I’m saving this for the day when my dad finally dies. He’s 84 and his major regret was that he didn’t beat me and my youngest sister as much as my older brothers and sisters. He did better than his parents, but was far from a good parent. I have worked for the family business for the last 13 years with the…

David, I like you. I admire your pluck. Let me tell you what you don’t want to hear - this is never going to be what you want it to be. Every nut and bolt is rusted to the point that they will break when you try to remove them. The engine needs a full rebuild - hot tanked, bored, all threads chased and helicoiled if…

If I was his landlord, the conversation I would have with him wouldn’t be pleasant. I have severe doubts that the stains will come out of the carpet or the kitchen linoleum, or the sink, and let’s not forget that he used his dishwasher as a parts washer, and ran at least one load of oily clothes through his washer and…

I want a manual vehicle. I really do. My problem is that on the few vehicles that even offer it now, it’s the base model without A/C, with the small engine, with the downgraded fabric on the seats, with the drum brakes in the rear, with the tiny tires and plastic hubcaps. I want a manual vehicle, I just don’t want to…

Lately I've been thinking that motorcyclists are a bunch of whiny wankers. Not all of them, and not nearly as bad as the bicycle riders, but whiny wankers nonetheless. Stay in your lane, stay out of my blind spots, and don't split lanes unless you have an organ donor card and a death wish. In return, I will stay in my…

8 days ago I saved a kitten from a secondary highway (only two lanes). He was basically on the center line and terrified of the traffic that was going both ways. I turned around as soon as I could, my ex-wife and son in the car. Luckily he made it to the shoulder without further harm. It took me three tries to catch…

Please take my money and make this. I have IBS and sometimes I have about two minutes from not needing to go until it is a complete emergency.

I remember these. Never saw one with over 50,000 miles. Terrible vehicle. Don’t forget the Renault Le Car either. I worked in a tire shop and the whee studs were apparently made of lead or cheese or dog poop, as even with the gentlest touch they stripped when hand tightening them.

I had one once. It was horrible. I did not keep it for long. Probably the worst vehicle I have ever owned. Uncomfortable, underpowered, and everything about it was charmless.

I came here to say the same thing. Fiat engines are not nearly as reliable as Mazda.

Freddy, three of the cars on my bucket list made it to your list. I could skip the Aston and the Jag and replace them with a mid 80's 635 Csi and an air-cooled 911 and be happy forever. Of course I'm not sure these two changes qualify as dirt cheap, but if I'm dreaming anyway, may as well go big.

Okay dumbass. Why would you think that washing oily parts in your dishwasher or oily clothes in your washing machine is any different than pouring the oil from your engine directly into the sewer? Your detergent will emulsify a small amount of oil (equivalent to what would be found washing a normal load of clothes or…

So I’m a divorced father of two teen boys. They have lived with their mom since the divorce. I pay slightly more than the mandated amount because they are my kids and I love them. The relationship disaster I had with their mom wasn’t their fault and they shouldn’t suffer for our mistakes. I’m working a job I don’t…

Freddy, I always enjoy your articles. They let me dare to dream that one day I can have the car that I have always wanted. I live vicariously through you while I fix and flip auction specials to work my way to something better. Don’t let the haters get you down, because lots of us out here really enjoy what you have…

Alright, so the new Pacifica instead of the Town and Country; I understand that there will be no more Dodge Caravan. Is the Pacifica the only replacement minivan? The Town and Country was always the luxury version of the Caravan. Is there a stripped version of the Pacifica or is there a second minivan going to be…

For a diesel with contaminated fuel the best treatment is to drain and flush the fuel system. If there is gasoline in the system, adding 2 stroke oil may work, but how much would be enough? If there is water, best not to risk running it until it has been flushed.

Actually, diesel will absorb water; just not very much. And apparently it doesn't take very much to remove the lubricating abilities of diesel fuel. I didn't realize it was as big of a problem as this. In a gas engine, small amounts of water in the fuel are inconvenient but not system destroying. Usual treatment in a…

You are absolutely correct. My work vehicle is a diesel pickup with a gasoline welder on it. I have been fortunate enough to only have had various gas attendants pour diesel into my very low tech welder. It runs terribly until the diesel is burned off, and I have had to replace the fouled plugs, but no lasting…

I had a 2013 and traded it in for a 2015 Acadia. The Enclave was much nicer in every respect and I miss it. I like the size, comfort and performance of the Lambda platform. Mine have both had the AWD because of the extended winter months in Alberta; it performs seamlessly and I feel good knowing that my kids are in a…

Oh, honey. Me too.