![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
garote
1997 Ford E-350 V8 swing-door cargo van with thoroughly beat-up interior and 146,000 miles on it. Mar 2004: Fleet Force USA, Irving, TX | ||
| $4309.00 | - | (1309.00 cashiers check + 3000.00 cashiers check on arrival) |
Mar 2004: Transmission King, Arlington, TX | ||
| $0.00 | - | Completely rebuilt transmission with torque converter and transmission cooler ($1300.00, paid for by dealer) |
Mar 2004: Wal-Mart, Big Spring, TX | ||
| $196.84 | - | Two new "Liberator" tires |
| $0.00 | - | Two new "Liberator" tires (paid for by dealer) |
| $16.02 | - | Oil change |
| $16.02 | - | Wal-Mart "tire protection plan" |
Apr 2004: Jiffy Lube, Santa Cruz, CA | ||
| $30.00 | - | Another oil change (just to be safe), fluid check, and cosmetic cleaning |
| $18.00 | - | New air filter |
May 2004: SUV & Truck Parts, Rancho Cordova, CA | ||
| $49.00 | - | Used rim for left front wheel, slightly reducing vibration problem |
May 2004: Les Schwab, Rancho Cordova, CA | ||
| $42.00 | - | Swapping tire to new rim, tire rebalance. |
May 2004: Sportsmobile, Fresno, CA | ||
| $988.00 | - | New marine-vinyl-on-wood flooring for whole van excluding cab area. |
| $742.00 | - | Grey wooden walls with trim and fiberglass insulation |
| $991.00 | - | Dinette and folding bed system |
| $58.00 | - | "Ford Grey" velour for cushions and bed |
| $548.00 | - | Door panels and cabinets for all four rear doors |
| $700.00 | - | 110V Electrical system, with exterior inlet, cable, 60 amp battery charger, GFI, and six interior outlets. |
| $560.00 | - | Two 30" x 15" sliding tinted windows with sliding screens |
| $50.00 | - | Dinette table |
| $0.00 | - | Misc interior and exterior cosmetic repair |
May 2004: Sears, Santa Cruz, CA | ||
| $80.00 | - | DieHard Gold oversize battery. |
May 2004: Pick N Pull Auto Dismantler, Sacramento, CA | ||
| $70.00 | - | Two used rims, replacing the horribly bent rear rims on the van. Vibration problem decreased by 70%. |
May 2004: Lithia Ford, Roseburg, OR | ||
| $320.00 | - | Fix leaking brake seal, clean rear brake assembly, new rear brake shoes. (Front brakes still having problems, but too poor to repair right now.) |
May 2004: Tire Center, Portland, OR | ||
| $40.00 | - | Used rim to replace horribly bent right front rim, almost eliminating the vibration problem |
Jun 2004: Service shop in the Yukon, Canada | ||
| $15.00 | - | Oil change |
Jun 2004: Radio Shack, Valdez, Alaska | ||
| $21.99 | - | Long USB2 cable for GPS unit |
Jun 2004: Wal-Mart, Fairbanks, Alaska | ||
| $0.00 | - | Free blowout repair under tire protection plan |
Jul 2004: Lithia Ford, Roseburg, OR | ||
| $0.00 | - | Fix leaking brake seal again (under warranty) |
Jan 2005: River City Transmission, Rancho Cordova, CA | ||
| $40.00 | - | Diagnose engine sluggishness/vibration problem |
| $725.00 | - | Full tune-up, new spark plugs, replace broken coil pack, fix malfunctioning door handle, patch exhaust system leaks and linkage. Van runs a hell of a lot better, fuel economy increased by about 30%! Got a massive discount due to knowing the owner of the place. |
Jan 2005: Sundance Car Audio, Rancho Cordova, CA | ||
| $250.00 | - | Four new high-quality car stereo speakers |
Aug 2005: River City Transmission, Rancho Cordova, CA | ||
| $847.49 | - | New brake assemblies for both front wheels, new brake shoes/pads and brake assembly cleaning for all four wheels. |
Aug 2005: Circuit City, Santa Cruz, CA | ||
| $32.99 | - | Speaker wiring diagnosis and repair |
| $257.86 | - | New mp3-playing stereo with front panel line-in jack and remote control |
Dec 2005: Jiffy Lube, Santa Cruz, CA | ||
| $39.00 | - | oil change + fluid/tire check (yes, it's a ripoff) |
Dec 2005: Etrailer.com | ||
| $254.46 | - | Draw-Tite Class III Max-E-Loader receiver hitch and wiring harness |
Mar 2006: Midas, Santa Cruz, CA | ||
| $60.75 | - | Failed smog test. (Knock sensor alert, EGR flow insufficient.) |
Apr 2006: Jiffy Lube, Santa Cruz, CA | ||
| $118.49 | - | Oil change and radiator fluid flush. |
Jun 2006: Marty Franich Ford, Watsonville, CA | ||
| $774.74 | - | Steering kit and joint assembly, plus labor to install them, plus alignment. |
| $59.97 | - | Mount and balance two front rims. |
Aug 2006: Jiffy Lube, Santa Cruz, CA | ||
| $46.52 | - | Oil change. |
Jan 2007: Jiffy Lube, Santa Cruz, CA | ||
| $111.05 | - | Oil change and fuel filter. |
Feb 2007: Marty Franich Ford, Watsonville, CA | ||
| $550.92 | - | Replaced knock sensor, DPFE sensor, and dashlight "check engine" bulb. |
| $58.20 | - | Smog certification. |
| $990.42 | - | Replaced all four ball joints, swaybar bushings, and rebalanced wheels. |
| $171.99 | - | Additional shims to align wheels. |
| $51.15 | - | Front and rear brake inspection, brake fluid. |
Jun 2007: Smogpros, Cupertino, CA | ||
| $49.95 | - | Smog re-test. |
Jul 2007: California DMV | ||
| $652.00 | - | Various registration and late fees to get the van registered in California. |
Jul 2007: Marty Franich Ford, Watsonville, CA | ||
| $324.12 | - | AC diagnostic. Replaced AC pressure switch. |
| $108.88 | - | Dashboard parking brake light diagnostic and replacement bulb. |
| $138.49 | - | Replaced AC blower motor and resistor. The original appears to have been scavenged by Fleet Force and was missing. |
Dec 2007: Midas, San Jose, CA | ||
| $25.48 | - | Oil change. |
May 2009: SpeeDee Oil Change, Los Gatos, CA | ||
| $58.34 | - | Oil change and dome light. |
Jul 2009: Les Schwab, Boise, ID | ||
| $525.27 | - | Two new tires, valve stems, one new rim. |
Oct 2009: BTS Transmission Specialists, Campbell, CA | ||
| $4986.27 | - | Properly rebuilt transmission, torque converter, transmission cooler, solenoid block, other transmission-related parts. |
Dec 2009: Jiffy Lube, Cupertino, CA | ||
| $202.06 | - | Oil change, fuel filter, rear differential fluid. |
Jan 2010: Autotrend Diagnostics, Campbell, CA | ||
| $156.00 | - | Diagnose misfire when driving above 55mph and downshifting. |
| $448.26 | - | Replace all spark plugs and coil boots. |
| $295.16 | - | Replace front brake pads. |
| $69.95 | - | Brake fluid replacement and line inspection. |
| $116.12 | - | Replace front shocks. |
| $191.37 | - | Replace pivot bushing for drivers' side I-beam. |
| $99.00 | - | Alignment. |
Jul 2010: A Discount Smog, Oakland, CA | ||
| $34.95 | - | Oil change. |
Nov 2010: Jiffy Lube, Santa Cruz, CA | ||
| $66.73 | - | Oil change, oil filter, new wiper blades. |
Mar 2011: Autotrend Diagnostics, Campbell, CA | ||
| $458.13 | - | Spare tire winch, spare tire winch handle, oil change. More parts that were apparently scavenged back at Fleet Force and replaced with broken ones. |
Sep 2011: Insta Lube, Oakland, CA | ||
| $32.50 | - | Oil change. |
Dec 2012: Sportsmobile, Fresno, CA | ||
| $20.00 | - | Patch vinyl floor. |
| $80.00 | - | Repair torn strap on dinette pad. |
| $160.00 | - | Repair detached passenger side inner wall. |
| $898.00 | - | Reupholster both front seats. (Original ones from Fleet Force were really beat up.) |
| $12.00 | - | Replace base for dining table, which was cracked some time post-Alaska. |
| $6560.00 | - | Penthouse folding top. |
| $525.00 | - | Penthouse multi-part stowable bed. |
| $1434.00 | - | Electric motor, wiring, and switch to raise and lower penthouse top. |
| $3226.00 | - | Body work to install roof and repair rust damage. |
Jan 2013: Insta Lube, Oakland, CA | ||
| $32.50 | - | Oil change. |
Jan 2013: O'Reilly Auto Parts, Oakland, CA | ||
| $93.00 | - | Tire chains. |
| $27.00 | - | Seat covers for front seats. |
Jun 2013: Insta Lube, Oakland, CA | ||
| $32.50 | - | Oil change. |
Jul 2013: Big O Tires, Oakland, CA | ||
| $271.98 | - | Two new tires. |
| $53.98 | - | Mount and balance tires. |
| $89.99 | - | Aligment. |
| $550.28 | - | Replace both upper and lower ball joints. |
| $249.58 | - | Radius arm bushings. |
| $29.99 | - | Rear differential oil. |
| $219.99 | - | Replace both rear wheel seals. |
| $34.78 | - | Replace both brake hoses. |
Nov 2013: Rancho Ford Truck Parts, Rancho Cordova, CA | ||
| $65.00 | - | Used front grille to replace cracked one. |
| $65.00 | - | Used side view mirror. |
Nov 2013: AutoZone, Rancho Cordova, CA | ||
| $153.00 | - | Duralast battery. |
Nov 2013: Big O Tires, Oakland, CA | ||
| $40.10 | - | Oil change. |
Dec 2013: Autotrend Diagnostics, Campbell, CA | ||
| $156.00 | - | Diagnose intermittent misfire when driving above 55mph. |
| $387.18 | - | Replace two coil packs and spark plugs. |
Jan 2014: Big O Tires, Oakland, CA | ||
| $136.24 | - | More tire chains, since the old set was stolen. |
| $271.98 | - | Two new tires, to replace tires that were knifed by some vagrant. |
| $40.00 | - | Tire mount and balance. |
Feb 2014: Big O Tires, Oakland, CA | ||
| $240.00 | - | Two more new tires, to replace tires that were knifed by some vagrant. |
| $40.00 | - | Tire mount and balance. |
Mar 2014: Big O Tires, Oakland, CA | ||
| $100.00 | - | Used tire, to replace tire that was knifed by some vagrant. |
Jul 2014: Jiffy Lube, Carlsbad, CA | ||
| $179.96 | - | Oil change, radiator system flush and new fluid, wiper blades. |
Jul 2014: EZ Star Smog, Oakland, CA | ||
| $88.20 | - | Smog test. |
Aug 2014: Amazon.com | ||
| $8.00 | - | Fuses. |
Sep 2014: Big O Tires, Oakland, CA | ||
| $229.98 | - | Another two tires, to replace tires that were knifed by some vagrant. |
| $40.00 | - | Tire mount and balance. |
Sep 2014: Auto Glass Express, Oakland, CA | ||
| $233.00 | - | New front windshield glass. |
Apr 2016: Fred's Wrenchouse, Alameda, CA | ||
| $130.00 | - | Diagnose front end vibration at 65 mph and over. |
| $265.00 | - | Recharge air conditioner. |
Jun 2016: Auto Glass Express, Oakland, CA | ||
| $227.00 | - | New front windshield glass, again. |
Jun 2016: Insta Lube, Oakland, CA | ||
| $35.00 | - | Oil change. |
Jun 2016: EZ Star Smog, Oakland, CA | ||
| $108.00 | - | Smog test. |
Jul 2016: Jiffy Lube, Simi Valley, CA | ||
| $79.08 | - | Oil change, air filter. |
Jul 2016: Freeway Tire, Evanston, WY | ||
| $313.75 | - | Two new tires. |
Aug 2016: Aluminess Racks, Santee, CA | ||
| $1545.00 | - | Magnificent roof rack, powdercoated white. |
| $575.00 | - | Aluminum slats along inside of roof rack, strong enough for people to stand on. |
| $512.00 | - | Side ladder. |
Apr 2017: One Stop Auto Parts, Oakland, CA | ||
| $127.07 | - | New battery. |
Aug 2017: Fred's Wrenchouse, Alameda, CA | ||
| $135.00 | - | Diagnose engine code P0401. |
| $177.50 | - | Replace EGR DPFE pressure sensor. |
Jan 2018: Fred's Wrenchouse, Alameda, CA | ||
| $135.00 | - | Diagnose stinky smell. Found leak in vacuum plastic line and repaired it. |
| $233.52 | - | Replace passenger seat belt. |
Mar 2018: AutoZone, Oakland, CA | ||
| $186.71 | - | New battery, again. |
Mar 2018: Carmonkeys.com | ||
| $1029.99 | - | Complete axle assembly, SRW, Full-Floating, 60-1 9.75" Ring Gear, 3.55 Ratio. Shipped directly to auto shop. |
Mar 2018: Insta Lube, Oakland, CA | ||
| $35.00 | - | Oil change. |
Apr 2018: Fred's Wrenchouse, Alameda, CA | ||
| $876.00 | - | Replace entire axle assembly with the one from Carmonkeys.com. Replace axle seals. |
| $333.52 | - | Replace driveshaft, which was bent and out of balance. |
| $532.00 | - | Ball joint replacement, again, due to damage from excessive vibration. |
| $420.52 | - | Replace rear wheel cylinders and shoes, transfer brake lines, repack bearings. |
| $349.00 | - | Replace front brake rotors. |
| $84.00 | - | Balance all four wheels. |
May 2018: Les Schwab, Myrtle Creek, OR | ||
| $135.95 | - | Wheel rebalance and alignment. |
Jul 2018: O'Reilly Auto Parts, Oakland, CA | ||
| $76.45 | - | Two "The Club" security locks to festoon the steering wheel with. |
Jul 2018: One Stop Auto Parts, Oakland, CA | ||
| $60.08 | - | Replacement ignition lock cylinder. Previous one destroyed by vandalism. |
Jul 2018: AutoZone, Oakland, CA | ||
| $129.90 | - | New battery, yet again, this time because the old one was stolen. |
Jul 2018: Insta Lube, Oakland, CA | ||
| $35.00 | - | Oil change. |
Jul 2018: FLM Parts Inc | ||
| $15.00 | - | Door lock retaining bracket, to replace one snapped by thieves. |
Aug 2018: San Pablo Smog Test, Oakland, CA | ||
| $89.95 | - | Smog test. |
Feb 2019: Insta Lube, Oakland, CA | ||
| $40.00 | - | Oil change. |
Dec 2019: Jiffy Lube, Simi Valley, CA | ||
| $112.01 | - | Oil change, new air filter. |
Sep 2021: Amazon.com | ||
| $38.95 | - | Dorman 740-548 window internal raise/lower mechanism, for front driver side door. |
Nov 2020: Super Smog Test, Oakland, CA | ||
| $140.00 | - | Failed smog test. |
Dec 2020: O'Reilly Auto Parts, Oakland, CA | ||
| $132.78 | - | New EGR valve. |
Dec 2020: All Ford Auto Wrecking, Rancho Cordova, CA | ||
| $81.19 | - | Salvaged EGR valve housing to replace one that shattered during engine work. |
Dec 2020: SpeeDee Oil Change, San Bruno, CA | ||
| $80.60 | - | Oil change. |
Jan 2021: Super Smog Test, Oakland, CA | ||
| $120.00 | - | Had to pay for smog test again due to 15-day window expiring. Failed again. |
Jan 2021: J & E Auto Repair, Richmond, CA | ||
| $650.01 | - | Fuel system cleanout, new spark plugs, new boots. |
| $1121.70 | - | Drill out two broken bolts in cracked right-side exhaust manifold and replace manifold. |
| $100.00 | - | Smog re-test. Finally passed. |
Jun 2021: Valvoline Instant Oil Change, Roseburg, OR | ||
| $149.99 | - | Radiator fluid flush and replacement. |
| $149.99 | - | Automatic transmission fluid flush and replacement. |
| $99.99 | - | Full synthetic oil change. |
Jun 2021: Bay Radio And Alarm, Walnut Creek, CA | ||
| $1127.29 | - | Viper 3105V security system with 3 door actuators and optional sound sensor installed. |
Jul 2021: Amazon.com | ||
| $55.64 | - | Master Lock 6271KA shackle lock, 2-pack |
| $39.98 | - | Two Master Lock steel hasps. |
| $102.90 | - | Four van compatible door locks, with two keys. |
| $8.90 | - | Ten 3/8 16x1 carriage bolts with washers and nuts. |
| $26.99 | - | Frienda™ build-it-yourself stick-on windowshade kit. Totally worthless. Sun shines right through it. |
Dec 2021: Napa Auto Parts, Paso Robles, CA | ||
| $36.96 | - | Pretty crappy hitch lock that I immediately lost the key to, then broke off with a crowbar. |
| $21.73 | - | Wiper blades. |
Feb 2022: Jiffy Lube, Sacramento, CA | ||
| $71.07 | - | Oil change. |
May 2022: 1A Auto Parts Inc | ||
| $29.95 | - | Ignition lock cylinder, replacing one beaten to pieces by frustrated would-be auto thief. |
May 2022: Amazon.com | ||
| $136.95 | - | Custom two-sided windshield and door shades. |
May 2022: Trinion Auto Parts Depot | ||
| $17.98 | - | A visor clip, to replace one that was broken by Fleet Force and stayed broken for 18 years. |
Jun 2022: Premier Oil Change, Redding, CA | ||
| $100.46 | - | Synthetic oil change at rip-off prices. |
Jul 2022: Capitol Ace Hardware, Sacramento, CA | ||
| $8.59 | - | Four-inch hub coupling, used to temporarily patch an exhaust pipe severed by some dimwitted thief. |
| $9.99 | - | 5/16" nut driver used to attach the coupling in the store parking lot. |
Sep 2022: Apple Inc | ||
| $29.00 | - | An AirTag. |
Oct 2022: Pinhead Locks Inc | ||
| $58.39 | - | Tamper-resistant enclosure for an AirTag, so it can be stealthily hidden inside the van. |
Oct 2022: AutoZone, Oakland, CA | ||
| $237.36 | - | Duralast Gold Battery. The alarm system is not kind to batteries when left parked for days at a time. |
Oct 2022: Muffler Man, Sacramento, CA | ||
| $40.00 | - | Weld severed exhaust pipe back together again. |
Nov 2022: Super Smog Test, Oakland, CA | ||
| $120.00 | - | Failed smog test. |
Dec 2022: Amazon.com | ||
| $1368.00 | - | Magnaflow catalytic converter, CARB compliant, model 339301. |
| $338.97 | - | NOCO GBX155 4250A 12v portable vehicle jump starter. One of only a few powerful enough to cold-start a dead Ford E-350. |
Dec 2022: Muffler Man, Sacramento, CA | ||
| $240.00 | - | Cut out old burned up catalytic converter and weld in new one. |
Grand total: $57,646.41
This horrendous number breaks down into a few categories that help to explain why it's so high.
The conversion:
Turning this thing into a good looking camper van, instead of just an empty shell for hauling cargo, was a huge expense. About $20,000 of that total is just for the conversion, and that's just for the level I brought it to. I deliberately left out all the optional appliances, so I could have a vehicle that was still versatile, and in retrospect that was an excellent decision. Post-conversion it's been easy to transport huge awkward items, and big loads of equipment, and up to ten people with seatbelts for all.
That said, I've met several people who saved extreme amounts of money by building the entire interior of their camper van by hand, using materials from the local hardware store and lumber yard, and their work looked just as good as what Sportsmobile did. It's an astonishing amount of labor, but it's a labor of love.
Living in Oakland:
I spent over $2000 on tires alone. Bastards kept slashing the sidewalls. Not because I was doing anything wrong -- the van was just parked on the street outside my house, like always. The mere fact that it was a camper van meant it was either a threat or a target, and invited abuse either way.
Add another $500 for replacing mangled locks and ignition cylinders, as various idiots tried to hot-wire the car. $200 for a stolen battery. $200 for extra-nasty locks bolted to the back and driver's side doors, and "club" locks on the steering wheel. $100 for an AirTag hidden in a box. I don't have complete records, but the stereo was stolen at least once.
Then there's the security system that I installed. I held out for as long as I could because I hate car alarms. That cost about $1100. So, we're looking at 4 grand just for living where I do.
It's not a cheap kind of car to start with:
I paid $4300 to cash to get the vehicle into my hands. That is extremely cheap for a 1997 Ford E-350 in the year 2004. The low price was mostly due to it having 146,000 miles on it, and also due to the interior being brutally trashed -- a fact that was irrelevant to me since I was going to have the interior gutted and covered up anyway.
Similar vehicles that weren't so trashed, and had fewer miles, sold for quite a lot more. Like, ten grand more. If you want a basis for comparison, the vehicle was seven years old when I bought it, and if you look for a used 2016 Ford E-350 with about 150,000 miles on it today, you'll get a price right around $25,000. A dollar today is only worth about 66 cents in 2004 money, so an equivalent 2004 price would be $16,500. What I'm saying is, I deliberately bought a really beat up vehicle with a good engine and (what I thought was) a good transmission, and expected to pour ten grand in parts into it over time just to bring it back up to scratch.
I only did that because I was poor and didn't want to put anything on credit. Given the choice again, I would have bought a vehicle that wasn't so beat up, and accepted a car loan. The problem there was, a used Ford E-350 cargo van with swing-out doors on the side and no holes cut in it was actually really hard to find.
If you take away the conversion costs and the Oakland mayhem from that total above, you're left with $34,000. Subtract $4300 for the initial purchase, and a further twelve grand of "expected" repairs like I explained above, and you're left with about $18,000.
Now subtract about 2 grand for all the damned smog fees and oil changes, and another 2 grand for an anticipated tune-up. That leaves 14 grand. And now, subtract ten thousand dollars for twenty years of good insurance coverage, which, THANK GOODNESS, I never had to use, because in 150 thousand miles and all that time, the van has only been in a couple of minor collisions with things like parking garage posts and shopping carts, despite being driven all over the country and up through Canada and Alaska, and even being used as a commute car in the Bay Area for a few desperate years.
So, $4,000 is what I lost, above and beyond the expected cost of the vehicle, in order to get almost 20 years of use out of it. That is, according to my handy calculator, about 15 dollars a month.
Is it still worth it? It depends on how much you use it. If you're curious, the resale value right now seems to be about 20 grand, in spite of the mileage.
no subject
Date: 2022-12-31 02:48 am (UTC)This is crazy.
So, you bought something cheap, and turned, or tried to turn it, into a masterpiece.
Thanks for the warning. A jump starter for $339, weird. And the smog test was failed anyway.
How many times did you replace the battery? Can it be just recharged in the garage? (I bought a charger, after my batteries, both, had died.)
no subject
Date: 2022-12-31 02:59 am (UTC)I went through six batteries. The one it came with was weak to begin with. One of them was stolen. Another one boiled over and made a mess after about a year. The other three (excluding the current one) were tortured to death by being very slowly drained of power while parked for long intervals of time, by the security system, or dome lights, or faulty wiring in the ignition system that caused the radio to stay on forever.
The nastiest part of all this, I think, is the repairs I had to do in order to keep it smogged in California.
no subject
Date: 2022-12-31 10:23 am (UTC)Oh, right, when the vehicle is not used, the battery slowly drains. How did you solve the problem? I had to replace the battery in my RAV4 after three months of not using it. You just bought a good battery?
no subject
Date: 2022-12-31 04:06 am (UTC)And there was that time on the way down through Idaho when the engine overheated due to a crack in the radiator. Again, it was a long freeway journey and all I needed to do was coast to the side of the road and call a tow truck. Another potential disaster averted.
There are other expensive stories too but they haven't come back to me yet.
no subject
Date: 2022-12-31 10:27 am (UTC)Just imagining such an accident on hwy 17...
no subject
Date: 2022-12-31 09:26 am (UTC)I think if you drove your 25k miles yearly then the level of costs is expected and you cannot reduce it unless you travel with your own lift to perform the maintenance entirely on your own.
$30k over 17 years is some $1750 yearly, which can be a lot if you only drive home-office and back and can be reasonable if you drive some 25k miles a year.
if i translate this to the costs in israel, in the cars like your ford you are advised to perform a service check every 10k km in the garage and it usually costs you about $300 if nothing got really broken, and it doesn't include tires, but includes oils and breaks liquids etc.
drive 40k km (25k miles) yearly and you are at $1200 only for the simple service. and driving 40k yearly means replacing tires every year and a half -- i drive about 15k km and replace tires every 3 years on my suzuki crossover which is lighter.
and i've not talked about the yearly test that include smoke and where, if you have an old car, you go back and forth from the service to the test several times.
I know that Israel is not cheap and i'm sure USA prices are lower and also if you drive a lot it is worth knowing and performing the basic service and diagnostics on your own.
But to do it good you need a workshop with a lift and good set of instruments and then you just have to pick whether you are a traveling workshop with oil smell and grease everywhere or you travel to enjoy the surroundings.
no subject
Date: 2022-12-31 04:09 pm (UTC)I once paid $150 just to put a straight pipe in.
no subject
Date: 2022-12-31 05:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-12-31 08:51 pm (UTC)