Motormouth: Touch screens are the new normal

Q: I’ve got a 2002 VW Golf, and my boyfriend has a 2006 Honda Accord, Both cars have the familiar push-button AM-FM radios with CD slots. I’m starting to look at 8- to 12-year-old Golfs, and none of them have a good, old-fashioned radio.

When did car manufacturers stop putting push-button radios in cars? How far back do I have to go to find a VW Golf with a normal radio and a CD player? I just want an easy transition from this car to the next.

A: Touch screens have replaced mechanical push buttons almost everywhere. The transition came because carmakers needed more space for other stuff. With a little practice, they actually are simple to use.

Q: Is there a resource to tell me what preventive services need to be done and which are less urgent, as well as the timing of those services? I would prefer to not depend on our mechanics in terms of the importance and timing of each one. I trust them, but I know they need to make money, so I would prefer to be a little more educated.

A: Yes, there is a resource: the owner’s manual. The items listed are the things you should do to keep your car operating properly. Your mechanics may suggest other services, but they are only that: suggestions. You may politely decline.

Q: I have a 2011 Honda Accord with 233,000 miles. It’s in decent condition. However, it’s going to need a clutch soon, and possibly some brake work. I’ve been quoted $1,800 for a new clutch. I hate the idea of spending that much, but I also hate the idea of a monthly car payment. Any suggestions?

A: If it costs you $1,800 to fix your Honda, it works out to $150 a month for the next year. But where are you going to find a decent car for $1,800? Even a decent 2007 Honda Accord goes for about $5,000. And, as they say, you may only be buying somebody else’s troubles.

Bob Weber is a writer, mechanic and ASE-certified Master Automobile Technician. His writing has appeared in automotive trade publications, Consumer Guide and Consumers Digest. Send automotive questions along with name and town to motormouth.tribune@gmail.com.