Dear Tom and Ray:

I have a problem with my car that I have never seen addressed in your column before. I drive a 1979 Toyota Corolla that I bought new 14 years ago. The problem I am having is that I can't get it to break down. Other than changing the battery a few times, I have had no problems with it. I am getting tired of driving the same car, but my husband insists that we keep it until it quits running. Please don't suggest not putting oil in it. I just checked the oil and it was bone dry. The car was still running fine. Any suggestions? Jeanne

Ray: The late 70's were certainly the golden years for Toyota. I don't think even Toyota realized how good they were making them back then. Of course, eventually, their dealer's parts and service departments complained, and forced them to back off on the quality a little bit. But in my opinion, those late 70's, early 80's Toyotas were some of the most reliable cars ever built.

Tom: That's not what you wanted to hear, was it, Jeanne? If you've already tried letting it run out of oil and that didn't work, I'd say there's only one strategy left; abduction by aliens.

Ray: Right. Tell your husband that you were abducted by aliens, and they weren't interested in you because they have plenty of human specimens. But they kept the car, because what they were really after was a '79 Corolla. Good luck, Jeanne.

Changing your oil is the cheapest insurance you can buy for your car, but how often should you change it? Find out 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.

© 1993 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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