Top products from r/whatcarshouldIbuy

We found 25 product mentions on r/whatcarshouldIbuy. We ranked the 49 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.

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Top comments that mention products on r/whatcarshouldIbuy:

u/XLB135 · 1 pointr/whatcarshouldIbuy

The Internet is your friend! I can't imagine the magnitudes of higher difficulty generations before us faced. These days, you can Google "oil change DIY <insert year/make/model of your car>" and you will get endless write-ups from forums that specialize in your car, YouTube videos, dedicated personal sites, etc. I definitely know it seems complex, but if you are even the slightest bit technical-minded and can visualize things, you'll very quickly realize that you can probably take apart almost anything you see under the hood and be able to put it back together. Just be careful, take pictures of things before you disassemble, and buy plenty of magnetic trays ($2-3 from Harbor Freight) to keep track of nuts and bolts. Fortunately, there are plenty of maintenance things you can start with that you can't really break, like changing your engine air filter.

Doing an oil change is probably the next simplest thing you can do. In short, safety first, learn how to jack up your car and put it on jack stands, or just buy Rhino Ramps for $40, undo the drain plug, drain the oil into a big pan, put the bolt back in with a new crush washer, find and remove the filter, sometimes it's one metal thing and other times it's a plastic thing with a filter inside of it, then put the new one back on, then pour in x quarts or liters of oil back up top. Your first few times will take an hour or two and will likely be messy, but you'll very quickly be able to shorten that amount of time and eventually be able to do it without spilling a single drop.

A starter set of mechanic tools will cost you $20-40 on Amazon. Oil and filter is usually $20-40 even if you use the good stuff. But then those tools and ramps will also be used basically forever, so they're one-time costs. Once you do this a couple times and get comfortable getting under the car, looking at things, then you can read about doing transmission or differential fluid changes, start removing some of your engine covers just to take a look around and compare it to all the DIY videos and articles/posts that you can find. Once you have a small set of tools, any subsequent jobs will likely just require maybe 1 or 2 additional specialized tools to access some weird things. Even today, after having done most of my own maintenance for years, I would sometimes have to go on Amazon and spend $7 just to buy some weird size socket just to get to this one thing on specific car. You'll familiarize yourself with bolt clamps, start to see how manufacturers like to connect things, where things get dirtier than other places, look at things that you don't normally see when the car is all buttoned up, all with very little risk. It's also definitely easier on a Japanese car. I learned to work on older German cars when I started, where it took 3-4 different bolts and bits and strange wrangling of plastic trim and linings just to remove a bumper, so then I was pleasantly surprised that all I needed was ONE SINGLE 10mm socket on a dozen exposed bolts to take off my Mazda bumper.

It took me a couple years of light wrenching before I was comfortable enough to do my own brakes (mentally, it always seemed like the biggest risk if I messed something up). Now, I can swap all of my brake pads before a track day in about half hour. I recently bought another VW and learned that it has a common coolant system issue, something I had never worked on before... I spent a couple days reading and watching videos, then just ordered the right parts and went in and did everything while following along and pausing the videos. Took me a couple hours, but now I am not nervous about doing anything coolant-related since I gained a deep understanding how the piping works, etc. In fact, I've now added a simple coolant system flush to my to-do list for my other cars.

I looked at your post history and did some light Googling... looks like this site has your full 553-page manual. Here is the link to page 448 that guides you through an oil change, but it looks like all the maintenance stuff starts on page 432. Based on Amazon's built-in car search tool, it looks like the Fram XG7317 is what fits on a '16 TLX V6 AWD. And the service manual says you should be using 0W-20, which is also something you can find on Amazon... I use Castrol Syntec 0W-20 for my track car that definitely sees a ton of hard driving, and it's usually $25 for a 5-qt jug. Based on this resource, looks like you only need about 4.5 qts. This video seems to be pretty informative to walk you through an entire oil change on the V6.

You probably want to create an account on tlxforums.com and start poking around the maintenance subs. Maintenance section and common issues section.

I would tell you to look for a formal service manual, but I may be dating myself here. It doesn't look like there are paper manuals available to buy (at least from Honda; there may eventually be third party ones). In the meantime, it looks like you can pay to access this one... $30/year? Maybe do some of the more simple DIYs, get yourself familiar, start building up a small tool collection, and then go in there and poke around and maybe even download/print some of the stuff you'd want to do.

Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss more or bounce some ideas around, or if you just need a cheerleader before you dive into your first job. Hell, in typing all of this, I'm feeling pretty good about getting down on some Acura V6 maintenance myself, lol.

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*edit* I didn't realize how carried away I got with this response. I'm sorry for thread-jacking with a text wall, u/op. Let me know if you'd like me to remove this post and share it in a PM instead.

u/throwawayEEleaks2 · 1 pointr/whatcarshouldIbuy

Just saying what the other guy said. You can get an aftermarket head unit, or, if you don't want something that invasive, something like this. At most, you're looking at 300 to add bluetooth to any car. Shops like best buy or fry's will install them. Look for a good car at a good price, then worry about bluetooth later.

u/cocoagiant · 15 pointsr/whatcarshouldIbuy

I would look for Kia Souls or Honda Fits. At your price point, those are the two likeliest candidates. Both can carry tons of stuff, decent mpg, and pretty reliable. Especially if you can drive a manual transmission, but their automatics are fine too.

You should be able to find something within under 75,000 miles at that price.

I think both have Bluetooth, but if they don't, just get a Bluetooth transmitter. This is the one I use (https://www.amazon.com/Nulaxy-Wireless-Bluetooth-Transmitter-Smartphones/dp/B018E0I01I) and it works better than the built in version in some of my friends' cars.

u/Ckandes1 · 7 pointsr/whatcarshouldIbuy

Veloster seems to be a really good value. Huyndai is not known for quality problems. If you like the car, it fits your particular needs, and the price is right, I suspect you probably won't do much better.

Something like this will help with the blindspot issue: Custom Accessories 71121 2" Blind Spot Mirror, (Twin Pack) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BOAX1G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_EmRQAb49ZENPF

You just adhere it directly onto your current mirrors in the far corner. Can probably also find these at a local auto parts store

Edit: hopefully someone who owns a Veloster can chime in with their input on quirks and ownership experience :)

u/508CURRIE · 1 pointr/whatcarshouldIbuy

I have done this suspension job myself on my '03 Town Car. The springs, not shocks, are what replaces the air bags. You can find the rear spring replacement kit here. As you can see, it's not expensive at all. There is a very minor decrease in ride comfort, but also a minor improvement in handling.

u/Superrocks · 1 pointr/whatcarshouldIbuy

Shoot, I updated my link. Originally put my charger for a car that had built in Bluetooth.

IMDEN Bluetooth FM Transmitter for Car, QC3.0 Wireless Bluetooth FM Radio Adapter Music Player FM Transmitter / Car Kit with Hands-free Calling and 2 USB Ports Charger Support USB Drive. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F2RTN5Z/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_QmqQDbTK8KE71

The mic works pretty well for calls too.

u/YoroSwaggin · 1 pointr/whatcarshouldIbuy

In my past search for cars I just Google the phrases:

[Model name year] repair price -> for the estimated annual repair price, IMHO if you buy CPO or something with less than 40k miles and sell within 3 years you won't be needing anything other than the scheduled maintenance in the manual.

[Model name year] problems -> there are reviews on Edmund, and there is another website whose name I cannot remember with a helpful graph of problem reports for each years, you'll find it it's pretty high up the list

And lastly check out the subreddit for Volvo's.

Volvo's are quality cars and I believe they keep using the same overall engine design for many years with small adjustments each year, so their engines are fairly reliable. Again, just a generalization, you'll need to ascertain this for your model.

As for Bluetooth, I'm not talking about an actual part that you'll need to spend time putting in, but just a handsfree dongle! I'll link you soon.

Ok so:
Besign Bluetooth 4.1 Car Kit Hands-Free Wireless Talking, Music Streaming Dongle With 10W Dual Port 2A USB Charger, Magnetic Mounts, for Car with 3.5mm Aux Input Jack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LGKSBFI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_tJgnzbBB1BHFY

This one plugs into your aux port and usb charger. Starts when you leave it plugged in and start the car. This is the closest you can get to seamless Bluetooth streaming.

Kinivo BTC450 Bluetooth Hands-Free Car Kit for Cars with Aux Input Jack (3.5 mm) - Supports Apt X https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009NLTW60/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_vNgnzbTJV2BQP

This is the more expensive option of the same thing, IDK if it's higher quality or just brand tax.

Mpow Bluetooth Receiver, Streambot Hands-free Car Kits & Wireless Music Adapter for Stereo System https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MJMV0GU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_tQgnzbVABGKJM

Completely wireless but you need to recharge it every now and then and turn it on every time.

Nulaxy Wireless In-Car Bluetooth FM Transmitter Radio Adapter Car Kit with 1.44 Inch Display and USB Car Charger https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018E0I01I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_sRgnzbDHK9FC1

This is what most people use, connects to your phone with Bluetooth and streams the music thru the radio to your car. IMHO the Volvo's you're buying will most likely have an aux port, and the placement of the charging port wouldn't work very well with this device, so I wouldn't recommend it but I'm linking it anyways in case you buy a car without an aux port.

All in all I'd recommend the first link.

u/GeneralJohnStark · 1 pointr/whatcarshouldIbuy

Personally, I'd go with the CPO. It's got a great warranty on it. And I can't stand factory nav, I'd much rather run Google maps on my phone with a SATECHI CD mount.

u/IHaveVariedInterests · 2 pointsr/whatcarshouldIbuy

E36s are easy. I can't wrench for shit and I was able to do a lot on my old one.

This book + Youtube videos = gold

https://www.amazon.com/Performance-Projects-1982-2000-Motorbooks-Workshop/dp/0760326959

u/Bobafett230 · 2 pointsr/whatcarshouldIbuy

Put your hand on the door before you step out or add a Ground Strap

u/grumpyolddude · 3 pointsr/whatcarshouldIbuy

There are aux inputs that you physically plug between the radio and the FM antenna. Like this:

https://www.amazon.com/iSimple-IS31-Antenna-Modulator-Aftermarket/dp/B002U5XPBE

u/DonnieJTrump · 1 pointr/whatcarshouldIbuy

If the radiator in the Pathfinder has been replaced I wouldn't worry too much about it. The replacements all had the defect fixed. If it were me and I bought it and noticed it still had the original radiator in it and the vehicle history showed it has never been addressed, Id probably change it out too. The radiator itself is less than $100 and about 30min-1hr to swap out. If you wanted to you could spend less than $100 and bypass the radiator all together with an external cooler and a thermal bypass. By the wording of the ad, it sounds like he is referring to himself as the car nut. I had a 2003 Pathfinder (previous generation) and it was a tank.

With the Sequoia I'd worry about if the timing belt has been changed ever. The Nissan has a timing chain that doesnt require being changed out. Typically you are supposed to change those timing belts out every 100k miles.

u/decaffeinatedmoose · 2 pointsr/whatcarshouldIbuy

Hey,

Bought this one for my dad, also has a scanner for finding empty frequencies:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Belkin-Car-Tunecast-Universal-Transmitter/dp/B002S8AFE8

Never had an issue with it, or anything Belkin.

u/DrPoopingPooperson · 2 pointsr/whatcarshouldIbuy

Aerodynamics.

https://www.amazon.com/Briggs-Stratton-85053-5-Gallon-Shut-Off/dp/B001QCWQUS/ref=zg_bs_15707861_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=A02ABBZDC4YGPC97SF4Q

It was a gas can similar to that. It probably didn't help that my subaru was completely full of stuff and I had my bike on a hitch rack also. Also it's supposed to take premium but there's some places you can't get premium which also hurts your mpgs

Edit: there's also a ford escape with a turbo you might look at. And a hyundai/kia too