What to Do if You Own an “Affected” VW Diesel?
A worried owner of a diesel-powered VW wrote to ask me whether he ought to accept the buy back offer announced last week (read...
A Cool Gadget
If you wrench - or even just tinker - you may already have a portable jump-starter rig. They are super handy to have.
For those who...
No Oil Change For You!
California has become - ironically - the most anti-car state in the country. Fifty years ago, the Beach Boys sang about the The Little Old...
Other People’s Lemons….
There's a lady I know - a neighbor - who was ready to junk an otherwise sound '90s-vintage Buick station wagon because one day...
Some New Car Things to Know
The Uncle-ized car (which is all new cars) has some “features” you may want to consider carefully before you buy in. Features that could...
Why Your Mileage Will Vary…
The window sticker says 25 city, 34 highway - but you find that you're seeing much less than that.
Is it false advertising?
Arguably, yes.
Minimally, it's...
The “Low Maintenance” and “Reliable” Long Con
The best con is one you never recognize. The one that keeps you paying - and keeps you smiling.
You thinking you got the best...
Don’t Buy New
Whatever you do, don't buy new. It no longer makes sense - and can be very bad for your wallet. I advise this as...
“Gas Hogs”?
It's taken as gospel that pre-modern cars, especially those made in America, and particularly those with big V8s, were "gas hogs."
But were they, really?
And...
Hemi Horror Story
The other day, I ran into a guy I know who owns a late model Dodge Ram pick-up with the 5.7 Hemi V8. The truck...