STRESSFUL! BOUGHT MY WIFE A CAR FROM AN ONLINE AUCTION!!

This is episode 245 of Mike Finnegan's Garage and since it's droppin on Mother's Day I figured I'd take you all behind-the-scenes of my adventure of trying to buy the right car for my wonderful wife. It was a rollercoaster of emotions as I navigated bidding on this hot hatch I found on bringatrailer.com.
If you'd like to support the channel then please feel free to check out all of the new merch I've created just for you at www.fsmgarage.com
Thanks for watching!
-Finnegan

[@RobertL78]

I initially though “bring a trailer” meant cheaper cars you need a trailer to haul away. Then I started looking at listings and realized it means you need to bring a trailer full of cash to consider anything.

[@frankm8533]

Yeah pretty much! I stay away from that site 😂 ill stick to old school Craigslist

[@cerberus50caldawg]

I miss the really old school Recycler Ads days!!! All my first beaters came out of the LA/Pomona County's ads back in the 90's. I need to time warp back there!!!

[@motov8-garage832]

It's always been what you tell the guy that's buying your broke down vehicle before he heads over. Bring a trailer. 😄 Now it's a trademarked name for a rich person auction that's just not rich enough for Barett Jackson.

[@Boondoggle6969]

That's how it started

[@jawsdawg1]

Yeah BAT used to be exactly what it says...

[@bsherman211]

I’m the guy that was bidding against you. Had just bought two cars on BAT so I was on a $7k budget. This is the exact car I drove in HS and was also nostalgic about it. I hope your wife loves this car!

[@chicks70]

You didn't get the car, but I think you got a damn good story to tell!

[@mxmang]

Ironic you're both also truck guys

[@jamesa2961]

Damn that's awesome. What a story

[@erickricharson5196]

I never liked Hondas and basically hate them. But I understand the nostalgia of our High school cars. I still have mine a 78 2 door fairmont love that car

[@morphman21]

@bsherman211, has Finnegan given you a shirt or a sticker or something for making into the video?

[@Major_D3rp]

Finnegan with the Fatherly advice, "Help people. If you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." and "I don't care what you do with your life, just don't be a jerk." Lol love it

[@terrydavis7389]

and then he dosent show us the new car under the cover.. kinda jerkish if you ask me.. lol.. JK

[@Major_D3rp]

@@terrydavis7389 you know.... you aren't wrong. Lol

[@Daisyduke419]

I second this... that is another reason I love finnegan!

[@FinnegansGarage]

@@terrydavis7389 I’m great at giving advice. Lol

[@retardedcheesewheel2921]

​​​@@FinnegansGarage"lower, lower, lower your expectations till you achieve a goal" Mike Finnegan, too many years ago

[@calvinh.8882]

"Checking for last-second bids" is due to the fact that some internet services have a lag. The auctions are run on the internets timer/clock, so if someone did cast a bid before the timer ran out and the internet was lagging, when their bid comes through it's time-stamped so the clock will show the very second they cast the bid and if it was cast before the timer ran out then their bid will be counted as good.

[@Brian-mp2mv]

If you get hooked on online auctions... never mix alcohol and bidding!

[@philgrimsey3637]

Just imagine what he would end up buying if he did though! Hahahah.

[@JSCB-365]

That's what makes it fun. You can always blame the alcohol

[@Pitbike65]

Don't drink and Prime.

[@akshonclip]

That’s why the drinks are free in Vegas. 😂

[@boredom.victim]

yea, look what happened to Hoovie and Tavarish 😂

[@ThatOddGarage]

The fact that the Cresta is in your warehouse is fantastic. Knowing that went from Mighty Car Mods to Benny's Custom Works and now shares shop space with you is killer. That car has a decade long history and im glad its still around

[@charlesroyal3428]

I installed vintage air in my 86 c10 almost ten years ago and it still blows ice cold. Great unit!

[@danh2360]

It's nice to see someone seemingly genuine and family oriented.

[@cerberus50caldawg]

Hands down Finnegan this is the most good feels vid I have watched so far this year. I just had to say that. Beautiful El Camino and badass fun auction battle for a neat little CRX. Thanks for the family fun on this Mother's day. Love it!😊

[@sparksandgritgarage555]

Dude you probably won’t see this because you get so many messages, but this is textbook almost exactly the story with my wife and her 89 Yellow Prelude. She wanted it since she was 16 and never got one. I searched for 10 years to find one with no rust and an automatic transmission. We bought it 5 years ago in Chicago from a guy who only deals in special cars. It is a cream puff. Even came with a car cover in the trunk. The person who bought it new loved it and so does my wife. We gave $7000 for it which I thought was a ton at the time but the look on her face when she got to drive it was worth every penny. Every time she gets it out someone tries to buy it. Congrats to you and your wife!!

[@245bryce]

I love the back and forth banter with your wife. Cracking me up!

[@fbody396]

Hi Mike. A big shoutout to your wife for letting you do the cool things you do. Never take her for granted. I lost my wife of 54 years a year ago and I'd trade all that time restoring my 69 Camaro to spend that time with her.

[@markusmcgee]

That was my first car. Paid $2K for it in 1997 and loved it. Went airborne in it on the Natchez Trace going from Jackson to Vicksburg. State trooper saw me in the air and radios for an EMC. Was totally fine. Had my seat belt. I loved that car.

[@juice_in_liters]

It was my first car as well! 85 HF with a wonderful 1 barrel carb and 50ish mpg. Got mine for 1k in 2000. Traded it a year later after the trans blew up lol

[@BR-nh9ki]

I like the fact that you have no issues with showing how messy your garage is. Never trust a person with a garage that is not a mess!

[@andrewb5415]

The friend groups that have seemingly formed from the start of roadkill , that’s the best part of all to me.

[@michele215]

I love how much you love your wife! Giving her the car she loved as a kid is husband goals. Thanks for sharing your life with us!!

[@normanklug5706]

Mike please oil the hinges on the elcamino

[@rrrseajay]

boeshield t-9 is the best for stuff like that

[@pwnd32]

God bless you, Finnegan. Been watching you since I was 15 now I'm 27. You're one of my heroes💙🤟🏾

[@glennvigar3154]

Hell yeah, No Use For A Name are legends. Grew up skating listening to them 🤘🤘🤘

[@christopherweingartz8168]

They had great live shows.

[@glennvigar3154]

@@christopherweingartz8168 absolutely first gig i went too and stage dived....lol

[@Fredtheswedex]

Came here for that :D Love em

[@chriswilson8911]

Congratulations! You won a bundle of vacuum hoses and a small amount of car thrown in for free

[@DJMac]

All crx's are minted even the 84 but i Love the 89-91 gen crx. I always wanted one but getting rare in the UK.

[@YurtFerguson]

Being a trailer specific mechanic for ten years now the best piece of advice I can give anyone is pack the bearings on your boat trailer before you take your stuff out to the lake every year. Those hugs are underwater for 3 to 5 minutes at a time multiple times a year, and no matter how tight your seal is on your rear seal or dust cap it's going to get water in it

[@airammundo9544]

The roadkill episode we didnt know we needed😂😂😂😂

[@ronaldrey8474]

Mike , may I tell you how COOL this video is. Love what you did for your wife (Honda & Elco) I teared up and new level respect for you my friend.

[@youbecha64]

Wife had either an 84 or 85 CRX HF (High Fuel mileage) She bought the cheapest one you could get...no radio, no radio antenna, no A/C. So small and low I had to roll out of the car (I was young and in shape then)...fantastic fuel mileage...she still misses that car.

[@chicks70]

You could stand right beside the HF's, and couldn't tell the engine was running

[@lawrencedavid9768]

One of the funnest cars I had back in the late 80’s. 4 tip exhaust, wing on the rear, wheels and tires, sooooo much fun. Enjoy

[@debbiebermudez5890]

Mr. B. Here ! Congratulations to to you and the Mrs. On the 🚗! I work at a automotive auction No thank you live or on line ! Good luck to you guys .🍸🍸

[@petem6291]

Hey Mike Back in the 80s I worked in a carburetor repair shop and we fixed quite a few of those Hondas. the dealer sold a kit with a gasket and a new float . you need to bend a 13 mm wrench to get to the bolts off but its a pretty easy fix if you do it right it will start like a fuel injected car for the next 300.000 miles

[@trope5105]

If your a carb guy why didn't you catch the weber lol? ;)

[@scottburrow8717]

First video of yours in a longtime that I could watch the whole thing. Keep these coming.

[@blackula666]

RIP Alex. He was a friend of mine when I worked at Hart and Huntington off road (PMG) which your 2 seater pro2 came from originally. He was a Crack up. Glad you're keeping that old minitruck alive and well.

[@THEH2OMAN]

Happy Mothers Day to Mrs. Finnegan - enjoy that air conditioned CR-X! Mike, reach out to me if you ever decide to part with that hovercraft... I was the factory flight instructor / demo pilot when I lived in Miami in the 80's, I loved flying those but I never owned a craft of my own.

[@stevearnold100]

I used to do payroll deliveries in a 71 El Camino. It only had a straight 6 but I thrashed on it as it was a company car and I was only 18. Will always hold a place in my heart!

[@philipjohnson2608]

Mike that is so freaking awesome. I'm so happy for your wife you two are just great people. Many blessings to You and a ton of fun.

[@nigeldmalone]

Tip on using ratchet straps you probably didn't know... Don't pull the strap tight before you start ratcheting, ratchet 2-3 loops in the ratchet before it tightens...it will NEVER loosen up on you when it's pinched around itself. When you pull all the slack out first, it actually slips in the ratchet and loosens

[@landroversforever]

Doing it that way will often mean you end up running out of room on the reel to get it properly tight. Always pull it tight first and never had a strap come loose.

[@jonellwanger7258]

@@landroversforever except the people who Designed AND Made the ratchet straps say to do the opposite of what you said, they are a friction hold. Pulling tight as you describe puts no tension for proper friction to work as intended. Leaving loose and then strapping tight as the first comment or said is correct.

[@landroversforever]

@@jonellwanger7258 Not any any instructions I've ever seen. Doing it the way I do, you always get enough turns on it anyway. It's far more likely to slip if the first layer isn't done under tension.

[@jonellwanger7258]

@@landroversforever far more likely to slip. 🤣🤣 I would love to see the controlled tests you did that the manufacturer hasn’t.

[@landroversforever]

If you know the basics about the capstan effect, its no use without tension. Show me some instructions from a manufacturer then? If you're happy doing it your way, carry on, who cares. I'll carry on doing it the way I and everyone I know does - with zero issues.

[@justinwatch]

If you buy a lemon you're supposed to make lemonade or you could just squeeze it in your Corona while you're on the Lake in Arizona.

[@Brian-wy7ts]

Try this to cure your starting problems. Before you start it cold press the accelerator pedal to the floor and back once to set the automatic choke then crank without pressing it at all. Once it starts give it a quick small press to set the fast idle and run for a minute before driving.

[@Blowinshiddup]

I learned to drive in my buddy's 76 Camaro. That and my mom's 79 Datsun 310. Yup, two different levels of awesome. Keep putting out content, Mike, and we'll keep watching!

[@JeffSlover]

So, was that Tom's Camaro promod from Race Week? He said he was on his last year driving it, and toward the end of the week said he was selling it. I hope so, that is an awesome car, and an awesome guy, so it would be cool to see it living on here!.

[@paulbow78]

The body lines look Camaro but I’m not sure. Really hope it is Tom’s car.

[@G_Money72]

We were raised in close proximity in close era! Amazing how each vehicle sparks me. I have said the exact same thing to my son “ just don’t be a jerk” I have been quietly searching for a mini truck. I have fond memories of being tossed out of the bed of one. And racing around in ours all over San Dimas CA. We have also relocated to out of the madness.

[@georgehernandez3030]

Honda! I’m so excited! Yay! Your wife has good taste, I had a later one like 10 years ago.

[@johndevries8536]

Take notes guys!.. always keep mama happy! Happy Mothers day to all you moms and single parent dads! Thanks for your videos!

[@witness1013]

If she was hot - maybe - in this case - nope!

[@vaibhavdlv]

Man Finnegan, hearing you say "Don't be a jerk", made me recall my father and made my eyes moist. He gave me so many good working tips about riding and driving, I'm a responsible guy on the road. I have ridden about 25K km on 2 wheels and 30K km in my own 4 wheels after starting just 4 years ago. Miss the old man, and miss the many rides we had together on his 100cc bike and me, the most excited kid to be on the backseat. Coming from a poor farmers family he worked hard and brought prosperity to the house, gave me an engineers education. Now I belong to higher middle class, own multiple 2-wheelers, couple of properties and a family car. But his thoughts and values keep me going on.

[@fordinpossession]

The Camaro look like a GM version of the Wreckrunner! Man are we lucky you survived that one and can bring us all the great content and info !

[@LauraK412]

That was a great video. Shows the love you have for your wifey. Looking forward to seeing what you guys do to it. My husband had this same car back around '91ish. It was the first stick I ever drove.

[@doczspec4502]

Wow I couldn't take my eyes off of this video. Well done sir! That rocked! 👍💯

[@winterzwolf1]

Had a classmate in High School that had the base in a 5 speed with boston acoustic stereo, alpine head unit...it was my dream for a while. No AC is rough, but such a sweet ride. Grats Finn on your big find.

[@Srauggie420]

Happy Mothers Day to all you hot rod moms! Great vid Don Finn!

[@lamarw9901]

I've known Robby for over 20 years, small world. He is enjoying his new home.

[@joeldanaher676]

You need pfi and boosted boyz they will make it right....😂

[@joeldanaher676]

@Little Miracles ok 👌 guy

[@Stacy-gf8pf]

Had the same thought!

[@waterloo123100]

Keep it original it’s so hard to find these in good shape

[@benjaminnolastnameforyou7938]

You can b swap or even h/f swap ones. I have seen many of both back in the day.

[@kevingoodrich5472]

I loved my 84 CRX, called it The Bean. Was just talking about it the other day. Enjoy the fun of a little CRX.

[@Wrenchingwithray]

That is awesome my man, keep the lady happy!

[@monroefive-o40]

My first car was a 1967 Camaro. In 1981, 6 months after I got my license, I flipped the car over a pasture fence showing off. Completely totaled the car. Wasn’t a straight body panel left on the car after that. I crawled out the passenger window with only a badly bruised elbow and some small glass cuts. Learned a very valuable lesson that day.

[@tyronestucker8980]

Don’t give that car to your kids until they are at least 40. It’s a family treasure.

[@ProblemChild-xk7ix]

It's far too nice for a first car.

[@supertoastboi3231]

actually but.

[@johnny22single99]

ABSOLUTELY----> OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!!!!. 🙂

[@alexigram2381]

Thanks Finnegan! That episode where you surprised your wife with the restored ElCo is excellent 😅

[@gregoryblair9810]

About 79 I bought a 69 El Camino with aftermarket ac. Loaded a Harley 3 wheel chopper, stereo system, skis, two boxes of clothing in the back, then mounted a Yamaha RD350 on the back bumper. Drove from Boise Idaho to Plentywood MT making 20+mpg at 65 mph.

[@delphipascal]

Modern cars are way safer Mike. I'd put my kids in a modern car every time.

[@HomebrewHorsepower]

This. It's not even close. The fact that people survived serious crashes in old iron is not evidence of their safety, it's just a fluke. Modern cars are so much safer it's ridiculous.

[@deathcab4booty]

I'd like to see the intersection of people who survived crashes in old cars and the people who started complaining about chronic pain a year or two down the road. In those old things, your body is what absorbs all the impact of the accident versus newer cars where the body of the car dissipates it across the structure.

[@YurtFerguson]

Lol i love your wife now. A real cultured lady to like a first gen crx. Odd little gokarts you can't help but love

[@Daisyduke419]

You and frieburger already had my support from all the wild builds on roadkill but you have my eternal support for including others aka they thems because theres fellas felletes and some that really dont fit in either category and I love all of us!!!! Hope someday I get to meet you and frieburger in person I feel like theres so much I can learn even with just a few moments of your time!!!

[@mickgrimes9078]

Finnegan said trans right?! LETS GOOOO

[@noisefuljoy]

A 63 Corvette pro Touring car would be righteous. AND- that clip of Mrs. Finn getting the Elco remains the best feels I ever got from any car show. Nothing even close.

[@epiphoneguy8392]

You're good people Finn. Nice vid.

[@fredrickblanco4798]

I had a 86 crx si when I was younger. Awesome little cars. Mine was a grey market car with the programmable fuel injection. Loved the car

[@boingkster]

A CRX? Hell yeah my man! Hope she loves it, good on you!

[@AbbStar1989]

I love seeing Bennys cars in Finnegans shop. So cool. Hello from Australia!

[@xXSlickNickXx757]

It's definitely a supra or 240sx is what I'm thinking. Definitely doesn't look like anything old school muscle like the 64 vette but I'm sure you'll do something cool with the 64.

[@REDRUMRx7]

I think it’s a Lexus LC

[@xXSlickNickXx757]

@@REDRUMRx7 I think it's something with a 2j

[@davidbergemann8095]

Yep, I also had a CRX. Great wee car. Mine ended up with twin pipes and twin DOHC bonnet (hood) bulges. So much fun

[@norcalray7182]

That car under the cover sure looks like one of the factory Camaro drag cars.

[@adamorsini4585]

Those aren't street legal.

[@jerrickmiller8128]

Depends on the state

[@user-neo71665]

@@jerrickmiller8128 The new COPO camaros didn't come with a VIN. While you can get one it's often a PITA esp when it's a full pro street build.

[@b.s.adventures9421]

All I can tell it’s Somethin late model. My first thought was Supra but I don’t know any details of the lines on those.

[@compt3ck]

My fist thought was a late model Camaro but its hard to tell since the cover was a little fluffed up.

[@dano9215]

My wife got rear ended while driving my 79 z28. The lady hit it so hard that it knocked the front headlights out of it. I just got finished putting a new engine in it. My wife and the small child were both unharmed. That car made me proud in more ways than one. Wish I still had her. Thank God I still have my wife.

[@mlsatke]

The El Camino would look even more awesome as a Nomad or Sedan Delivery.

[@justintime974]

Impeccable ambience..Finnegan you a G!

[@BestUnderPressure]

My very first car looked exactly like that CRX. I loved that car. I flipped it over as a 16 year old.

[@Brian-mp2mv]

My first rollover was January 31, 1986 1981 Dodge Challenger Mitsubishi Import. (Son’s first birthday, going for ice cream) 3 days after NASA’s Challenger on the 28th.

[@JP_RC_Trailers]

Love the CRX I brought my girlfriend a 1986 and we road trip from California to New York in 1991 it was a amazing trip car ran great thanks for a trip down memory lane

[@masterimages1]

I had a manual Blue CRX ( I think a 1986, bought from my sister who had it since it was new). I used it to work commute from South Denver to Colorado Springs for many years. Great gas mileage, ran forever. and only changed oil and tires. Traded for a 76 280Z that I continued to commute with (having many problems and tickets). Still wish I still had the CRX and my 73 Vega 4sp GT wagon I had in the Navy many years earlier. I was based in Hawaii, so the Vega just keep rusting away. Can you believe I actually spent money putting a header on the Vega's 4 cylinder engine. It sure did sound great.

[@Carstuff111]

Oh man, the El-Co looks GLORIOUS!

[@R1j0hn]

Lube those El-Co door hinges !

[@scuba-steve-82]

Mike's the type a guy, you could be at the shop with all day! And you actually wouldn't want to kick him in the teeth, by days end! 🤣💯🙏

[@gregoryhogeweide4121]

Did the exact same thing for my wife, 2004 Toyota Celica TRD. Totally worth it!!!!

[@sargefreedom1578]

Nice buy….Happy wife, happy life! You’re a good man Finnegan

[@bobthurston8451]

I spent 25 years as a state trooper. Unfortunately, I know firsthand that newer cars are safer than older cars. Modern cars are engineered to crumple upon impact not to mention all the rest of the safety equipment that goes into the inside of the vehicle. There is a KZbin video showing a head on crash between a 59 Bel Air and a 2009 Malibu. The test dummies in the older car showed fatal injuries. My first car was a 67 Chevelle SS, like most teenagers , I did some stupid stuff in that car. Looking at the photo from your crash, you are lucky to be alive. A foot further forward you may have been severely injured or worse. Keep your kids safe. There’s nothing worse than seeing a young life cut short. I enjoy watching your videos, keep up the good work.

[@user-pc8tb7hg1lHandlesRDumb]

Great video, emotions, philosophy, just a good, deep time.

[@wbball15]

Thanks for the recap and the teaser. Great to see Mrs. J having so much fun.

[@superado2k]

Ol' Jeffro and Mo's Speed Shop! Great guys and right around the corner from my office.

[@BrandonF601]

My first was a 66 el camino. Smoked a silverado in her when i was 16 with 3 of us in it eliminating the front. All fine. Several years later in my twenties, throttle hung for the second time in her life, danced it down the street and through a fire hydrant eliminating the right side to the frame, not a scratch on me. Now im 38 and she lives a quiet life partially restored on our farm. Awesome cars.

[@sb-st9ho]

Finn - Had same fun bidding on a C5Z06. Think I was more excited bidding on it than when we drove out to pick it up.

[@stuartmangold595]

as a 6'4" really heavy guy, I've got to say, the one time I rode in a CRX there was a surprising amount of leg room

[@jeremygresham327]

It’s amazing I live in Cartersville and work in Acworth and when you do the drives it’s all so familiar. Thanks for all the content.

[@beekeeper6109]

I was just about to say, I love your screen name and then you wife asked about it, Fat and Epithpa bands bring me right back to SoCal in the early to mid 90’s. When I was 18 in 91’, I moved from a small town right next to where Tony Angelo’s shop is now to Mission Beach San Diego. I relate to so much you talk about and in one if your box opening videos you mentioned NOFX and Fletcher’s comment and it warmed my heart.

[@scottgshomewrenching1352]

Congrats to your wife on her new ride. Please lube the door hinges on the Elco

[@maprow]

I had a 1985 CRX SI and then when that was stolen, I bought a 1988 CRX SI. Both with manual trans. Loved them both. Hope you and your wife enjoy your CRX as much as I did mine.

[@jamescarney2088]

I worked at a place that did crash testing, I've seen cars hit like. You are a lucky man Mike Finnegan

[@rlh4331]

I too had the dream of a C2 corvette. Last year I attended Mecum Kissimmee and sat in several "cars of my dreams", at 6'2 no way I could be comfortable in a C1 or C2. For now, I will stick with my 57 Chevy.

[@jamesflake6601]

You gotta love OG cars that demand ROYALTY. When you open the doors they pronounce themselves with "hear ye hear ye"

[@59ranchero]

the anniversary video was awesome, we have a 55 chevy 4 door that's been in the wife's family since 1955, i would love to restore it for her, even though she doesn't drive...gonna take many years to even get it close to the elco

[@claytonargo3085]

You OWE her elky some hinge oil. You should try to make hinge oiling easy. Since you live in GA you should probably do all the doors in your active fleet every year. I admire the way you care for your wife. Nice trip back in time! But some of the road trip might be cool. Excellent as usual!

[@jamesmower1852]

That is so cool to have a car that is that special to your wife and your family her shedding tears over the El Camino restoration is a beautiful thing I love the new CRX that is my dream car I would cry climbing into that for the first time you have many beautiful beautiful cars but for me the CRX takes the Cake is nothing like an easy to work on easy to tune Honda

[@JamesDunkle]

Hi there. Just wanted to say Hi from Pennsylvania. My name is James Dunkle and I'm a very big fan. Love the shows and keep up with all the Entertainment. God bless you and your family and your friends. 🤙

[@LstrO42]

Had the 85, exact color and everything...those cars are awesome

[@01FozzyS]

Well that was fun to watch. I'm always on BaT but just to peruse. I probably saw this CRX too when they featured it. Congrats Mrs. F!!

[@clintondavid525]

Mike, You are the man. For real I inspire to be abit like you.

[@shaunm9015]

That R4 AC Compressor on the elco can and does take r152a (Duster) without any real conversion needed. Did that to my 88 S10, works great.