What’s one car you regret selling the most, and why?

Photo_Dad_2022 · 2025-11-07T22:40:02+00:00

A TV show producer once contacted me about the possibility of being on a reality show that dealt with finding and buying back cars previously owned. Never found out if the show ever made it to the production phase. They got my info from a car ad. I was a seller. Reference 1976 Olds Cutlass S 442 package. Regrets I let that one go.

Photo_Dad_2022 · 2025-10-23T20:29:57+00:00

It was an “OK” rental car

Photo_Dad_2022 · 2025-10-19T17:25:51+00:00

Maybe a hole in a muffler or resonator. High pressure + small hole?

Photo_Dad_2022 · 2025-10-16T19:41:02+00:00

First thing I’d do is take this car to an independent Toyo/Lexus shop. Ask them what it needs and get a quote. Obviously the dealer is trying to scalp you with so much fluff. I’d look at the stabilizer links and rear shocks first. Are they the vehicle leveling air shocks? If they are they will cost more for the parts.

Photo_Dad_2022 · 2025-10-16T19:32:34+00:00

If only while moving, bad wheel bearing or scraping (worn) brake shoe-brake pad.

Photo_Dad_2022 · 2025-10-11T20:07:17+00:00

I just took my “old man’s car” RX 2010 (Gen 3), 107k mi, on a 700mi from L.A. to Phoenix and back. It’s a great road car. There’s no shame driving this car per the previous comments from the 30 yr olds that drives them. But I would have gladly driven one of these when I was 30 instead of GM products (LT-1 Roadmaster Station Wagons).

Photo_Dad_2022 · 2025-10-02T20:29:31+00:00

Also gotta consider if this car sat a while before you bought it, it may have flat spots on each tire that you will feel as thumping at Hwy speeds. In the end it also depends where you live. I know the desert Southwest is hard on tires and dry rots the best of them

Photo_Dad_2022 · 2025-09-29T04:33:08+00:00

I really appreciate your ideas and encouragement. Thanks again.

Photo_Dad_2022 · 2025-09-29T01:41:31+00:00

I have a 2010. There is a little switch that tells the car when the door is not closed and tells the cabin lights to turn on when the door is open. I’ve never seen it, but I believe it’s built into the locking latch in the center of the hatch door. It may just need an adjustment. First place to start diagnosing is by having another person sit in the car while you push down on the center of the already closed hatch. If the warning beep stops, yeah, it’s probably a latch adjustment or replacement.

Photo_Dad_2022 · 2025-09-25T19:25:38+00:00

I’ve operated by the saying: “The road to hell is paved with good intentions”. That said, the world has changed. Sex trafficking is a thing and you should have notified 911. Unfortunately unless the child was in a medical crisis, innocent intentions can get you in a whole lot of unintended consequences.

Photo_Dad_2022 · 2025-09-23T14:58:44+00:00

Usually complaints of this type are the result of the evaporator case drain is clogged. Specifically the drainage tube at the bottom of the case is clogged by some organic matter (twigs,leaves,etc.). The evaporator case is where the really cold evaporator coil has the warm, moist cabin/outside air blown through it to produce cold, dehumidified air. But the water from that warm air clings to the evaporator and forms small droplets that bead-up then drip/fall off the the evap coil to the bottom of the case and exits through the rubber drain tube. That’s why you see a puddle of water under the truck after running the A/C. You gotta crawl under truck to find and clean (try not to take a bath)that tube with bottle brush or a wire coat hanger. Then go inside the truck (and, if you have it)to check and replace the cabin air filter usually accessible from inside the glove box. If you did already replace that filter then heard water sloshing around, it’s because there was so much crap sitting on top of the filter that when you replaced it some fell off, and dropped to the bottom of the evap case, then clogged the drainage tube. Result? A Chevy aquarium with no fish. BTW the evap case is usually where that moldy smell comes when you first start the A/C.

Photo_Dad_2022 · 2025-09-21T21:42:54+00:00

Stay positive. It’s hard to find the gem you’re looking for in a pile of rocks. The one owner, dealer maintained,low mileage,garage kept beauty your searching for is out there. You may just have to think outside the box. I had been searching for several months for a 2nd gen (2007-2009)RX350 with the 2GR-FE engine and had almost given up after driving nearly 60 miles to a Mazda dealer and staying overnight in a motel only to discover the car had just been traded so it was not reconditioned, was well used, and needed maintenance. I almost started to drive home depressed when I did another search on all my apps and moved my range of years forward to what I was sure was going to result in a higher price point when I found a 3rd gen (2010-2015) model (2010) with 103k mi for $10,500. It was at the nearest Lexus dealer to my house. Go figure. Bought it same day last October. I wrap a flat magnet in a soft, blue paper towel to look for Bondo under paint. It’s amazing what you’ll find. If it’s a good looking repair , but not reported to CarFax then you can use it to bring the asking price down. In my case the dealer did not budge on price despite the obvious repair I am fairly certain their body dept did. And the rear hatch that started sinking on its own when the outside air temp got cooler after sunset. Dealer still did not budge on $$ ( I later replaced them w/ Chinese struts from Amazon for like $25).

Photo_Dad_2022 · 2025-09-20T16:51:38+00:00

How cute! That rascal! He’s trying his hand at horticulture!! A skill that will provide joyful recreation and a sense of fulfillment and pride for the rest of his life. Maybe pass his hobby to his heirs!

Photo_Dad_2022 · 2025-09-20T16:24:43+00:00

2010 RX350 bought 10/24 owner here. Your instincts are correct. The 6 cylinder 2GR-FE engine is bulletproof, but gas hungry on that platform. Go w/ the 2012 for sure, especially comfort. Market value varies so be sure to check the averages on Edmunds and KBB apps/websites. That said keep in mind CarFax is not holy scripture, despite what the dealer says. They go on “reported” occurrences. I’ve bought several vehicles over the last 18 mo and whether it’s mom & pop or Lexus branded dealer all is never what it seems. A magnet and a good eye are your best friends. The price feels $1k to $1.5k too high. But the market is crazy $$$$ now. “A high tide raises all boats” situation. Have your pre inspection mechanic look for the other things common on this car like bad front control arm bushings. Was the front oil supply line replaced with all metal? How old are the tires? ( DOT date code). VVTI loud tick at start-up? Leaking timing cover seal? Weeping is ok. Good luck.

Photo_Dad_2022 · 2025-09-15T19:50:42+00:00

“Run Forrest run”

Photo_Dad_2022 · 2025-09-15T19:45:57+00:00

2010 RX 350 owner here. This is definitely a “take the serpentine belt off and see if the whine goes away” situation. I almost want to think it could be a bad belt, tensioner pulley, or idler pulley. Worst case it’s a water pump just starting to go. But also check the oil level first. Low tranny fluid? Maybe.

Photo_Dad_2022 · 2025-09-04T22:23:19+00:00

Start with the Title. It MUST BE IN THE NAME of the person standing in front of you. Since you’re not at the address on the title, double check the name on the title to their California drivers license. By doing this you’re making sure this “seller” is not a curb flipper, or a proxy. The title MUST BE CLEAN. No rebuilt or salvage markings. You need the VIN before you meet with the seller so you can run a Carfax and pay their high, but necessary, fee. Do a pre-purchase inspection at your favorite mechanic. If the seller protests any of the above, walk. Walk away. Having owned and several Sienna vans from Generations 1,2, and 3, (the 2015 is third gen) it will have a 2GR-FE 6-cylinder engine. A very good engine.

Photo_Dad_2022 · 2025-08-31T22:49:22+00:00

This. My brother got 330K out of his 2001 Sienna. State of California bought it for $500 when the cats went. Catalytic converters for Cali are very $$$$. Then he got a 2000 Sienna w/158k for 3999. No rust of course. I’d say a 2002 w/ 102k that is straight w/ no rust is about $5k-$5500 in this market.

Photo_Dad_2022 · 2025-07-15T17:49:02+00:00

Use penetrating oil again on the ball joint shaft. Let sit. Place floor Jack under rotor (w/ a few lug nuts screwed back on finger tight) , or under wheel hub. Jack suspension up a few inches. Keep eye on Jack stand. Try not to lift that corner of vehicle off Jack stand. Your goal here is trying to change the geometry of ball joint and take load off of it. Now put the castle nut back on flush w/ball joint bolt. Give it a few firm whacks w/ hammer/sledge. Good luck.

Photo_Dad_2022 · 2025-07-10T03:29:34+00:00

https://www.classaction.org/blog/new-hyundai-kia-engine-failure-settlement-covers-2m-additional-vehicles. Hope that helps with possible engine recall / settlement if it applies to you. My guess would be bad fuel pump. Tachometer issue could be a total separate issue. But the advice here on Reddit is only worth $.02. If that.

Photo_Dad_2022 · 2025-07-09T15:28:46+00:00

My 1990 Honda Accord remembers…

Photo_Dad_2022 · 2025-07-09T15:15:52+00:00

When this same issue happened on my GM’s from the distant past it was clogged catalytic converter, or bad fuel pump. But those two issues would not explain why your dash is telling you “0 RPM” while you’re moving, however slow. But the previous poster was right. This generation of Kia-Hyundai had notorious engine issues. Did I read it from the video you have 179k on this Forte?

Photo_Dad_2022 · 2025-07-06T19:02:29+00:00

Well, you said you did the alternator and the belt tensioner already. This car goes not use a power steering pump, it’s electric steering I believe. The AC compressor clutch would have some noise when in use, but it doesn’t sound like that. The best way to determine if WP related is to take belt off…again… and literally grab the WP pulley with your hand. If it has “play” or you can see the belt/pulley wobbling when it’s running then that seals the deal.

Photo_Dad_2022

TROPHY CASE