At Home Mechanic

I have known and loved some strange automobile engines in my lifetime. I suppose is part of my obstinate nature to embrace the odd or the unusual, it is far too easy to run with herd, I do not roll that way. Me, I prefer to stand out in the crowd, follow the path least traveled, and explore new territory. In my view a 400 hp small block Chevy is boring; seen one, seen a million of them.

Have there been any US presidents that we would consider a "car guy?" The last US presidential election fostered a lot of discussion about which of the two major party candidates the average American would like to sit down and have a beer with. But there has never been any discussion in the popular press about whom the average gear head would want to talk cars with. Presidents, and those who aspire to become president, will often go to great pains to show through photo-ops that they are men of the people, you would expect to see a candidate hanging out in a garage talking cars. Motor sports and home mechanics are popular American pursuits, but it seems to me that we have not had any potential candidates who could be realistically expected to differentiate between a differential and a drive shaft.

Of all the troubles in the world to have, trying to decide if I should replace my perfectly good three year-old automobile with a new car should be the least of anyone's problems. But I have been struggling to find a way to justify buying a new car even though my current daily driver is working well and is completely paid for.

Does your personality change behind the wheel? I know that mine does. I like to think of myself as an easy going, even tempered, rational person who can see the good in everyone. But once I get behind the wheel of a car all I can see are morons out to murder me with their incompetence as drivers. When I am driving it never fails to amaze me how the shallow end of the gene pool has been allowed to continue to breed and become licensed drivers. I am continually searching for the next knuckle dragger who will run a red light or make a left turn from the right lane. Not a day goes by that I have to save my life with superior driving skills to compensate for the lack of ability of those who surround me on the road.

I get comments, which means someone other than pornographers looking to link my blog to their site is reading this stuff.

In response to my article about weird GM engines, Reader Terry Brown writes:

No matter what kind of vehicle you have, make sure that the engine that supports your car is truly a tough one. Engine play a very important parts for us to control the vehicle.

Umm, OK.

Frequent Reader and commentator Buck writes in regard to my personal daily driver:

There was such promise at the beginning. I thought that Little Leadfoot (my fiancee) was having a positive impact on your automotive sensibilities (or potential lack thereof). You crushed my hope.

Sometimes, someone other than Buck leaves a comment for me.

Reader Tolovemoon writes:

Hi, I think you have all the right ideas for buying a used car. I really like your point about the car stereo being replaced and how it will give you a better idea to if the car will have electric problems... I had a Ford Taurus station wagon that had many grimlins..inside lights, radio, or the dinger would all dim and sometimes not come on. A few cars I have owned even had weather temperamental problems with the electircal things. So the electrical in cars today are a big top priority for me when I am looking to buy a car or to give my opinion to wether I feel comfortable driving. Anyways enjoyed your normal entries. I was searching for tools or things to upgrade my husbands garage in the technology aspect like testers and such when I found this link.
Thank you for your nice comment. If I can help just one person...