Q. I read your remarks about the original Volkswagen Beetle in your list of subpar cars (Jan. 28 AutoTimes) but was happy with a bright red 1968 Beetle I bought new. It had improvements over the earlier Beetle, such as a better heater. I also found it had peppy performance and was comfortable at expressway speeds. --A.C., Lemont

A. Volkswagen kept improving the cleverly advertised Beetle -- or "Bug" -- in small ways, and your version was better than earlier ones, although the car always had a basic 1930s design. In 1968, Road & Track magazine said the Beetle "is a genuine anachronism, a genuinely updated old car -- old enough now to almost qualify as a modern replica of itself." Europeans never understood why Americans were crazy about the Beetle, and its sales peaked in Germany in the early 1960s. But 5 percent of new cars sold in America in 1968 were Beetles. With a slightly larger engine that year, the Beetle hit 78 mph and did 0-60 mph in 22.5 seconds, which was slow even then. However, it could cruise at 65 mph. The 1968 model was offered with a popular clutchless "Automatic Stick Shift,'' which accompanied an improved rear suspension that "was yet another step in exorcising the Beetle of its handling demons," says the book Volkswagen Chronicle. Road Test magazine did a comparison test between the Beetle and a Toyota Corolla in 1968. The Corolla beat the Beetle in every category "with the possible exception of personality," says the Beetle book Bug.

Q. Has anybody cleaned up the Wankel rotary engine to make it environmentally acceptable? Also, the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette used fiberglass instead of sheet metal for its body. What happened to fiberglass as an auto body material? --B.A., Chicago area

A. Mazda has sold rotary engine cars here since 1970 that meet all U.S. emissions requirements. All Corvettes have had fiberglass bodies -- considered a "miracle material" in the early 1950s -- since the first 'Vette arrived in 1953. There never has been a steel-body Corvette. Several major automakers long have used fiberglass-like composite materials for body parts such as fenders. The Saturn used composite parts for most of its life.

Q. In response to the reader with the 2005 Chevrolet Impala (Feb. 6 AutoTimes) who got about an inch of water in his car last summer, he may not have driven through a pool of water that came in the door bottoms. I had a similar incident with my new Lincoln Mark VII. It was in a thunderstorm during the night and the floor was totally wet in the morning. There evidently was a leak in the windshield gasket (or wherever) and the rain seeped into the interior. --D.N., Rogers Park

A. That's a possibility, but usually only very old cars have leaky gaskets. Such leaks are almost impossible to fix, even by good mechanics.

Q. I hear that Volkswagen is coming out with new diesel car models that will deliver high fuel economy, but I don't want to wait. A VW dealer has a 2005 and a 2006 diesel Jetta on his lot. What do you know about that Jetta diesel's reliability and performance? --N.M., Orland Hills

A. They have a turbocharged 1.9-liter four-cylinder diesel with 100 horsepower and good torque. Fuel economy is rated at 35-36 mpg in the city and 41-42 on highways. They are lively and should last a long time. However, being used cars, ask to see their service records and have them checked out, if possible, by your mechanic. Also, any decent warranty for them?

Q. I've owned a 1972 Pontiac Grand Prix coupe for 14 years that looks good and is a strong runner, with only a few rust bubbles. If I sell it now, would I be selling a future desirable (collectible) car? --B.D., Lansing

A. I wouldn't hold my breath. You have an especially good-looking car with a strong 250-horsepower V-8, but Pontiac built a large number of Grand Prix models with the design of your car, starting in 1969. It was among Pontiac's top-selling models and thus isn't rare. A total of 91,961 Grand Prix were built in 1972, which was the end of your Grand Prix design generation. The rust will get only worse unless it's taken care of now and make the car virtually worthless in a few years. A 1972 Grand Prix coupe in above-average, no-rust condition currently is valued at $7,650.

Car question? Send it to Dan Jedlicka, Chicago Sun-Times, 350 N. Orleans, Chicago 60654, or e-mail djedlicka@suntimes.com. Include name and hometown.