hot automobile for you

Today: phone apps that keep your kid from driving and dialing.
Today: does revving an engine cause damage?
Dear Tom and Ray: My wife and I live out in Southern California and have some ... well, to be polite, interesting neighbors in our condo complex. One couple in particular is very proud of the Porsche 911 Carrera they're leasing. The car probably is a 2007 (about a year older than the woman's face ... the rest of her is a 1950-something). Whenever they start up this car, or before they turn it off, they make sure that they rev the engine loudly, in case we all forgot that they have a Porsche. My question is this: Can revving the engine while the car is not moving damage anything? -- Chris
Does Bill's Subaru really need a new timing belt?
Dear Tom and Ray: A few months ago, our local Subaru dealership determined that our Impreza needed a new engine, and that it would be covered by the factory warranty. Since the engine was replaced, we've put 7,000 more miles on the car. Now they say we need a timing belt. My question is, When the engine was replaced, wouldn't they have replaced the timing belt then? -- Bill
Today: A car purchase that clearly was meant to be.
Dear Tom and Ray: My grandmother once owned a 1963 Rambler. It was the only car she ever had -- my grandfather bought it for her the year I was born (the car was brand new, and so was I!). She had that car until she passed away in 1994. When we were at her house going through things and getting ready to sell the house, I went out to the garage to see the car. Much to my horror, it was GONE! My dad explained to me that she had sold the car when her health was starting to decline. Everybody loved that car -- she took immaculate care of it all those years. It really broke my heart to know that it was gone. Fast-forward a few years, when I took a new job in the same area near where my grandmother had lived. I happened to be at a car show, and in the midst of all those '57 Chevys, old T-birds, Corvettes and Mustangs, which all start to look alike pretty quickly, I saw a very familiar-looking car a couple of rows over. Sure enough, it was my grandmother's '63 Rambler! I introduced myself to the owner, and we talked quite a while. A couple of years later, I noticed he had the car for sale. Unfortunately, I was in no position to be able to buy it or care for it. Now it is for sale again! I'm trying to be as practical as I can, I don't want to make a rash decision, but I want that car -- if for no other reason than to have it back in the family again, and for the satisfaction of saving it from some unknown fate. I jokingly told the guy, "My grandfather bought it for his wife, so I'll buy it for MY wife!" He let me drive the car -- I never got so many thumbs-ups in my life! (Usually it's that other finger!) My wife is OK with this, but space is limited, and I know just enough about cars to know that I would rather pay someone else to do any major work on it. The car is in pristine condition, and I certainly would want to keep it that way. What do you think? What are the ins and outs of owning an antique car like this? It would be fun to take it to all the car shows. My sisters are trying to talk me into getting it. I'd like to think my grandparents are looking down from heaven, saying: "Buy it! Buy it!" Should I just go for it? -- Dave P.S.: All the original paperwork is with it, including a 1963 issue of Motor Trend magazine in which it was declared Motor Trend's car of the year.
Today: Tom and Ray settle an unintended-acceleration dispute.
Dear Tom and Ray: With all the news about uncontrolled acceleration, my wife has decided that she wants to be prepared in case it ever happens to her. We know the proper thing to do is shift the automatic transmission into neutral. To get practice in this maneuver, she has been slipping the car into neutral while she's driving. She'll put it in neutral while travelling at speed, and then let the car slow down a bit, then pop it back into gear and keep going. I know this is a good thing for her to know, but it's starting to drive me nuts. Is it OK for the transmission? It's coming close to an argument for us. Can you tell me if what she's doing is OK? -- Mike
Is paying for a post-diagnostic repair a rip-off?
Dear Tom and Ray: We recently took our 2001 VW Jetta to the dealer because the Check Engine light was on. After guessing at the solution (something about the code was vague), they charged us 280 dollars for diagnostics and to replace the air filter and spark plugs. They also wanted 65 dollars to run a "post-repair diagnostic check"; I refused, as it seems to me this should be part of any repair. They prominently noted my refusal on the repair bill. We picked up the car after the repair shop had closed. The Check Engine light was still on, and the car ran worse than before. The next morning, they wanted to charge us 118 dollars for another diagnostic. I would have ranted and raved, but my saintly wife used guile to get them to back off. So my question is, Should I ever pay for a "post-repair diagnostic," or is this just a pure rip-off? -- Craig
Today: should you dress your car's belts?
Dear Tom and Ray: Belt dressings? Yes or no? I heard on your radio show this week not to spray belt dressings on serpentine belts. I recently was told TO use belt dressings on my serpentine belt by a mechanic. He said it would increase the longevity of the belt -- replacing the lost oils and keeping it more flexible and, therefore, increasing the life of the belt. Why is this not good on today's belts? -- Bruce
Can Blair "trust but verify" her daughter's driving?
Dear Tom and Ray: I'm a concerned mom. Our spirited 16-year-old daughter will soon have her driver's license. We subscribe to the Reaganesque philosophy of "trust but verify" when it comes to raising teenagers. Is there a covert car-tracking device or service that you recommend that would provide us with the ability to locate the vehicle on demand via e-mail or SMS (Short Message Service)? Thanks for your help! -- Blair
Can Brad just go ahead and rip off that air dam?
Dear Tom and Ray: So the air dam on my '91 Chevy C1500 has taken a beating and is starting to come off. Rather than try to rig it back on or replace it, I want to simply remove it and be done with it. The truck is my only vehicle, used primarily for driving to and from work. However, I do take it "off road" on a farm from time to time, even though it has two-wheel drive, and that is where the damage comes from. I've been warned that the air dam is not simply a cosmetic piece but that it serves several functions for the truck. I'd love to get some advice on the pros and cons of not having one. Thanks! -- Brad

Dear Tom and Ray - Cartalk Newspaper Column

Young Driver Car Insurance - Young Driver Car Insurance
...tain age and become increasingly independent it can be difficult to cut the apron strings. You tend to worry as a parent and want only the best for your kids so when they reach landmark moments in th...
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Removals Norwich - Removals Norwich
...have you permanently erased it from your mind? All you can remember was you hired a van and attempted the move yourself and the rest is a bit of a blur. Moving home can be stressful at the best of t...
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Cheap Insurance For Young Drivers - Cheap Insurance For Young Drivers
... insult to injury as young driver because you spend fortunes getting through your test and then have to shell out vast amounts for car insurance afterwards. Such is the price of wanting to drive for y...
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Cheap Car Hire Birmingham Airport - Cheap Car Hire Birmingham Airport
...n a business trip for a few days and you`ll need some form of transportation to get you around whilst you are in the city. You might be meeting up with a number of important clients and have asked yo...
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Leicester Airport Transfers - Leicester Airport Transfers
...n the Leicester area. Local residents are lucky because they can rely on the services of a reliable taxi firm. This firm has been taking passengers to the airport for over 40 years and not many taxi...
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Classic Car Specialists - Classic Car Specialists
...n cars are built with fuel economy and safety in mind which isn`t a bad thing but they tend to lack in having any kind of soul. Sit behind the wheel of a new car and everything will be functional and...
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Cheap Car Hire Heathrow - Cheap Car Hire Heathrow
...ing on where you hire them from. Shop around and it`s possible to find hire companies that offer hire vehicles at fabulous prices. These days I`m more than likely to hire a car if I fly into another ...
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Car Dealership Delivery - Car Dealership Delivery
... manpower to ferry cars from one site to another. They often sub-contract the car dealership delivery to distribution teams who can move large volumes of cars from one site and take them to new locat...
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Taxis In Manchester - Taxis In Manchester
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Momo Helmets - Momo Helmets
...ding scooters will want to get their hands on one of these fine items of head protection. My attention was drawn to the Momo Fighter helmet that came in a range of fine finishes. Matt or glass black...
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Airport Taxi Leicester - Airport Taxi Leicester
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Roof Racks - Roof Racks
... space in your car or your van can soon be solved if you get yourself a set of roof racks. In hardly anytime at all you can have the racks fitted and then you`ll be able to use the extra space on top...
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Vw Campervan Sales - Vw Campervan Sales
...ad seem to have shot up lately and in 2009 plenty of Brits decided to holiday at home. They looked for cheaper ways to enjoy themselves in their own country and the sales of camping gear and camperva...
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Roof Bars - Roof Bars
... it was 7 years old it was a one owner vehicle with a cracking low mileage. The previous owner had a tow bar fitted to the vehicle and it also had roof bars attached. These bars could have easily be...
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Campervan Hire Scotland - Campervan Hire Scotland
...ay for this year. You know how it is, the bad weather in January and the inevitable let down after Christmas makes you yearn for a holiday. However, we have decided not to holiday abroad this year du...
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Car Collection And Delivery - Car Collection And Delivery
...`ve just bought a classic British racing green E-type Jaguar and need to transport it from Edinburgh to Surrey in the next couple of days. Although the temptation might be there to drive the car your...
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Scooter Clothing - Scooter Clothing
...here is only one place to go to get the very best accessories and Scooter clothing from. Visit one of the best retailers of all your scooter needs on line today and take a look at all the fabulous acc...
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Wedding Cars Kent - Wedding Cars Kent
... brides will be taken to the church where they are going to get married in a tasteful type of transport. Some brides like open, horse-drawn carriages whilst others will opt for a classic type of vehi...
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Suv Rent London - Suv Rent London
...n a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), they are the perfect combination of size, performance and image. Many celebrities choose to drive SUV`s for their style and protection. They are possibly not the most...
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Short Term Car Lease - Short Term Car Lease
... the past but didn`t want to be tied into a 3 or 4 year contract. Would you be interested in contract hire if you could give the car back after 3 months without any penalties? It`s possible to lease...
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Rukka - Rukka
...on`t matter a jot if you are wearing your rukka all-weather gear. Having tried a variety of motorcycle clothing in the past you find rukka to be in the premier league. Throughout all of the seasons ...
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Bristol Coaches - Bristol Coaches
...for up to twenty nine people, yet do not know where to go to for good, reliable transport. Do you want spacious and comfortable travel at the most competitive prices. Then look no further. You can now...
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Motorcycle Clothing - Motorcycle Clothing
...r doesn`t stop you from going out on your bike and you can`t quite grasp the concept of only being a fair weather rider. The weekend is the time when you can really put your Kawasaki through its pace...
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Brake Services Nottinghamshire - Brake Services Nottinghamshire
... have to stop abruptly at some point and when they put their foot on that brake pedal they really need their car to perform. That is why it is important to take good care of your car`s brakes. Good dr...
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Manchester Airport Taxis - Manchester Airport Taxis
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Motorhome Hire - Motorhome Hire
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Motorhome Dealers - Motorhome Dealers
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Wedding Cars Surrey - Wedding Cars Surrey
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Rover Car Parts - Rover Car Parts
...and how well all their cars are made and to a very high spec. Rover is a name that is trusted the world over but any car no matter how well built will need some spare part from time to time, which in...
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Used Rover Parts - Used Rover Parts
...nough to remember Rover when it was classed as a premium brand. I can remember my dad bring home a Rover Sd1 in the late 1970s and thinking to myself, wow, what a luxurious car. Sadly the writing wa...
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Short Term Car Lease Deals - Short Term Car Lease Deals
...car for a 3 month period as you head-up a new scheme for your firm? A lease car would be ideal but most of them are only available with lengthy types of contracts. This might have been true in the p...
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Removals Ipswich - Removals Ipswich
... My brother-in-law was supposed to meet me at 9am in readiness to collect a hire van. He didn`t turn up until lunchtime and I had moved the entire contents of the kitchen into the new home by this s...
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Car Service Derbyshire - Car Service Derbyshire
...it has a full service history. People on the lookout for reliable runabouts like the peace of mind that a full history brings. It shows them that whoever has owned the car before has kept up with al...
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Campervan Hire - Campervan Hire
... beauty of the Scottish Highlands awaits your approval this year and you can witness many wondrous sights if you consider a campervan hire. Can you think of better way to tour around the country than...
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Minibus Hire Bristol - Minibus Hire Bristol
... transport itself around the town so it`s up to the best man to get it sorted out. The ideal type of transport for a large group of lads would arguably be a minibus. Blokes based in Bristol will be ...
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Used Motorhomes For Sale - Used Motorhomes For Sale
...e hired a motorhome for a week last year and went touring around the South West of England. It was a fabulous experience and the motorhome that we hired was just like a home from home. It had a doubl...
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Luxury Car Hire London - Luxury Car Hire London
...during your time in the capital you can certainly benefit by booking a Luxury Car Hire London. You`ll find there are dedicated firms that have fabulous cars in their range so when you need Luxury Car ...
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Mercedes Sl For Sale - Mercedes Sl For Sale
...a Mercedes SL and you had to sit and drool as yuppies drove past you in their bright red Mercs back in the 1980s. Today you are at an age where you find you have a certain amount of expendable income...
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