Car Questions (Page 38)

Find out why this Toyota mechanic will no longer bother using aftermarket parts for his customers’ repairs and what it means to you.

Is CarFax reliable when it comes to letting car shoppers know the true condition of a used car? One mechanic says no and has the opinion that CarFax is the equivalent of excrement. Is this true?

Contrary to what you might be led to believe, buying an electric vehicle today does not make sense on multiple fronts for the reasons given by the EV industry and social media. Here’s what one mechanic has to say about gas prices, EV snake oil, and the EV trend we are seeing today that explains why you should not jump on the EV bandwagon just yet.

Buying a rental car is typically advised against because of poor maintenance by rental agencies and because some renters…quite frankly…abuse rental cars. However, there is another reason why buying a used rental is a bad idea due to a shared fault of both the renter and the rentee.

See how a tow company damaged a Toyota and what they tried to do to avoid responsibility for the damage their employee caused.

It’s Friday and once again time for some car repair humor that should make you feel slightly smarter than the owners of these vehicles with this twofer submission for your viewing enjoyment.

Before you buy a plug-in vehicle, it’s probably worth doing some research into where, besides your own home or perhaps your workplace, you can recharge your vehicle. Frankly, to not do so is somewhat reckless, since there are a number of regions in the country where your options for public charging may be limited.

Here’s the latest from CR analysts about their picks on the best new car deals that includes sedans, SUVs and pickups available through incentive deals for the month of May.

It is an unfortunate fact of life, but there does come the day when an adult child has to take their elderly parents’ car keys away from them to keep them and others safe. Here’s one solution to this age-old problem that makes life a little easier for both the elderly and their kids that is a must-learn lesson in life and cars.

In one recent review, the V6 engine change in the Toyota Tundra was blasted for not providing truck customers with the traditional V8 engine owners look for in a big truck that can handle a big payload. Here’s a 2nd opinion by a Toyota mechanic who walks viewers through his thoughts during an inspection of the new Tundra with an ownership perspective that could change minds.

Ever wonder if your vehicle is among those targeted by catalytic converter thieves? Turns out, some models are a bigger target than others---but possibly not for the reason(s) you think. Here’s a useful listing of which makes and models are targeted with one reveal uncovered that affects the odds of whether you will become a victim.

Here’s some TGIF Just Rolled In car humor that also serves as a good lesson why in today’s market if you find a used car sold by its owner at what looks like a great price, why you should not walk away, but run…to a mechanic for a prepurchase inspection.

Here’s a good reason why you really have to stop and consider who you are handing your car keys over to if you want to avoid a lawsuit---even if you are nowhere near your car when something bad happens.

A new listing from analysts at Consumer Reports reveals what car brands consistently provide models of used cars that rate the best in reliability, safety, fuel economy and customer satisfaction. Here is their latest listing of those brands and their recommended selection of the top 5-year-old cars and SUVs.

Much of the auto safety discussion revolves around the vehicle and its score on a standardized test. Here is a real-world way that lives are saved in crashes you may not have thought about.

Here’s your chance to avoid paying too much for a popular make and model with this new listing of small cars, a range of SUVs, and trucks that although not the highest priced, still qualify as popular cars. Included in the listing are the expensive popular models to avoid and the less expensive popular models that are smarter car shopping alternative choices with some under-the-radar models easily missed.

Which large SUV is the best? That’s the question in a giant SUV square off as the largest used SUVs available are pitted against one another for a “NO-Pavement-Needed” off-road challenge. Be forewarned, this is a multi-episode GO BIG! series of which this is the first episode, but still fun to watch and learn from even if you do not get around to the rest of the series and the final race.

A popular mechanic warns that an engine change in the Toyota Tundra will not provide you with what earlier Tundra’s provided for owners who wanted a big truck that could handle a big payload.

Here’s the latest on a recommended “Buy This, Not That” small convertible sports car summer cruisers that you will want to know about ahead of time for some summer fun...as well as those which can be a summer disaster.

Here’s an informative look behind the scenes at how engine oils are developed and analyzed with this reveal that shows not all engine oils are created equal.

A determined---albeit creative---catalytic converter theft, bullet holes, a flaming car and just-pulled-out-of-the-garage car crash caught on tape all make this a memorable Friday car fail video you will not want to miss.

Deciding on which sedan or SUV is the right choice for you and your family while staying within your budget can be a daunting task, but not impossible…with a little assistance. Here’s the latest from the good folks at Consumer Reports with their recommendations that showcases their list of the most reliable new cars and SUVs that you can find under $30,000.

During a used car pre-purchase inspection your sense of smell can alert you to a cat-pungent litter box smell that should steer you immediately away from making a used car deal.

Here’s an in-depth review of the 2022 Toyota Supra by a Toyota mechanic who inspected and test drove one this past week and has this to say about some of its good and not so good points that could be a deal breaker for you.

Here’s an informative DIY demo by a mechanic on how to change the transaxle fluid on an older model Toyota Camry Hybrid that can save you money and avoid risking service center scams or negligence.

The used car market is looking slim, and it is mostly because used car shoppers are looking only for the obvious choices. Here’s another under-the-radar used car that they don’t make anymore but you might wish they did. Plus, an affordable scan tool that can help you prepurchase inspect this model when you find it.

Here is an informative video that takes you through a brief history of Toyota engine development from its earliest models with Chevy parts to the all-Toyota new Dynamic Force Engine that reportedly is the most thermal-efficient commercial car engine today.

Here’s an informative (if not scary) video from a mechanic about why car maintenance and repair are so high today…and why it will get even worse soon.

Do the words “roomy” and “comfortable” seem like oxymorons when talking about compact cars? According to the latest Consumer Reports testing of compact cars, these models are the ones you should consider, saying that they are among the roomiest and most comfortable interiors in a compact car that were measured and tested just for you.

It looks like an oversized Camry…but it’s not! Find out what used Toyota you should be looking for that has the blessing of not one, but two separate mechanic reviews/recommendations that state this model is one of the best used vehicles in a larger sedan size that are their top picks.