October 6, 2022
The old Chrysler Town and Country Throwback Thursday #TBT post triggered my archiving of another old automotive photo of Brenda’s beloved 1998 Toyota Rav4. Having own that small ute with a surprisingly large interior for so many miles (265K) and so many years (18), it may be one of the best vehicles we have ever […]
Filed under: Archive, Automotive, Memories, Personal, Photos, TBT by RichC | No Comments »
Tags: brenda, Rav4, taylor, TBT, throwback, thursday, toyota
March 19, 2020
Every once in a while MyDesultoryBlog’s “Year(s) Ago On This Day" script pops up something that shocks me. It is hard to believe we donated Brenda‘s 1998 Toyota Rav4 back in 2016? It does not seem that long … but "life moves pretty fast …" as the Ferris Bueller line goes. So I’ll repost one […]
Filed under: Automotive, Blogs, Personal, Photos, TBT by RichC | No Comments »
Tags: blog, ferris bueller, mydesultoryblog, Rav4, TBT, throwback, thursday, toyota
April 12, 2016
We found out a couple things Monday … first, the Raspberry Pi garage camera seems to be working just fine after tweaking a few thing while experimenting in the house, albeit the video is a bit delayed (15 seconds maybe ???). So far so good with video … next to get some motion detection so […]
Filed under: Automotive, Personal, Raspberry Pi, Technology by RichC | 1 Comment »
Tags: brenda, camera, raspberry pi, Rav4, security, toyota, ustream
March 24, 2015
While doing a little garage work this past weekend (removed snowblower from the John Deere) I crawled under Brenda’s dented and bruised 270,000 mile 1998 Toyota Rav 4 (Links 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6). Besides repairing an exhaust hanger and heat shield, I spotted a leak in the power steering and inspected a […]
Filed under: Automotive, Personal, Photos by RichC | 1 Comment »
Tags: brenda, Rav4, rust, toyota
November 23, 2014
For those of us driving older cars already having their share of bumps and bruises … we face a dilemma when a new door dent appears AND we see the person who did the “dinging.” That’s what happened to my wife the other day and she confronted the lady who’s door blew into Brenda’s Toyota […]
Filed under: Automotive, Personal, Photos by RichC | No Comments »
Tags: brenda, damage, dent, ding, Rav4, repair, toyota
April 1, 2012
My wife’s aging Toyota Rav4 has been a totally reliable car since 1998 and it is hard to complain when a part or two needs to be replaced after quarter million miles. Thankfully the little SUV was designed in a way that accessing the fan motor was pretty easy, so a few screws to remove […]
Filed under: Automotive by RichC | 2 Comments »
Tags: Rav4, toyota
July 26, 2011
After spending the weekend cleaning and “rebending” our Brenda’s bumped and bruised Toyota Rav4 into to some semblance of its former self … it now has a new piece of glass (opted for the $191.25 “real thing” rather than tacky Plexiglas). I can highly recommend Rich at Kiss Auto Glass for his quick service and […]
Filed under: Automotive, Personal, Photos by RichC | 2 Comments »
Tags: Rav4, repair, toyota
July 24, 2011
It was a hot Saturday to be working on the Toyota Rav4, but I figured it was best to use the extra day just in case there was a complication. Instead of having the insurance company fix our car, we have opted to go the salvage title route and accepted the insurance company’s check after […]
Filed under: Automotive, Personal, Photos by RichC | 2 Comments »
Tags: Rav4, repair
July 7, 2011
EDIT: Adding insurance photos over the weekend. All is well with Brenda after she was rearended tonight, but unfortunately her much loved Rav4 didn’t fare as well. As if the damage wasn’t enough, the age and 240,000 miles has me wondering how the repair will be handled. Besides the rear window, the rear door, spare […]
Filed under: Cellphone, Misc, Personal, Photos by RichC | No Comments »
Tags:
May 9, 2010
My wife’s aging 1998 Toyota Rav4 has been a great car for 215,000 miles. We’ve had minimal maintenance over the years and although it is showing signs (and has been) of heavy use, it’s still running strong. The Rav4 has offered both my kids a good platform to “learn to drive” and has seen its […]
Filed under: Audio, Automotive, Humor, Personal, Photos by RichC | 1 Comment »
Tags: brakes, miami, mp3, oxford, Rav4, taylor, ticket, toyota
November 2, 2023
An older video popped up on on of the cloud archive sites for one reason or another last month (don’t recall), and after quickly glancing at it, decided it was worth including for a Throwback Thursday #TBT. The short clip was Brenda driving to work in her 1998 Toyota Rav4 and was from 2011. It […]
Filed under: Automotive, Memories, Personal, TBT, Video by RichC | No Comments »
Tags: brenda, driveway, house, mp4, october, Rav4, TBT, toyota
September 18, 2022
Who hasn’t needed to repair, or re-repair, a broken piece of furniture? In today’s world, most furniture, as well as other items, are throw-away after they break, but there are still a few of us who enjoy getting the last few useable years out of a well worn piece of furniture. My like-minded son-in-law showed […]
Filed under: Advice, How-To, Misc, Photos, Woodworking by RichC | No Comments »
Tags: dowels, furniture, glue, project, Rav4, repair, repairs, table, titebond, workshop
May 20, 2021
Car clubs and automotive aficionados have been getting together for years to talk about their vehicles with like minded folks. For my dad it was his local “in-person” Vint Car Club, car shows and museums. For me it started as just a couple friends working on restorations or rebuildable salvaged junkyard cars … then evolved […]
Filed under: Automotive, Memories, TBT, Volkswagen by RichC | No Comments »
Tags: 4runner, cars, clubs, dadc, favorites, forums, graph, groups, Rav4, sales, station wagon, TBT, tdi, tdiclub, throwback, thursday, toyota, vint cars
January 14, 2021
While shuffling through a bunch of old scans and photos and uploading stuff to my Miami University .EDU Google Drive account for free cloud storage after downgrading my subscription to OneDrive (they refused to renew the 1TB of space at my previous 4-years of discounted service), I ran across the window sticker from my black […]
Filed under: Archive, Automotive, Memories, Misc, Personal, Photos, TBT by RichC | No Comments »
Tags: 4runner, cars, condo1718, dadh, family, great white whale, TBT, throwback, toyota
May 15, 2020
If all goes well, my weekend project on the 2010 BMW X5 35d will be a new blower motor, just as with the old Toyota RAV 4. This past winter has been irritatingly challenging since the squeaky motor bearings have acting up, although sporadically. As the weather warmed and the wear continued, the “only on […]
Filed under: Automotive, BMW, Photos by RichC | No Comments »
Tags: bearings, blower motor, BMW, fan, groan, noise, procrastination, repair, replacement, service, squeal, x5 35d
March 21, 2019
My friend Jeff Pitts has been my closest friend ever since our college years at Ohio Northern University (also the only guest blogger so far). Besides college, he was on my bachelor party trip, years and years of hiking and camping … including a great trip to the Canadian Rockies with my son Taylor, who has […]
Filed under: Automotive, Friends, Humor, Memories, Personal, Photos, TBT by RichC | No Comments »
Tags: amateur, brenda, careers, college, computers, florida, friends, jeff pitts, jeffp, onu, radio, Rav4, samurai, suzuki, toyota
September 28, 2016
Thanks Tim for sending me the video from the Mr. Godwrench service day in Jackson, Kentucky (last week’s post). It was great to see the good times and teaching moments … both "hands-on" car maintenance and emulating what it is to have a Christian heart … and I’m sure it felt good for the givers […]
Filed under: Automotive, Faith, Video by RichC | No Comments »
Tags: christianity, godwrench, happy church, Rav4, service, tim ellison
September 24, 2016
We are humbled to call Tim Ellison of Mr. Godwrench our friend. A few years ago when he started his automotive repair business I knew his unabashed and outspoken Christian "modus vivendi" was attractive to me, so I quickly promoted his automotive services and did as much business with him as I could. Due to […]
Filed under: Automotive, Faith, Friends, Local by RichC | No Comments »
Tags: car, charity, christian, godwrench, ohio, Rav4, repair, service, tim ellison, west chester
July 11, 2016
Spent a few hours under our 2010 BMW X5 35d this weekend to finish up the rust treatment and before reinstalling the shields and skidplate. The procedure was the same as I used on the old Mercedes 300D Turbodiesel, Skyco’s Oxypho, except the BMW only has a little light rust on the frame. I’m really […]
Filed under: Automotive, BMW, Diesel by RichC | 1 Comment »
Tags: BMW, exhaust, miracle, oxypho, paint, rust, x5 35d
November 27, 2015
There is something about mirrors, garage doors and Brenda that do not get along. This time it was pulling into the garage, not backing out – I’m suspecting her weak left arm??? Unfortunately the flexing or snapping was so hard that it also broke the driver’s window. Wow! Thankfully, Rich at Kiss Autoglass was able […]
Filed under: Automotive, Personal, Shopping by RichC | No Comments »
Tags: broken, ebay, honda, parts, pilot, repair, window
November 7, 2015
I took “Brenda’s” car on its first road trip this week without asking while making calls in NE Ohio – whoops?!?! It sure was an enjoyable car to drive … too bad it replaces her 1998 Toyota Rav4 and not my 2006 Honda Pilot. Jealously aside, I was anxious to see just what kind […]
Filed under: Automotive, BMW, Diesel, Personal, Photos by RichC | 1 Comment »
Tags: 300d, BMW, diesel, honda, mpg, pilot, Rav4, toyota, x5 35d
October 26, 2015
I picked up Brenda's 2010 BMW X5 35d on Friday night and started tinkering with it this weekend (yes, my wife's — bummer! — but her 1998 Rav4 needed to be replaced). She absolutely fell in love with the panoramic sunroof (see below) and didn't seem to mind the “many” creature comforts either. There were […]
Filed under: Automotive, BMW, Diesel by RichC | No Comments »
Tags: blogsy, BMW, diesel, Rav4, SUV, toyota, x5 35d
May 30, 2014
Q: What’s interesting about this list? A: Half are clean diesels! 1) 2013 Tesla S P85 (Electric) 2) 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV (Electric) 3) 2014 Audi A7 TDI Quattro (Clean Diesel) 4) 2013 Lexus GS 450h (Hybrid) 5) 2013 Nissan Leaf (Electric) 6) 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid (Hybrid) 7) 2014 Audi Q5 TDI Quattro Tiptronic […]
Filed under: Automotive, Diesel, Mercedes, Volkswagen by RichC | No Comments »
Tags:
July 30, 2013
I watched Taylor climbing pine trees in order to cut of a few dead branches and started to wonder if he was going to cut the ones below him … the ones he needed to climb back down. Besides the odds and end chores around the house and yard, we bought new tires for Brenda’s […]
Filed under: Personal, Photos, Video by RichC | No Comments »
Tags: lumberjack, taylor, tree
March 15, 2013
While Brenda spends the week getting the house ready for an in town bridal shower for Katelyn, Taylor and I did our best to stay out of her way. We decided to replaced the rear brakes on his Volkswagen GTI earlier this week while he was home on spring break … although am sure he […]
Filed under: Automotive, Personal, Volkswagen by RichC | No Comments »
Tags: brakes, gti, taylor, vw
December 1, 2012
This past week, I talked to a younger friend of mine about his growing family and making fiscally sound decisions. He politely told me how much he respected my opinion as he asked for some advice … and my head swelled with the less than deserved accolades (but who doesn’t appreciate complements?) His primary question […]
Filed under: Advice, Automotive, Financial by RichC | 1 Comment »
Tags: advice, cars, loans
March 31, 2012
For the past couple of years I’ve been taking our cars to a privately owned automotive service business (in West Chester, OH) and have been satisfied with the work. I’ve also enjoyed getting to know the owner, Tim Ellison, who’s Christian walk and straightforward business dealings are one in the same. Besides using Mr. Godwrench […]
Filed under: Advice, Automotive, Business by RichC | No Comments »
Tags: Business, car care, oh, west chester
January 30, 2012
For those of you who remember, or just enjoyed (my old link), the classic Matthew Broderick movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, prepare yourself for a new Superbowl 46 ad by Honda. Hmm, Brenda just might be interested in a CR-V as a replacement for her Rav4 … on second thought, she might really rather have […]
Filed under: Automotive, Video by RichC | 2 Comments »
Tags: ad, bueller, commercial, cr-v, honda, movie, superbowl
January 17, 2012
I saw the key photo above as a tease in a recent article highlighting the 10 cheapest new cars you can buy and was disappointed as other VW owners/shoppers might be – yes the key is a VW key and fob, but the list (below) doesn’t contain a Volkswagen. The 10 cheapest new cars […]
Filed under: Automotive, Mazda by RichC | 5 Comments »
Tags: hybrid, hyundai, volkswagen, vw
December 26, 2011
I’m really NOT depressed that Christmas is over … actually quite relieved … but the time with family did go fast, way too fast. We were fortunate that the Corbett side of the family was able to be together at our house on Christmas day. The weather held and gave all who drove excellent roads […]
Filed under: Holiday, Personal, Photos by RichC | No Comments »
Tags: 2011, christmas, corbett, family
September 2, 2011
For those interested in all things TDI (that’s Volkswagen TDI diesel automobiles), the TDIFest is this weekend in the host city of Lexington KY. Our local CinciTDI club is hosting the TDIClub “fest” and it looks to be a good one. Hopefully the weather and activities will be enjoyable … I know that I’m looking […]
Filed under: Automotive, Diesel, Idioms, Volkswagen by RichC | 4 Comments »
Tags: diesel, passat, tdi, volkswagen, vw
July 11, 2011
Since my wife Brenda rarely reads my blog, I think I’m safe talking about her birthday and gifts that are gadgets. I will probably get chastised by both men and women alike in repeating the similar mistake year after year by giving her something technology oriented for her birthday, I’m doing it one more time. […]
Filed under: Personal, Photos, Shopping, Video by RichC | 2 Comments »
Tags: camcorder, camera, kodak, playsport, zx5
September 23, 2010
There comes a time when many of us are faced with the decision of whether to pull the plug on one’s … [pause] CAR. (admit it, you were thinking ‘spouse’) Brenda and I have been struggling over this issue for some time now and have nursed a beloved first generation 1998 Toyota Rav4 for over […]
Filed under: Automotive by RichC | 2 Comments »
Tags: Rav4, toyota
March 27, 2010
I’ve been pondering how we will eventually sell my wife’s 1998 Toyota RAV4 with a quarter million miles? I think this might work! 😀
Filed under: Automotive, Humor, Video by RichC | 2 Comments »
Tags: car, Humor, selling
August 6, 2008
Volkswagen’s 2009 small SUV, the Tiguan, hasn’t exactly taken North America by storm, but at least VW finally has a vehicle to compete with Honda’s CRV and Toyota’s Rav4. I wouldn’t say that Volkswagen has struck out with the Tiguan, but in my opinion they have at least two strikes against them. After owning a […]
Filed under: Uncategorized by RichC | No Comments »
Tags:
October 14, 2007
If you are married and enjoy a little ill-placed humor, you’ll enjoy this Toyota RAV 4 commercial below. If you don’t laugh at it … I’m sure you’ll at least smile? Actually I don’t know how long it has been out although I noticed it was posted to YouTube in 2006, but I never noticed […]
Filed under: Uncategorized by RichC | 2 Comments »
Tags:
June 26, 2006
With the cost of fuel hovering just below $3.00 a gallon, alternative vehicles are becoming more and more attractive to average citizens. Unfortunately most alternative vehicles are only suited for weekend mechanics or people with expendable income. Enter Myers Motors and their all electric NmG (No More Gas). I had the good fortune last week […]
Filed under: Misc by RichC | 8 Comments »
Tags: ev