Q. I’m 60 years old this year and its time to treat myself to a new car. I’m looking at hardtop convertibles. The two that appeal to me are the BMW 3 series and the Lexus IS 350. I like the BMW for its handling and the Lexus for its dependability. Of the two, which do you like and why?

A. The BMW handles great, has telepathic steering and is fun to drive. The Lexus nearly matches the BMW in performance and handling, but just seems to lack a soul. If both cars cost the same I would go with the BMW. If cost is a factor, the Lexus is a clear winner. A quick check shows the Lexus is about $7,000 cheaper than the BMW. With that extra money, you could buy a decent used SUV for winter or if you are feeling adventurous, a motorcycle for summer.

Q. I have a 2008 Toyota Prius, and one of the front headlights is intermittently going out.  I thought this would be a simple fix, but it turns out Toyota wants $300-$500 to install the new bulb? I'm wondering if there are other options (quicker, cheaper fixes) or if that's actually the price I'll have to pay for a new bulb. Is the dealer the only option?

A. This has been a fairly common failure on some year Prius vehicles. The repair generally involves changing both headlights. There are aftermarket bulbs available; one source is www.plasmagarage.com. It appears you could save about $75 on the parts price. of course, the cost of installation will remain the same. Any competent garage should be able to replace the bulbs.

Q. I have a 2003 Chevy Malibu. The alternator light came on, so I replaced the battery. The alternator light went out and then came on again, so I replaced the alternator. Now the light comes on and stays on and there is a dinging sound while driving. I checked the serpentine belt and that’s ok. The computer reading says everything is fine. I heard I cannot get an inspection sticker if any of the dashboard lights are on. Do you know if there is a code in the computer that has to be reset and if so, do you know what the code is? I would appreciate any help you can give me.

A. The alternator light is on because there is still a problem with the charging system. The problem could be a loose wire, poor ground, faulty computer or even a poor quality rebuilt alternator. Regarding dash lights, in New York and most other states, you can’t get a sticker if the check engine light or air bag light is on. For more information go to www.nydmv.state.ny.us/vehsafe.htm.

Q. My 2004 Chevrolet Impala has a problem with the rear brakes. The rotors appear to be only worn on one half of the outside surface on both rear rotors. The car has only about 16,000 miles. What is wrong?

A. This is a classic example of sticking calipers caused by lack of use. At this point you need to have someone remove the calipers and lubricate the slides to get the full performance out of the rear brakes.