When It’s Time To Buy a New Car, Or Not Buy it at All

In this video I go over the things that will make a vehicle unroadworthy, or no longer worth investing into. It will also apply to a potential purchase if you’re considering buying a used vehicle. I hope this info helps you avoid a potential catastrophe.
My friends at TRQ let me use their studio and production staff to make this video for you. Thank you TRQ!
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Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. EricTheCarGuy assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. EricTheCarGuy recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not EricTheCarGuy®.

[@xXTECHxKNIGHTXx]

I grew up in the north, rust, rust, and more rust. We moved to to Texas and it absolutely blew my mind how clean 20 year old vehicles were. Granted we deal with other destructive sources, mainly the sun, paint and interiors are not so mint lol. But I would rather deal with paint fade and cracked dashes over a frame held together with hopes and dreams lmao.

[@user-tg1en2ll7z]

What's more weird to me is why there aren't more popular services that spray a rust prevention product on the metal frames and parts for cars.

[@Isaac-47517]

Texas coastal regions have probably more rust than up north due to the slight salinity in water vapor.

[@mindthependulum6245]

As a retired body man, I have to say that you hit all the important points in a very clear manner. Thank you Eric for the useful advice!

[@FixingWithFriends]

I have definitely seen some customers want to restore more extensive rust on less appealing vehicles. But it does not make it a good idea. hahaha "What do you mean it's going to be even more expensive?" "I told you, if it is this rusty on the outside, there is probably going to be more rust hidden behind"

[@K-Rivs]

Great to see a video again from you Eric! Was bummed to see you lose your awesome shop before. As a fellow grease monkey, I've been watching your videos for years and always enjoyed them. Hope you and your family are doing well and hope to see you on the tube full time again at some point!

[@FixingWithFriends]

I would love to help him out somehow, but... there's nothing really I can do aside from watch the videos (and the ads). ...Unless he wants to move up to Canada.

[@nutoriousclown4107]

Do you know why he lost his shop ?

[@K-Rivs]

He was renting and the landlord either sold the property or wouldn't renew the agreement. Big time bummer either way. Eric has always made great content.

[@Agent22817]

It sure was nice of Eric O to transport a 5 year old car from NY to you!

[@TheMaurob1979]

in NY they rot in only 5 years? i ve heard about salt and issues there

[@nicholasbragg8340]

@@TheMaurob1979it’s obvious in some poor quality cheaper 5> yo cars around here that they will be rotted out in another 10 but for the most part no

[@TheMaurob1979]

@@nicholasbragg8340 i telling you this becouse also here in the Netherlands is a big problem.. But usually takes 10 years or more.. For cars from early 2000 is thr end.. 100% is gonna be rot

[@Agent22817]

It was a joke folks

[@TheMaurob1979]

@@jalopy2472 and subaru the worst..

[@Jimmyminimoco]

Whenever you get a shop or workspace I want to bring you my pristine 1 owner Acura TL for some maintenance!!!

[@mubarakal-mansouri5979]

Am glad you are back, hopefully you get a new garage to start up your own videos.

[@crappysockpuppet]

Congratulations TRQ for getting Eric to participate in your videos. Eric is well spoken and an asset to the automotive repair community.

[@hydewhyte4364]

Almost every car I've owned has gone to the scrap yard with a perfect running engine, because I couldn't find anywhere solid enough to jack it up anymore.

[@bigsonarn]

Welcome back, Eric!!

[@ghostwrench2292]

Good video! I live in the desert, so rust is no concern for local cars. Still, last year I replaced my engine and now I’m doing a complete suspension refresh - bushings, dampers, etc…Either repair would technically total my car but I look at it like this: if I put that money as a down payment on a new car, I then have a car payment and higher insurance. If I put that money in a used car, I’ll probably still have maintenance repairs to get that car where my car is already. The paint and interior is all good, so I repair and enjoy my car with upgraded parts.

[@robertbell525]

Same here, keep a good car running. If the body is good, a new paint job can make it look new. The hard part for me would be damage to the dash, that would be hard to replace. Upholstery and such could be done for a couple thousand and have a nice interior.

[@jamesguralski5156]

Thanks again Eric! And thank you TRQ. Never had a bad part from TRQ... For the price of vehicles today. A frame swap may be cheaper than buy new!

[@tomc8157]

I saw some rust on my frame on my truck, no rot, just rust so tore it down to just a bare frame and sand blasted it and built it back up, like a brand new truck again.

[@andrewthompsonuk1]

I would also say that spending a few hours under your vehicle before it gets holes in the frame and treating rust with grease or non-setting rustproofing wax every 6 months will avoid all these issues.

[@emiliocarranza6674]

People are lazy or cheap to do rustproofing. Doing that will save thousands in repairs smh

[@SkylineFTW97]

I coat my cars with Fluid Film every fall. 2 cans runs me about $30-40 and takes maybe an hour for a thorough job. Also helps to find a car wash that handles your undercarriage. That'll blast the clumped up salt and dirt off the underside before it causes corrosion too.

[@mincraftisawsome1234]

Y’all are over the top with the rust proofing just wash the under carriage after every winter drive (salted roads) and you’re car will last 20+ years. (Assuming it’s a new car, if you bought a rust bucket to begin with then yes rust proof it)

[@SkylineFTW97]

@@mincraftisawsome1234 Nothing over the top about it, it's called doing your due diligence. I'd rather take a couple hours every fee months to cavity wax my car and have it outlive me than not do it and have rotted cab corners and rocker panels in 15 years.

[@SignalyardsGarage]

Nice to see you’re back doing videos again Eric! Wise advice! I wish my kid could have had this 3 years ago after buying an ‘04 GMC Canyon with a frame rusted as thin as paper. Listen to him folks! He’s right.

[@nicholasclark4079]

Hey Eric. Car wizard just did a video about cars that need $4000 worth of mechanical (non-body/frame) work and the car is only worth $8k and customers are just saying "do it all" because cars have gotten so expensive. People aren't going to buy a $60k vehicle and spend $1k a month if they can just throw $4k at their current ride and keep going. I know it's a lot more complex than just that statement but it makes a lot of sense to keep your ride on the road as long as it is in safe condition.

[@jblyon2]

Sadly here in the rust belt some things just can't be fixed, regardless of how good the rest of the car is. Most structural issues, especially on unibody vehicles, simply cannot be repaired without compromising the safety of the vehicle. Any body shop or mechanic that tells you they can repair unibody damage is flat out lying and endangering you.

[@tdgdbs1]

Just spent that much on my 2002 Toyota Sienna; complete timing belt job and 4 struts/ball joints. It ought to last me another 90K miles, small price to pay for a reliable vehicle.

[@FixingWithFriends]

@nicholasclark4079 Yeah... I can certainly relate to that, my cousin just bought a 10 year old car for ~$15,000. Which is ridiculous. I know you can find better deals if you are more flexible on the age, but... If your car works, or can work for less than a couple grand (and especially if you can repair it), just keep dumping money into that pit I guess🤷‍♀... *Unless more expected repairs are expected soon.

[@ericthecarguy]

I believe I covered that at the end of the video. Thanks for your comment.

[@madmatt2024]

@@jblyon2 Um, wrong. There are repair procedures outlined in the body manuals for unibody vehicles. Body shops wouldn't get nearly as much work if they couldn't repair unibody structure.

[@ILOVEBACONBOY2018]

This channel rocks! Cars are going a lot more these days, its almost makes sense to put 2k or 3k in a vehicle if itll make it last for a couple years.

[@FixingWithFriends]

Sadly yes. Unless it is unreliable garbage in the first place. I know a guy who replaced an engine, and a few transmissions on a Pontiac Montana... it was only a few years old at the time.

[@Ottonic6]

Nice to see you again Eric. You're a legend, and we've missed you,,

[@Rakki_Haitatsu]

Eric you are THEE master mechanic! I've been watching your videos since I was 22, I'm 36 now. I've heard a wealth of knowledge from watching your videos and just want to say thank you and God bless!

[@johnreid859]

Good video for buying used vehicles. Thanks.👍

[@Brian-vh7gb]

Good to see you back making vids! Missed the content!

[@jdub8766]

Thanks Eric. You're the man who inspired me to start trying to fix my own vehicles whenever possible. I hope Rosedale Tech was a good experience for you.

[@wrecktec]

I'm glad these videos are made to inform people about the damage rust does. In my experience, labor time on a frame swap (done several myself on Chevy Silverados) is usually around 30-40 hours. I'm in a collision repair setting, but have done a couple strictly from rust damage. I'm a big fan of your videos. Great content!

[@Tobi-kr1yp]

Is it worth changing out the frame and how much would it run?

[@wrecktec]

@@Tobi-kr1yp kinda depends on what you’d have to pay for a good used frame and what someone is willing to charge you to do it. Most cases I’m guessing around $5k give or take.

[@mromatic17]

well if you're paying like $110 an hour for labor and its 40 hours thats like 4800 just in labor with taxes. the used frame is probally gonna be 500-2k so you're looking at 6-7k or a mechanically totalled truck!

[@falkononskiis4549]

This was such a nice watch! Thank you Eric!

[@georgewelker853]

The best way to avoid rust is to buy a rust free car from outside the rust belt. Anything in the rust belt will be a problem 😢

[@GodfatherJAM]

We had one where Carfax was clean and still under factory. but open the side passenger door and hinge nuts were worn over, and inside panel on that side was a little lose, overflow hose had worm drive clamps under 30,000 miles, same side had a wheel clunk when you top the suspension out in the strut. Years later, had a four wheel alignment done and the technician pulled me back. showed us to what extremes he had to dial things in to make it straight.

[@haleysdad2004]

Good to see you Eric! Thanks for the thoughtful content!

[@BikesCarsAndSake]

Thank you for an excellent video! We always enjoy watching you go over important topics.

[@paperandmedals8316]

A rusted frame is a junk car here in Arizona. I’ve run into more than one mechanic that’s moved to Arizona because they were done with working on cars with rusted bolts and nuts costing them money.

[@imcttunome]

Great to see you here in some capacity, Eric. Best wishes to you and yours in all of your endeavors!

[@donaldhewitt100]

If you see that expanding foam just walk away … it holds moisture and will rust your car right out ! And it’s a pain in the ass to get it all out

[@carguy3028]

I would worry about rust holes in the floor compromising the structure of the body in an accident. I have restored a car and seen how it all ties together, nothing is very strong on its own but together make a sound structure, when part of it is rusted it’s not sound anymore.

[@screamcheese2464]

I'm happy you're posting more! I've missed new content! Keep on keeping on and have a wonderful day!

[@rasalcedo5679]

Good samaritan out there I say GOD BLESSED THEM with their good work helping DIY.

[@machineman6498]

When it’s time to not buy the car: when it has a college sticker from a rust state. Dirt poor college student isn’t thinking maintenance is a high priority. Plus my 50 year old project in the driveway also spent time on salt covered New Hampshire roads and the rust is legendary.

[@dansandler217]

@EricTheCarGuy Glad to see you back in action!!!

[@dapperdanbuilds]

Glad to see ya!

[@HarmanMotorWorks]

Great to see more videos Eric 😎

[@penrodautorepair3170]

Never touch a flood car

[@SkylineFTW97]

Not never, but it should be left to those who know what they're doing. I as a mechanic can inspect a flood car and perform the necessary preventative maintenance to keep one reliable, but the average Joe wouldn't.

[@ComblessMan]

It's always good to see you Eric.

[@MasterBait1]

Hey! Great to see you back!

[@Elvis35-77]

Nice to see you buddy. Sending love to you and yours from Glasgow, Scotland!👍

[@SlurpTheFoxHole]

Excellent video, Eric! Keep up the great work!

[@LucidOne8]

Good to see you!

[@lorenzobrown6079]

Great seeing you again!!!

[@LuwiigiMaster]

Man that rust is nothing, here in New Jersey this particular truck would be legally classified as 'garage kept'!

[@diegopalomino1200]

Glad to have you back Eric! Welcome back.

[@Driago4]

Good to see you again Eric! Been subscribed ForEVER

[@jrodjared]

Glad to see you back!

[@MrSamPhoenix]

Happy to see Eric back in action!

[@jeesmith99]

Eric, any video of yours makes me happy. This is a good way to start a long week.

[@astrogate1]

Great to see you back on Eric! I hope to some more of your excellent videos in the near future! God bless!!

[@mr.gutwrench]

Of course you wouldn't buy one like that unless it's at scrap metal price. But if you already own one the DOT should allow you special "poverty" exemption liecense plate to warn other drivers to not follow too close. Have to abide by certain rules like: no trailer towing, no more than 12# in the bed, no driving during rush hours, no passengers under 18 y.o., no driving faster than 45mph and must pull over to pick up any parts that fall off.

[@gabrielscafidi4262]

You’re a brave man walking under that vehicle!

[@kevinx2248]

hey Eric!, missed your videos. I'm happy to see them again.

[@adamzan7]

Here in Ontario I've had to plate up the frames of several vehicles. What ends up happening if you don't do the entire side is it will rust then crack just on the outside of your repair. Never had an issue passing inspection with the frames I've welded, though.

[@Portuguese-linguica]

Great information Eric . Thanks for sharing.

[@user-fl3ey6pe6k]

thank for breaking it all down. hope to see more from you, thanks

[@wolleysegap9740]

Nice to see you back Eric ! 👍

[@johns6284]

Good to see you back. Keep the videos coming.

[@jtjones4727]

Man I'm glad I don't live anywhere near the rust belt. Down here in Alabama, sometimes we go years without ever having a single application of road salt put down. My daily driver car is a '98 model Honda, which is kind of a project car for me. But underneath, it still looks almost brand new. It doesn't have a single spot of rust anywhere.

[@runwillrobinson]

Thanks for good advice!

[@peterwilliams4734]

Another great video by ITCG. What I was waiting for you to say that both cars are in really good condition for restoring if money wasn't an issue and you wanted to repair it for sentimental reasons or if it had some worth like or maybe a collectable. I have seen cars come back from the dead restored to like new.

[@amak1131]

With current prices, if there isn't frame damage it may be worth doing repairs. How often are you going to drop a few thousand in big repairs vs. paying several hundred a month in a car payment? Given I luckily don't get much rust in my area, I'm of the mind drive it into the ground.

[@fordmuscleluis9710]

Glad you back Eric it's awesome to go to TRQ Shop

[@ajuggas]

good video......1 thing I do if doing the screwdriver tapping is also listen to the sound. you will also hear if its not solid

[@adam_sweeney]

Lots of info, thanks for the video.

[@brendanmurphy2919]

Great surprise to see you on the feed! Hope you’re feeling rested and refreshed Eric!

[@johnknox5692]

nice to see you, great video

[@JamesAnthonyL-88]

Nice video. Great to see you back!!!

[@jamiemajerick91]

I am glad to see you again sir!

[@AddyAdderson]

This is exactly how a pest inspector checks a house. Great video, Eric.

[@stevehenry2142]

Good to see you again.

Rust holes in the body are a structural problem if you get in an accident... Also, I'd use something bigger and heavier than a screwdriver to poke the frame with. 😁

[@isalmankhan1]

Man we miss you on KZbin, hoping to see more video's😍 Thanks for sharing, Stay Safe😍

[@jaguars08221]

As a Honda Element owner the first thing to check is the underside for rust especially on northern cars where it snows. They are know to rust if you don’t wash off the salt layed down in the road.

[@Jeroen74]

One time I jacked up my car, but the car didn't go up. I already knew it passed annual inspection that year just barely due to structural rust... so that was the moment I decided I had enough of it and it needed to go :) I actually sold it back to the previous owner for a reasonable sum who wanted it just for the engine.

[@idrisddraig2]

Yup, done that one more than one car, jack thorugh the sill.

[@nknasi]

yep, the old crunch of doom

[@robscott4346]

Ericthecarguy, I watched your videos pulling a motor out of an S10 pickup. I followed those step by step to rebuild my motor and get it back on the road. 210,000 miles with stock, original 2.2l engine and original transmission. Thank you!

[@peterpowell6168]

Thanks for your videos 👍

[@thomasmiller1135]

Let me quote Edna Mode: "My God You've Gotten Fat!" Nice to see you again. 😁

[@acwright]

It's nice TRQ / 1A auto(?) let you use their space. Props to them. Tell Len, "`whats up?"

[@Keith_the_travelling_mechanic]

Luv all your tool boxs

[@jenseninterceptors]

Glad youre back man

[@adamsears1403]

I had to call it on my 2006 Silverado due to frame damage due to rust. I thought I just needed body mounts. Once they put it on the lift the shop owner called me over. Best frame repair/replace shop in Indianapolis said it's not even worth a repair. Replace the frame if I truely love the truck or replace the whole truck. Due to it being atleast a $8K replace and probably more I traded it in.

[@rasalcedo5679]

Very helpful thanks👍

[@ryanhedges7665]

Love your videos mate..

[@AGuysGarage]

Good to see you posting Eric. Been a fan forever and 63 days ; P

[@isaacplaysbass8568]

Good video, awesome Eric.

[@caddieman4ever]

Thank you for tip. 👍🏽👍🏽

[@wolleyreikivalley]

Eric, you and TRQ/1A Auto have become my life blood since acquiring a 3G TL in need of love, you guys teaming up is amazing, I am in MA if you guys want another TL to work on / talk about

[@kevinftw16]

My favorite car ever my 2004 Acura TL 6 speed manual. Reliable for the most part unless the previous owner neglected it

[@johnburrows7938]

It’s good to see you, you make excellent content and have been missed.

[@s0nnyburnett]

Good to see you again Eric.

[@obxmay]

Great to see you back in action! Hey, when you do get your shop running, I'd like to bring my Accord to you for a valve adjustment. Not sure I can trust my local shops to do it correctly.

[@jr-pl9kj]

there's also a thing called being overly safe and making things not appear as bad as they really are, its called "boosting for money" a lot of car shops tend to do this just to make money and rip people off. sure the frame is rusted but its not as bad and it doesnt need replacement, small rust holes are nothing, however that frame crack needs repair. and should be the only thing looked into and brought to a customer's attention, plus its an old truck and eventually it will be scarped due to powertrain failure or the owner will decide sooner or later to get a new vehicle anyways, plus there are ways to slow or save the frame from further damage too.

[@ryand4786]

Eric !!! Nice to see you making videos again !

[@rasalcedo5679]

You Eric watching your video's on how to DIY. Very helpful even on how to buy cars. Great Eric👍👍👍❤

[@hambonerodriguez4163]

Man! I love to see a new ETCG vid on here.

[@FULLTHROTTLEAUTO]

Great to see a video again! Can't wait for more.

[@acanfield87]

Timely video for me! Looking at benching our 08 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Too many rust, electrical, drive train, and other issues to keep up with.

[@gsxellence]

Love the new collaboration 🤗💪💯

[@CouchMan88]

It’s possible Toyota might actually replace the frame on that truck under warranty. I have heard of Lexus and Toyota replacing parts over 20 years later because of manufacturing issues. If you were at that point I guess it’s worth a try before junking it.