I’ve become rather resourceful at breaking into cars (for the right reasons). I used to work at a lube shop/car wash, and I got pretty good practice there. We had a simple tool kit which helped. Since then, I present my two greatest triumphs:

I also disagree with brake rotors being a good place to skimp money, but this does depend a bit on how much you like the way your car looks, and what car you have. Example: I don’t want the rotors to look rusty on my S2000, and I autocross and track the car, so they take substantial heat. I buy the cryogenically…

That’s where he lost credibility to me.

How was one person capable of finding so many horrible cars???

Ironic how the government relentlessly pursues the elimination of drinking and driving, while simultaneously relentlessly pursuing the elimination of one of the greatest solutions to drinking and driving.

Close, but the V50 is really where it’s at. It could be had with the same T5 engine, 6 speed manual, AND all wheel drive (which neither of the platform mates offered). All in a sexy wagon package. And we all know automotive journalists have a weird fetish for wagons (no judgment here, I bought one).

I had a sweet 1988 Bronco II (because II is better than I), that over years of teenage driving habits had devolved into 7 different colors. Sometime after that, the muffler rusted out. I did what any self-respecting teenager would, and replaced it with a Dynomax muffler, using all those stupid pipe clamps and…