Big or Small?

Q: Bigger tires or smaller tires for a new SUV I’m buying? It can go either way. I won’t be off-roading or anything like that. What’s your preference? A: Smaller. They’re better from a fuel-economy perspective, and they’re almost always quieter. They cost less, too. Q: We are car shopping and are finding the price of two- and three-year old cars much higher than we expected. Salespeople are telling us that it is just today’s reality, that in some cases you can buy a new car for not much more than a used one. First, is he just saying whatever is convenient, and second, if it’s true, is it a regional thing? A: There always can be regional variation in supply and therefore pricing. And it can vacillate - an area that had a decent supply of vehicles last year may not this year. Think about the states that had massive flooding earlier this year. It’s a safe bet that in Texas and Oklahoma, for example, which suffered more than most, prices for used vehicles are higher than ever. So, yes, there can be regional variation. But here’s an across-the-board reality that’s also impacting supply and prices: 21 million fewer cars were built in the U.S between of 2008 and 2012 than in the previous five-year period. And that impact will reverberate for some years to come. It’s not beyond the realm of possibility that you can get a new car with not a huge amount more money than a one-year-old or two-year old car. When you’re considering the financial outlay attached to all this, however, remember to account for insurance (big variance in new-car rates vs. used), and if you’re contemplating buying out of your area, keep in mind that tax rates differ a great deal from place to place and that matters a lot when what’s being taxed is many thousands of dollars. Q: My brakes feel a lot “less firm” than they used to. My husband says that’s normal because the car is three years old. Should I worry? A: Please check to make sure your brake fluid level is OK. If it’s low, that’s an easy fix. If that’s not the issue, get it checked for a possible brake line obstruction. What’s your question? Sharon Peters would like to hear about what’s on your mind when it comes to caring for, driving and repairing your vehicle. Email Sharon@ctwfeatures.com.