoy driving the Volvo. Volvos have a firm, European-style ride, especially the small S40.
Ray: But if you like cushy comfort, soft, heated leather seats, a power tilting and telescoping steering wheel, a powered rear sunshade, a 10-speaker stereo system, room for five adults and a quiet, luxurious ride, you can pick up a 1-year-old, loaded Hyundai Azera for 20 grand, and have all of that. And the balance of a 10-year, power-train warranty.
Tom: Or you can get a slightly used, loaded Kia Amanti, Nissan Altima, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry or Ford Five Hundred if you like those better. And then, every day, you can feel like you’re living it up like P. Diddy. Or maybe Wayne Newton is a better cultural reference at your age, Tim. Good luck.
Dear Tom and Ray: My daughter is moving to North Carolina to go to school, and she has brand-new snow tires on her car. Is it safe to drive snow tires in the summer? She needs the money for school instead of new tires. – John
Ray: While snow tires are much better than they used to be on wet and dry pavement, our preference for summer driving is still all-season radials.
Tom: Right. The grooves of winter tires are deeper and wider, meaning there’s less rubber actually touching the ground. And the rubber compound is optimized for gaining traction on snow and ice, not wet or dry asphalt.
Ray: Plus, the rubber used on snow tires is softer, and wears out faster. So you’re wasting the snow tires by wearing them down quickly in the summer.
Tom: So that’s why we think Daddy-o ought to step in and buy her a set of all-season radials. They’ll be safer for her, and she’ll be able to save the tread on the snows for when she really needs them – for the next four winter semesters.
Ray: And if money is really tight, consider a good set of used tires. They’re available at junkyards and some tire dealers. Or in the parking lot of a nearby frat house if you’re really quick with a lug wrench, John.
Listen to the Car Guys on 1340 AM and 1490 AM at 10 a.m. Saturdays and noon Sundays. Write to them in care of The Denver Post, 101 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 600, Denver, CO 80202.
