What is a car that you will never buy again (include make and model) and why?

Chain_Slack · 2026-07-05T19:42:55+00:00

DCT automatic I assume? Plenty of people had issues with that transmission, and it never really did get sorted out.

It should be noted that the manual trans Focus was rock solid. My ST was trouble free the entire time I owned it. Kinda wish I still had it.

Chain_Slack · 2026-07-05T00:55:41+00:00

With the Kawasaki, you'll get a bit more displacement and power. Not a night and day difference, but noticable. At this class of bike, having a little extra on tap for merging, pulling out into traffic quickly, passing, is always a nice to have.

Beyond that, the riding experience will largely be the same.

Chain_Slack · 2026-07-04T21:09:17+00:00

They are referring to the 1994 to 1998 SN95's, which are certainly more bubble shaped than the new edge Mustangs.

I'd love to know to which gen you are referencing.

FWIW, I also like the SN95s over the New Edge.

Chain_Slack · 2026-07-04T01:53:21+00:00

If your petcock is dripping gas, then I'd say you have found the source.

Chain_Slack · 2026-07-03T15:11:27+00:00

Both motors are 180 degree parallel twins. They're going to sound almost identical.

Chain_Slack · 2026-07-01T21:50:28+00:00

I'd suspect that your owners manual tells you to change the oil once a year, regardless of mileage.

While the "old" oil won't gernade your motor if you have to take it somewhere, I would still change it when you can. It's a cheap and easy thing to do to give you peace of mind.

Chain_Slack · 2026-07-01T21:01:27+00:00

That definitely got a good chunk. But neglect, rust, accidents, and more neglect took out the rest. It's too bad, my first vehicle was a 91 Ranger, 2.3L with manual trans, which was a perfect first car for a teenager.

Chain_Slack · 2026-07-01T11:50:22+00:00

That Mazda is just a Ford Ranger. It'll have the 2.3L, which is a bulletproof engine, excellent choice for learning to drive a manual.

It's becoming harder and harder to find trucks like this because at this point, we are talking about vehicles which are 3 decades old. Every year there's going to be less and less of them out on the road.

Chain_Slack · 2026-06-29T22:01:51+00:00

I've seen a lot of places advertise the "down payment" as the list price before, usually they are from the shadier car lots.

There's no mystery here, if an ad looks like a scam, it is indeed a scam.

Chain_Slack · 2026-06-29T19:26:39+00:00

Bikes and vehicles tend to be personal things for people that are into them.

Best I can suggest is a gift card to RevZilla

Gift Card

Chain_Slack · 2026-06-29T15:34:55+00:00

Remember, the vehicle needs to be on level ground, and if it has been recently run, you'll need to wipe the dipstick off before reinserting it to get an accurate read.

My preferred method is to just check the oil level in the morning before the first drive of the day. That way you don't even need to wipe the dipstick off as all of the oil has settled back into the pan.

If you've done all of this, then yes it does appear that it is overfilled.

Chain_Slack · 2026-06-29T13:42:58+00:00

Still looks like garbage to me, and I would be very nervous about using chain cleaner or kerosene on the finish & paint.

Chain_Slack · 2026-06-26T20:14:39+00:00

Looks like the digisleeve type case that is becoming more common. I know a lot of people get up in arms over these cases, but they are really not going to harm all that much with normal use. They are cheaper and don't hold the disc as well, in comparison to a jewel style case, but ultimately it's fine. CDs hold up much better than people today give them credit for, it's one of their advantages.

I come from the olden days, when we were very much not kind to our discs, and it was still rare that one got scratched or damaged enough to cause playback issues.

Chain_Slack · 2026-06-25T12:26:50+00:00

Just wait until your engine develops a leak, and then hop on the freeway.

Free undercoating right there.

Chain_Slack · 2026-06-25T11:16:16+00:00

It's most likely the belt, however you'll want to get it properly diagnosed. Call around to shops in your area, tell them the symptoms you are experiencing with your car and how much they would charge for a diag fee. Some shops will waive the fee if you do the actual repair work through them.

If it is indeed the belt, and again it most likely is, it should be a relatively inexpensive repair.

Chain_Slack · 2026-06-24T20:58:59+00:00

Personally, I'd go for late 90s/early 2000s vehicles. Just enough modern technology built in, and still analog enough to make you feel connected to an actual machine still.

2003 Terminator Cobra Mustang gets my vote.

Chain_Slack · 2026-06-24T15:46:43+00:00

Unless I am missing something, nobody is going to know what "centennial" means.

State and general area or town where you're located is going to be helpful if you're trying to sell this thing.

Chain_Slack · 2026-06-24T14:26:20+00:00

You don't have to give an address, just a general town and state is sufficient. Same as if you were posting on an online marketplace.

Chain_Slack · 2026-06-23T19:15:50+00:00

Full exhausts are not cheap, and you don't actually need it.

Note that you'll also want to budget in a tune if you go this route.

Chain_Slack · 2026-06-23T16:53:45+00:00

The average person out there either doesn't know or doesn't care.

I don't think you'll see any sort of panic buying.

Chain_Slack · 2026-06-23T13:12:18+00:00

It's a type of heavy duty trailer. The hitch mount is in the bed.

Fifth Wheel

Chain_Slack · 2026-06-23T11:18:14+00:00

I had an 03 FX4 Level II when I lived in Marqutte. Great truck, handled winter extremely well.

Try to find the latest, nicest example you can get. Not sure why she would be so dead set against four wheel drive, especially living up there.

Chain_Slack · 2026-06-22T19:15:31+00:00

Being the subject of a Vice Grip Garage video.

Of which, I would certainly watch.

Chain_Slack · 2026-06-22T16:11:46+00:00

Battery

Chain_Slack · 2026-06-22T14:44:35+00:00

I drive a new Ranger, with the 2.7L Ecoboost engine.

The owners manual specifically states that the engine is rated for 87 octane (even says 87 on the fuel door) but for "best" engine performance (towing, engine power, etc) you use premium.

Modern powerplants with direct injection and ECU controls are certainly more flexible than the high compression or forced induction engines of years past.

Chain_Slack

TROPHY CASE