Live Q&As

I believe there is a business for rental cars by the hour. In San Francisco, and other metropolitan cities, they have had car rental, and car sharing.

As cars become more expensive to own, especially in the urban areas, you will see this take hold.

Hotels have had car services for a long time. It makes sense that they can offer electric cars because they have the ability to recharge them.

And what a benefit to the customer - if the car rental is $15 an hour, or $95 a day and you don't have to pay for gas!

For those who don't know Toyota is coming up with a whole lineup of Prius. The Prius C is a compact hybrid hatchback. It will be shown at the Detroit auto show. The same auto show Warren will receive a lifetime acheivement award.

Japan has a different testing cycle than the United States. This tells me it could be rated a little higher, that Toyota might be hedging their bets.

I'll let you know after the auto show.

It's a life cycle we all go through: we buy for safety when we have children, a fun car when we don't, and for safety when we have grandchildren. :)

I don't think you have to go back as far as 2003. I did a story in 2009 listing 71 cars under $15,000

Here it is

http://www.drivingthenation.com/?p=1243

go to cars.com or nadaguides.com or any other big search engine that lists all the prices and look for cars under $10,000.

Hyundai and Kia have really raised the bar on how much they offer as standard at low prices. I would start there. They also have the best warranty.

Tell Grandpa congratulations on his grand babies and thanks for thinking of their safety.

With all the rules and regulations we have in the U.S., Canada beat us to that one.

I remember visiting my Northern relatives and seeing all the daytime running lights and was told it was mandatory.

Thanks for confirming it.

Hey Charles,

Most of the new cars will be unveiled at the Detroit auto show next week. The Washington auto show will probably have the car there, but it wouldn't be an unveil.

I assume the same for the 2013 RAV4.

Unveils are usually at four shows in the United States: Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago and New York. That's where you find all the journalists.

The other auto shows will show all the cars that are unveiled at those shows. Washington auto show is picking up steam, mainly because of all the political types they can bring locally. It's a smart play for that show.

I drove the 2012 Honda CRV and don't remember a hybrid version. I really like the verrry refreshed version. It is up for North American truck of the year award. The award will be announced on the 9th of January. It is up against the Range Rover Evoque and the BMW X3.

A friend of mine that owns the 2nd generation CRV saw the 2012 4th generation and will probably buy it, so if you're a previous owner I think you will like it as well.

When Warren and I go to the auto shows we go on press days, the two days before the auto show. Except for the Washington auto show. I think Warren lives there the whole auto show. :)

I am thinking of going to the Washington auto show, though I live in California. It would be fun to meet some of the people we chat with.

I thought they did let you sit in the car? I remember seeing them take the ball off the stick shift and the asked them why and I was told that because if it wasn't nailed down or sewn on it would be gone by the end of the auto show. Memorabilia :)

Part of the reason car manufacturers might not let you sit in the cars anymore would be it is too hard to have someone there monitoring everyone who sits in it. If it is a new car and you have a pen in your back pocket and it sticks through the leather, there goes a seat.

Multiply that by 100,000 people and that car isn't sellable.

That is just my theory, though.

Ford will not be making the Escape hybrid anymore. If you want an American brand you could get the Chevy Equinox hybrid.

If you want American made I would suggest the Subaru Forester. It is made in Indiana.

I have already sent your post to Hyundai. I have had the most response from Hyundai, BMW and Ford on posts I send to them when I get problems.

Email me at lou at carlist.com and I will see what they have to say and let you know.

Hyundai Motor company is very vigilent about these problems. Email me.

GM hasn't said, but the big question is whether we get the diesel engine in it.

I will see GM next week at the auto show and ask them.

Subaru Outback. Tried and true.

Wow, with all the standards they have on the Verano I didn't realize they didn't have rain sensing wipers.

I will send them this email and get back to you.

I love the Verano as well. Have you seen the Chococinno interior? My favorite. And it is soo quiet.

email me at lou@carlist.com and remind me.

The Countryman S is worth getting, with the AWD option for snow.