Live Q&As

The Honda Cr-Z hybrid might interest you. It will be available in late 2011 or early 2012 probably as a 2012 model. But it, too, will cost more than a non-hybrid CRV. Ditto any hybrid minivan. Battery technology remains expensive. Also, hybrid engineering costs are higher. Industry analysts predict that hybrids will remain at, or below 10-percent of the overall vehicle market by 2015.

It's ridiculously pricey at $44k-plus. I'd rather go with the less-expensive ($29K-plus), exceptionally utilitarian (seats eight without jamming third-row next to hatch) Chevrolet Traverse crossover.

The worst thing I can say about them is that they are compact sedans with tight rear seating quarters, better suited for two adult bodies (in the rear) as opposed to advertised rear seating for three. Otherwise, both are extremely competent compacts that have rendered the once invulnerable Honda Civic quite vulnerable in the retail wars. The world has changed dramatically. In the auto industry, that means the maturity of computer-assisted design and engineering, and early collaboration among designers, engineers, tool makers and assembly plants have rendeered obsolete the old myth about the inherent poor quality of first-year products.

Rent alm0st any crossover utility vehicle. Consult kbb.com, cars.com, edmunds.com or similar web sites. Warning: The problem isn't the vehicle you use to transport the college bound. The problem is the tendency to bring too much stuff, all of the supposed comforts and necessities of home that often are thrown on trash heaps outside of college dorm gates at the end of  each academic term, especially at the end of academic years. Edit the amount of stuff you want to haul. That will make hauling it a lot easier.

Toyota Highlander is larger (sort of mid-size plus) and one of the best interms of overall construction, safety and performance.

The Ford Escape is mid-size bordering on compact and one of the best in terms of overall construction, safety and performance.

At this writing, I would not consider the Jeep Compass. That opinion might change upon examination of the latest versions of that vehicle. But previous iterations have been downright tacky.

I usually deal with dealers who ply those kind of silly, time-wasting games by walking out and shopping elsewhere, even if that means choosing another manufacturer. Given the amount of information available on the Internet (edmunds.com, kbb.com, cars.com, greencars.com, among many others), there is no reason for a consumer to enter any showroom uninformed. For that matter, given the reach of the Internet, you can shop almost any competitive dealer in Canada or elsewhere. Education. That is how you handle that mess-with-the-consumer foolishness. Smart dealers know this and have adjusted their point-of-sale approach accordingly. The dumb guys are steal (pun intended) screwing around and, as your story illustrates, losing customers.

Yes. And it appears that they will be doing so at least through July 2011. But they don't have time to dawdle before losing that advantage. Both Toyota and Honda are far ahead of schedule in ramping up production after the earthquake-tsunami interruptions of March. That means both should have a steady flow of inventory by August. As indicated by Toyota's current U.S. retail behavior, both will be prepared to move that inventory with very attractive consumer incentive programs. Hint: If you want the best Japanese car deal in the United States, wait until August. Or, check out Toyota right now. That company is simply amazing in its ability to recover.

I'd shop the Pilot, Highlander, Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Edge. I would not worry about that third row of seats. How many grandkids, by the way? What is the likelihood that they are all going to want to go the same place at the  same time? If you choose the third-seat option, examine the amount of crush space between the rear liftgate and the rear-most seat. Is it so close that heads touch, or nearly touch the rear window? If so, DO NOT BUY. That is a tragedy waiting to happen.

I'd check with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, www.iihs.org (I think). IIHS usually is ahead of everyone else with latest and most thorough safety ratings. Previous iterations of the Kia Forte  have fared well in IIHS testing. I have no reason to believe that the 2011 model (standard side and head air bags, four-wheel disc brakes with antilock protection, electronic stability and traction control) would be any less safe.

The Elantra is best compared with the Honda Civic, as opposed to the larger and better sound-insulated Honda Accord. Check out the Elantra Limited ($20k-plus). I'm certain you will find it as quiet as anything in the compact catregory except, perhaps the Chevrolet Cruze LTZ ($22k+), Ford Focus Titanium ($22k-plus), or the Honda Civic EX-L (rounded $22K).

Saab has been struggling to get longterm financing and has been having some difficulties in that endeavor. I did not know about the pay angle and, at this writing, can't confirm it.

Are we shopping for cars, guns, or both Clifton? You are right, of course, in your basic argument. "Administrative fees" are mostly bogus, especially in our Internet age. There are manyprograms to help dealers efficiently move all point-of-sale information by wire at reduced administrative costs. Dealers who aren't using those systems probably should not be in business or, certainly, should not be doing business with you.

Suggestion: when you know you will have all of the grands together, rent a crossover, such as a Chevrolet Traverse. It's less expensive than paying retail and operating costs for something larger, the full capacity of which you will use on a few occasions.

Thank you for those excellent suggestions.

My fault. I should have said "I don't know" and "I will check," which is what I will do today. My apologies.

It's addictive, the mid-engine drives. So well-balanced! The danger is that you are tempted to drive beyond your real-world competence, taking sweepers and all of that. Such cars often are more competent than their drivers, although too many of their drivers refuse to admit as much. Take some time to get to know the car in a non-lethal (to yourself or others) environment. Drive within your abilities. You want more excitement? Find a supervised raceway, such as Summit Point in West Virginia or the Virginia International Raceway. Seek out those drivers who actually know what they are doing on the track. Learn from them. Have fun. Pause for lunch.

I love the A7 both for its performance and utility--yes, its utility. You actually can carry a meaningful lod of stuff in that one. I've driven the Panamara only onc in Pebble Beach, Ca.--fantasy car in a fantasy setting. I've yet to experience it in the real world.

Thank you. And with that, I bid you all a good weekend. Please come back next week. Thank you, Dominique, for another fine production. Eat lunch, Ria. Me? Rosa Parks Brown, the Chocolate Lab, is sleeping on the floor of my new office. Time to take her for her mid-day pee-poop walk. Cheers.