I wouldn't say you should never pay for software. Granted there are times when you can find a good free alternative, but sometimes software that costs money is the best solution for the job and saves more money in the long run.

I agree. Is it really too much to ask that the customer isn't punished simply for being a customer? Charging for overdraft, being late on a payment, that's understandable.

It's not to say that your appliances aren't worth your money, but some can be borrowed from neighbors or checked-out from a lending library. In that way, you're not only sharing a resource and cutting down on items that take up space in your cabinet or closet, you're also avoiding the cost of buying an item that will…

Yes and upgrading to higher performance parts won't help if you don't change something like your oil using the recommended severe schedules. By the way that's a great job of keeping logs. I use Microsoft OneNote so I can add pictures, links, purchases, etc.

I haven't seen this but it goes inline with your subject. Recommended maintenance. People spend tens of thousands of dollars on their car, what good is it if you don't maintain your vehicle.

The type of tires you buy like so many other "upgrades" all depend on the type of car you drive and the conditions in which you drive it in. If you live where is gets cold and stays cold, invest in winter tires for your own safety. Now matter what you drive, make sure you buy quality tires. You don't want them to fail…

Maybe they live where it's flat and the speed limits are 40mph. I live where there are lots of hills and curvy roads and we have toll ways with 85mph (136km/h) speed limits. Plus I have a car that isn't designed to be fuel efficient commuter vehicle. I'm with you on strut bars, they do make a difference in…

That's a great example of terrible cross drilled rotors. I would think the type of people who visit this site should pretty well understand you get what you pay for. Buy cheap parts off eBay or some other non-reputable site and it'll probably break.

I take it you know exactly when and where I'm driving when that's happened to make that statement?

Yes, but the most important part of what you said is "do a full show quality detail". If the average person strips off all protection and then is too tired to go through all the steps of removing grime, polishing, waxing, they risk causing further damage to the paint.

Take a look at an S-Class Mercedes. They don't come with cross drilled rotors from the factory to save a few grams of weight. Why do you think cross drilled rotors don't vent? They vent quite well, the whole purpose is to dissipate heat and that's why brake fade is reduced. Better pads and tires can make you stop…

I wasn't suggesting people who drive Camrys, Accords, Fiats or any other "commuter" vehicle run out and buy performance rotors. But when you have 300+HP and get moving quick you'll need good stopping power that doesn't fade easily. Let me put it this way, if your car has H rated or lower tires, you needn't worry about…

It's also possible they didn't follow the break-in procedure correctly. To be fair "normal" brake pads on normal rotors can dust a lot as well. It all depends on what the pads are made of.

I did say sporty car, not someone's Toyota Camry. Besides those cars are grounded to the ground they don't need anything else.

Very little surface area is removed and you gain braking performance through heat loss. I agree softer compound tires will help not just stopping, but cornering and launches.

If you're replacing your rotors a rubber mallet can help knock that sucker loose.

Good brakes/rotors

I did this on my last car. Normally, very easy to do especially if you get a quality part as it would have been tested for proper clearance.

Washing your car with dishwashing soap is akin to stripping all the enamel off your teeth. I'd rather not risk using that on the paint unless nothing else seems to work, but you could use it on the wheels to get brake dust and other grim off. Just be sure you spray some tire spray or foam to recondition the rubber.…