Recent content by jstert

i had an ex-hertz 2004 toyota corolla le from 24k to 103k happy miles. i rented a recent cvt corolla; toyota managed to give a reliably unchallenging economy car an insipidly soulless driving feel. if i could more comfortably fit behind its steering wheel, and the dealership was nearby and...

after much research my engineer/pilot, older son decided on a low-mileage, ex-loaner, 2021, cpo, mazda 3 sedan in 2021. he relocated from n.e. to socal in 2022. the m3 is absolutely fine except that he notices its slightly lower mpg at socal gas prices. i drove it a bit in n.e., very sprightly...

i am serious. how a prospective wife takes responsible care of herself and her stuff is important to note. we all know that love is blind but a car is a lifeline in america; if it is neglected then what else is neglected that should be more readily apparent? don’t we offer to check a car...

absolutely no rudeness intended, but this issue never came up before tying the knot? the neglected kia obviously needs a good going over: brakes, tires, all fluids, spark plugs, filters… o.p. is doing what a good husband does. i just hope that there are no other surprises.

my 2013 vw passat s has been really fine. bought it in 2014 as cpo with 7500 miles, now at 115,000. 25mpg suburbs, 35mpg highway. vw should have kept its 2.5 five cylinder in every model. my brother made me an offer that i couldn’t refuse for his soon-to-be driving twin kids. so i am replacing...

sadly, even aux-in jacks are going away.

douglas (kelly) versus kumho from walmart. at various times ive had both brands. without knowing the intended vehicle, location of use or tire size i would choose kumho. e.g. for size 205 55 r16: kelly is $68, 500ab, 9/32m, h; kumho is $69.60, 500aa, 11/32, w. both have 50k mile warranty.

a childhood friend’s summer job in high school was buying 2-3 junked vw beetles in the spring and making one good one to sell in august. way better than picking vegetables or washing dishes. he started doing so before he had a driving license. the modern world needs more simple vehicles.

thanks guys. oil was 1/3 below full line on dipstick, cold. we were traveling fully loaded in a very hot summer. i like all my fluids at 100% full mark. i almost got the pennzoil euro l, but noticed it was sn and 5w30; i thought it better to get sp and 0w20, which led me to p.p. i don’t recall...

i bought two ex-hertz rentals. i did extensive test drives and saw maintenance records, picking the best on the lot. both of mine were western state, non-snowbelt cars so lots of highway miles and no rust. #1. 2004 toyota corolla le in 2006 at 24,000 miles. drove it to 103,000 miles all over...

i helped my son drive his 2021 vw tiguan s fwd to dc after his two month temporary assignment in texas this summer, very busy, with alot of driving there. he changed oil before trip to texas at vw dealer a bit early at 8000 miles. just when leaving texas i noticed oil was down about 1/3 qt. i...

i qualified on the m14 and m16 in 1972. my choice to shoot: m14, to carry: m16.

i had a new 1993 volvo 245 until 2006. body integrity remained strong but otherwise, trust me on this, you don’t want an aged volvo as a simple, reliable, daily driver, unless you love to spend your free time and disposable money constantly fixing it.

glock arguments+out of battery worries+handgun newbie=revolver.

my grandparents on both sides were legal immigrants. from them, male and female, to my father and uncles, to me, to my two sons, some of every generation served, all volunteered. two didn’t return, five returned damaged in some measure. national service, universal or by lottery, without...