It’s a 2006 Scion hatchback, in really good condition except for a slow leak in one of the tires, and it hasn’t been driven in some time (but it still starts and stuff). They’re literally giving it to me for free.
Glad to see you won't freeze, and are getting one step closer to [the human right of] your own four walls.
As long as you have a place to park, a car gives you a position where most Americans respect your right to exist. Yeah it'll cost you per mile to move it, but it allows you to blend in, lock your things up, and lay low, in addition to going places, I hope will be a game-changer for you.
Owning a car is a significant expense. Insurance, registration, gas, deq. I understand this is a gift from the heavens, but be prepared to take ownership for what can become a costly responsibility.
This is actually part of why I wanted a car. To give me a reason to be responsible and get my shit together.
If you're handy or just curious, I recommend looking for an automotive repair manual for your specific car online. Sometimes you can find them for free and they have great info.
You should also look up the maintenance schedule and make a spreadsheet to keep track of what has been done and when maintenance items are due.
Because this car is new to you and you don't know the maintenance history, you would be wise to change all the fluids: oil, transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid. Change the oil filter and engine air filter. You can potentially do all this yourself with the repair manual and a few wrenches or you can have a shop do it. It's important to know how to use a torque wrench if you're going to install a transmission oil pan. It's important to know how to properly bleed brakes if you're going to change the brake fluid.
Congratulations on your new car.
take it to a tire shop and put a patch on the tire for $15-30 and keep up with regular maintenance on it! drive safe
I've plugged many tires with these kits and they work great. Just remember to read the instructions. You have to use the rubber cement as a lubricant to jam the tar stick into the hole you create with the gritty screwdriver thing.
Lube it up. Don't just try to cram it in there dry.
Lube it up. Don't just try to cram it in there dry.
advice for many situations
Awesome. I know a car or van has been high on your list for a while. I hope it works out comrade
What are we talking here, xA or xB? Either way, those are nice reliable, economical, and practical cars that will keep running until the heat-death of the universe.
Yay! Glad to hear it
Have you been able to test drive it at all yet? Hopefully it doesn't have any major issues, and registration/etc. isn't too pricey.
Great car, used to own one myself and it was super reliable. The tire is a minor issue probably, just make sure it’s not a bent rim that won’t hold air.
Good luck, drive safe!
Look up used tiers you might get lucky and find one with 90% tread that matches. Last time I did that they charged me like 20$ just for the tire. I still paid to get it balanced and mounted though.
