Many more miles in my '98 Camry?

Question: I am driving a 1998 six-cylinder Toyota Camry with 123,000 miles. It runs well but leaks oil, yet I don't even need to add oil between oil changes. My local mechanic asked me if I would rather have leaking oil or a car payment. Given its age, should I be concerned that parts will soon not be available? Is there a rule of thumb that when costs exceed a certain amount, it is time for a new car?

- M.J., Western Springs, Ill.

Answer: With a car of this vintage, you may have some difficulty finding some parts. But it is such a popular model that you need not worry. What is more likely is an expensive repair in your future. It could be a transmission or an engine and would cost thousands of dollars. Sure, that money would make a down payment on a new car, but you will lose that during the first year you own it. New cars lose nearly 25 percent of their value during the first 12 months. Keep in mind that the cost of insurance and other things may also be higher on a new ride. You won't get much for your old car, so it may be better to drive it until it dies of old age.

Q: I had a similar problem with a Honda several years ago like B.W. from Downers Grove, whose interior got uncomfortably hot on sunny days. My solution was simple and free: I put a folded washcloth over the sun sensor on the dash. The color matched the dash and it was handy for dusting the instrument cluster too.

A: We could not resist running this simple, clever (and cheap) solution.

Q: I have a 2005 Lexus LS430 with 165,000 miles. I have replaced a transmission with a Lexus rebuilt for $4,500. I have replaced a radiator and water pump. The car is in excellent-running condition. Can you predict if the car will last over 200,000 miles without any major repairs?

A: Nope. We lost our Magic 8 Ball. We do not know about your driving style or your maintenance habits. All we can say is that if you pamper your car, it will probably last beyond 200,000 miles.

Q: When turbochargers first appeared, changing the engine oil required a special procedure: cranking the engine with the ignition off to allow the oil to get to the turbo's bearings. Failing to do so, spinning the turbo with dry bearings, could damage it. Is this still required today?

A: The procedure you describe was never really essential. During the course of an oil change, the turbo center bearing retained plenty of oil - just like an engine that had been shut down last night. The big deal was that shutdown. Owners were instructed to let the engine idle for 30 seconds to allow the turbo to cool down. If shut down hot, the oil would coke and clog the oil passages, thereby eventually starving the bearing of lubrication. You could always tell a bad turbocharged car by the thick blue smoke following it. Technology has come a long way, and you shut down a turbocharged engine just like a naturally aspirated engine. But letting it cool certainly does not hurt.

Bob Weber is a writer and mechanic who became an ASE-certified Master Automobile Technician in 1976. He maintains this status by seeking certification every five years.