January 1992

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Dear Tom and Ray:
I am writing to expose the myth of Japanese car superiority. We purchased a new 1988 Toyota Corolla in January of '88, and it has just reached 100,000 miles--somehow. Despite changing the oil and filter every 4,000 to 5,000 miles, and getting a major service every 30,000 or so, the following is a list of our problems: In March of 1990 at 56,107 miles, the distributor cap and spark plug wires had to be changed to correct an engine miss. In December of 1990, at 77,969 miles, I had to replace the interior dome light bulb. In August of 1991 at 97,513 miles, I had to replace the battery. I can't sleep at night for worrying about this car, and yet I can't afford a new car right now. The car seems fine right now, but what is going to happen next? Should I trade it in for an American subcompact, and if so, which one?
Tony

RAY: Wise guy.

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© 2008 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.