Q: Need some advice for my daughter and her husband. They bought a 2006 Nissan 350Z — smart folks, ’cause they won’t let me drive it. No problems with it, but a headlight quit working. The Nissan dealer wants $1,300 to replace it. Any comment or suggestions? This seems sort of excessive.

A: I’d suggest that you offer a much less expensive fix in exchange for driving privileges! According to my ALLDATA automotive database, this Nissan is fitted with xenon HID headlamps. Nissan service bulletin NTB10-061A dated June 2010 suggests that a failed headlamp bulb, about $180, or HID control unit, $400-$500, is the most likely cause of an inoperative headlight. Even with an hour or so of labor, that’s a far cry from $1,300 to replace the entire headlight assembly. There’s a very good chance you can solve the problem, save them money and, most important, end up with driving privileges! Remember, I’m an instructor for the Skip Barber Racing School — you’d have lots of fun learning how to properly drive that performance car!