I wish California had inspections. I can't tell you how many cars I've seen with bakes metal-to-metal, 5 bald tires, no wipers or headlights, and two car seats in the back. And the only thing the customer is willing to pay for is to get their stereo fixed.
my cheap camry failed inspection
- Thread starter mpvue
- Start date
- Status
^You forgot wheels that cost more than the car itself.
Originally Posted By: mpvue
Originally Posted By: lexus114
Man, where the Heck did you take it to? Sounds like a Jeff`s automotive thing to me. Try the Valero down by the Palmer Park Mall, or the Getty (used to sell gas there) on William Penn Highway.
no, a little shop out by my job in Maxatawny on rt222, Hayle's Automotive. it's a good shop, and both inspections are $29.99 total.
I just finished ordering everything I needed, a used wiper switch assembly from eBay, most everything else from rockauto, except the exhaust from AMautoparts on eBay.
total cost: $477...
Got it.And the best part is you stayed under $500.00!
Originally Posted By: lexus114
Man, where the Heck did you take it to? Sounds like a Jeff`s automotive thing to me. Try the Valero down by the Palmer Park Mall, or the Getty (used to sell gas there) on William Penn Highway.
no, a little shop out by my job in Maxatawny on rt222, Hayle's Automotive. it's a good shop, and both inspections are $29.99 total.
I just finished ordering everything I needed, a used wiper switch assembly from eBay, most everything else from rockauto, except the exhaust from AMautoparts on eBay.
total cost: $477...
Got it.And the best part is you stayed under $500.00!
Originally Posted By: lexus114
Originally Posted By: mpvue
Originally Posted By: lexus114
Man, where the Heck did you take it to? Sounds like a Jeff`s automotive thing to me. Try the Valero down by the Palmer Park Mall, or the Getty (used to sell gas there) on William Penn Highway.
no, a little shop out by my job in Maxatawny on rt222, Hayle's Automotive. it's a good shop, and both inspections are $29.99 total.
I just finished ordering everything I needed, a used wiper switch assembly from eBay, most everything else from rockauto, except the exhaust from AMautoparts on eBay.
total cost: $477...
Got it.And the best part is you stayed under $500.00!
yes
so far I'm into this car about $1200 total including purchase price, and including this latest stuff.
Originally Posted By: mpvue
Originally Posted By: lexus114
Man, where the Heck did you take it to? Sounds like a Jeff`s automotive thing to me. Try the Valero down by the Palmer Park Mall, or the Getty (used to sell gas there) on William Penn Highway.
no, a little shop out by my job in Maxatawny on rt222, Hayle's Automotive. it's a good shop, and both inspections are $29.99 total.
I just finished ordering everything I needed, a used wiper switch assembly from eBay, most everything else from rockauto, except the exhaust from AMautoparts on eBay.
total cost: $477...
Got it.And the best part is you stayed under $500.00!
yes
so far I'm into this car about $1200 total including purchase price, and including this latest stuff.
Originally Posted By: Scott_Tucker
I wish California had inspections. I can't tell you how many cars I've seen with bakes metal-to-metal, 5 bald tires, no wipers or headlights, and two car seats in the back. And the only thing the customer is willing to pay for is to get their stereo fixed.
I finally convinced a co-worker of mine to at least buy new two tires last year for her SUV...so she's got two new Destination LEs in the back, but the fronts are still bald. She was originally going to wait until November (last year) to do the fronts. That quickly changed to waiting until after Christmas.
We got talking about someone else's car today, and that they just got new tires, and my co-worker's new timeline is she's going to try and make it through the summer on her front ones (which are already nearly showing belts), as she has a few vacations to save up for.
Wow.
I wish California had inspections. I can't tell you how many cars I've seen with bakes metal-to-metal, 5 bald tires, no wipers or headlights, and two car seats in the back. And the only thing the customer is willing to pay for is to get their stereo fixed.
I finally convinced a co-worker of mine to at least buy new two tires last year for her SUV...so she's got two new Destination LEs in the back, but the fronts are still bald. She was originally going to wait until November (last year) to do the fronts. That quickly changed to waiting until after Christmas.
We got talking about someone else's car today, and that they just got new tires, and my co-worker's new timeline is she's going to try and make it through the summer on her front ones (which are already nearly showing belts), as she has a few vacations to save up for.
Wow.
Originally Posted By: exranger06
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Are the struts leaking or do they not damp properly? If they are a bit weepy abut damp well Id just clean em up. My wifes rear strutrs were toast (leaking a lot) after 3 years on a 05 rav4 - though they still damped OK. Wiper speed? Really! I got nailed for a worn rear wiper blade that the gut said they HAD to replace ( for 20 bucks) even though it was an option on many vehicles.
If a vehicle came equipped with a safety feature from the factory, it MUST be installed and working properly. Period. This is the law in every state. It doesn't matter if other vehicles have it or not.
Really? I guess I should have REMOVED the rear wiper assy so they couldnt try to soak me for a blade. Why are there so many rolling smog fests out on the road thay completely negate the PZEV staus of my car. ABsolute joke and moronic Gvmnt over-reaching idiocy?
When I did inspections in Mass a 1/2 century ago there was a LIST of safety items that must work, but IIRC you could pass with hand signals if you TS didnt work
Brake lights, Horn, headlights(+ aiming) dimmer sw, side marker lights, backup lights, handbrake, Brakes(wear), Balljoints, kingpins, tire tread, excessive rust or distorted sheet metal, and front wipers.
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Are the struts leaking or do they not damp properly? If they are a bit weepy abut damp well Id just clean em up. My wifes rear strutrs were toast (leaking a lot) after 3 years on a 05 rav4 - though they still damped OK. Wiper speed? Really! I got nailed for a worn rear wiper blade that the gut said they HAD to replace ( for 20 bucks) even though it was an option on many vehicles.
If a vehicle came equipped with a safety feature from the factory, it MUST be installed and working properly. Period. This is the law in every state. It doesn't matter if other vehicles have it or not.
Really? I guess I should have REMOVED the rear wiper assy so they couldnt try to soak me for a blade. Why are there so many rolling smog fests out on the road thay completely negate the PZEV staus of my car. ABsolute joke and moronic Gvmnt over-reaching idiocy?
When I did inspections in Mass a 1/2 century ago there was a LIST of safety items that must work, but IIRC you could pass with hand signals if you TS didnt work
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Originally Posted By: exranger06
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Are the struts leaking or do they not damp properly? If they are a bit weepy abut damp well Id just clean em up. My wifes rear strutrs were toast (leaking a lot) after 3 years on a 05 rav4 - though they still damped OK. Wiper speed? Really! I got nailed for a worn rear wiper blade that the gut said they HAD to replace ( for 20 bucks) even though it was an option on many vehicles.
If a vehicle came equipped with a safety feature from the factory, it MUST be installed and working properly. Period. This is the law in every state. It doesn't matter if other vehicles have it or not.
Really? I guess I should have REMOVED the rear wiper assy so they couldnt try to soak me for a blade. Why are there so many rolling smog fests out on the road thay completely negate the PZEV staus of my car. ABsolute joke and moronic Gvmnt over-reaching idiocy?
When I did inspections in Mass a 1/2 century ago there was a LIST of safety items that must work, but IIRC you could pass with hand signals if you TS didnt work
Brake lights, Horn, headlights(+ aiming) dimmer sw, side marker lights, backup lights, handbrake, Brakes(wear), Balljoints, kingpins, tire tread, excessive rust or distorted sheet metal, and front wipers.
Removing the wiper assembly wouldn't have done anything. Read my post again. If it came equipped with it from the factory, it MUST be INSTALLED and working correctly. A guy once removed his third brake light because he didn't want to pay over $100 to fix it (2nd gen Explorer with neon style brake light). It still failed because it came with one from the factory.
I never said I agreed with the law, just telling it like it is.
(Although I DO agree with it for the most part....)
Originally Posted By: exranger06
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Are the struts leaking or do they not damp properly? If they are a bit weepy abut damp well Id just clean em up. My wifes rear strutrs were toast (leaking a lot) after 3 years on a 05 rav4 - though they still damped OK. Wiper speed? Really! I got nailed for a worn rear wiper blade that the gut said they HAD to replace ( for 20 bucks) even though it was an option on many vehicles.
If a vehicle came equipped with a safety feature from the factory, it MUST be installed and working properly. Period. This is the law in every state. It doesn't matter if other vehicles have it or not.
Really? I guess I should have REMOVED the rear wiper assy so they couldnt try to soak me for a blade. Why are there so many rolling smog fests out on the road thay completely negate the PZEV staus of my car. ABsolute joke and moronic Gvmnt over-reaching idiocy?
When I did inspections in Mass a 1/2 century ago there was a LIST of safety items that must work, but IIRC you could pass with hand signals if you TS didnt work
Removing the wiper assembly wouldn't have done anything. Read my post again. If it came equipped with it from the factory, it MUST be INSTALLED and working correctly. A guy once removed his third brake light because he didn't want to pay over $100 to fix it (2nd gen Explorer with neon style brake light). It still failed because it came with one from the factory.
I never said I agreed with the law, just telling it like it is.
(Although I DO agree with it for the most part....)
Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
Originally Posted By: edwardh1
many many states have junked vehicle inspections
What states are those? all the states I know have increased the difficulty of passing inspection in an attempt to push old cars and the poor people that drive them off the road, to be replaced by expensive tiny green cars al gore and rich celebrities allow us to drive.
Funny that in CA, we get sniffer tested on old vehicles, but safety - nah! Only if its so bad that a LEO cites you (windshiled crack, taillights, etc, but struts - no way).
Originally Posted By: edwardh1
many many states have junked vehicle inspections
What states are those? all the states I know have increased the difficulty of passing inspection in an attempt to push old cars and the poor people that drive them off the road, to be replaced by expensive tiny green cars al gore and rich celebrities allow us to drive.
Funny that in CA, we get sniffer tested on old vehicles, but safety - nah! Only if its so bad that a LEO cites you (windshiled crack, taillights, etc, but struts - no way).
Originally Posted By: surfstar
Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
Originally Posted By: edwardh1
many many states have junked vehicle inspections
What states are those? all the states I know have increased the difficulty of passing inspection in an attempt to push old cars and the poor people that drive them off the road, to be replaced by expensive tiny green cars al gore and rich celebrities allow us to drive.
Funny that in CA, we get sniffer tested on old vehicles, but safety - nah! Only if its so bad that a LEO cites you (windshiled crack, taillights, etc, but struts - no way).
We have the most stringent smog inspections in the world because we don't want the birds to die, but you could literally drive around with no brakes and bald tires and no one would care.
I'm not really hoping that California has overreaching inspections, but I would like to see the basics checked. Brakes, tires, and steering. Judging something like struts can be so subjective that I could see a lot of Midas stores selling them just to make money. I seriously have seen many flagrant safety violations in cars that have multiple child seats and that is what really disgusts me. On the other side, we have a bunch of wanna-be hot-rodders spending all their money to make their engines more powerful yet totally neglecting their brakes. That a whole other story.
Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
Originally Posted By: edwardh1
many many states have junked vehicle inspections
What states are those? all the states I know have increased the difficulty of passing inspection in an attempt to push old cars and the poor people that drive them off the road, to be replaced by expensive tiny green cars al gore and rich celebrities allow us to drive.
Funny that in CA, we get sniffer tested on old vehicles, but safety - nah! Only if its so bad that a LEO cites you (windshiled crack, taillights, etc, but struts - no way).
We have the most stringent smog inspections in the world because we don't want the birds to die, but you could literally drive around with no brakes and bald tires and no one would care.
I'm not really hoping that California has overreaching inspections, but I would like to see the basics checked. Brakes, tires, and steering. Judging something like struts can be so subjective that I could see a lot of Midas stores selling them just to make money. I seriously have seen many flagrant safety violations in cars that have multiple child seats and that is what really disgusts me. On the other side, we have a bunch of wanna-be hot-rodders spending all their money to make their engines more powerful yet totally neglecting their brakes. That a whole other story.
Originally Posted By: Vikas
Did you post about how you ended up with this car? If it was being driven prior to you getting it, how did the previous owner managed to get the annual sticker?
I got it from a friend who was tired of getting soaked every time she brought it to the mechanic. the wiper switch only recently stopped working, and I also fixed the brakes as I knew those were bad. I think the previous year she barely passed, or it failed for tires last time, and they warned her next time, it would be expensive.
it's a 19yo 284K mile camry that I got for $300, you have to expect stuff is going to need work.
Did you post about how you ended up with this car? If it was being driven prior to you getting it, how did the previous owner managed to get the annual sticker?
I got it from a friend who was tired of getting soaked every time she brought it to the mechanic. the wiper switch only recently stopped working, and I also fixed the brakes as I knew those were bad. I think the previous year she barely passed, or it failed for tires last time, and they warned her next time, it would be expensive.
it's a 19yo 284K mile camry that I got for $300, you have to expect stuff is going to need work.
Originally Posted By: Vikas
You should have taken it to the same place for the inspection
except that was the same place that charged her $375 to change the throttle position sensor and air intake tube...
You should have taken it to the same place for the inspection
except that was the same place that charged her $375 to change the throttle position sensor and air intake tube...
Originally Posted By: mpvue
no, a little shop out by my job in Maxatawny on rt222, Hayle's Automotive. it's a good shop, and both inspections are $29.99 total.
Interesting. I've driven past that shop a couple of times on runs down to Reading for work errands.
no, a little shop out by my job in Maxatawny on rt222, Hayle's Automotive. it's a good shop, and both inspections are $29.99 total.
Interesting. I've driven past that shop a couple of times on runs down to Reading for work errands.
Originally Posted By: rslifkin
Originally Posted By: mpvue
no, a little shop out by my job in Maxatawny on rt222, Hayle's Automotive. it's a good shop, and both inspections are $29.99 total.
Interesting. I've driven past that shop a couple of times on runs down to Reading for work errands.
Maxatawny is about 'blink and you'll miss it' size. there's some Amish there, about as far north of Lancaster that they live.
stop by Premise Maid Chocolates just north of there on the other side of the road, great place, homemade ice cream too.
Originally Posted By: mpvue
no, a little shop out by my job in Maxatawny on rt222, Hayle's Automotive. it's a good shop, and both inspections are $29.99 total.
Interesting. I've driven past that shop a couple of times on runs down to Reading for work errands.
Maxatawny is about 'blink and you'll miss it' size. there's some Amish there, about as far north of Lancaster that they live.
stop by Premise Maid Chocolates just north of there on the other side of the road, great place, homemade ice cream too.
Originally Posted By: Cutehumor
just passed inspection for our 09 vibe. our inspection consists of testing the gas cap, inspecting the cat converter for tampering and checking the obd II computer for any codes. if everything passes, you pass. gotta love it.
Wow, even NE states don't do that! I am shocked that a state such as TN is looking to catch the anti-fouler ~/~
just passed inspection for our 09 vibe. our inspection consists of testing the gas cap, inspecting the cat converter for tampering and checking the obd II computer for any codes. if everything passes, you pass. gotta love it.
Wow, even NE states don't do that! I am shocked that a state such as TN is looking to catch the anti-fouler ~/~
Around here they just look to see if everything your car is supposed to have is still on it and hooked up; doesn't have to actually work. Only thing they test is the gas caps. My new one in a baggie is always good.
update: got the car back in the shop today for a re-inspect; had spent the weekend installing the new exhaust, front motor mount, rear struts and wiper switch.
they all really did need to be replaced. the exhaust was in great shape (original- the mid muffler has the toyota imprint on it!) except for the flanges. both ends of the converter were rusted to nothing, as well as the inlet to the rear muffler.
so I got a new converter too, esp once I saw the inside was disintegrating. auto zone had a walker direct-fit one for $125, plus a $50 rebate, AND I got a $10 off coupon form their facebook page.
the front motor mount fell apart when I took it out.
one rear strut was leaking.
I replaced the sway bar links too; they were frozen, so I cut them off, and new ones were only $14 ea.
they all really did need to be replaced. the exhaust was in great shape (original- the mid muffler has the toyota imprint on it!) except for the flanges. both ends of the converter were rusted to nothing, as well as the inlet to the rear muffler.
so I got a new converter too, esp once I saw the inside was disintegrating. auto zone had a walker direct-fit one for $125, plus a $50 rebate, AND I got a $10 off coupon form their facebook page.
the front motor mount fell apart when I took it out.
one rear strut was leaking.
I replaced the sway bar links too; they were frozen, so I cut them off, and new ones were only $14 ea.
I'm always envious of you folks with sub $1000 cars.
I'd much rather have something that needs fixing than a new car. Certainly a lot cheaper.
I'd much rather have something that needs fixing than a new car. Certainly a lot cheaper.
- Status
Similar threads
