"I've bought some really STUPID cars in my days!" Stories from the CAR WIZARD!

[@MiMicheIIe]

Just handing the manager the keys to your car on the spot, like that. You're an ABSOLUTE legend, I couldn't stop laughing.

[@Evan_Floyd]

David's ability to give up a car on the spot is God tier final boss level power.

[@GTFour]

It was dumb like he says

[@Aniki1111]

😅😅🎉

[@Airwolf1971]

You know he might have quit because you bought him a Pontiac Aztec.

[@roydrink]

I would quit if my boss gave me an Aztec!

[@noahschwartz2270]

That needed work

[@adrianpeters2413]

@@roydrink yeah these south American cars are a it dodgy ....

[@samholdsworth420]

P oor o ld n icaraguan t hinks i t's a C adillac

[@jamesr5741]

😅

[@Jmdp.94]

You have to make all the rookie mistakes to become a professional, but the great thing here is that you share your knowledge and experience so that we can avoid as many mistakes as possible and that's golden right there. 👌🏻

[@johnmartin2079]

You are right on target, wizard has compassion for cars and the mechanics.

[@curbozerboomer1773]

My impression is...his life got a lot better when he dumped wife number one, and found the nice gal he now is married to.

[@joefaracevideos]

I feel so much better about all of my stupid car deals. Thanks, Wiz.

[@pestoking2469]

Totally

[@boiled4safety]

Same here

[@sehismith]

Me, too! If only I had kept that 1971 Nova, it would be worth $30-40k - I bought it for $750 and sold it for the same (long ago)

[@pestoking2469]

I lost 10k in 3 months on a land cruiser

[@garyalford9394]

We have all been there !!

[@PolPotsPieHole]

Wizard and his better half just seem like well grounded good people, wish more people were like that

[@mightymikethebear]

It appears The Wizard had a temper in his youth. Wisdom is supposed to come with age and experience. The Wizard seems to be pretty level headed now.

[@rnt45t1]

As a bald man, I can attest to having a horrid temper in my youth. That's where all the hair went!

[@scott8919]

​@@rnt45t1 apparently it goes from the scalp to the chin.

[@B0xlife1]

As everyone should level out as you.get.olser,if you get worse,then there's mental issues involved.

[@jasonchristopher2977]

@@rnt45t1 Solar panel for a sex machine. I'm getting there. Few more years and I'm gonna have to just shave it.

[@burntnougat5341]

@@scott8919 and the pubes

[@carrotcake1955]

Love to hear of someone else making stupid mistakes because I’ve made so many. Thanks for sharing.

[@Bread996]

Getting frustrated never helps. I work in the industrial district of Seattle. There was a parking lot of short haul truckers next to our shop. They'd park their personal vehicle during the day while they used their semi tractor to haul containers from the rail yard to the port. At the end of one of these days one of the truckers couldn't get his personal car to start. He got pissed, jumped in his truck and bulldozed his own car out of the way. Completely destroyed it. Hilarious.

[@Brucelovesjulie]

That is epic!

[@Kenwood709]

I just spent a day in Seattle area last week. Dropped in Kent and picked up in sea-tac. If I had to do that everyday I would be a hair trigger away from a psychotic breakdown.

[@samholdsworth420]

@@Kenwood709 Seattle is liberal dream City

[@Kenwood709]

@@samholdsworth420 the ratio of teslas and subarus to other cars is insane. If there were more audis I'd think I was in Denver.

[@Brucelovesjulie]

@@Kenwood709 they all smug assholes too, I live south of Seattle, Puyallup. Bit more rural, so beat up old 80s/90s cars and new trucks lol

[@cliffweinan3907]

Very funny, all of us have done this Wizard; it's called growing up and learning. You are the man to admit the mistakes to learn from. Thank Ms Wizard for supporting her man who then became Wizard !

[@neighborsjordan95]

I think my dumbest vehicle purchase was actually a trade. A 1979 f250 Explorer Custom with a 4.9 I6 and 4 on the floor RWD. Amazing condition, Hunter green, traded it off for a 1994 Honda Civic EX with a 5 speed manual and a D16Z6 with a bad head gasket and a lower end problem that ended up being a very bent rod. All for the MPG to visit a partner that lived an hour away when gas was 4 dollars a gallon back in 2013/2014. That truck would have lasted me forever but the car lasted maybe 4 months.

[@kurtisdavis9526]

My stupidest buy was a 2001 Audi A4 Avant 1.8t. The car had high mileage and needed a new turbo within 6 months. I was young and drawn into the German luxury car world. Swapped out the entire engine with one from a low mileage A4 from a salvage yard. I only had it for two more years because there was always something wrong and everything was expensive. Traded it in for a 2004 Chevy S10 ZR5 which I have always regretted selling.

[@Hipas_Account]

I also gave up my 1993 Grand Prix Sedan, i bought it for 300€ hoping to be able to fix a "minor leak", that ended up being the engine blown up, let it sit in various places getting letters sent to my home to go and move it again, keep in mind the car was otherwise in mint condition but the 3.1 V6 boat anchor was done for. Some guy ended up sideswiping it and i lost all interest in it, and i let the City impound it and i never went to retrieve it. I did take the backseats out of the car as a memento and its currently my sofa.

[@Kewrock]

A Pontiac back seat as a sofa. Hee-Haw!!! Bet you got some old spare tires on your front lawn.🤣🤣🤣

[@kellingtonlink956]

We all, sincerely, appreciate your honesty. I always take your advice very seriously. Thanks for the video (both of you!).

[@thetechlibrarian]

I remember buying a 1990 xj6 in 2002 from a lady who’s husband owned a small car lot. They where going to put it in a raffle but didn’t for some reason so I ended up buying it. Gold with the vanden plas package wood tables and sheep fur carpet Matts. It was so nice. I drove it maybe 3 months and some older gentleman pulled up next to me at a light and offered to buy it for almost double what I had paid so I sold it. I miss that car.

[@JeanPernicia]

Thanks for sharing your wisdom. Now that I reflect on my short experience, I think that rescuing a 1988 Jeep Comanche that was on the brink of the junkyard was a good move. The knowledge gained with it allowed me a few years later to choose a really good Jeep Cherokee as a dependable family mover.

[@johnrobertson2935]

Thanks for your humility in sharing your less-steller experiences. Many of us also learned some hard lessons, and I'm sure we all hope this hard-fought wisdom will benefit others. No use in crashing through the same pothole someone else has been through, if you can help it.

[@josiahlinquist4043]

I love these videos from experienced mechanics/people admitting fault or just reliving experiences. It's easy to get down as a starting tech

[@thomaslouis5626]

Not as bad as my 89' Dodge Daytona Shelby I bought back then, it was at the dealer every month for a repair. I remember the 93' Plymouth voyager I had bought my wife new, when the gas level dropped to a 1/4 tank it would burn out the fuel pump. The dealer actually told me not to let the gas get below a 1/2 tank!

[@cylonred8902]

I was dumb enough to buy a Chrysler town and Country van instead of a Honda van. Thought we could not afford the higher prices, used Honda, and within a couple years we spent the difference, on the first transmission. Second was replaced under warranty as it died in a year, and then the sliding door stopped, defroster/AC stopped working and then bought a Honda and had ZERO issues with it. After my son rear-ended someone last winter - a friend from work bought the van, and he is still driving it (2008 EX-L).

[@XvS6-Lemaza]

Bought an 86 W126 with a 5.6 V8 with an overheating problem. The car needed a lot of work to pass emissions (Bosch CIS). Got the work done over 3 weeks, got it to pass and as I was driving back from the DMV, I got T-boned by an 89 yo lady who ran a red light. 😑

[@justmike1529]

Oh Wizard. I’m close to 80 than 50. I traded cleaning out a barn for my first car at 14. 1959 Renault then a Hillman Husky followed by a Hillman Minx. Guess I grew up on the Euro side of Wichita. At last count my lifetime total is 60-70 cars,trucks , and motorcycles. Can’t remember exactly how many wins losses and draws over the years. All the vehicles sure brought me lots of fun and frustration. This episode really sent me on a great trip down memory lane. Thanks!

[@quinnjones1221]

Wizard...you just made a fan for life with your GrandPrix story and the landlord. Love it!

[@rdmartin9305]

He's so down to earth. I think he should continue making videos. It does help people and I appreciate your insights mister wizard

[@renyn21]

"Let me repeat myself" hell no. I could care less what apartment building manager home owner association worthless person you think you are, if you can't let someone have the wheels off for a few hours then nobody should be even living there under your supervision. It's not about devaluing property or whatever, it's about being a decent person. If you see someone passed out do you kick them because they're in your way? That means there was no understanding there and I wouldn't have felt ok living there.

[@jbraMoVal]

There is always people that take advantage of the system. I been to friend apartment and parking area floor is flooded with dirty fluid, transmission and motor taken apart etc. Only then I appreciate those rules. I used to work on my car after office hours or Sundays.

[@BlooMule]

I used to do all my car service in a shopping center parking lot because we weren't even allowed to wash our cars in the apartment parking lot. All that would happen at the shopping center was I had to have a few beers with the security guys. 😁

[@Soundsofthewood]

I had this issue once at a trailer park. Took the bed off my truck to fox the leaf spring hangers. Had the lot manager show up and start yelling at me because "this ain't no hillbilly trailer park". If you went to the right side of the park. You will find nothing but hillbilly trailer park. I never want to live that life again.

[@jasonchristopher2977]

I make sure I don't make a mess. No fluids, grease etc. I saved plastic wrap from a mattress. It's heavy and will catch all the paint etc from small repairs. any big repairs I go to shop to work. We had a guy who had a full tank of gas and sold it to another. Instead of jumping fuel pump and just pump it out, his dumbass crawls uder with a cordless drill and tada, set parking lot on fire. I swear that SOMETHING is making ppl dumber. I'm not a MIT grad, but my dad was a smart guy and showed me how to do just about everything. From house repairs and building, mechanics, welding, electricity, heavy machinery etc. I know not all kids had a parent like mine but I let my kids help me with anything that's safe. So many ppl spend so much$$ On things that's easy to do themselves. But thank god they do, or I'd be doing different work.

[@adotintheshark4848]

and the topper is you have to pay the HUA, er HOA.

[@godfreyberry1599]

Car Wizard, you make my day - your experiences are so real and conjure up all the misery and joy we have all experienced with things mechanical over a lifetime.

[@richardsmith2721]

That Aztec has a strange history. It was leaking oil outside of Car Ninja's shop in a Hoovie video while the owner, John Ross was visiting. JR also camped in the O'Reilly's parking lot with it. The Aztec was sold to Hoovie for Car Issues. You bought it for Junior Mint and he quit? How weird.

[@isaacfalvey]

It’s the curse of the Wichita Aztek.

[@ShortHandedNow]

I Thought JR replaced everything on that thing? (Yet it still had 4 blown struts / shocks?)

[@BlooMule]

@@ShortHandedNow I imagine they got blown out during the Car Issues episode.

[@kendallsmith1458]

Thats the same Aztec? I guess there couldn't be two in the same city

[@charlesputt8588]

I thought it was the other way around. The Wizard bought it from Hoovie to give to Junior mint, and then after Junior mint quit he sold it to jr.

[@Anthony-vq1wn]

Whenever I think about all the great vehicles I let go of when I was young and stupid I get sick to my stomach. My 68 Dodge Charger and 78 Toyota Land Cruiser are the two I let go of that I think were my biggest mistakes.

[@McNubbys]

"Good judgment comes from expirence, and experience from bad judgment."-Mark Twain

[@andrewttrott]

Bought a high mileage 2000 Subaru Outback Wagon for 3k, spent 6k in 3 years on maintainence and repairs including engine and transmission replacement, sold it for 3k to a goat farmer.

[@pedrog5846]

I appreciate all these types of videos! They help people of all ages shopping for cars. I know it's crazy but maybe one day you can make one about Lexus vehicles that might have some issues.

[@prant8998]

When you’re young it’s common to underestimate the time it takes to fix something and overestimate your ability. With boats, most of the value is in the motor. You can get a really nice used boat for almost no money, with no motor. The new motor costs ten times more than what you paid for the hull. Experiences the best teacher. All those bad deals The Wizard had was a fantastic deal for the seller.

[@memyself7413]

I'm in the UK. My first car, a 1957 Mk 1 Ford Consul, was a disaster. The salesman, a right con artist, took advantage of my total knowledge of cars, and sold me the biggest load of ol' shyte, possible. As I drove it away, I dicovered that pumping the brake pedal was the ony way to stop the thing. Finally, I had to run it along the edge of the kerb to stop it. A friend disovered that the brake fluid reservoir was empty. There was other major problem, and I spent more time under the car, than in it. Yes, I had been well and truly been 'taken to the cleaners, and turned over.' It got scapped after the near side front wheel, complete with drum, flew off as I did a right turn. Back then, I was greener than grass.

[@asimrafiq174]

To have the audacity to admit mistakes takes so much courage and determination. I really appreciate Wiz for having such courage. It takes a humble person to level with such details. I wish wiz a lot of success and happiness.

[@JohannnesBrahms]

We love you so much Wizard. Please do more of these chair-side chats. They are a pleasant change from the formula car videos.

[@lightningbear2135]

My first car was my worst purchase ever. It was an 89 Ford Probe with a salvage title. In the 6-7 months that I owed it the car spent more time at the mechanics and I did driving it. One morning I rear ended one of my neighbors on the way to school and it was a total loss. I bought a new “for the time” 93 Honda Civic and I never saw that mechanic again. I wasted so much money on that silly Probe. In my 40’s now and Ive never owed anything but Hondas. Having owed 13 and counting.

[@SquiggyWigginz]

Wizard attended the best anger management class on Earth! Look at him now!!! 😆

[@EdBrumley]

I love your forthrightness. You tell life like we all have experience, but gloss over and say it wasn’t that bad. About your car you gave to your employee and then quit. It reminded me of my brother-in-law. He had a sawmill with a reliable employee that showed up everyday for 5 years on a bicycle. So, when my brother-in-law bought a new truck he gave his 10 year old Ford Ranger to his employee. Two weeks, later he quit and drove to a new job.

[@JoshuaC923]

Thanks for sharing Wizard! Cars are too expensive in my country for me to afford them for now, so no bad buys...

[@scootypuffjr.]

Nice to see I'm in good company with some of my questionable automotive decisions

[@jrhalabamacustoms5673]

Im with you, mine revolves around a chevy vega and ending in a junkyard. Thanks Wizard for making us remember questionable choices.

[@blaketindle4703]

Yeah we all make mistakes. Learn not just from your own but also from the mistakes of others! Really appreciate this video Wizard!

[@logi7671]

I was an exterminator, I never dealt with pack rats but, all the people who do say they are a nightmare to trap. They live in roofs, run across power lines and, feed in a different area. They've been recorded going 250 yards away from home everyday. So, don't feel bad about how long that took.

[@TOBYH]

THE WORST CAR I EVER BOUGHT WAS A 79 VW RABBIT, BUILT LIKE A TANK, BUT THEY COULD NOT TAKE THE SHAKE OUT OF THE ENGINE, IT VIBRATED LIKE HELL, HORRIBLE VEHICEL, live here in Ca, never see any of them anymore on the road, just junk. BEST CARS, 1969 TOY CORONA MARK 2, 2008 CAMRY HYBRID, 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY.

[@GixxerRider1991]

I had a 2007 Mitsubishi Galant that I got rid of after shooting the parts cannon several times and wasting money trying to fix a stall issue. Looking back, if I had just used an oem mass air flow sensor, that would have likely fixed the problem.

[@chrislangstaff]

LOL this is almost more of a drama vid, love it. Who would have guessed that pre-wizard David was so messy and chaotic. And I didn't know Jr Mint was gone, isn't he Crazy D's son? Life in a small town, everyone is entwined in everyone else's business.

[@jd6549]

Brilliant stories, they made me laugh. I had similar experiences with motorcycles🇬🇧

[@jd6549]

I bought a CBX 250, it was supposed to do 100mph. On its first day I had it up to a whole 35mph at full throttle. The crank timing was out by 1 tooth. That was fixed then every 3 months the clocks bracket would snap until I rubber mounted it. I parted it out, feeling sorry for its next owner. I bought a BSA Barracuda, when I could eventually start it, which was very difficult, it sounded like a tin of spanners, wined in 3rd gear, cost me a fortune in parts and when I tried to sell it, wouldn't start which really impressed the new owner. I said I would take it to him, it stalled on the way there and took so long to get it fixed in the dark, my girlfriend's car battery went flat and we couldn't start the car either. 😀 All the best John

[@briane.5656]

My worst was probably a '79 K5 Blazer I bought at a police auction years ago. It was running and it was cheap, so I figured, good enough. But it was much rougher than I realized, I didn't have the experience at the time to fix all the things that needed fixing, tranny lost reverse and it cost me more than I could afford to get it fixed. Sold it at a major loss.

[@seriousrampage]

Has Junior Mint purchased an RV and some chemistry equipment since you gave him the Aztek?

[@1985toyotacamry]

That would be an interesting spin off

[@chrislangstaff]

Started tossing pizzas onto the roof

[@deanstanley2125]

Since this is car related, did he buy a new Charger and hot rod it before setting it on fire?

[@thecleanoffroader]

I bought a 1979 Cherokee Chief for $300 bucks no title in High School in 1996. I used to put my 1985.5 Porsche 944 in garage and just put its plates on jeep and cover plate with snow n mud

[@ronrandall7118]

I thought Junior Mint has been a long time employee with his Dad, Crazy D working in the office? Did Junior Mint start his own mechanics shop? Car Wizard, I would have towed the white 2 dr. Pontiac Grand Prix to your parents, brothers, or friends house. Yes, the VW rabbit would have been worth repairing and keeping. I'm glad you tell your viewers of what cars to buy and avoid. Even Toyota's & Honda's have years or engines to avoid. These videos are the ones I like the best because they keep you from losing thousands, if not ten thousand dollars or more. Thank You!!!

[@curezilla]

Yeah, I thought Junior Mint was still an active employee. I must have missed something.

[@samholdsworth420]

@@curezilla substance abuse

[@mikenormandy9250]

Crazy D is Jr. Mint's Father?! - Well, He's a kid - we all did/do dumb things - I know I wasn't who I am now at 18-25 - and DEF could NOT do what I do today when I was 18-25!

[@curezilla]

@@mikenormandy9250 that's the truth! I still do some things I shouldn't, but 30 years ago I was a full blown problem! 🤣

[@wotrulke5868]

Junior mint was in a video just the other week how long are we going back?

[@mikenormandy9250]

David & Co. Thanks for sharing this story with us! I LOVE YOUR STORIES! - Thank you for making the mistakes so we don't have too! LOL - Always look forward to your videos every day really! Thanks, Mrs. & Mr. Wizard & Fam!

[@davidgalinat4257]

Hmmm. Gives a Pontiac Aztek to an employee, his work then drops off and then he quits. Gee, I wonder why? :)

[@1985toyotacamry]

To be honest if someone gave me an Aztec, that would be an insult.

[@tatdexter2334]

I've made plenty of stupid buys but I did benefit hugely, in the late '80's, from someone like the Wiz. I was leaving my Phoenix apt. in my '67 Mustang fastback and there was a guy broken down in the driveway...cussing and kicking tires. I helped push it out of the way and he complemented my ride and asked if I would be interested in his "POS Mustang" with the now-dead battery and engine that wouldn't start. We quickly settled on a price. After replacing the fuel pump and a few other minor things: I started driving my rust-free, '68 GT500 KR convertible. It STILL makes me smile.

[@kingjlinza]

I’m amazed that the Eldorado was actually good with the HT4100 engine. I like Cadillac but I think the HT4100 engine is worse than the Cadillac Northstar and I feel like not a lot of people know about the HT4100.

[@adotintheshark4848]

The 4.9 Cad motor was good..rather have that than the Northstar

[@jrsmith1008]

on the 80s I was in vocational school GM donated stuff there in a crate was a4100 Cadillac engine I know nothing about it but I saw lots of aluminum and black valve covers even then I wasn't impressed with it at the time I thought it wasn't big enough to power a full size car down the street I might be wrong on the engine size of so I will not be mad I just wanted to know if that engine ever existed

[@666cemetaryslut]

@@jrsmith1008 The HT4100 had chrome valve covers from the factory

[@jrsmith1008]

@@666cemetaryslut that's funny because I'm looking at Wikipedia it has an image that shows an aluminum valve cover with aluminum fins and it says ht 4100 V8 that's the engine I saw and I know nothing about it still I could be wrong

[@666cemetaryslut]

@@jrsmith1008 i guess there was different versions

[@swkohnle08]

My stupid buy was a 1984 Renault Fuego that I bought brand new at a Renault dealership in 1984. It had electrically and mechanical problems constantly from day one. After my warranty with AMC ended, I was stuck getting all the problems fixed on my own. I really couldn’t afford it but I wanted it. I wrecked it in an accident and waited 4 months for parts from France to repair it. In 1987, I tried to trade it in for a new Pontiac and the dealer refused the trade, they wanted nothing to do with Renault’s. I was stuck with this car until 1988 when a local mechanic wanted it and I took his money and never looked back. Never buy a car hyped by Motor Trend.

[@timw8228]

Eldorado with the 4.1L that is a risk getting a blown head gaskit. HT4100 aka Hook and Tow 4100

[@jasonhsu4711]

Wow, the Hook and Tow 4100 is an even better nickname than the Highly Troublesome 4100. I don't have experiences with Cadillacs, and neither does anyone in my family, but I'm amazed by how awful the Cadillacs of the 1980s were. The series of bad engines included the diesel engine, the V8/6/4 engine, and the HT4100. No wonder Cadillac sales collapsed during this period! Acura and Lexus formed at the right time to appeal to legions of disgruntled Cadillac owners.

[@paulshannon4576]

I bought a 68 VW with a blown engine and towed it to my apartment complex and they had the same rules. We pulled the engine and carried it up three flights of stairs and put the VW in a storage area they had. Got all the parts and rebuilt it in the kitchen and carried it back down the stairs and reinstalled it. The VW was light enough with out the engine you could lift it up and over the engine setting on the ground.

[@jeffgootjes8418]

My wife and I have never laughed so hard at a KZbin video as when the Wizard told the story of the camper. 😂🐀🐀🐀🐀

[@agrippa1234]

Without any proof, extensive knowledge of you beyond your anecdotes it sounds like the greatest lesson(s) you've learned revolve around how you've matured in dealing with your own emotions and others especially being in a business environment that puts you in real contact with people/customers and their near the surface frustrations. As a relatively recently retired teacher/coach/admin. I sure get it and could curl your hair with some of my rookie moments........

[@styloroc2000]

I haven't been on the youtube train for a while because of a new job, but I missed when junior mint left -- how long ago was that?

[@brandonstclair6530]

I almost made the same mistake as you on that Cherokee chief, I have a 1949 Ford Truck and at 17 years old, I was going to put a 300 6 cylinder in it. It was going to take a lot of mods since the engine was longer than the original. So I decided to keep it original and not hack it up. I rebuilt the original engine and in the end I’m happy. Unfortunately 11 years later it’s in primer in my dads shop and hopefully later this year I’ll go ahead and finish painting it.

[@carlosdonestevez7532]

The chevelle is gona be on that list apparently. Haven't heard anything about it in months so I'm assuming it a shop decoration that's gona eventually be on the list.

[@CJColvin]

That's what I'm wondering.

[@jasonwells9050]

Live and learn car wizard live and learn I've always thought that the best way to learn anything is through multiple failures and mistakes I have made so many mistakes when it comes to cars learning how to fix things and how to not get ripped off I'm no mechanic by any stretch of the imagination but I do no more than I did in my youth I still think you're an inspiration to all of us guys out here that are still learning about the cars and you're honest opinions and experience helps us all out

[@md2k8]

Never, ever buy these vehicles that the Car Wizard has purchased in his lifetime.

[@stevef68]

I totally relate to the Grand Prix story. I had a 91 Honda Civic hatchback that started having issues when I lived in an apartment complex. Sometimes it would start and sometimes it wouldn't. Had a shop look at it and was told it needed a distributor. I was POOR at that time and couldn't afford it. It sat in a parking lot at the complex until they towed it away for being "abandoned". I miss that car. 😭

[@RDEnduro]

I once bought a 230,000 mile BMW. It happens haha, great stories Wizard. That BMW was still alive too just rusted and smoking oil through valves and elsewhere

[@rockwithme5346]

The temptation is so strong to buy "good deals" like that.

[@mikedx2706]

I have made the mistake of buying a used BMW twice. Both turned out to be huge mistakes. Never again.

[@Shadobanned4life]

Bless you for being tough enough to laugh about your past mistakes and for sharing them with us.

[@TheSleepingonit]

I feel better now about some of my car decisions. I worked for an apartment complex that was pissed if they saw a vehicle with a hood up

[@ricardok5593]

Dave, I'm sorry to hear about the mistakes, but I'm happy you share the experience so we don't make the same mistakes. Thanks for your service ✅

[@isaacfalvey]

That sucks about Jr. Mint. Hopefully you can find someone else to replace him,

[@Daemonarch2k6]

Oh boy, i thought the whole time, jr.mint were the wizards real son...

[@brandon351smith]

I feel better. Sometimes think about the dumb things I've done when i was younger and just beat myself up about it, but I think twice now because of those experiences and it's saved me alot of wasted time. Plus beating yourself down over something that you can't change really doesn't do anything. Live and learn, move foward.

[@tomaiger]

i only made one dumb choice, once i bought a BRAND NEW car....

[@XvS6-Lemaza]

+1

[@craigtiano3455]

1975 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible. Story was that it was left in the garage by a tenant of a building, and the owner of the building fought with the tenant to have it removed. Eventually, the tenant gave him the title. He put an ad on craigslist. I saw the car, which was wedged into a tiny 1 car garage. The paint and interior were very nice. The landlord said the top was down because you can't get into or out of the car while its in the garage. Car had a dead battery. I put my jumper pack on it. If you switched it into drive and hit the starter, the car moved. I bought the car for $400, had it towed to my house, and put in a fresh battery, fresh gas, points, and threw gas down the carb. It would run, but needed work to run well. Next step was to try the top. Lots of noise, but the top wouldn't go up. Digging further, I found the top wires were all rusted out, and there was no canvas except for the piece on the front that you can see when the top is down. Pulling out the mechanism, it was very bent and brittle from rust. I then priced a GM X top mechanism and the canvas. At that time, it was $3000 to replace a GM X top convertible. I put a sale sign on the car the same day, and got it gone for $400 to someone who understood how much they'd need to spend on a top.

[@jdawg3712]

Wizard thanks so much for the walk down memory lane! I can't recall how many vehicles I've owned but its way up there. At least 30 or more. But each one had a story to go w it! Some good 🙂 & some not so good😔. Appreciate the humility of recalling your experiences. Enjoy yer channel n yer ability to "go w da flow" of what life brings!🤙

[@nicklbckluvr]

Interesting story about the Gran Prix. I live in an apartment complex I have the same "Karen" as my landlady. We can't even clean our cars here let alone work on them but we try to sneak & do it when they are not watching. Even out front on the street which is not the complex's property they try and tell us what to do I used to rent a garage that had a driveway & I could do some small jobs there boy do I ever miss that place! I would never say that I am a true mechance .... but having a place ....& the spare time to work on my cars is what would help me working on my 5 cars. Thanks Wizard for the great work!

[@leechburglights]

I've owned over 20 vehicles in the past 30 years. Most of them have been reasonably good. But I concur, I've done stupid with cars. Luckily I never lost a lot of money. Love the story at the end about the 89 Grand Prix. I had one of those too. My buddy paid $6000 for for a base-model, then said the auto trans was going bad. It had also been wrecked by a deer. I got it for $800. Changed the spark plugs in my driveway, and the car ran amazing! Never had any issues mechanically. Put a $35 fender on it. Gave it new (Lifetime warranty) rear calipers that matched my 91 Olds Cutlass Supreme. Regular maintenance, tires, and oil changes. That was an amazing car, but I never fixed the AC. My bud was so upset that I had fixed the car for so cheap. He went through 2 more vehicles while I continued to drive his old Grand Prix. I ended up selling the car for $600 and that fella ran it for another 3 years or so. Wish you could have had that experience. I'm sure you would have if the landlord would have given you the time to reassemble it.

[@bertram46]

I absolutely love your videos and your humility! It sounds like maybe back in the day Mr Wizard had a little bit of a temper LOL and acted in haste! Well we've all been there and done that that's part of life. I wish you lived near me to work on my cars in Florida. Your knowledge and honesty and integrity are hard to find

[@CrybKeeper]

I haven't really had any crazy buys. Our latest purchase is a 2000 Toyota Tundra(V6), with 168,000 miles - It is near mint condition. My secret to smart purchases on vehicles is, I watch you guys on You Tube. People like Scotty Kilmer, who know their mechanical stuff.

[@CrybKeeper]

We had a 2010 Chevy Impala that ran great for years, but my daughter got T-boned and it was totaled. That impala had it's tiny issues, but it never nickel and dimed us. GMC Sonoma, 4.3 liter - I sold it to a car mechanic and it's still running today. That 4.3 engine is a durable engine - smooth start every time. 3800, wide track, Pontiac Grand Prix - I loved driving that car! That Pontiac was a super charged race car on the road - drove it for 6 years and only replaced a 'map sensor'. We do the required maintenance on all of our vehicles. We have a 2004 Dodge Dakota crew cab - I really don't know what keeps this truck going and going -272,000 miles and still runs like a champ!

[@CrybKeeper]

We have a 2011 Hyundai Sonata(fully loaded) that had a engine recall. No problem... we got a free new engine - runs good. The Sonata may be my craziest buy, but didn't have to pay a dime and got free rental car for nine days, until the Sonata was fixed.

[@ronniemaeker9102]

The nice thing about Wizard: I was one of his instructors for Stupidity 101 and 102... Every class day I would call roll and he was there...he did not miss class one day... I taught him everything he knows about being dumb...

[@chadh1721]

It’s awesome Car Wizard can come on here and admit all these mistakes. Makes us feel good about mistakes we’ve made.

[@markhendricks5894]

I have owned 86 autos over the years and sold everyone one my own. I have never really lost any $$ on any of them but my wife thinks I have at times. Thx for your honesty and really appreciate following you.

[@smartin2174]

My stupid buy was a ten year old 2000 Audi A6 Avant 3.0 V6 with the Multitronic which I paid 10k€ for. It failed inevitably and I spent a lot of work plus another 10k to somehow fix it. But the Audi dealers were a not very customer oriented up to a point where they broke parts and tried to hide it from me. So a year later I went and sold it to a Subaru dealer to buy a Subaru Legacy instead. Now, ten years later I traded the Legacy for a 2020 Outback. The dealer was always honest to me and the gave me only little trouble. That is how you keep customers I guess. My last contact with Audi was a phone call about the quality of the dealership and if I would buy my next car there. I said that I never would buy an Audi again. The answer was "Ok, I can enter that as well." Never heard of them again.

[@davemckee4907]

I am now retired but I was a mechanic for over 50 years.I had 170 cars and trucks over the years and of course several stupid buys.My wife never knew what she would be driving from one day to the next.

[@CECasey]

In 1978, in Colorado, I sold a near-perfect 1969 F-F100 pickup so I could buy my aunt's unloved 1967 International Scout. It only had 40,000 miles on it with a tiny V-8, 4speed, and a double-under transfer box hooked to 4:11 gears. Gonna go climb some Rockies! Could never get the radiator clear of rust. Did everything including replace the radiator. Turns out she thought International was serious about their "Permafreeze" antifreeze in the radiator and never serviced the cooling system in 11 Rocky Mountain winters. The engine core was gone, a rusted tomb. The only thing it did well was eat gas and overheat.

[@davane7882]

you have such a soothing attitude. Plus, your experience and intelligence comes through with no ego. Thank you for sharing

[@nigelbarker8726]

After spending some time finding an unmolested 25 year old Wrangler TJ , those six words "I should have kept it original" are music to my ears.

[@kingofl337]

Don't let a bad outcome after being a good person leave you, jaded Wizard. If the opportunity to do something nice comes again continue to be a better person. You can just write the Aztec off...

[@birddog0077]

My favorite video I've seen from you, sir. Thank you! Wizard antics! Love it!

[@makingtechsense126]

Your VW Rabbit story reminds me of a college buddy of mine. He had a little AWD Toyota wagon. One day, I was riding with him and while on a freeway on-ramp one of the rear wheels fell off. The damage from the incident was minimal and the car was in excellent condition otherwise. The next day when I saw him I asked about his car; he sold it to a junk yard for $50. I was dumbfounded.

[@mickm5097]

Those Tercel Awd wagons were really good cars. My father owned several, and he was the kind of guy who never changed oil and only contacted a mechanic when a car stopped functioning, not when it made grinding noises. He got over 200K out of each of these vehicles. And they were practical. I hauled a 400cc motorcycle home with it, and also transported an old Troybilt Horse tiller w the hatch open.

[@eljaycooljay3]

Wizard I love your videos I been watch your video for long time like all of them I go to your channel to judge if I should get a car or not. Thank you. A boss that give a vehicle away is awesome we should not judge other with our help. Why do I keep seeing that its terrible the way people are. You try to help some one and they complain about your help. Don't deserve nothing. That includes the wife you don't appreciate instead of be thankful you find something to complain about with her. Be happy with it the thought that counts.

[@godchagk89]

When you started the video I was thinking, but you wouldn’t be the wizard without your past experiences and learning from them, aka making mistakes! Glad you mentioned that, if you’re not making mistakes you’re not pushing yourself to learn. Okay to make mistakes.

[@Blueblur444]

I've had a lot. I've been buying cheap cars, fixing, flipping, etc since I was 17 - 25 now - and i'm finally starting to learn from my past mistakes. Worst one that always sticks with me as the biggest waste of time, was I'd bought an '02 Mazda Protege that was pretty clean with a slipping clutch for $500. I changed the clutch, did the timing belt, sorted a few other little issues, installed a stereo, etc and got it all really nicely cleaned up. It would have been worth 3-4k at the time. Stupid young me decided to trade it for another car, a '94 Holden Calais, that looked good at first, but ended up having a ton of poorly repaired wreck damage that I overlooked, and the transmission lost reverse after a week of driving it. Ended up scrapping the car for $500 and took it as a lesson. If the Wizard ends up reading this, know I got a lot of respect for your down to earth, no BS nature and I've learned a ton from your channel over the past few years. Keep up the great work!

[@bdsouza1977]

I agree

[@jimpie231]

The one in the parking lot problems with the 89 Pontiac, when they say you can’t, you can’t! I’m glad you learned this ! Thanks…..Jim PS….. my worst car buys were new car buys…..71 Vega, 80 Citarion, and 86 Eurosport wagon. I then got away from GM and even though the cars were used (kids in college), they lasted longer with less problems.

[@richcortez3102]

I been watching your videos for a few years now and I always taking your info to mind with cars thanks for the great videos boss

[@jasonbrindamour903]

Great episode Car Wizard. I'd love to see like a "chit-chat" session with some of the other people you know that can talk about worse cars bought, or worst time fixing something and solving the problem and such....Call it the car wizard chat. I know you're a busy guy, but I'd watch.

[@mayflowerlash11]

We only realise how stupid some of our car decisions are AFTER we sell them. I bought and sold 2 Volvo 240's in sequence. I liked the model but the fuel consumption seemed too high. After selling the second one I learned what a great model the 240 is. Regret grew so great that I eventually purchased a 940 wagon and then a 240 GLE with the tan leather seats I love. I'm happy now. Thanks Wizard for your honesty, it's what makes you wise.

[@kattcasel9730]

Thanks for the nice video!! Backyard mechs all have these stories, mine was a VERY RUSTED Mustang convertible. My Dad and friends tried to point out the red Mustang convertible was on every can of BONDO back then!!

[@CR7659]

You should have told them every can of bondo was going to be in your Mustang. lol

[@johnpick8336]

AT LEAST YOU LESRNED ! Many DON'T Leatn from their mistakes so be thankful that you are blessed with understanding? Thank you David Omega.

[@z8669zzz]

My Lemmon was a Volvo SUV the alarm would go off at 2am in the morning! I took it back to where I bought it. The guy was good enough to put in a new 12-volt battery, but that did not solve the problem! I was able to drive it back to a local dealer and lease a car, using the Volvo as a down payment. I lost several thousand dollars. In two years the lease was up! I was lucky enough to find a 10-year-old Elantra. I have had this car for 4 years and added 30,000 miles to it delivering flowers. Thanks for sharing the stories!

[@PPawel]

Personal experience is the kind of knowledge that really counts. Thanks for sharing it mr Wizard. Your chanel is pure gold for car enthusiasts.