The Sometimes Toyota
Time for the new puzzler.
Well, not so new. This one was from a letter we got a long time ago. Here it is.
Years ago, the letter writer helped his daughter and son-in-law buy a used 1989 Toyota Tercel with air conditioning, a five-speed transmission, and power steering. They took it to a trusted mechanic, who said it looked good. The only thing they added to the car was a little cheap digital glue on a clock, new floor mats, and a pair of fuzzy dice. They drove the car home, but they stopped at a rest stop on the way. When they tried to start the car again, it wouldn't start. They turned the key several times and it wouldn't crank. But then, it finally started. They drove the car home. When they got home, they called the previous owners. They swore up and down that the car was totally fine and in great condition when they sold it.
So for the next few days, the car works okay. Sometimes it starts, sometimes it doesn't. But if you try the key a few times, it eventually starts.
Finally, they take the car to the Toyota Dealership to get it looked at. The Toyota people take a look and can fix the issue.
The puzzler question is, what was wrong with the car? And here are the hints.
1) There was no charge for the service to fix the car.
2) It was something they did to the car after they bought it.
So, what was wrong with the 1989 Toyota Tercel?
Good luck.
