Q. I'm thinking about buying a car but wonder what color I should select that will enhance its resale value. --H.K., Evanston

A. What size and type of car are you considering? For instance, you can't go wrong with red paint for any small sporty car. White, silver and black dominate the global mass auto market, says the DuPont Global Auto Color Popularity Report. White tri-coats such as pearls are chosen by buyers for big, luxurious but unpretentious cars in America, says Nancy Lockhart, DuPont color designer for North America. She sees lighter blues emerging "with a reddish accent representing a clean, fresh trend." Christopher Webb, General Motors' lead interior/exterior color and trend designer, said, "Customers are embracing color again," with brown, orange and blue selling well.

Q. I own a 1991 Chevrolet Lumina with 55,449 miles that I faithfully maintain. But it sometimes stalls at a traffic light. I'm thus afraid to go father than my neighborhood. Is it time to think about a new car at this point? -- V.S., Berwyn

A. No. Your auto likely has a fairly minor problem with the idle control circuit or with a dirty throttle body, which can be caused by the short trips you indicate you take. I'm sending the name of a good mechanic to solve the problem.

Car question? Send it to Dan Jedlicka, Chicago Sun-Times, 350 N. Orleans, Chicago, IL 60654, or e-mail djedlicka@suntimes.com. Include name and hometown, and be sure to include a self-addressed stamped envelope to ensure a personal reply.