I drive a 1992 Toyota Camry with just over 203,000 miles on it. As far as I know, the car is in good mechanical condition except that the rear struts are in fairly desperate need of replacement.
How do you calculate the payback period for repairing an old but paid-off car, and how might you use this information to help decide whether to repair the car or buy a newer used car? [more inside]
posted on Jul 18, 2008 - 20 answers
Is my car safe to drive? My 2003 Ford Windstar's ABS + Brake lights intermittently go on. Searching yields lot of noise but I'm not sure what to make of it. [more inside]
posted on Jul 12, 2008 - 7 answers
Car-repair-filter: Any mechanics got a trick for freeing a stuck brake piston? [more inside]
posted on Jul 9, 2008 - 8 answers 
Anyone have a recommendation for a good auto glass repair shop in L.A.? [more inside]
posted on May 11, 2008 - 5 answers
Why is my Honda Civic dinging when I come down to go to work in the morning? And can I make it stop? Some backstory... [more inside]
posted on Mar 11, 2008 - 6 answers
Apparently the ignition lock assembly on my 1999 Honda Accord is fried... [more inside]
posted on Jan 11, 2008 - 12 answers
I rear-ended somebody with my car. Twist: I'm moving in a week... background inside. [more inside]
posted on Dec 27, 2007 - 2 answers
Is it true that it is good for a car to fill it up with higher grade gas once in a while?
I usually fill up at Shell, and there is 87, 89 and 91 kinds of gas, with 87 being the cheapeast and 91 being the most expensive. I usually get 87. However, I heard that if you own a car and want it to last longer, it is beneficial to fill it up with the most expensive gas, to "clean the engine". Is that true? If so, what is the explanation behind it? I drive a 2002 Kia Rio, if that makes any difference.
posted on Dec 22, 2007 - 22 answers
Help me figure out what's wrong with my old crappy van. [more inside]
posted on Nov 1, 2007 - 9 answers
How do I get rid of a dead car? [more inside]
posted on Oct 9, 2007 - 21 answers
Are there any schools that have something like a week-long auto repair course? Preferably BMW-focused, and preferably in the DC Metro area, but even without those two, would still be useful. [more inside]
posted on Sep 24, 2007 - 10 answers
Roughly, how much should it cost to rebuild a manual 5-speed transmission and replace the clutch in a 1999 Saturn SC2? The car has 104,000 miles on it, and is in Los Angeles, CA if that matters at all.
posted on Sep 10, 2007 - 8 answers
Convertible Top Repair: Possible? [more inside]
posted on Jul 29, 2007 - 6 answers
Autofilter: Should the windows on my '05 Volkswagen GTI roll all the way down? [more inside]
posted on Jun 12, 2007 - 2 answers
Looking for an "autosurf" type script I can install on my site. [more inside]
posted on Jun 10, 2007 - 3 answers
When buying exhaust flex pipes like these, to fit over an H-pipe with a diameter of 2.5", would you buy the flex pipes with the 2.5" outlet diameter or do you need something bigger? [more inside]
posted on Jun 2, 2007 - 1 answers
It looks like I've been sort of ripped off by an auto glass repair guy. Is there anything I can/should do? [more inside]
posted on Apr 26, 2007 - 16 answers
I'm having car troubles and curious if this is a problem familiar to anyone: [more inside]
posted on Mar 9, 2007 - 16 answers
I'm looking for recommendations for Volkswagen service and brake service in San Francisco. [more inside]
posted on Feb 23, 2007 - 9 answers
My 1991 Jeep Cherokee automatic seems to be "trembling" while it idles. The shaking decreases once it's moving, but persists- albeit in a much reduced state. On top of that, the engine just sounds like it's working harder than it used to. Help! [more inside]
posted on Feb 21, 2007 - 7 answers
This morning my car (95 Altima) wouldn't start. Seems like an ignition problem. Are there any honest auto repair shops I can take it to here in Miami (the closer to the intersection of Red and 8th the better)?
posted on Jan 12, 2007 - 6 answers
Car. Clutch. Mystery fluid. Leaking. Help! [more inside]
posted on Jan 5, 2007 - 7 answers
Water is leaking into the back seat of my '92 Toyota Camry when it rains. I suspect a clogged drain in driver's front door but I don't know how to confirm this and unclog it. [more inside]
posted on Dec 2, 2006 - 2 answers
My '96 Civic is making a peculiar noise when I start it up in the morning. [more inside]
posted on Nov 2, 2006 - 14 answers
Did this mechanic try to "trick" me into a repair that costs more than the car is worth? [more inside]
posted on Nov 2, 2006 - 9 answers
A laptop theif (grumble grumble) knocked out the passenger side window to my 1996 Ford Ranger. I only have liability and the YMCA where I was parked won't cover it, so I think I want to change the glass myself. [more inside]
posted on Oct 22, 2006 - 10 answers
Can you recommend a car repair shop in Richmond, BC, Canada? 1987 Nissan Sentra on the fritz again. [more inside]
posted on Sep 16, 2006 - 5 answers
Do I have any shot of fixing my 1984 Ford F150 power steering leak on my own? [more inside]
posted on Aug 30, 2006 - 3 answers
Can I have my car towed from an auto repair shop? [more inside]
posted on Aug 25, 2006 - 13 answers
I think I need an alignment; looking for a recommended mechanic in San Diego. I need Saturday hours, and am hoping for some place near a movie theater, shopping, or the like. [more inside]
posted on Jul 31, 2006 - 5 answers
Tell me what I should be doing to fix-up my inherited 1994 Mustang Cobra. [more inside]
posted on Jul 10, 2006 - 4 answers
Sometimes when I try to start my car, it doesn't seem to "catch". This only happens sometimes, and when I took it to the shop, they couldn't find anything wrong. [more inside]
posted on Jul 3, 2006 - 17 answers
My car's engine heat indicator suddenly began soaring anytime I idle. This can't be good. What is the cause, and how do I fix? [more inside]
posted on May 21, 2006 - 12 answers
What's a reasonable price to pay to replace a speed sensor in a 1995 Honda Odyssey van?
posted on Dec 7, 2005 - 6 answers
Any good online references for finding an auto repair shop? Reports, reviews, horror stories? [more inside]
posted on Oct 24, 2005 - 9 answers
1995 Honda Odyssey van question [more inside]
posted on Sep 28, 2005 - 4 answers
TheFateOfTheCurseMobile! I purchased a used automobile about 18 months ago. Over the past year, the car has been involved in 3 minor collisions (but major headaches), none of which were my fault. I'm trying to weigh my options between getting it fixed (again!) or trading it in for a car with some (hopefully) better karma. Any advice? [more inside]
posted on Sep 19, 2005 - 5 answers
Ready to get rid of my car. I want it to look good so as to maximize value. Do I need a detailer, or just an autobody shop? [more inside]
posted on Jul 7, 2005 - 5 answers
Can anyone give me some advice before I file a small claims court lawsuit against an Auto Service Center. [more inside]
posted on May 2, 2005 - 9 answers
How can I figure out what's leaking from my car? (And other maladies...) Does anyone know of a site -- like WebMD, but for cars -- where I can type in symptoms and narrow down what might be wrong with a car? I know that I can go to a mechanic, but sometimes the first question is whether it's even safe to drive the car to the mechanic. [more inside]
posted on Mar 31, 2005 - 10 answers
Where can I find an online forum for owners & managers of auto repair/service shops? [more inside]
posted on Mar 7, 2005 - 1 answers
A fender-bender has, uh, bent my bumper. Torn the rear one off half the frame, specifically. The car is old enough that no one makes the right size bumper/brackets anymore. Plus the frame need a bunch of work before it can accept a bracket again. Insurance declared a total, but has left open the option to repair. Several folks have suggested unbolting the other end and running w/o a bumper. Is this safe?? Not to mention legal? What would you do? [more inside]
posted on Mar 2, 2005 - 20 answers
AutoFilter: In a moment of terrible mental absence this morning, I drove about half a block in second gear with the hand brake engaged. While the right rear wheel smoked and the brake glowed visibly red, there seem to be no other consequences an hour after the fact. Does this merit a call to the mechanic to check it out if other malfunctions haven't arisen?
posted on Dec 16, 2004 - 19 answers
My 1994 Honda Accord's cooling fan won't turn off after I turn the car off. However, if I remove the cooling fan fuse, the fan will shut off. The fuse does not appear to be blown. When I put the fuse back in, it sparks like a mad mo'fo' and the cooling fan turns back on. Any ideas what the problem is and how much it'de run me for a repair or is there a quick fix for it?
posted on Jul 10, 2004 - 9 answers
