Q. Any chance we might get a version of the fuel-thrifty $2,500 two-cylinder car from India's giant Tata outfit? If so, when? Will it be another failure here, as was the Yugo? --E.S., Evanston

A. The 1986-91 four-cylinder Yugo flopped, but wasn't all that bad. It had front-drive and an independent rear suspension. It was based on a popular Italian Fiat model built in Yugoslavia by another outfit. Although reasonably roomy, it was the smallest car sold here and the least costly. I found test models to be fair base-transportation cars with marginal quality that could be driven on area expressways. It initially cost $3,990, but ended at $4,435 -- with a rare convertible at $8,990. Many owners considered it a throwaway and thus sorely neglected maintenance. As for the India car, it's not designed for us. For one, it'd cost a bundle to make it conform to U.S. safety and emissions standards -- if that could even be done. And two-cylinder cars never have made it in America. Tata is having problems with the car's plant site in India, so that auto might not go on sale until 2010 -- for the India market. It'd be a step up from a bicycle or motor scooter there.

Q. Ford is making noise about the "pony" badge for the redesigned 2010 Mustang. The two badges look virtually identical to me. --E.N., Chicago

A. They also look nearly the same to me, although Ford says the new badge is more chiseled and "faster looking." The rival new Dodge Challenger is getting excellent reviews and the soon-to-arrive Chevrolet Camaro looks sharp. The new version of the Mustang isn't scheduled for a redesign until spring, so it appears Ford must do something to keep the Mustang in the news.

Q. I've consistently heard rumors that the beloved British MG sports car might return to America. --M.K., West Chicago

A. Last sold here in 1980, the affordable, fun-to-drive MG introduced many Americans to sports cars in the early 1950s. Many older baby boomers who have owned a sports car had a new or used MG, which is why there are many MG car clubs in this country. (My first car was a used 1952 MG TD.) MG's plans to return to America are on hold after some false starts, but chin up because the car is sold in England and there's a possibility it may be offered here again.

Q. Now that we're getting cooler weather in Chicago at night, what's the best temperature to quickly clean up the condensation on the windshield in the morning? Do you use the defrost setting with cold air or warm air? --P.B., Chicago

A. The condensation is on the outside of the windshield, so it's best to use the defrost mode with warm air. However, warm engine coolant is needed to produce warm air, and it takes a while for the coolant to become sufficiently warm after you start the car. It's best for fuel economy to drive the car soon after starting it to warm the engine more quickly. Use the windshield wipers to periodically clear moisture from the windshield until the coolant is warm enough to work effectively with the defroster.

Q. I recently drove to Iowa in my 1995 Honda Civic four-cylinder with a five-speed manual transmission and 83,000 miles on the odometer. It provided 50 mpg. I drove at 65 mph and was always passed, but who cares? I bought the car last December for $2,000 and everything works, although it has no power accessories. --D.P., Bolingbrook

The 1995 Civic came with several four-cylinder engines, one of which had 92-horsepower and was rated at 56 mpg with a five-speed manual under the old optimistic EPA fuel-economy rating system. So it's possible you got 50 mpg, although many drivers would find it disconcerting to be continually passed by other vehicles, especially large trucks. Old U.S. and foreign small economy cars in driveable condition are in demand since gasoline hit $4 per gallon because they deliver high m.p.g. The problem is finding one from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s such as Civics, Chevy Chevettes, Toyota Camrys and Ford Escorts that can be reliably and safely driven without putting as much -- if not more -- money into them as you paid for them. Many first, second and even third owners of these cars neglected maintenance, passed them on to their kids or just let them sit and rot if they didn't get sell them. It's not possible to build such a simple new car now because of fuel-robbing added weight of safety equipment, power accessories wanted by car buyers that weren't offered for those old autos and more-powerful -- and thus less economical -- engines to handle the extra weight. Steering, braking and handing of those less-comfortable old cars also leaves much to be desired.