By Gary Crenshaw
5
55 ratings
The podcast currently has 75 episodes available.
How My Dumb Mistakes And Failures Can Save You Money, Time And Headaches On Your Next Automotive DIY Project
00:00 - OPEN
In my experience, the best way to learn what to do (and what not to do) on any DIY project is to get advice from those who have actually done it before, and today you’re going to hear about a major DIY project I did on my 2008 Audi that dragged on for more than 5-months because I wasn't properly prepared and backed into it.
01:25 - INTRO
Not everyone feels comfortable working on their own car, but if you’re motivated to try, you could start with something simple, like an oil change or a coolant swap. If that's too simple, you could take on something more in-depth, like replacing your radiator along with the coolant or replacing brake pads and rotors. Those two DIY jobs are more difficult, but anyone with some mechanical aptitude, a suitable set of tools, and the right safety devices can manage those projects. My latest DIY Project was different though - not in terms of difficulty, but in terns of scope. It was a project that was going to require a lot more time and a lot more effort than I had planned on.
02:45 - My 2008 Audi S4 Avant DIY Project
After noticing some oil drops under my 2008 Audi S4 wagon, I decided it was time to do an engine reseal, replacing various gaskets and hoses that were leaking. The problem is, with a V8 crammed into the space originally meant for a 4-cylinder engine, there isn't much room to do the required work. The result? It was going to take much longer to replace various gaskets, hoses and other parts on the car than I originally estimated.
09:27 - Problems With My Approach
Because I didn't realize the full scope of my project, I didn't do all the necessary research up front. I wasn't honest with myself about how long the project would take to complete. didn't have a solid back up plan for transportation and I 'bit off more than I could chew' in the time I estimated it would take to complete.
11:15 - Seven Key Tips That Will Help Minimize Issues On Your Next DIY Project
31:35 - How Do You Insure DIY Project Success While Working? - Stay Organized!
35:15 - Don't Forget About Safety
40:15 - It's Not Over 'Till It's Over
46:45 - CLOSE
Hopefully hearing about my experience with a major DIY project will give you the wisdom and clarity to tackle your next project. If you're new to the DIY game, remember to start small, then take on more as your comfort level and skills progress. And if you are already in the DIY game like me, don't overestimate your ability or underestimate the scope of a bigger project. Take the time to research and prep before hand, then stay organized during your project. That should keep you on track to a successful outcome.
Good luck and I'll see you in the garage!
00:00 - OPEN: Preview of Cars, Trucks and SUVs We Will Cover in 2024
In today’s episode, we’re looking toward the future and revealing some of the cars, trucks, SUVS, cross-over’s, sports cars, sedans, hatchbacks and more that you can expect to hear about on the Better Than New podcast in 2024.
01:00 - INTRO
Last year, I did a similar show talking about what you could expect in 2023 and while I got to many of those vehicles, I was a little surprised by how many I didn’t cover. So for 2024, we’ll include those vehicles, plus a few more interesting, fun-to-drive cars, trucks and SUV’s here on the Better Than New podcast.
04:15 - Category #1 - Trucks
Today's new trucks are over-sized for many buyers, so we will take a look back at some of the smaller pickups that used to be widely available, but are now virtually non-existent on showroom floors.
07:40 - Category #2 - SUVs and Crossovers
America loves SUVs, so we’re going to cover some great used SUVs in 2024 with an emphasis on value
In a twist on our "Little Weirdos" 4x4 series from 2023, we will cover some funky used SUVs that are not on everyone's radar, including:
12:50 - Category #3 - Hatchbacks
Hot hatchbacks used to be common, but no longer. However, there are still some interesting examples available on the used car market, including these three which we will cover in 2024:
15:20 - Category #4 - Coupes & Sport Compact Cars
Coupes and Sport Compact Cars are also less common, but again there are fun-to-drive examples on the used market that you might want to look for, including:
19:05 - Category #5 - Sports Cars
21:20 - Category #6 - Sedans
23:30 - Category #7 - Wagons
26:55 - Close
This is just a partial list of the vehicles we will cover in 2024 on the Better Than New Podcast, so be sure to join us this year for all this and more.
Thanks for listening!
00:00 - Counting Down The Top 10 Better Than New Episodes From 2023
01:50 - INTRO - Happy New Year and welcome to Better than New - the podcast that helps you find a cool used car, truck or SUV. This episode is all about the top ten episodes, based on downloads, from the previous year. Past episodes of this podcast are evergreen because the cars won't change - only the prices and even through there was some price variation during 2023, the trend for 2024 is flat or down. So enjoy these (or any) past episodes of Better Than New along with new episodes for 2024!
02:55 - #10 - Paintless Dent Removal Saves You Time and Money - From June 30th, 2023.
04:15 - #9 - BMW 323CI 3-Series BMW - An Affordable E46 Coupe - From June 16, 2023
05:50 - #8 - It's Hip To Be Square In The Versatile Honda Element - June 23, 2023
07:20 - #7 - Dodge Raider - a small boxy 4x4 that was featured on Better Than New's 4-Part "Little Weirdo's" 4x4 Series - July 28, 2023
09:45 - #6 - Lexus SC400 Coupe - The Ultimate Escape Pod - August 18, 2023
13:40 - #5 - Geo Tracker/Suzuki Sidekick 2dr Convertible Version - a small boxy 4x4 that was featured on Better Than New's 4-Part "Little Weirdo's" 4x4 Series - July 7, 2023
14:50 - #4 - The Fiat 500 Abarth - The Spicy Italian Your Body Needs Daily - February 17, 2023
16:15 - #3 - Suzuki Samurai - a small boxy 4x4 that was featured on Better Than New's 4-Part "Little Weirdo's" 4x4 Series - July 21, 2023
19:35 - #2 - Saturn Sky Redline - An Fun, Affordable Sports Car Bargain Hiding In Plain Sight - April 14, 2023
22:45 - #1 - The Top-Rated Better Than New Episode From 2023 - The 1997-2006 Jeep wrangler TJ - A 4x4 That Should Be At The Top Of Your Personal Bucket List - Nov 25, 2022.
25:35 - Show Wrap Up
00:00 - OPEN - Electric Vehicles Are Less Reliable Than Gas Cars According To Consumer Reports Latest Member Survey
Which do you think is more reliable? An EV or a Conventional gas-powered car? Well in moment I’ll tell you about some surprising, and maybe not so surprising reliability results for Electric Vehicles from Consumer Reports.
00:50 - INTRO - Are EVs Really Less Reliable?
Each year, Consumer Reports puts out an in-depth reliability survey to their members that covers a wide range of the types of consumer products, including automobiles. The results of this year's survey indicated that Electric Vehicles have a lot more issues than their gas powered competitors.
02:10 - Survey Says: YES!
05:55 - Why Does This Matter To You?
If you’re considering an EV or a conventional late model used car with a high fuel economy rating in the next year or two, your best option may be a hybrid. I think a hybrid continues to be a better option for most people – at least for now – compared to an EV.
Fuel-Saving Vehicle Options:
09:25 - CLOSE
If you’re in the market for something that uses less fuel, whether its gas or electric or in between, just remember that by the numbers – at least Consumer Report's numbers – EV’s in general, still have a way to go to match the reliability of gas-powered cars. Plug in Hybrids have even more issues, but Hybrids seem to be the most reliable choice in a fuel-efficient vehicle, for now. Of course, your mileage may vary, but you’re more likely to have good luck with a late-model Hybrid.
LINKS: Consumer Reports - https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/electric-vehicles-are-less-reliable-than-conventional-cars-a1047214174/
00:00 - Show Open - Do Tires Have An Expiration Date?
So how long do tires last, even if they still look new and have a lot of tread left? Well that’s a great question and one we’re going to explore in today’s episode.
00:50 - INTRO
Imagine a scenario where you buy a set of tires for your car, fully intending to use them, but life happens. There's a pandemic, you end up working from home and suddenly your tires are ten years old, but still have more than half their tread left. Should you replace them?
02:55 - How Long Should A Set Of Tires Last?
Until they wear out or until they age out. And that age out thing depends on the manufacturer. Most tire makers suggest that their tires should be inspected yearly beginning at six years of age and replaced if necessary.. And virtually all tire manufacturers say that ten years is the maximum life span for their tires, regardless of mileage.
08:10 - Tires Do Not Have An Expiration Date, But They Do Have A Tire Identification Number.
The last 4-numbers of the TIN or Tire Identification Number indicate the week and year the tires were made. For example, if your tire's TIN ended in 1518, that would mean that tire was made in the 15th week of 2018
12:00 - What Is The Point Of Checking Tire Age If You Have An Inexpensive Car?
This is a podcast about used cars and trucks and I want you to be an educated consumer. Most of the vehicles I recommend are at least five-years old and many are ten or twenty years old. Some even older. That said, I think knowing the age of the tires will make you feel more confident in your purchase and it can give you some negotiating leverage during the buying process.
17:15 - Close
if you already have a car or truck, go out today and check the TIN on your tires. If you don’t know the last time your tires were changed, checking the TIN will let you know how old they are. Then make a judgment call as to if or when you want to replace them. And if you can’t afford it today, at least you will be aware that it’s something you should have on your “to-do” list.
Also, if you’re in the market for a used car, truck or SUV, be sure to check the TIN on the tires while looking the vehicle over. Don’t just rely on the person being nice and saying the tires aren’t “too old”. I have a couple of sets of tires at home that look great, but one is 10-years old and the other is 7-8 years old. I had lost track of time and wasn’t aware how old they really were, but now I am. You should be too, so check your tires!
Relevant Links:
Jay Leno Needs About 1200 Tires: https://www.hagerty.com/media/opinion/jay-leno-needs-about-1200-tires/
How Do I Determine The Age Of My Tires: https://www.tirerack.com/upgrade-garage/how-do-i-determine-the-age-of-my-tires?ef_id=Cj0KCQiAgqGrBhDtARIsAM5s0_l46bZRbjIewMcFuY37OnvuDrVoBfuoHp2HFfbGvroDbcVHehwm2PsaAuj1EALw_wcB:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!3756!3!386427243784!!!g!!&gclsrc=aw.ds&&affiliate=HM5&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAgqGrBhDtARIsAM5s0_l46bZRbjIewMcFuY37OnvuDrVoBfuoHp2HFfbGvroDbcVHehwm2PsaAuj1EALw_wcB
00:00 - We Review The Automotive Things we Are Thankful For This Thanksgiving Day.
Be Well, Drive Safe And Enjoy The Holiday Season!
00:00 - OPEN - Why Your Next Used Car Should Be a Cockroach: AKA - A Survivor
If you are looking for a bargain-priced used vehicle, stick around because in today’s episode I’ll tell you why you need to consider buying a cockroach for your next used car or truck.
01:00 - INTRO - Cockroaches - Are They Cool or Gross?
My first experience with Madagascar cockroaches in a college biology class was positive (and entertaining), but not everyone likes these creepy little critters
LINK: Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches As Pets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WHYIBSyEe8
LINK: Madagascar Cockroach Eating Contest for Six Flags, New England: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Fvlll4Lnq0
03:50 - The Cockroach Deserves Our Respect
Cockroaches have survived a long time - they were here about 300 million years before humans and 150 million years before the dinosaurs. They even survived the comet that killed the dinosaurs and about 80% of all life on earth. Plus their survival capabilities and skills allow them to survive drowning, famine, poison and even massive doses of radiation that would kill a human.
06:15 - Nature's Ultimate Survivor
The cockroach is nature’s ultimate survivor. Therefore a cockroach used car or truck is an ultimate survivor from an automotive standpoint. These are cars and trucks that have survived in excellent condition in spite of being older than most vehicles.
Common Attributes of a Cockroach Used Car
08:25 - How Do You Find A Cockroach Car?
I recommend using the Serendipity Search method that I covered in episodes 64 and 19
09:42 - Eight Excellent, Low-Priced Cockroach Used Vehicles I Recently Found
18:15 - Not So Average Used Cars
Be sure to get a prepurchase inspection if you can, but depending on the owner, if the used vehicle they are selling is really inexpensive, they may tell you that you're welcome to have it inspected if it's still for sale in a few days, but until then the first person who pays their price gets it.
Bonus Cockroach Vehicle Example:
22:35 - CLOSE
If you can set your ego aside, open yourself up to the possibilities and focus on letting serendipity find you a fantastic cockroach ca or truck (aka - a survivor) that may be a couple decades old, but still looks and runs like a 3-5 year old used car, then this cockroach car search idea just might be the perfect way for you to find your next really affordable used vehicle.
00:00 - OPEN
It may not seem like you can reduce the cost of buying a new or used car or truck, but there are legitimate things that you can do about the high cost of purchasing vehicle. You may not like some of these solutions, but you do have more control than you think, so let's dig into that
00:45 - Intro - Cars And Trucks Are Expensive - Here's What You Can Do About It
When it comes to new and used car prices in the US, I am completely gobsmacked by how expensive everything is, from purchase prices to monthly payments to interest rates, everything is way too high for many consumers.
02:45 - US Car Prices, Payments And Interest Rates Are Way Up
I review the most current average vehicle sales prices, monthly payments, interest rates and loan lengths.
06:25 - Auto Insurance Costs More Too
The high purchase prices of new and used vehicles, combined with more sophisticated features and electronics, makes them difficult to sell.
08:10 - The High Cost Of Car Ownership For Real People
New York Times - How The Costs Of Car Ownership Add Up
LINK: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/10/07/business/car-ownership-costs.html?action=click&pgtype=Article&state=default&module=styln-personal-finance&variant=show®ion=BELOW_MAIN_CONTENT&block=storyline_flex_guide_recirc
12:00 - Ways To Fight Back Against High New And Used Car Prices
21:00 - Close
Prices are high for new and late-model used cars, but you can fight back by setting ego aside and looking down market to buy an older used vehicle that’s still safe, reliable and fun at an affordable price.
00:00 - A Compact SUV That Is Versatile, Affordable and Surprisingly Fast With Its V6 Engine
Sold in the US from model years 2006-2012, the third generation Toyota RAV4 was a compact SUV that offered buyers a wide range of features, drive modes and engine options to suit almost any buyer
01:00 - INTRO - The Third Generation Toyota RAV4 - What It Is
It’s the go-to recommended compact SUV option from me when someone says, I have about $10,000 to $12,000 to spend and I need a single vehicle to do a little bit of everything from people hauling, to commuting, to taking road trips and going on weekend adventures.
02:00 - Why Might You Want One
06:45 - Available In Three Different Models With A Wide Range Of Features, Drive Trains and Engine Choices
The third Gen RAV4 was available in Base, Sport and Limited Trim, with 2WD or 4WD and a choice of 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder engines
08:10 - Fuel Economy
The 2WD 4-cylinder models got the highest fuel economy and the 4WD 6-cylinder models got the lowest, but the combined US fuel economy rating difference between the highest and lowest models was only 2-mpg, so I recommend buying a V6 model with 4WD for quick acceleration, increased towing capacity and more fun behind the wheel.
11:15 - Exceptional Power And Performance With The V6 Engine
The 4-clylinder Third Gen RAV4s offered adequate power combined with a somewhat antiquated 4-speed automatic, however the 6-cylinder models were a different story. When first launched, the Third Gen RAV4 V6 models offered over 100-hp more than the 4-cylinder models, and came with a 5-speed automatic transmission that made better use of that power under all driving conditions.
12:45 - Braking And Handling
The 3rd Gen Toyota RAV4 drives more like a car than a truck or an SUV. It’s taller, of course, and feels a little top-heavy on a winding road compared to a car, but it’s overall driving experience can best be described as “sporty”, and while there were different suspension and tire diameter combinations between models, all RAV4s handle well and offer confidence-inspiring braking.
14:35 - What Do Owners Think Of The Third Gen RAV4s?
Overall owners of the third generation RAV4 really like these sporty compact SUVs. For example, 94% of 2010 RAV4 owners who posted comments about their ownership experience would recommend the third generation RAV4 to others.
20:10 - Common Issues, Problems and Caveats
No used car is perfect, including the RAV4. We review some common issues and a couple of major problems that you should be aware of when considering the purchase of third generation RAV4.
29:00 - What To Look For When Buying A Third Gen RAV4
I would avoid the 2006-2008 2.4-liter 4-cylinder RAV4s unless the ring tension issue has been fixed, but the later 2009-2012 RAV4s with the 2.5-liter 4-clyinder should be fine. However, my top recommendation is a full-featured Sport or Limited 6-cylinder model with 4WD from 2009-2012 - preferably one from the final year or two of the production run. With nearly 270-hp and 4WD, along with decent fuel economy, this RAV4 configuration is a no-brainer choice for me.
31:30 - Third Gen RAV4 Price Range
34:45 - WRAP UP
This versatile, efficient compact SUV came in many flavors from base, to sport, to limited models and was available with various engines, transmissions and drive modes, but I recommend that you set you sights possibly on a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder model, or definitely the 3.5-liter 6-cylinder model from 2009 to 2012 with 4WD.
Configured in that manner, you will have one of the most sporty and fun-to-drive 3rd Gen RAV4’s available, as long as you find one that has been well maintained.
Relevant Content Links:
2AZ-FE 4-cyl - Low Tension Piston Ring Issue – The Car Care Nut - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F994QmOD6W8
3.5-liter 6-cylinder oil leak from timing cover - The Car Care Nut - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMvjhUVjyc0&t=798s
2012 RAV4 Brochure/Options list: https://cdn.dealereprocess.org/cdn/brochures/toyota/2012-rav4.pdf
NOTE: For different years of RAV4 brochures, copy and paste the ink into a browser window, then change to year to the one you want (e.g. 2006, 2007, etc.)
DIY RAV4 Personal Camper Conversion - http://sleepinginacar.com/my-diy-rav4-camper-conversion/
I stumbled on this RAV4 camper build and thought potential buyers might find it interesting
AWD Lock feature - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqDQoe9f6JY&t=54s
A lot of people wonder how the 4WD "lock" button works with the RAV4s 4WD system, so when I found a video on the subject, I added this link
00:00 - The Top Five Most Popular Better Than New Episodes
In this episode I take a look back at the top five more popular episodes on Better Than New based on downloads. These five episodes are just a small fraction of the over sixty episodes posted so far and all the content is evergreen, meaning it's relevant now and a year or two from now since the used cars we cover won't change, other than price and maybe a recall.
01:50 - The Fifth Most Popular Better Than New Episode
This was Episode #58, titled "Paintless Dent Removal Saves You Time And Money When Your Car Gets At Dent". I spoke with Ryan Snider, a local PDR specialist about the paintless dent removal process and how it can save consumers money and time.
03:45 - The Fourth Most Popular Better Than New Episode
This was Episode #1: the very first Better Than New Episode titled "Can Teen Drivers Learn To Love An Old Hand-me-down Used Car?" In it I spoke with my two sons about whether or not they were okay driving less-than-perfect used Hondas for their first cars. Hint: They were just fine.
06:45 - The Third Most Popular Better Than New Episode.
Finally we have one about a specific car. This is episode #39 on the 2012 to 2019 Fiat 500 Abarth, a 2-door turbocharged front-wheel drive hatchback
08:15 - The Second Most Popular Episode
This was episode #47 on the outstanding, but under rated (in my opinion) 2007-2010 Saturn Sky Redline, a 2-seat sports car that serves up serious horsepower from its 4-cylinder turbo engine.
10:45 - The Most Popular Better Than New Episode Of All Time Is...
This was Episode #27 from November 25, 2022, featuring the iconic Jeep Wrangler, and specifically the 1997-2006 Jeep Wrangler TJ series. Available with a 4-cylinder or 6-cylinder engine, manual or automatic transmission, hard top or soft top and various trim levels, buyers could configure their Wrangler TJ just about any way they wanted to meet their needs.
00:00 - Honorable Mentions
17:40 - Close
If you missed them the first time around, be sure to check out these and other older Better Than New episodes on affordable used cars, trucks and SUVs . The content is still relevant no matter when you listen, and the only thing about these episodes that might change over time is the price range of the car or truck featured. That's it, so pick an episode you haven't heard before and enjoy!
The podcast currently has 75 episodes available.