Mark K

In today's world of boring, humdrum, dreary Toyotas, Mazda, and Hondas, don't these 2 retro Citroen models stand out as being very hip, ultra cool?

I recently returned home to the US from an extensive tour through Canada. We Americans should collectively hang our heads in shame. Compared to Canada, the US is littered and just plain filthy. Why is that? Are Americans inherently less clean than Canadians?

Today's AM-FM-CD head units are too complicated to operate, and frankly, unsightly. There are menus and submenu's. I am looking for something that doesn't have a lot of distractions, and doesn't require an engineering degree to operate. The contemporary units from Sony, Pioneer, JVC, Panasonic, Alpine, Kenwood, etc, do not appeal. Can someone recommend a simple-on the-eyes unit? I don't want or need Bluetooth, Satellite, iPOD capability. Basically, all I want is to hear the news, listen to FM, and the occasional CD.

I just acquired this car. What a blast it is! It's a 1987 model, one of the last Belgian-produced cars, fully restored (body off) by a Citroen specialty shop in Holland. The existence of the "engines" used in 2cv's pre-dated the appearance of synthetic oils. Other than reducing the frequency of oil changes, is there any advantage to using synthetic oil? Is it even advisable?

I went car-shopping with my neighbor yesterday. His parents, both retired, are looking for a replacement for their 2008 Lexus ES. We went to the Toyota and Lexus dealers. I say the 2013 Lexus ES is based on the same platform as the 2013 Toyota Avalon. He disagrees. Who's right?

Is this a field of work women do not find fulfilling or attractive? What could the reason be?

What is the cost of a gallon of premium grade gasoline in Mexico City?

I am thinking about buying a 1985 Citroen Charleston 2cv. I am informed the mechanicals of these cars are fairly robust, long lasting, or easy to repair. It's the condition of the body that concerns me. What are the rust-prone areas of this model - where on the chassis should I carefully inspect for rust? Thanks.

Were (are) the 2CV's mechanically reliable?

In the past couple of years I've flown First Class twice on different airline carriers: SFO to CDG on Air France and LAX to MUC on Lufthansa. Nest week I'll be flying First Class again from LAX to LHR, this time on British Air. Of the 3 carriers, which offers the best First Class flying experience?

Has anyone ever attended the annual Techno-Classica car show in Essen? What were your impression of it? Can you recommend a four-star hotel in the city of Essen?

For USA owners only: do you have a DS or an ID model? If so, what year is it? In what city do you live, and where is the closest mechanic to you that knows these cars (in what city?)

How would one say the following in German:

The French copy (imitate) no one. No one imitates the French.

"The French copy no one, no one copies the French".

My spouse recently passed away. We were married for 3 years. She had a 401K plan, her son is the beneficiary. She never changed the beneficiary from her son, to me, her husband. What are my entitlements under ERISA, as the surviving spouse? Thank you.

My wife recently passed away. She was still employed when she died, age 66. She had also just started to collect Social Security benefits.

Through her employer, she had life insurance. Is the benefit on insurance taxable? Is this usually disbursed as a lump-sum, one time payment?

She also had a 401K plan. I understand I can roll this over into my 401K. (I am currently 60 yrs of age). Can I take the 401K benefit and apply it to our home mortgage without penalty? What other options do I have with her 401K funds?

Thanks very much.

Those owners of the new 991 cars what are your impressions? If you owned a Porsche 911 previously, please tell the year and model. Thanks!

What is the origin of the Canadian dialect? For example, why do Canadians say "hoose" instead of "house", "oot" instead of "out", "aboot" instead of "about", etc?

And why do they end their sentences with "eh"? As is, "So, my mother is a Lutheran, eh"? or "We're gonna have some roasted moose meat for dinner, eh"? or "Buy a six-pack of Molson's at the store, eh'?

Why the departure from air-cooled engines? Increasingly stringent emission standards? More efficient fuel consumption? What's your opinion?

What is it with Japan car manufacturers giving their models such weird, odd-sounding names?

Previa, Tundra, Maxima, Camry, Repulsa, Corollary, Denouncer, Abhorra, Bozo, Crappa, Accord, XTerra, Extravaganza, Mood-Swinger, ad nauseum? Don't their North American affiliates such as Nissan USA intercede and suggest better choices?