Q. It seems like I've been reading your column and reviews since I could read. I just bought a 1971 Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia convertible in Florida for my wife, Deborah, and the car needs some repairs, which we are attempting to do ourselves. However, we would like to have a fall-back repair shop just in case we run into problems. Do you know of any shops near the Brookfield area that work on air-cooled Volkswagens? --B.N., Brookfield

A. Congratulations on getting the fun-to-drive Karmann-Ghia, which was built from 1955-74. It had a winning combination: the durability of a VW Beetle and Italian styling so good it was virtually unchanged during the car's life. It came as a coupe and convertible with Beetle components such as a rear-mounted air-cooled four-cylinder engine. It enhanced Volkswagen's image when the homely but solid Beetle was fairly new to America in the mid-1950s. Styling was from the famous Italian Ghia studios, and the car's specially crafted body was from the respected Karmann coachworks of West Germany. Sales totaled 387,975 cars. Many have rusted out in the Chicago area, although I still see a fair number of them in summer. I know of no shop that works exclusively on air-cooled Volkswagens in your area, but you should have good luck with the 'Vair Shop in suburban Frankfort, which specializes in working on older rear-engine-air cooled cars.

Q. I have a 1989 Buick I keep in Florida and only drive four months of the year when I visit that state. However, I have a person who drives it a few days a week to keep it in shape. The car has developed a transmission leak I'm told will cost $1,500 to fix, which is more than I paid for the car four years ago. Is there any good product I can use to stop the leak? --D.J., Park Ridge

A. There several "stop-leak" products. But they're just Band-Aids, if they'd work at all with your car. I'd advise giving the transmission a permanent fix because the leak might be worse than you think and the car might suddenly lose all transmission fluid, thus ruining that unit and leaving you stranded. Get estimates from several repair shops that are familiar with transmissions.

Q. I've read just about all the fuel-saving gas tips I want to hear about by now. Got any original ones? --C.W., Western Springs

A. Besides driving moderately and smoothly and staying below 60 mph on highways (the usual but worthy suggestions worth repeating), avoid left turns -- especially at intersections with stop lights. That reduces the amount of time your engine spends idling and thus reduces fuel consumption. UPS reportedly saved 3 million gallons of fuel last year by implementing that practice.

Q. We live in Chicago and plan to move to Michigan, where we will encounter more snow than in the Chicago area. We thus might need a four-wheel-drive vehicle with the traction and extra clearance that come with it to go to work before snow plows arrive. We're considering something in the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V class. Your thoughts? --J.R., Lombard

A. Those are decent choices in the compact SUV field, although they're essentially street-oriented trucks and you indicate that LOTS of snow will be encountered. You thus also might consider the Jeep Patriot, Suzuki Grand Vitara and Subaru Forester.

Q. Is Chevrolet testing a hydrogen-powered large SUV so it can sell one in a few years that doesn't use gasoline? My husband has his heart set on a fairly large, powerful truck that can haul a recreational vehicle, but we don't want to spend a fortune of gasoline, at least at its current price. --D.M. Chicago

A. I wouldn't doubt it because all automakers are experimenting with a variety of alternative power sources. None will be here in the near future, but car companies are making lots of noise about "alternative-fuel" vehicles because it's good public relations for them.

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