Car Talk

July 1996

Dear Tom and Ray:

I'm thinking about buying a BMW 318ti. I'm in my early 20s, [bluecar.gif] married, with two dogs. It seems to be just the type of car for people like me. But since it's only been out for a year or so, I'm wondering if I should wait or what? What do you think? -- J.R.

Ray: Wait? If you wait too long, it won't be the perfect car for you anymore. Pretty soon, you'll have kids, and you'll need a Volvo wagon. And then the kids will grow up and move out, and by then you'll be old enough for a Chrysler!

Tom: I'd say go for it, J.R. This is a really fun little car. It's cute, it's fun to drive, and it's a hatchback, so you can fold down the rear seats and have room for a little doggie condominium in the back.

Ray: And I wouldn't worry about this being its first year. It's essentially built with existing BMW parts. Just about every component has already been in use in other 3 series BMWs.

Tom: The only negative thing we had to say about it in our on-line Test Drive Notes (which you can find on our web site at http: //cartalk.com) is that it could use a sixth gear, because the engine revs pretty high in fifth gear at highway speed. But for you, that engine noise will help drown out the sound of the howling dogs. What could be better than that? Want all of our used-car assessing secrets? They're yours in our new pamphlet, How to Buy a Used Car: Things Detroit and Tokyo Don't Want You to Know. You can order it through the Shameless Commerce area of the web site, or by sending $3 and a stamped (55 cents), self-addressed, No.10 envelope to Used Car, PO Box 6420, Riverton, NJ 08077-6420.

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.

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