News & Opinion - ThrottleHolic

The Curse of Fuel Efficiency [Everything’s a COMPROMISE]

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Yesterday, I drove a first-gen Yaris, acclaimed the world over for its fuel frugality. Being largely broke and struggling from paycheck to paycheck, I was looking for a daily driver that wouldn't burn right through my wallet. Since the major expense would be gasoline (I'm a competent DIY mechanic), ...

This Is Why Newer Cars Aren’t Better Vehicles (Generally)

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Newer cars aren't better vehicles, generally (and I say this boldly, without any fear of contradiction). But, on second thought, isn't newer better? Haven't we been told that the fewer miles a car has, the better its value is, potentially? Isn't it counterintuitive to even suggest otherwise? ...

7 Options That Need To Be Standard On Every New Car

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If you're not intentionally interested in an online detox, a feature phone with a monochrome display and no internet connectivity appears to be a deliberate attempt at self-torture. So, are these 7 options that should be standard on every new car (but are almost always not). With phones? This is...

Best Bi-Directional Scan Tool: One (1) Indisputable Winner…

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I was playing with one of my OBD II scan tools recently when it occurred to me that the tool in my hand wasn't just any professional scan tool with bi-directional capability: it was clearly the best bi-directional scan tool - and it was an undisputed winner. However, the concept of somethi...

Why I Chose the Ancel AD410: 11 Good (& Honest) Reasons

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If you've been reading my work here on ThrottleHolic (and elsewhere), you'd have noticed something by now: I venerate the Ancel AD410 code reader. I also recommend it widely for anyone looking for a reliable code reader that won't disappoint them. The important first question? Why I chose the An...

Best Used Luxury Car: 10 Reasons the 6th Gen Lexus ES Wins

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It's no longer news that I recently sold my trusty 2006 Lexus ES330 — the vehicle that started it for me full-time, as far as auto DIY is concerned. Since then, it's been very hard to get a respectable replacement, and finally, it just hit me hard that the 6th generation Lexus ES might be ...

The Challenge of Buying Bluetooth, App Powered Code Readers

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If you're a frequent reader of this website, you probably already know one thing already: I don't particularly love app powered code readers (or anything wirelessly operated, for that matter). Now, here's the thing: I make exceptions every now and then, and when a properly made scanner/code rea...

Are TopDon Scanners Any Good? A Mechanic Answers, Honestly

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Recently, a friend asked me: "Throttle, are TopDon scanners any good?" Without mincing words, I replied. However, when I thought about it, this question is one that many folks, especially vehicle owners interested in auto DIY and mechanic tools would have. So, I did what I normally do: I d...

TopDon TopScan Subscription Price: Is the Cost Worth It?

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I was having a chat with some fellow auto DIY friends when the issue of TopDon TopScan subscription price came up, after a few bottles of beer and a joke (challenging just about the mechanical proficiency of everyone on the table that evening). Despite the effect of the alcohol, there was an ac...

OBD II Bluetooth Scanners & Readers: How Reliable Are They?

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It's usually said that when/if something is cheap, there's a good reason for it. But, does that logic apply to OBD II Bluetooth scanners and code readers? Should the cheaper-than-usual price tags of the code readers and scanners push you away to more traditional (read: wired) options or should you g...