Q. My car dealer's service department says I should rotate the tires on my four-year-old front-wheel-drive car, although it's garaged and only been driven 5,500 miles, mostly on short trips. Is the dealer trying to rip me off? -- J.K. (via Internet)
 
A. Probably not. That's because front-drive puts most of a car's weight on its front tires, which thus are subject to more wear than the rear tires. You occasionally need to switch them to allow even tire wear.  Also, time causes deterioration of auto components. Your car's low miles for its age don't let it escape time. Don't let it sit too much, and take it for approximately an hour's drive at highway speeds so it gets completely warmed up at least once a month.



Q. Is Tesla Motors chief executive Elon Musk overextending himself with his car and battery operations? -- E.R. (via Internet)

A. It seems to be the case. But Musk has actually built and sold highly rated cars. John DeLorean also built cars, but they weren't highly rated. Then DeLorean got into lots of legal trouble.

Q. Which classic or special interest "must do" cars should I drive? I'm in my 60s. (E.C. via Internet)  

A. There's lots of them, but a few are rare. In no particular order, start with the 1990s Acura NSX, then experience the 1970s Alfa Romeo GTV; the 1955 MG TF 1500; the 2004 Bentley Continental GT; the 1970s BMW M1; the 1980s Buick GNX; the 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham; the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28; the 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Corsa: the 1965 Chevy Corvette; the 1960s Studebaker Avanti; the 1994 McLaren F1; the  1973 Pontiac Trans Am SD-455; the 1958 Porsche 365A Speedster;  the 1957 Chrysler 300C;  the 1970s Lancia Stratos; the 1970s Lotus Europa; the 1960s Shelby Cobra 289, and the 1966 Jaguar XK-E.




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