Car knowledge your older self would teach your younger self

[Beaumont67]

This is what this retired Dad taught his son (he is in his mid 30's), in car ownership:

When upgrading to a newer or brand new vehicle / treat buying & selling, like a system for ROI:
#1) don't trade in the used vehicle, at the dealership / just not enough, in the value proposition
#2) sell used vehicle private, for maximum profit

a) trading 2008 Nissan Rogue on a new Lexus RX350, would net $3,000
b) Detailing...performed an intensive hand detailing polish, on Nissan
- cleaned up engine & plastic covers
c) junked the all season worn-out tires & had the like new snow rubber installed
- fixed an E-Vap dash light error code fix...got E-Test Pass
- had vehicle Safety Certified...needed alternator, serpentine belt change & new wiper blades
Total Mechanical Spend = $700
d) advertised SUV on my front lawn...Sold in 7 weeks time...$7,700

Added PROFIT = 7,700 - 3,000 -700 = $4,000...233% return with a little work & time

#3) Dad and son teamed up to negotiate the purchase of his new 2015 Lexus RX350.
- I even hand picked the young salesman out and handed him a sale on a silver platter
- used this to our advantage // got 13.3% off MSRP...saved $10K over List

#4) Dad found brand new 19" rims and winter tires (BridgeStone w/zero miles) with a Lexus retail value of $4,400 for $2,400 cash out of Kijiji.
- so the winter rims & tires was literally Free...paid from the extra profit of the Nissan

#5) and son flipped Dad a few $grand (for all his work), on my Gen3 4Runner purchase
WIN-WIN, all the way around !!

 

[hounddogman]

Wow, that's the same truck I had. Mine was ridiculously low geared with a 235 straight six and a wood/metal flatbed. I inherited that truck from my great uncle but I had dirt bikes on my brain so I let it go for $800. :frusty: Needless to say, it sold within 8 hours of the news paper being published. I'll have to dig up a picture for you guys. I truly regret selling that truck for many reasons.

Sorry for the derailment.

Yep, mine was the same low geared flat bed truck ,except somewhere in it's life it ended up with a 350 but with those low gears it's top speed was only 60-65 MPH . But it could do that 60 MPH up anything ! Of course it only got 8 MPG doing that . All right, sorry everyone , back on topic . Advice for the younger me, learn to weld much younger even if it means finding a community college course .

 

[ZebRuaj]

Advice for the younger me, learn to weld much younger even if it means finding a community college course .

I'm still trying to make myself accept this advice and learn.

 

[jspagna1]

If you want a classic vehicle, don't buy someone else's "restoration" unless you know you'll be happy enjoying it as is. Otherwise, you’ll sink deeper and deeper as you find and correct your predecessor's mistakes, to the point that you'll end up completely redoing everything on it. Further, you may end up spending far more on it than will be worth for a long, long time. hwell:

Buy a solid original instead, even if it looks nasty. You'll know exactly what you're getting, and the restoration will be far easier when you don't have to redo someone else's work.

Also, taking it to a car show can make for a very long day, especially if you can’t get out until it's over.

Finally, if you over-restore it, you may hardly ever drive it, and it could become a garage anchor.

I totally agree with you. Bought mine back in 1996 and spent a lot of money making it my own and I drive it every Summer.

 

[whyowyo]

Youtube and forums are coming! Hang in there.

It is so much faster now to figure out how to do anything.

The last two winters I have been working on vehicles at -20 degrees with no cell or wifi, and I have appreciated my early years of working on vehicles pre- internet.

I like being able to look anything up, but solid problem solving skills go a long way when you are 10 hours from no where in winter.

 

[kott3670]

#1-Does it seem like the perfect marriage? - Get married. Wait a year at least, and combine finances but DO NOT combine credit cards!......

#2- Change all 10mm head bolts to 11mm, it will be cheaper than the divorce, speaking of that, anyone got a 10mm I can borrow?

#3- Don't sell the F-150 you got for 7k$ below book, it was paid off you idiot. what are you going to drive when you blow your brand new Subarus engine?!?!

#4- Beer is delicious and I can't tell you not to drink it but you'd probably be rich if it wasn't so good.....

 

[jpachard]

#1 If you want to drive off-road, learn good driving techniques, take a class etc. knowledge is power.
#2 Don't put 37" tires on with 6" spacers and a lift designed by Satan himself on your brand new 4Runner, it makes you look like a Joey, your truck is extremely capable right off the lot. See point #1
#3 Read the manual! Especially if you have a newer 4Runner with all he traction control, CRAWL etc. These systems are amazing but knowing what they do and how to use them based on terrain is something that the loose nut behind the wheel needs to know, the truck can't read your mind and terrain. Practice with these systems in a safe, controlled environment.
#4 Get the best tools you can afford and take good care of them.
#5 If you off-road, learn how to use that high lift jack properly, it is an amazing tool in the right hands.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[TrdinOhio]

1- working on cars is a great hobby but it's a tough career.
2- most chicks really don't care what car you drive
3- be true to what you need as opposed to what you just want