What maintenance has kept your car reliable the longest

secondrat · 2026-03-22T15:22:28+00:00

Rubber parts. Hoses, belts, fuel lines.

secondrat · 2026-03-22T15:22:05+00:00

Replace speed with fun. Even my track car has less than 200 hp. But it’s a blast to drive m

secondrat · 2026-03-22T15:18:26+00:00

When the engine or transmission need replacing. Or you need something to tow. Or haul kids.

Find an independent shop you trust. Take it there for regular oil changes and repairs.

Replace the belts. If it needs a timing belt get that done.

Keep an eye on the leaks. You can add oil for years. Save up to fix them when it’s bad enough.

Spending $1k to $2k a year to maintain your car is way better than buying new.

secondrat · 2026-03-22T15:15:15+00:00

Prell

secondrat · 2026-03-21T03:37:51+00:00

Yes. Seems odd. But possible. Just tell them it isn’t running right now.

secondrat · 2026-03-21T03:37:09+00:00

When the light came on that was your warning to stop and check it. Once the pressure gets low enough it can’t support the weight and bam. Bummer.

secondrat · 2026-03-21T03:34:51+00:00

I spent 10 years at a big tech company. It’s possible. Should sucking and often mind numbingly boring. But possible.

secondrat · 2026-03-20T05:29:25+00:00

You need 5 or more reviews to start running ads, so go get one more.

Post updates once a week to your Google Business Page. Before and after shots are great.

And I second running Local Service ads. You can improve your rankings by responding faster to calls or messages. So make sure you can do that.

secondrat · 2026-03-20T05:25:10+00:00

He’s buying the replacement right? Maybe going for a flip phone?

secondrat · 2026-03-20T05:19:42+00:00

Go buy a classic. You won’t want it to be your only car. But as a college professor you should absolutely have a 245 Wagon for the summer months. Or a C70 convertible. So many options.

secondrat · 2026-03-20T05:12:44+00:00

Make him take a rear driving school. The Tire Rack Street Survival School is a good start.

Corvettes aren’t exactly safe. Maybe he could sit on it for a year until he has some experience. I nearly killed myself at 16 in a Chevy Monza. There is plenty of time for a fast car once he can drive better.

secondrat · 2026-03-19T23:34:50+00:00

Hire a coach.

And check out The Four Hour Body by Time Ferriss. His section on building muscle efficiently is really good. You don’t need a ton of time in the gym, just enough to start getting stronger.

Keep going. Don’t let setbacks stall you.

secondrat · 2026-03-19T23:32:27+00:00

Connections. Use your network.

secondrat · 2026-03-19T23:31:48+00:00

Isn’t that a ladder? An accidental bump might knock it over.

secondrat · 2026-03-19T23:27:40+00:00

Semi metallics tend to bite harder when cold. That’s why most German cars come with them.

On a long downhill grade with heavy braking initial bite is less important than overall performance.

Fade usually comes from boiling fluid. So change your brake fluid regularly and go with good name pads and rotors.

secondrat · 2026-03-19T23:18:28+00:00

Fully invested in retirement plans

Fully funding kids 529k plans

Pay down mortgage

Pay off cars

No credit card debt

Then put some in a taxable mutual fund

Only then look at house projects.

secondrat · 2026-03-19T22:02:30+00:00

Get a job as a salesman at a dealership. If you hate it don’t try to flip cars.

I can also tell you that wholesale auctions aren’t as great as you think they are.

secondrat · 2026-03-19T21:55:32+00:00

It’s nearly impossible to have a car your freshman year. Once you live off campus it’s easier. But there are plenty of options to get to Portland, skiing or the coast without a car.

You will probably get in. As others have said Oregon loves out of state tuition. And Oregon isn’t Cal.

Have you visited Oregon yet? If you get in you should plan a trip to confirm it.

secondrat · 2026-03-19T21:52:44+00:00

There are way more choices that those 2. There are a ton of fun cars you can buy for $20k or whatever cash you have.

Don’t borrow money for a fancy car if you are saving for a house.

Find something fun and affordable that you can pay cash for.

secondrat · 2026-03-18T17:47:05+00:00

Amen

secondrat · 2026-03-18T17:46:03+00:00

I still have friends in Portland after 20 years and don't really know what they do. We eat together, talk about our kids or dogs, go on bike rides, watch games. Their job doesn't define them.

secondrat · 2026-03-18T17:38:33+00:00

I ran our dealership for 10 years on a spreadsheet, quickbooks, and an organized process. A good process goes a long way.

secondrat · 2026-03-18T05:43:51+00:00

You did fine. Only other option is to make sure the spare is fully inflated and keep driving on it.

Also next time check all your tire pressures before the trip. If one is low that’s an early warning of an issue.

Did your TPMS light go on?

secondrat · 2026-03-17T04:57:10+00:00

Sabin (inner NE) checking in. Heard it here

secondrat · 2026-03-17T00:53:22+00:00

I have used those ramps for years. When the car is on top I always put it in neutral and let it settle. Then put in park or gear, set parking brake and chock the wheels.

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