Reply #52: Get to know your car mechanic.

[tomreedtoon]

The rest of these jokers may use this occasion to make snide jokes about Big Oil and Big Manufacturing. Well, goody for their political correctness, but the lady wanted a realistic answer about a car.

Your best bet is to find a mechanic you can trust. It will generally NOT be one that works for one of the national auto service chains. If you don't know one, ask around among your friends. You're looking for a man who is honest about his car evaluations and who does good repair work.

(My mechanic is a staunch, bitter Vietnam ex-vet who hates Democrats. But I don't bring up politics and he is an honest man. Don't hire a mechanic based on politics. There are some honest Republicans out there - my mechanic is proof - and probably because he's honest the party will never let him run for anything.)

Once you find this mechanic, tell him your needs. Have him ask around. These guys often know owners who take care of their cars but have to sell them. (My current car was a low-mileage Camry wagon - yes, a rare breed - garaged and used infrequently by a widow.)

If you like the car he suggests, have him check it thoroughly. Then if you decide to buy it, always get your car serviced at that mechanic's shop. In other words, reward him for being honest and fair.