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"Why Not? The Simple Decision That Saves You Thousands on Your Car"

"Why Not? The Simple Decision That Saves You Thousands on Your Car"

Car Connection Workshop Mar 25, 2026 60 min
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About this episode

Niall Motormouth Jenkins rants (with humor) about wrong drive-thru orders, then pivots to the “why not” mindset: stop living in car ownership uncertainty and start spending strategically to keep older vehicles running. He shares hard-earned lessons from decades as a service tech, argues that paid-for cars can be “money in the bank,” and highlights a key tech tip—Nissan CVT owners should change transmission oil every 50,000 km. The show also pushes financial planning (Tony Miele, Larry Tito) and community support while previewing weather and upcoming Q&A.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Concept

horsepower

"[8.7s] I'm your host, Niall Motormouth Jenkins, coming to you straight from the Car Connection workshop, where we mix a little humor, a little know-how, and a whole lot of horsepower."

Horsepower is a way of describing how much power the engine can make. More horsepower usually means more performance, but it’s not the only thing that matters.

Concept

service tech

"[78.2s] I've been around 44 years as a service tech, got licensed in 1988, started in the industry at 13 years of age."

A service tech is the person who works on cars at a shop. They figure out what’s wrong and fix it, ideally before small issues turn into big, expensive ones.

Concept

drive-through

"It got to the point. I got so fed up of getting the wrong order at the same takeout window from the same people that see you every day... [290.5s] I went through the same drive through same time in the morning, three days in a row, and I got three orders incorrect and that's when I go. That's it. I'm done."

A drive-through is when you order food and pick it up without getting out of your car. They’re talking about getting the wrong order repeatedly at the same place.

Term

mileage (kilometers)

"If you're wanting to know about your automobile some of the basic fundamentals that will move you down the road for 300,000 400,000 5600,000 kilometers without an issue. [513.5s] Well I shouldn't say that. There are going to be issues..."

They’re talking about how many kilometers a car can go. The idea is that with good care, a car can last a really long time.

Concept

older vehicle

"Well I shouldn't say that. There are going to be issues but if you follow my lead I can tell you right now the stress of owning an older vehicle and someone telling you well you know it's not worth more than 500 bucks I wouldn't bother putting any more money into it. [530.2s] Really that's you. That's not my household."

They’re talking about owning an older car and whether it’s worth spending money on it. The point is that sometimes maintaining an older car is still the smart move.

Term

principal and interest

"We wouldn't be getting in over our head getting a car on charge and paying principal and interest and then doing it again in six years."

When you make a car loan payment, part goes to paying back the original amount (principal) and part goes to the bank’s fee for lending you the money (interest).

Car

1999 Honda Civic DX

"Yeah, I'll be firing up the 1999 Honda Civic DX. I've let it sleep this winter. And it does need one. I noticed there's some bubbles. It's going to need a little bit of cosmetic surgery and I'm not going to let it get away."

This is a Honda Civic from 1999, in the DX trim. The point is that it’s better to fix small problems now instead of waiting until they get expensive.

Concept

fix it before it does extensive damage

"See, folks, that's the way you have to look at it. You go. Yeah, it's got a problem. Let's get that taken care of before it does extensive damage and it's gone."

The big message is: don’t wait. If you deal with a small problem early, it usually costs less than letting it grow into something serious.

Term

dry rusted spots underneath

"And this van is a 2010. And structural wise, it's flaky. It's got some dry rusted spots underneath, but no perforations."

This sounds like rust that hasn’t fully eaten through the metal yet. If it’s still “dry” and not perforated, it’s usually easier and cheaper to fix.

Term

perforations

"And this van is a 2010. And structural wise, it's flaky. It's got some dry rusted spots underneath, but no perforations."

Perforations are when rust has gone all the way through the metal. That’s when repairs usually get much more involved.

Car

Dodge Caravan

"...you could go into you pull it St. Catherine's I could take you there and pull two fenders off a dodge caravan in there that are factory metal. The fenders that are on there, they were replaced with cheap offshore Chinese made sheet metal and that stuff doesn't last."

They mention a Dodge Caravan because it’s a common donor vehicle for parts. The takeaway is that using better-quality factory-style parts can prevent the same rust problems from returning.

Concept

you pull it yard

"...you could go into you pull it St. Catherine's I could take you there and pull two fenders off a dodge caravan in there that are factory metal."

A “you pull it” yard is where you go to a junkyard and take the parts off cars yourself. It can save money compared to buying new parts.

Term

factory metal fenders

"...pull two fenders off a dodge caravan in there that are factory metal. The fenders that are on there, they were replaced with cheap offshore Chinese made sheet metal and that stuff doesn't last."

They’re talking about original-style metal fenders from the factory. The idea is that better-quality panels last longer and fit better.

Term

rattle can

"...seal it off some fiberglass and spritz it down using using you know rattle can who cares. And you got yourself a van still 2010."

“Rattle can” is spray paint from a can. They’re describing a cheaper DIY way to cover and protect a repaired area.

Concept

rust proofing

"And you got yourself a van still 2010. It's got a hundred and some 1000 K on it. Is it a piece of junk? No, throw some rust proofing on there down the road you go. Five more years. Done. But it's a mindset."

Rust proofing is a protective coating that helps stop rust from coming back or spreading. It’s meant to keep the vehicle from deteriorating so fast.

Concept

planned obsolescence

"If you make it five years, it's called planned obsolescence folks. This is the car game, and I am the car guy, and I am a really good player."

Planned obsolescence means the product is basically set up to not last as long as it could. The goal is to make you replace it sooner.

Term

CVT transmission

"And there are some things. If you're Nissan Rogue owners, you had better love that CVT transmission and set up a chair in the living room to watch movies and eat popcorn and cold snacks."

A CVT is a type of automatic transmission that doesn’t use fixed gears like a normal automatic. It uses a belt system, so it needs the right maintenance to keep it healthy.

Concept

throwing parts at them

"I'll tell you what, these vehicles, two to five years old right now. Good luck. You're going to be throwing parts at them with the parts can and then seriously if you can make it the structural integrity."

This means replacing parts one by one hoping it fixes the problem. It can get expensive because you might not actually be fixing the real cause.

Term

Reynolds aluminum wrap

"Like I said before, if they make a body metal any thinner, you'll be driving with Reynolds aluminum wrap on your vehicle to fix it. It's so thin, it only has one side."

They’re joking that the metal is so thin it’s like you’d need foil to fix it. The real message is that thin metal can make repairs harder and less durable.

Term

odometer

"Take a look at the odometer. Wow, we almost have 200,000 on it. That's a pretty good shake. The alternator lasted 200,000 so you got to put another one on."

The odometer is the mileage counter on the dashboard. Higher mileage often means parts have been used longer, so it helps you estimate wear.

Part

alternator

"Take a look at the odometer. Wow, we almost have 200,000 on it. That's a pretty good shake. The alternator lasted 200,000 so you got to put another one on."

The alternator keeps the battery charged and powers the car’s electrical system while you drive. If it fails, the car may stall or won’t start.

Term

shifter

"Almost put the TJ through 16 foot bay door. I didn't expect that to happen and then I had to grab the shifter and pull in neutral, jam my foot on the brakes."

The shifter is what you move to choose gears. If the car isn’t behaving right, putting it in neutral can help you regain control and avoid damage.

Term

neutral

"Almost put the TJ through 16 foot bay door. I didn't expect that to happen and then I had to grab the shifter and pull in neutral, jam my foot on the brakes."

Neutral is when the car isn’t connected to the wheels through the transmission. It can help you stop safely if something goes wrong.

Term

jalopy

"...do something about the jalopy and get it fixed up for and keep it and it's paid for."

“Jalopy” just means an old, kind of rough car. They’re saying even if your car isn’t perfect, you should still take care of it instead of ignoring problems.

Concept

budgeting and setting money aside

"That money gets set aside. Whatever right now you can save on that money gets set aside. It doesn't. You don't go buy stuff."

They’re saying don’t spend that money on random stuff—save it instead. Having savings set aside helps you handle car repairs without panicking.

Term

rust protection

"Yesterday we talked about rust protection. If you didn't catch that podcast, I would recommend you share that with your family and friends because those fellas and fellas that don't think rust rust protection is a worthwhile effort."

Rust protection is how you stop your car from getting rusty. It helps keep the body from corroding so you don’t end up paying for major repairs later.

Concept

fleet maintenance system

"So with all that said, that's why I've rebuilt and laminated a reusable car connection fleet maintenance system that makes it so simple. It's pathetic."

A fleet maintenance system is a checklist-style way to keep vehicles serviced on time. Even if you’re not running a business fleet, the idea is the same: don’t guess—track and schedule.

Term

prevention vs repair cost

"Because here's what I've learned in 44 years. A $200 part and $200 complete would have fixed and prevented a $5,000 repair."

The point is that small repairs done early are cheaper than waiting until something breaks badly. Fixing the problem before it gets worse saves money.

Concept

pre-owned vehicle

"So if you or someone you know needs to find that pre-owned vehicle, that's where I would definitely tell you you need to shop. Forget this new stuff, you need to find something 8, 10 years old with low mileage and top quality."

They’re saying you’ll often save a lot by buying a used car instead of a brand-new one. If you pick the right used car (not beat up, low miles), it can still last a long time.

Company

City Auto Sales and Leasing

"You'll find those vehicles at City Auto Sales and Leasing because my good friends, Earl Louis Grant, they are car guys and they've been in the biz going on 25 years..."

This is the dealership the host recommends. They’re saying City Auto Sales and Leasing helps people find good used cars and can help with financing.

Concept

engine's good, the transmission's good

"So now you have something that's solid to work with, but if what you presently have is solid and the engine's good, the transmission's good, then you're there."

They’re saying if the engine and the transmission are working well, the car is probably a good one to keep. Those parts are expensive to fix, so it matters a lot.

Concept

in-house financing

"So check out City Auto Sales and Leasing, greater Toronto area's premier pre-owned auto store, they're there for you, they won't let you go out the door, car broke and they have in-house financing and leasing."

In-house financing is when the dealership helps you get the loan. It can be easier, but you should still check the interest rate and total price so you don’t overpay.

Concept

fixer-uppers

"They don't sell any junk, any fixer-uppers, Earl and Louise, they know what they're interested in providing and that is quality vehicles."

A fixer-upper is a car that needs work. The speaker is saying they don’t want to sell cars like that—because it can cost you more later.

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