August 1989

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Dear Tom and Ray:
I am considering buying a Lotus Super Seven. I understand this is a high performance car that requires 93.5 octane gas. Unfortunately, I live in a very high elevation, where the highest octane gas available is 90. I would greatly appreciate your advice.
Ed

TOM: When I started reading your letter, I thought that you must have just turned 40. But by the time I finished, I was convinced it must be 50. If you had just hit 40, you'd probably go for something like a Mazda Miata or a Nissan 300 ZX. You're going for a "last chance" vehicle...and that smacks of the big 5-0.

RAY: If that's the case, why pussy-foot around? Go all the way! For $145,000 you can go to the convenience store in a brand new Lambourghini Countach. High octane gas? No problem. If you're spending that kind of money, buy yourself a Sunoco station too.

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© 2006 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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Auto repairs can be costly! Save money by ordering Tom and Ray's pamphlet: "Ten Ways You May Be Ruining Your Car Without Even Knowing It!" To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.