Dear Tom and Ray:

I read your column every week. You not only supply great automotive advice, but you add that extra quart of humor that we all need. I'm in need of a combination vehicle. I need a four-door, six-passenger car with good reliability and safety features that I can use to commute 70 miles daily to work -- plus haul the family around on weekends. I'm looking for a car that will still be around when the payments are finished and have reasonable resale value. I've had more than my share of problems with my 1990 Ford Taurus, so I don't want another one of those. I'd prefer American-made, but would buy a foreign model. What comes to mind for me? -- Mark

Ray: A Toyota Avalon. It meets all of your criteria, Mark.

Tom: The Avalon is a stretched version of the well-known Camry, which is one of the most reliable cars on the road today.

Ray: It's comfortable, so you can enjoy those 70 miles of peace and quiet away from the kids on your commute every day. And with an optional bench seat in front, it seats six for those trips to family therapy on the weekends.

Tom: And judging from other Toyotas, the resale value should be quite good.

Ray: And while Toyota in Japan would make some profit on your purchase, the Avalon is actually built right here in Georgetown, Ky., USA.

Tom: If you don't like the Avalon for some reason, my second choice would be a Ford Crown Victoria. But I think you're going to like the Avalon, Mark.

It's amazing how many bad driving habits and wacko theories have been passed down from generation to generation! Tom and Ray set the record straight in their booklet "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.

© 1996 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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