General question Wednesday: Ask your general car-related question and maybe someone will have an answer.
Posted by AutoModerator@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 15 comments
Please direct all choosing/purchase questions to the weekly car-buying sticky. All rules of r/cars apply here.
HouseFrosty780@reddit
Lots of info on buying a new car, but what about selling an old one?
Salesman is saying my car would only be worth $1k usd as a trade-in but I think I could get at least 2k if not 3k. Obviously we're not dealing with a great vehicle here, but I think with a little effort on my part I could get 100% more than what I'm being offered.
I could use anything from the most basic tips ("get it washed") to more sensitive things, like instance:
Should I even let someone test drive such a low value car? They can see me drive up in it and I would invite them to bring a mechanic, but I don't see the use in letting an unknown person drive it away.
Should I get my own Carfax and offer it for free?
Is it okay to ask for payment in something safer than an envelope of cash? I really don't want to marker a stack of hundreds, can I conduct transactions only at the bank?
Any other tips to screen time wasters?
2pnt1@reddit
Is there a good time of year to buy tires, specifically summer tires? Just took mine off today and will definitely need a new set come next year.
Any recommendations? I drive a 2020 WRX. Stock suspension, engine etc
FORluvOFdaGAME@reddit
Can one of those code readers tell me the mileage of my truck? The dashboard on my truck is completely dead - doesn't show the mileage at all. I'm trying to sell it but I'm guessing it will be tough telling people the mileage and just saying "trust me". Especially since it has quite low miles for it's age.
m3t1t1@reddit
To my knowledge, no. Or else all those cars with tmu will at least have a number.
Amish_country_Rich@reddit
Is the Chevrolet Impala( 2014-2020 ) with the V6 a decent reliable car? I am looking to buy one as late a model as possible, and with the lowest miles that I can get my hands on.
DoctorDetrimental@reddit
They're solid motors from what I'm reading. It seems that engines from 2012 or earlier are the ones with more common issues.
U3011@reddit
If you live in a constantly wet and snowy area of the country is it advisable to rinse the underside of your car every day when you get home to rinse away the salt and nastiness in the driveway and then park inside the garage?
Our garage is insulated and climate controlled. I had read years ago that and salted roads contribute to under carriage rot faster than non-climate controlled garages which remain relatively cold through the winter. We plan on keeping our cars for 5-7 years each.
a_gallon_of_pcp@reddit
Yeah if you have the fortitude to maintain doing it every day.
U3011@reddit
I've been doing it for just over a month now but it had occurred to me only today to ask whether this was advisable or not. Most of our neighbors do it every few days when it snows or simply rinse the undercarriage and the body panels behind the wheels if all we get is rain. That's about 170-180 days a year.
I'm considering buying a rain collection tank or two and using that water for cleaning the underside of the car but I'm not sure if that's okay or not given the contaminants rain water can collect as it comes down.
lliizzaarrdd704@reddit
We bought a new car & switched the license plate to it. Now, we aren't sure how to get a new plate for the old car and Google isn't helping. Do we have to register the old car again?? We're in Manatee County, FL if that helps any. Thank y'all
zzyzx85@reddit
That's a question for your local DMV.
DiscloseDivest@reddit
Are suspension parts sturdier on a truck or suv? Why? Why can’t all suspension parts be as durable as ones for trucks and SUV’s?
zzyzx85@reddit
sturdier compared to a compact passenger car? Yes they are. This is because they are larger, heavier vehicles and are designed to carry heavier loads compared to cars.
That extra strength and sturdiness come at the expense of weight, and weight directly affects fuel economy.
timwang2006@reddit
The sturdiness of the suspension components are based on the GVWR or gross vehicle weight rating. Yes a truck or body on frame SUV will have heavy duty suspension because they are intended to hold up more mass. A Ford F-350 will have heavier suspension than a F- 250 which will be heavier than a F-150 because each step has a corresponding major decrease in GWVR. GWVR is a figure based on the vehicle weight plus max load so while a luxury car might weigh the same as a light truck, the truck will have a higher GWVR and heavier suspension since it has the potential to take on additional payload weight.
Cost, fuel economy, ride and handling, and even potentially safety if they are an energy absorbing component in a crash. Its entirely downsides if you don't need the extra carrying capacity. People aren't snapping control arms in light duty passenger cars, that's not a part that needs to be stronger.
DiscloseDivest@reddit
I am snapping control arms where I live in New Orleans pretty easily because our roads are so shit. Next car is definitely gonna be an suv. All the money wasted on gas will be saved on suspension and then some.