Ask Tara

Kids Have Flown The Coop – Time For An Adventure

The kids are grown and it’s time for my mid-life crisis- I need an adventure car! It needs to be fun and sporty looking, but be able to haul a kayak and/or bikes around. I’m not an off -roader, so don’t think I need four-wheel drive. Just something fun to take on all my upcoming adventures!
- Taryn
Santa Rosa, Ca.

Dear Taryn -
Yes! The kids are away, so it’s your time to play! Since you’re active, and have the (kayak) equipment to prove it, you’ll need something that can accommodate a roof rack. Audis are luxe, sporty, quick, and tailor made to fit a rack like Yakima, or a similar brand. The 2012 Audi A7 is a coupe-look sedan, so it has swooped sexy lines but still has an ample backseat and four doors. It starts at around $60,000. But if that’s still too large (or too pricey) a car, check out the 2012 Audi TT, a cute little sports coupe that goes for around $36,000. This one will thrill you on curvy roads, and you’ll look great in it!

For something completely different, check out the 2012 Volkswagen EOS, a fun two-door convertible that has an ample backseat. I test drove it and felt like a teenager again. It’s on my short list of mid-life crisis cars. Good luck in your search and please let us know what you choose.

Rancher Gal Needs Comfort, Too!

Hi, I am a sheep herder-rancher girl, I enjoy the comfort of leather seats, etc. but I need a vehicle I can throw a bale of alfalfa into or several sacks of grain. I Am currently driving a Ford Sportstrac 4X4 truck. It works as a car while letting me grab sheep stuff when I need it. Any suggestions that is four-wheel drive with the comforts of a car…. I have just seen the new Ford Escape to be released this spring, they gave it a redesign. I need a rough and tumble vehicle for work with the sheep and comfy too. In wish the auto industry would recognize there are women ranchers who don’t want a huge truck to do tough jobs. Any suggestions… Thanks
- Marcia
Petaluma, Ca.

Dear Marcia -
Have you thought about a Subaru Outback? The Outback is basically a
station wagon on steroids. Its cargo bay is long, rather than tall like
many SUVs, so it’s good for bales of hay and sacks of grain. And you can
get a rubber cargo mat that will give some semblance of protection to
the carpets underneath. The Outback drives like a car, but it has
all-wheel-drive and high ground clearance that makes it great for
trekking out into the fields after a soaking rain. (New Englanders swear
by ‘em.) You can get a Limited model with leather seats for a reasonable
price, and Subarus last forever.

Another idea similar to your SporTrac is the Honda Ridgeline pickup. It
tries hard to look tough and trucky (a nod to the guys who usually buy
pickups) but it’s designed like a car, so it handles pretty well for its
size. It’s a proper pickup, which means you can toss your supplies into
the bed and not worry about getting alfalfa on your seats, and it has a
locking compartment in the bed floor that works like a car’s trunk. The
Ridgeline isn’t very popular, but the few people we know who have one
seem to really like it.

Happy shopping and be sure to get “ba-a-a-a-a-a”ck with us on what you
choose!

AWD VS. FWD – What’s The Difference?

When it comes to driving in the snow, is there a big difference between an AWD car vs. a FWD? I’m interested in a small SUV and don’t know whether this will be a deal breaker in choosing a model. I’ll have a teenage driver in a year and want something safe.
- Alexis
Rhode Island

Dear Alexis -
Yes, there’s a big difference. All-wheel drive means that power is given to all of the vehicle’s wheels, rather than just the front two (in front-wheel drive) or back two (in rear-wheel drive). In cases where snow, ice or wet roads make traction difficult, the all-wheel drive system will give extra power to the wheels it senses are spinning. The vehicle then has four wheels, each given individual power, to use to pull out of a slippery situation, rather than just two. Spinning wheels are unsafe and can lead to skids and spin-outs.

If you live in a snowy area, and you want to give your teenager a little extra security, an all-wheel drive vehicle isn’t a bad idea. Check out the Ford Escape, the 2012 Honda Crosstour and 2012 Honda CR-V, the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan and the Toyota Rav-4.

A Kinder, Gentler SUV

I am looking for a mid-size SUV that is comfortable for long trips. I have a VW Tiguan and love it, but it really beats me up after a few hours. If there is no such animal, what car is good for long trips, (8-9 hours)? Up to $40,000.

Thanks,
Rebecca

I, too love the Tiguan for its performance and style. But it has a European personality. You might prefer the softer ride of an American or Asian SUV. You might look at the 2012 Lexus RX, which starts at exactly $40,000. It’s fuel economy is 18 mpg city and 25 mpg hwy. A hybrid model, the Lexus 450h, sells for about $5,000 more. Since the RX rides on a car platform instead of a truck platform, it behaves every bit like a smooth-riding Lexus. In my opinion, it’s the Gold Standard for this type of crossover/SUV.

If you want to go American, check out the Cadillac SRX, which sells for about $37,000. It gets 17 mpg city and 24 hwy. This crossover is pretty, super comfortable and well priced. One downside: a pronounced blind spot due to the wide C-pillar (that large side pillar separating the rear window and the rear side door panel. But if you are meticulous about using the car’s mirrors (or opt for the added cost of the back-up camera) then you’ll be fine.

Fuel-Sipping Frugality

I have a long commute to a job I love-about 400 miles a week. Gas mileage is everything to me. I would really love to buy a Prius but even used they are well over $26, 000. With a kid going to college soon I would love to find a car under $20,000- new or used – that truly gets 40-45 mpg. There are so many new ones on the market…Don’t know if they are reliable or will genuinely deliver the mileage they promise. Any thoughts?

-Teri
Bath, Michigan

Your timing couldn’t be better! I’ve just test driven the Toyota Prius C and our review is on the VroomGirls homepage this week. Get this: The Prius C starts at about $19,000! It gets 50 mpg combined city and highway driving, and has all the wonderful features of the Prius Liftback in a smaller size. I say it’s the perfect car for those just starting out, the empty nesters looking to right-size, and everyone in-between.

Lost In America

My husband and I are planning to head off into the sunset together, traveling around the country for three to six months, depending on how much fun we have. We want a comfy car, with lots of cargo space for our stuff, and one that is fuel efficient. We won’t be camping- and we like a few luxuries, like heated seats! I’m not crazy about SUVs; what else can you suggest for us?
- Karen
Santa Rosa, Ca.

This reminds me of Albert Brooks’ movie “Lost in America”, so I won’t recommend an RV. If you’ve seen this hilarious film, you know what a bad choice that was. Instead, I’m loving the new Toyota Prius V, a wagon-like hybrid that gets 44 mpg city/40 mpg hwy, and starts at about $26,170. So you’ll have all the room of a station wagon, all the creature comforts like heated seats and navigation (which you might opt for to avoid fights on the road over directions!)

I also like the Hyundai Elantra, which starts at about $16,500 and gets 29 mpg city/40 mpg hwy. Though it’s a smaller sedan, and not a wagon, it has a roomy trunk and ample backseat.

Happy Travels…and if you haven’t seen “Lost in America”, please rent it. And avoid Las Vegas!

A Used Car for Less Than $10 Grand

Our college age daughter has decided to sell her 2001 Ford Mustang, and get something more practical. She favors small SUVs with good gas mileage. What would you recommend in the used market, for less than $10,000?
- Karen
Santa Rosa, Ca.

There are great choices for pre-owned vehicles selling for around $10,000. The issue is fuel efficiency, since most of the cars and small SUVs sold now have significantly improved gas mileage over vehicles built just a few years ago. That said, the usual suspects – Toyota RAV-4, Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage – have great reputations for quality. Another fun choice is the Honda Element, which is very useful if she has dogs, since the rubber floor mats are easy to clean.

Hyundai’s Birthday

What year did they start making the Hyundai Sonata 2.0T?
- Pam

The Sonata 2.0T was born October 2010.

Love small SUVs – Which is best for me?

Please tell me which is a better choice: the 2011 Honda CR-V , the 2011 Kia Sportage, the 2011 Hyundai Tucson, the 2011 Mazda CX -7, or the 2011 Mazda CX-9?
Also I would want to see the CRV 2011 Review.
Thanks,
Bradley
Boston, Ma.

You’ve got all good choices here, and frankly, you’d probably be happy with any one of them. I love Mazdas for their sporty engines and tighter handling. If you like a bit of power and a sportier, firmer ride, I’d go with the Mazda CX-7. The CX-9 is larger, and it looks like, from your list, you want a smallish SUV.

The Kia Sportage and the Hyundai Tuscon are both fantastic rides – both comfortable, roomy, and a good value. I drove the Tucson Limited front-wheel-drive version and was pleased with its comfort, its list of standard features, including dual front climate controls, Bluetooth connectivity and the power driver’s seat. The Kia Sportage is much smaller than the Tucson, and is thousands of dollars less, so it’s a different beast. I love it for its fun styling and competent drive feel. It, too, is very comfortable, but short on cargo space, because it’s considered a compact SUV.

The 2012 Honda CR-V is VroomGirls’ Car of the Month this month! We like its new easy fold-down seats, its improved fuel efficiency and its sleeker lines. You asked about the 2011 model in particular, but because VroomGirls is a new website, launched just 90 days ago, we were only able to drive the 2012 version, as the 2011 models had been replaced in the automotive press fleet. Sorry.

Good luck in your search. You have a fantastic list there, and you should drive each one. It will come down to personal preference, as well as how much cargo space you’re looking for.

Is a Used Subaru Right for Me?

I’m planning on buying a used Subaru and I really like the Forester (older models like 04-05). Is this a good sized car for a younger, single person? Or is it too much?

- Kristen

Yes, Kristen, a Forester is a great choice. They are very sure-footed cars and the older models have a lot more cargo space than the Imprezas, but aren’t as big and unwieldy as the Outbacks. The back seat is a bit tight, something to think about if you travel with friends.

However, finding a used Forester may be a bit tricky, as owners tend to keep them forever. In my experience, there are two kinds of Subarus offered for sale: New ones and used ones with 160,000 miles. If you find a 5-year-old example with less than 100,000 miles, don’t dawdle, but be sure to get it thoroughly inspected by an independent mechanic, preferably one you or a family member knows and trusts. You want to make sure the owner isn’t dumping it because of some chronic problem or impending repair. This might cost you $50 or $100, but it’ll be worth it if it helps you avoid a problem car. That said, don’t be afraid of high mileage; I’ve met Subaru owners with well over a quarter-million miles on their cars.

What’s the deal with starters?

Wondering about automatic starters for my Toyota Corolla.  One mechanic says they are another device that will fail and others seem to be pushing them.  What’s your take on safety etc.

- Liz
Boston, Ma.

Batteries have to work a lot harder when starting a car in frigid temps. A starter can assist your car’s battery in getting the job done for those who live in cold climates.

They can be helpful, and I haven’t heard of any safety issues with them.

What Car Should I Buy?!

Wow, you answered it! Great and I should have asked you about the Volvo C30 while i was at it

I currently have a Mazda 6 from 2003. It’s very zippy for a 4-cylinder, but I’m getting sick of it! I’m considering the Mazda3 hatchback or Volvo C30 or Honda CRZ, even the Prius. I like the hatchback styling obviously…but do I need to test drive all of them or at least a couple?

Thanks for posting my question, and I love your site!

- Lisa
Dallas, Tx.

Hey Lisa!

Thank you for loving our site! We are working very hard to make it entertaining, informative and trustworthy for women who are looking to buy their next car. We love it when we hear from our readers, so please, keep us posted whenever you have a question or comment. We’re listening!

As for your question about test drives. The more, the better. You will only know what car is best for you after you compare them back-to-back. My recommendation is to drive them one after the other, on the same day while the feeling is fresh. If you spread your test drives over several days or weeks, it’s difficult to compare how you liked one over the other.

And with regard to the Volvo C30, that’s a fantastic choice. Love the look, love how roomy it is on the inside, while tiny on the outside (all the easier to park in tight spaces!) But you mention the Prius, too. Another great car, with unparalleled fuel economy. Frankly, you’ve got a terrific shopping list…now Vroom on over to the dealerships and give them all a spin. Please let us know which vehicle you choose!

- Tara

How to check tire pressure

What is the trick in figuring out that the air is low in your car’s tires and more air needs to be added?

- Andra
Claremont, Ca.

It’s absolutely simple to check. You’ll need a tire pressure gauge, which is inexpensive to buy from your local auto supply store. Then open your driver’s side door. You should see a sticker on the fixed panel inside the doorjamb that tells you the optimum air pressure for your front and rear tires. In some cases, the pressure will be different for the front and rear set of tires, but the sticker will let you know that.

If the sticker is missing, check your owner’s manual for the correct tire pressure. Or go online to the manufacturer’s website and access your models “specs.”

What’s up with the reviews?

I was thinking of test driving the Honda CRZ and couldn’t find a review on your site. Have you reviewed that model yet? Just wondering…

- Lisa
Dallas, Tx

Thank you for writing. Sorry, it’s my fault. I have been so busy launching the site, that I am late in getting up many of the reviews. Please be patient, as we’ll have a comprehensive slate soon enough.

In the meantime, I’ll tell you this: the CRZ is somewhat sluggish, with lackluster acceleration. It’s not a matter of whether or not you want to go fast, it’s just that it takes a very long time to get going from a standstill. Otherwise, I love the look of it: sporty, fun, youthful.

But try the CRZ for yourself; go to the dealership and give it a test drive. It’s not at all a bad car, but I think there are competitors that do a better job with performance for the same money. Give the Hyundai Veloster a try (though that car, too, has a sluggish engine for now – a new and improved one will debut later this year.) And though you might not love its looks, the MazdaSpeed3 is an amazing car – zippy, fun, great mileage, with excellent build quality.

Please let VroomGirls know what you end up with…and sorry to be late on the reviews. Please come back to our site as we grow!

Friends & Family Discount vs. Year-End Discounts

I am interested in purchasing a Chevy Silverado crew cab (my husband wants to purchase a Colorado, but I don’t know how we’re going to fit five golden retrievers, two adults and one child with lots of hockey gear in this vehicle!!)

My  question is cost. Because of a friend, we are able to participate in the GM Family First plan and can receive the GM discount on a vehicle. What would be the best cost-efficient method for getting the best price? Because it’s the end of the year, I was wondering if I would get a better deal by negotiating the price of a vehicle vs. using this GM discount. What do you think?

I know GM had offered up to $8,000 in rebates over the summer towards a truck. I was wondering if they may offer that incentive again in order to move out the 2011 models?

- Chris
Saint Germain, Wi

You,ll need to know exactly how much your friend’s employee discount is worth to know whether or not you’ll get a good deal on it. Regardless, I usually advise people to negotiate purely on the cash price of the car (rather than on payments), and look for a figure just over the dealer’s invoice minus any factory rebates, cash-back, etc. (That money comes from the manufacturer and doesn’t affect the dealer’s profit.) Generally, if a dealer is giving you a discount below invoice (not counting rebates), chances are it is making up the profit somewhere else, usually “aftersale” (dealer-installed accessories, financing, extended warranties, etc.). It’s important to remember that dealers are in business to make money, and they’re not any more willing to accept an unfair deal than the consumer is.

Anyway, if the GM discount takes the price of the vehicle below the invoice cost, that’s probably her best bet. It can’t hurt to have an honest discussion with the dealer about how the GM discount works — if all the money comes back to the dealer from GM, it doesn’t affect their profit, so they may not try to hit you hard for aftersale add-ons, or they may even cut you a little more discount. If a customer shows genuine concern that the deal is fair — that she gets a good price while the dealer makes a fair profit — you’d be amazed at how well the negotiation can go. Bottom line, get the complete price from your friend with the discount, and then take that price into the dealership to see if they can beat it. Because it’s end-of-year sales time, many dealerships have new discounts that could exceed employee deals.

Online Service Records Lost

I Had all of my service records on Toyota Owners (the company’s online service records keeper). I was about to make another entry when I discovered that all but four of my service records are missing. This is where I keep records of all the maintenance done on all of my Toyota cars. Help!

- Ed

Yikes. That’s a scary discovery. I contacted Toyota’s corporate headquarters and they have this advice: Please call Toyota’s Customer Experience Center at 800-331-4331. They can look up your VIN number and access your records that way. Good Luck!

A New Car for our Son

We are thinking of getting a new/newer car for our 22 year old college student – What would you recommend? He has a good driving record.

- Kathy
Mesa, Az.

Having a solid driving record at any age saves on costly insurance. But it’s especially important for young drivers, and even more so for guys. Men under the age of 25 pay more for auto insurance than anyone else.

With his clean driving record, you can consider giving your son a sportier ride than a guy who has a ticket or accident on his dossier, and not have to pay significantly more. You can choose to buy a pre-owned vehicle, but sometimes, you get a better deal buying a low-priced new car with a complete warranty.

Guys seem to spark to the new Hyundai Veloster, a three-door coupe-looking car. Yes, three doors. It’s a coupe on the driver’s side, with only one door for the driver. And on the passenger side, it’s a sedan, with two doors – one for front and one for backseat passengers. Plus, it comes in a hatchback, which is practical for hauling gear, sports equipment, and boxes, should your son be moving around during and after college. The Veloster also comes with a myriad of techie stuff that young people like: audio visual hook ups, web-based browsers, and plenty of music links. The price is somewhat steep for a college student, at around $18,000. But if you’re looking for a car that will last, the Veloster is a good choice. It maintains around 32 mpg highway.

Toyota’s Yaris is new for 2012, getting a complete redo on its engine, style and performance. We love its handling, it’s interior roominess, it’s hatchback versatility and it’s price: about $15,000. There are nine standard airbags, and several cutting-edge safety features that reduce whiplash injuries and side impact damage. Also, the Yaris is zippy, getting more a more powerful engine this time around that is great when passing slow-moving vehicles.

The VW Golf is also a popular choice among young men who prefer a more spirited German ride. It, too, is a hatchback, and starts around $18,000. All Volkswagens, including the Golf, come with three years or 36,000 miles of free scheduled maintenance. This means your son won’t pay for tune-ups, oil changes, or any other recommended services during this time. It gets about 31 mpg highway, or 42/highway, if you opt for the more expensive diesel version.

Finally, the Chevrolet Sonic sedan, which sells for about $14,000, has 10 standard airbags and a 40 mpg highway EPA rating. It has optional things like mobile apps, bluetooth, and other techie gizmos that are important to the 20-somethings. It will debut early next year.

Time for a Transmision Flush?

Everytime I take my car for an oil change I get the “must replace the transmission fluid” talk. I have a 2001 Honda Accord. I was told by another place that in older cars you could damage the car by changing the transmission fluid. More importantly, transmission fluid does not degrade like oil, does it? Should I have it flushed?

— Candace,
Houston, Tx

Many owner’s manuals say it isn’t necessary to change your Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF). And that’s certainly true for new vehicles. But if you’ve ever been on the receiving end of a mechanic’s bill after having a burnt-out transmission replaced, you’ll agree that it is wise to replace the ATF if you have an older or heavily-driven vehicle. Most mechanics advise that for optimum protection, change the ATF and filter every 30,000 miles (unless you have a new vehicle that is filled with Dexron III ATF which is supposed to be good for 100,000 miles).

An automatic transmission creates a lot of internal heat through friction and causes the ATF to heat up once the vehicle is in motion. The usual operating temperature for ATF is around 175 degrees F. If that temperature remains constant, ATF lasts longer — some mechanics say up to 100,000 miles. But a lot of stop/start city driving, hill or mountain driving, towing and even just living in area that has extreme elevated temperatures in summer months means the ATF temperature can rapidly fluctuate north of that recommended 175 mark, causing it to oxidize, turn brown and smell like burnt toast — meaning the life of your ATF is shortened.

According to the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association, 90% of ALL transmission failures are caused by overheating. And most of these can be blamed on worn out fluid that should have been replaced. With a vehicle such as your 10 year old Accord, the wiser choice may be to get the ATF changed rather than face a big bill to replace a burnt-out transmission. That said, the best under the hood advice is always to find a good mechanic whom you trust — or shop and ask around until you do.

Can I get a manual SUV?

I’ve finally decided that I need to replace my Jeep Wrangler with a more practical car that can fit people and stuff at the same time. I like SUVs and would prefer to keep the 4WD because of where I live. However, I hate driving automatics. Are there any options besides just upgrading to the Wrangler Unlimited? Also, what are you thoughts on buying 2011 model versus 2012 if there aren’t really any changes?

— Colleen,
Mystic, CT

You’re in luck Colleen! All of these SUVs/CUVs offer 4WD or AWD in combination with a manual transmission:
Nissan XTerra (S and Pro-4X)
Jeep Compass (Sport)
Jeep Patriot (Latitude; 2011, not sure about 2012)
Subaru Outback (2.5i and 2.5i Limited)
Porsche Cayenne (3.6)
Toyota FJ Cruiser
And, of course, the Jeep Wrangler.
In response to your second question about whether to go with the 2011 or 2012 model, if there aren’t really any major changes the decision will come down to what you prefer in terms of looks — i.e. not all colors are available on newer/older models; what trims are available; and let’s not forget price — you may be able to get a better deal on the outgoing year’s version as dealers need to make room to take delivery of next year’s model.

Love my Prius!

Two questions:
1. I’m a guy, is it okay to ask a question? If so, see question 2:
2. My lease on my ’07 Prius is almost up. I really like the car but I don’t think I’ll buy it, I’m thinking of getting a newer model. What do you think of the newer Priuses? Priusi? I guess I’m specifically interested in the plug-in version. Do I have to upgrade the electricity in my home to set up the car charging plug, port, thing?

- Lew
Pacific Palisades, CA

1) Ha! Sure, just this once.
2) The new Prius feels a bit less open and airy in the front seat, thanks to a new full-length center console. On the other hand, it has a bigger back seat and trunk, and it gets better fuel economy than your 2007 Prius.

The Prius Plug-in Hybrid allows you to charge the battery at home and drive up to 15 miles at speeds up to 62 MPH on battery power alone. You do not need to upgrade your electrical service; the Prius charges in about 3 hours from a 110 volt outlet and 1.5 hours from a 220 volt outlet.

The plug-in Prius is a good choice if you make lots of short trips, but for longer journeys the plug-in car is slightly less fuel efficient due to the weight of the batteries. It’s also more expensive than an ordinary Prius, with prices starting well above $32,000.

If you’re interested in gasoline-free driving without range limits, you might also want to check out the Chevrolet Volt, which runs on battery power for around 40 miles, then uses a gasoline-powered generator to supply electricity until it can be recharged. The Volt requires a dedicated charger, and will cost around $35,000 once you factor in charger installation and tax rebates.

Done with SUVs

I have driven a large SUV for the last ten years and now find myself not in need of the large vehicle anymore. I am not the station wagon/crossover or minivan kind of person. Want something fun, not too small, but somewhat sporty. I do go off road, camp and am an outdoorsy woman. I would rather be on gravel than pavement, but still need a vehicle sophisticated enough that I could pick up a work associate at the airport. Any suggestions for something that would fit my lifestyle, be somewhat economical on gas and still fun to drive?

- Deborah
Austin, Tx.

Excellent question! You’re the kind of gal who wants it all. And why not? But since you want to maintain off-road capabilities, inject urban swankiness and style but don’t want an SUV, your choices are a bit more limited. To allow for handling and control in non-pavement situations, you’ll need to choose an all-wheel-drive vehicle. This will give you the grip of all four wheels when you’re on rugged surfaces. There are a few cars that come equipped with all-wheel drive, but the majority of vehicles with this feature are trucks and SUVs.

BMW has a small SUV called the X3, which handles like a car but has the ability to stay on track when the road turns rough. It has Active Steering, BMW’s proprietary name for technology that really does enhance the steering capabilities of the X3 when the road gets ugly.

Also check out Range Rover’s new Evoque. It is more of a crossover vehicle but has exceptional off-road abilities and still drives like a car. Plus, it looks great.

Audi makes a line of Quattro vehicles – wagons, hatchbacks, sedans and SUVs – which have all-wheel drive. They’re posh looking, yet capable of handling rough road conditions.

In Need of a “Tune Up!”

Dear Tara: I have a 1995 JEEP cheerokee complete with a 1995 era radio. I want to upgrade to either HD radio or satellite radio but don’t know much about either. Which would be better for someone who would like access to local news but also music sports as well as national and international news.

- Stephanie
Chicago, Il.

When all is said and done (or should that be “sung” in the case of listening to the radio) the big question is: Do you want to pay a monthly subscriber fee (satellite) or pay the once off cost of buying a HD radio in the knowledge that you will have to listen to more ads?

Satellite radio uses satellites to broadcast its programming. Currently the satellite business model means paying a monthly subscriber fee. And while satellite radio has fewer advertisements than commercial radio, it is by no means ad free.

HD radio is a signal that is layered onto the existing AM and FM spectra and only requires a HD capable receiver to pick up the higher quality broadcasts. Basically HD is a higher fidelity with some multicast programming over the same channel allocation. And because HD is piggybacked onto the traditional broadcast signal, if loss of coverage occurs the radio receiver will revert to the original analog transmission. But, like traditional radio, you are at the mercy of transmission towers for area coverage.

In the case of satellite radio, if bad weather or mechanical mishaps result in loss of signal, well, let’s just hope your car stereo system is iPod compatible or you have a large stack of favorite CDs with you! There’s no backup when satellite goes out.

My advice is to go with HD. There’s no ongoing fees and less chance of losing the signal due to the original analog broadcast. And while I’m not a big fan of advertisements, we have to pay for programming somehow.

Wish to End the Odyssey

I am weary of my 2000 Honda Odyssey minivan but with school age kids I need a vehicle with three rows of seats. Both minivans and SUVs have so so mileage due to the weight of the vehicle. Any thing out there with 3 rows of seats, decent cargo space and better mileage … or am I dreaming??

- Amanda
San Diego, CA.

Day dreaming, perhaps! And there’s nothing wrong with that. But the reality is you’ll have to compromise somewhere when it comes to third row seating, ample cargo space and decent mileage.

These days you basically have three choices: minivans, SUVs and crossovers/station wagons.

The crossover/station wagon category has more interesting style choices as well as vehicles that don’t look or feel as bulky as a SUV or minivan. The Ford Flex, Subaru Tribeca, Buick Enclave, Mazda CX9 and Lincoln MKT all have a third row seating option available and city/hwy mpgs that range from the high teens to the mid- to high-twenties. The downside of these crossovers is that with the third row of seating in place you sacrifice cargo/trunk area. It’s a similar situation in the larger SUVS with third row capabilities.

So if it’s more people moving on short trips with less cargo, I say go the easier-on-the-eye crossover/station wagon.

But if it’s a soccer team with all their gear, you may just have to stick with the minivan for the time being. Sometimes college can’t come quickly enough!