The Fixable vs. the Tossable
Being able to fix rather than replace things will probably become of greater interest in the years ahead. One such fixable rather than a tossable thing is the now-venerable carburetor, a fuel-delivery device as unknown to most people under 30. Carburetors mix and distribute fuel mechanically rather than electronically, which accounts for their being fixable rather than tossable. […]
Motorists Vote 2020: Arkansas Ballot Question 1 Part 2
By Thomas Beckett, NMA Arkansas Member Earlier this year, I wrote about Issue 1 that will appear on the Arkansas November 3, 2020, ballot. If passed, the state would make the temporary half-cent sales tax set to expire in 2023 permanent. The tax’s initial purpose was to fund bonds issued for highway improvements, which consisted […]
9 Daily Driving Tips To Help Your Vehicle Last Longer
By Mike Cross, founder of Auto Guys Land Editor’s Note: We want to welcome Mike to the NMA blog. He will write posts on auto maintenance and repair periodically. Why is it that some cars bought long ago still look great while others over a very short time, break down quickly after the same amount […]
Pros and Cons of the Old Car in the New Normal
It is far from a bad idea to consider buying an older car given the “new normal” descending. But, as with most things, there are downsides as well as upsides. Here’s a look at both: Upsides Old cars don’t always cost as much, and you will likely pay cash for it. Then you won’t need […]
Money and Mechanics: How to Save on Car Care
Trying to keep up with auto maintenance can be daunting at times. Having to change the oil every 5K miles, rotate the tires, and check all the fluids is a time-consuming and often frustrating process. While this is true, it is also necessary. By paying some money now for these small maintenance tasks, you can […]
The Mysteries of Mechanical Fuel Delivery
If you’re under 40 and thinking about buying a car that’s older than you are, there are some things you may not know but will need to learn about if you want to tune that car. Which will likely have a carburetor, if the car you want to buy was built before circa 1985, it […]
To Shift for Oneself
Leaving aside the fun, is there a stronger argument to be made for the manual transmission vs. the automatic? It depends on your perspective. There is inherent simplicity, certainly. A modern manual transmission isn’t much different than the ones made decades ago. It is still almost entirely a mechanical thing and entirely controlled by you. […]
Car Fire Escape: Tips for Surviving a Car Fire
Things happen in our lives, which we can’t predict, and none of us are immune to things like a car fire. More than half of vehicle fires are due to technical issues like improper usage or additional equipment installation. It’s not always about whether your car is old or new but more about its condition […]
Car with Personality: Are we ready for this?
Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on the NMA Blog in April 2018. We felt it still has resonance today. I admit…I have always named my cars and talked to them too. Not because I am a lonely and sad person but because I want to imbue good feelings in my space—talking to my car […]
If MPGs Were Really the Reason
Gas mileage has been a kind of fetish object for the government officials these past 40-something years. But is it really about gas mileage? Or is gas mileage just the excuse for something else—something even more sinister than a handful of people contravening what buyers want, as expressed by their willingness to buy? Let’s consider a couple of things […]