I am a proponent of electric vehicles as long as they show a net energy savings.  The American trend toward bastardization of this concept is disturbing to say the least.  I bet the numbers will show a 14 mpg equivalent and and the loss of enough resources to build 3 vehicles or more.  I wonder how much influence the fossil fuel industry had in this? ... View more

Cant overstate the importance of leaning shovels, rakes and the like.  I learned the hard way 40 years ago to tie everything up and secure things to the walls. Last week,  despite all my care and prep, I had a large metal square fall off of its spot because my wife borrowed it for a project and didnt put it up securely. It bounced like a boomerang off the concrete and hit my Charger with enough force to punch a sharp hole through metal.  Luckily it hit the tire instead.  Of all places, leaving a permanent mark in the white letter tire.  My Dodge dodged another bullet.  And this is a garage where everything is secured! ... View more

After writing six paragraphs about this situation, I chose to delete it.  As every time I think normal, rational behavior will prevail, I am proven wrong.  Since no one needs them for their original restoration, a  museum or collector will take them and it could get ugly!  Sweep the dust off them and put it in a zip lock baggie.  The dust will sell too!  Sell pictures of the imprint on the floor (8x10 glossy) where they sat.  Bottle the nasty  air in the barn where they were stored; quart jars would work!    Ok, just because this sounds irrational to most of us, to a few people this is realistic.  And the price on the seats is attainable and justified.  Sanity left the car business the day after horses were retired. ... View more

I think we are seeing a huge generational shift in buying habits.  I am senior in years and think this was a steal for such history.  On the other hand, my sons, in their late 20's  and my two daughters would say,  "Paul who?"   ... View more

Jay is a good man.  Hes stayed down to earth and sees things through the eyes of the average guy.  Hard to do in his profession.  Reading and listening to his stories is kinda like hanging out with your favorite uncle. ... View more

Yep!  I'm with ya.  The only thing preventing this thing from growing bigger is the width of the road. ... View more

Nice to hear someone else is the car place "back row guy".  I spent my life in the back lots of car lots.  I often hit 6-10 lots a day after work.  Driving from town to town looking for the next great project.  My health is bad now, but I still get out once in a while and cruise the back lots near me.  Just looking for the one to take with me I guess. ... View more

I get it 100%.  I don't think its hoarding.   You can keep something for 30-40 years and the same day you throw it out or recycle it,  you or someone else needs it!  I don't know  how many times I've "cleaned up" and the following day or two after, needed that part for a project.  It will make a person scream out loud!  Will bet it happens to everyone.   If I had more room and didn't live in town, nothing would get tossed. ... View more

Tastes have changed, or have they?  I see just as many strange graphics today applied to vehicles as I've ever seen before.  Many do not do the vehicle any favors.  And wraps?   But it is just a matter of taste!  Remember how modern the Brady Bunch's orange kitchen looked back in the day.  Millions of kitchens turned orange because of that show.  Last week a home show was destroying  and replacing the black granite counter tops. Yep!  So 2010's.  Vehicles are no different.  Who said "there is no accounting for taste"?   ... View more

I'm not sure how many of those things mentioned are flaws.  If there was a design element that's deserving of ridicule, it would be the choppy looks of the front and rear.  Smooth it out and make it more graceful.  Then you would have performance as well as looks.  Its probably coming down the road,  but they had to start somewhere. ... View more

Bridgette is beautiful.  ... View more

100% in agreement!  like my cars true to form with just the right subtle upgrades.  I think many of us (average) car folks look at over the top  show cars, you know, the ones that never get driven in, as a competition between a few, but cash heavy folks.   Making a contest of throwing as much money as possible at a vehicle to out do someone else.  Dont get me wrong!  I love the highly modified and expensive cars too.  All cars for that matter.   Variety is the spice of the auto industry.  For myself, I'm always drawn to someones basic car at the shows.  Last time spending an hour going over a perfect Datsun  210.  Spent 1 minute with the $120k custom.  This article nailed it. ... View more

I agree with the comparison between the new blazer and a dishwasher.  Its  dead on.  The problem with the new bronco sport is a simple one.  For the 2-door to really make a big sales impact, the price has to come down.  It has the charm and the size (not accounting for the motor sizes) to sell really well.  The 4-door can be justified in many ways  and can sell itself, but the little guy is a retro toy purchase.  Plain and simple.  With the base price where it is and most will get all sorts of ad-ons;  factory and dealer wise.  The price will end up in the 40k range.  We have all seen  great vehicles get killed by pricing.  Price is everything on a non-essential vehicle like this.   And I think the sport is headed for low sales because of it.    Too bad.  Its a sweet looking retro ride.  Hope it does well though because outside the box thinking is risky! ... View more

Just thought I'd point out that the author says "in any significant numbers".  That statement acknowledges it WILL happen.  Just not ever becoming the norm or majority.           Like me, most car guys get really worked up over this subject.  I personally like my cars to go where I point them.  But i'm always surprised by how many young folks who think its a great idea, and want autonomous cars to be available for them to use. ... View more

Kyle.  Who said the seller isn't there???  It is common practice to go to the sellers bank and/or call to verify the Title and Lien status.  Frequently, the seller doesn't know where they stand on this or where their paperwork is at!  Some things are obvious, at least I thought. ... View more

I always ask if the Title is in hand or at the bank.   I have called or driven to many banks to verify this.   The Title must physically exist for me to buy it.   If it doesn't,  I walk away from it.  You can get into too many issues making an "open ended" purchase like that.   The only exception would be for new vehicles and the certificate of origin.  ... View more

A close work friend bought a used 89 in 2009 and was very proud of it for a while.  Despite being babied by its owner,  It spent most of the 11 months he owned it in the shop being repaired.  It seemed everything would fail eventually in that short time period.  A failed part for every drive.      After spending as much on repairs as he had spent on the car originally, the starry eyed love affair was over, and he reluctantly sold it.  Its been 10 years now and we still joke about that money pit every time we get together.    I'm sure that there are plenty of happy owners that would attest to this cars greatness.  As you can get good and bad cars in any model line.  So no hate mail please!  This was just our experience, and many people may find the car to be a solid driver, and their love affair to be deep and fulfilling. ... View more

Had a red 79, and a white and blue 82 Honda CBX.   Payed almost nothing for them.  As the sellers smurked when I bought them.  I loved the 79 as it was smooth like a turbine and well balanced.  As 30 some years went by I understood the disdain from previous owners.  And I sold both of them with the same smurk I remember receiving years before.  The carbs, kept me constantly busy as the maintenance alone was never ending.  You couldn't clean and rebuild the carburetors  often enough to keep them running smooth all the time.  Believe me, nothing more irritating than a 6 cylinder bike running on five!  I've noticed the price is now 6 times what I payed.  And also a lot of these look real nice as mine did also.  But they don't start them ever.  And it has little to do with preserving the miles and more to do with preserving your labor and time off.  Loved the bikes but they are true time bandits! ... View more

The bidding process is subject to a high degree of manipulation.  I see it all the time.  friends helping friends.  Dealer influence.  Hidden bidders.  Outrages and unrealistic bids retracted.  etc.  Have a price in your mind and stick to it! ... View more

Was so excited when the Buick tour X came out.  Had the local dealer call me when they hit the lot.  Check book in hand.  And then I saw the sticker price!  a mid level at $44k and a top near $50k.  No deals!..... didn't get one.     I wonder how many others were scared off by the lofty sticker price.  And now they are gone.  I wonder why? ... View more

To someone its worth the price of "two" new Honda civics?   Thats what I call TRUE LOVE!   Because only true love can do that to someone.   ... View more

Good chance you are right.  High compression requires higher octane to correct detonation issues.  I experience the very same thing everytime I get cheap and put the cheaper premium lower octane alcohol free gas in my built car.  Its straightens out on the next fill with increased octane fuel.  Its possible he's tried this but the article didn't specify.  Can't hurt to try, and save on the shop labor. ... View more

This is obviously another battle ground for both sides of the pandemic argument.    Another person   stated the brief fact that this is a business, and they need to sell a lot of hot dogs.  (Thats pretty much it).   I'm old, in poor health and can't go this year.  Mainly because I haven't figured out how to shove my nachos through my mask! ... View more

The DeSoto Adventurers' steering wheel center and wings are shaped like a Jet!  Inspired by aero. design lines.  That is somewhat overshadowed by the fancy clock though.  If you didn't see it look again. ... View more

I bought a 1988 Sprint metro brand new from a Chevy dealer in Kansas.  They had no idea the car existed, so I showed them the info. I had at the time.   Six weeks later they called and said come get it.  I ordered a base model.  No radio or anything.  Maybe the largest crowd around a car I've ever seen.  Everyone had a funny looking smile.   $3600. later I was home waxing it.  They made $50 on it.  (I new the owner.)  It had a sticker in the back window that said "Americas fuel economy leader"  Window sticker said 54mpg city,  56mpg highway.  It did better than that though.  Drove it around the U.S. Sometimes driving hours without ever lifting my gas pedal foot off of the floor.  Loved it though, and would get another if they were around.  Made a mistake and sold it for a truck.  It was so short in every category that it was adorable.  All I have is a polaroid of it. ... View more

The Dodge magnum has a big following in my area.  And the prices show it.   As far as the Aztec is concerned, I remember my dentist getting one brand new when they first came out.  He was so proud of it.  I could never figure out what he saw in it.   I thought maybe it was because he had to look into peoples mouths all day long and it affected his judgement to some degree. ... View more

Its kinda like a car wreck.  You can't keep yourself from staring,  and then you feel bad about it afterwords. ... View more