Car shopping isn't a popularity contest

Dear Tom and Ray: A friend of mine, Chris (his real name), is about to buy a U.S.-made car, brand-new, off the showroom floor. I suggested that he might want to consider buying a model of which lots of units are sold. It's my idea that the more popular a car is, the less likely he will be to end up with a lemon. Also, if a car is common, repairs and replacement parts might cost less. Is this a good strategy for buying a new car, or am I all wet?

Gary

Tom: Well, you're not all wet, Gary. But you are a little damp.

Ray: You're right when it comes to parts and service. If you buy a Ford Taurus or a Chevy Impala, parts are going to be cheaper and easier to find. This will be particularly true as the car gets older, because there will always be a good-size group of owners maintaining demand for the parts. And later on, you'll have plenty of junkyard parts to choose from, too, since what's popular on the roads eventually becomes popular in junkyards.

Tom: You'll also find more mechanics who are willing and able to fix them, simply because more of their customers drive them. So, your advice is good from a parts-and-service point of view.

Ray: But you're wrong about avoiding a lemon. As far as we can tell, there's nothing about a car's popularity that makes it less likely to have model-wide defects. Dear Tom and Ray: You answered some questions recently about whether the 2004 Toyota Prius has to be serviced at the dealer, or can be serviced by an independent mechanic. I want to pass on some helpful information that was omitted from your article. Although you can take the Prius to an independent facility for maintenance, the factory-scheduled maintenance is covered at no charge by Toyota for the first 36,000 miles. Also, you suggested that the brakes may be done at an independent facility. That is also an item that should be taken care of by a certified Prius technician. The brakes are an integral part of the recharging system, and although it might be rare, we have seen cases where parts of the system were damaged by people who worked on the car but were not familiar with it. Just thought you would want to pass that information on to your readers who might be interested in the Prius and had questions about it after your article. It might be valuable information that saves them some added expenses of ownership.

Steve Hudson, Toyota of Lake City, Seattle

Tom: Thanks for the info, Steve. The fact that maintenance is free at the dealer for 36,000 miles would sway my decision.