Q. I saw a weird advertisement for a "Chrysler '91 TC Mazzerati." What is THAT -- a combination Chrysler and homemade car? The seller is asking $4,300. -- J.J., Barrington

A. That's a European-built (no kidding) "TC Chrysler by Maserati" two-seat convertible with a removable hardtop and awkward name. It came as 1990 and 1991 models, although production was halted in late 1990 because it was a bust -- only 7,300 were built. The front-drive car was a joint project of Chrysler and Italy's Maserati, of which Chrysler owned a portion. It was displayed at auto shows for years before its public debut because Maserati was run by erratic Alejandro deTomaso, who teamed with Chrysler Chairman Lee Iacocca to build the $33,000 car to add pizzazz to Chrysler's line.

It had mediocre quality, uninspired performance and easily could be mistaken for an $18,100 Chrysler LeBaron convertible. However, the leather interior was sumptuous. The 1991 model is valued at $3,550 in fair shape and at $11,000 in near-show condition, says the Collectible Vehicle Value Guide. Monetary appreciation is doubtful.

Q. I recently saw a guy pull up to a grocery store in a 1984 Dodge Rampage. I hadn't seen one in 15 years. It wasn't preserved and had a little surface rust, but its owner said it only been driven 41,000 miles and didn't burn a drop of oil. He said it was given to him by his father-in-law and delivers 22 mpg in town and 26 on highways -- and is good enough to use all the time instead of his big Chevrolet Suburban. Was it built on Chrysler old K-car platform? -- J.M., Chicago area

A. The 1981-91 Rampage was a small combination car/pickup truck. As with all Chrysler Corp. vehicles, the cute Rampage was built on the K-car platform because Chrysler had no money to develop a new platform. It had the automaker's indestructible, fuel-thrifty 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine. You probably hadn't seen a Rampage because most rusted away long ago in this area. The Rampage is a very minor collector's item, and the world's best one isn't worth more than $4,200.

Q. I'm looking for the best route to take when buying a new car. I own a 2004 Honda Accord driven 97,000 miles. It runs great, but I want either a 2008 or 2009 Accord, which I hear isn't going to be changed much. Would it be financially wiser to buy a 2008 Accord or wait a few months for the 2009 model? I know the 2008 Accord will suffer considerable depreciation when the 2009 model comes out. -- D.T., Elwood

A. The 2009 Accord will be little changed because the 2008 Accord was totally redesigned, with more power and passenger space. Major factors here are your car's unusually high mileage and the fact that you're keeping your current car five or six model years. If your new Accord is driven comparable miles and kept as long as your current model, depreciation isn't much of an issue. I thus would opt for a 2008 Accord, using year-end Honda model-clear-out incentives.

Q. I agree with your recent articles that advise doing the math when considering keeping or selling a gas-thirsty SUV. But how about buying a used, inexpensive car that gets better fuel economy and can be used as a temporary "fix." A driver can park an SUV and drive the used car until gas prices go down or until a longer-term decision becomes clearer. -- R.H., Chicago area

A. Fuel-hungry SUVs have lost much resale value with $4-plus fuel prices, and many of their owners owe more for such vehicles than they're worth. Your suggestion about buying a "stopgap" used car is a good one. But the catch is that any such reliable car will be a late-model one in good condition and won't be inexpensive. Cheap used cars likely won't be reliable as a newer one unless costly work is done on them. There's been talk about buying a cheap old small ultra-economy car such as a 2000 3-cylinder Geo Metro (sold by Chevy dealers) or 1985 Chevrolet Chevette with a diesel engine, but good luck finding one -- let alone one that's not a pile of junk!