Is Selling Your Car on Facebook Marketplace a Good Idea?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Potential scams aside, Craigslist is still a solid choice for selling your car. But it’s only one choice among several dedicated car sales websites. Sellers and potential buyers also have sites like Carvana and Vroom to choose from. And just like Craigslist, people can list cars for sale on Facebook Marketplace.

But while selling your car on Facebook Marketplace is possible, is it worth your time and energy? And are there potential downsides to doing so? To find out, I tried using it to sell my 1999 Mazda Miata 10th Anniversary Edition.

How do you sell and buy cars on Facebook Marketplace?

Facebook Marketplace car section landing page | Facebook

Since it launched in 2017, Facebook Marketplace has seen several updates, including on its cars and vehicles section. Originally, potential buyers were limited to searching within 100 miles of a given ZIP code, Road & Track explains. But these days, that radius extends to 500 miles.

Listing cars on Facebook Marketplace is fairly similar to listing them on an auction site or Craigslist. First, take as many clear, informative photos of your car as possible. And if you’re including additional items with the sale, such as spare parts or service records, take photos of them, too. Then, upload the photos to Facebook Marketplace, and start writing the listing itself.

Facebook Marketplace listings include the same kind of information Craigslist ads contain. Besides price, mileage, make, and model, Marketplace listings also contain the car’s general location, overall condition, and body style. The seller also has to enter in their vehicle’s interior and exterior colors, what kind of fuel it uses, and what kind of transmission it has.

All of this information is necessary because that’s how potential buyers search through the cars available on Facebook Marketplace. The available filters also include safety ratings, the number of seats, and even fuel economy. However, those last few filters are generated by Facebook itself, not the seller.

I successfully sold my Mazda Miata on Facebook Marketplace by sticking with a private group

The rear 3/4 view of a blue 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata 10th Anniversary Edition in a parking lot
1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata 10th Anniversary Edition rear 3/4 | Matthew Skwarczek, MotorBiscuit

Having failed to sell my Miata on several auction sites, I wanted to give Facebook Marketplace a try. And I was admittedly somewhat wary, given the potential for spam, scanners, or other social-media-related dangers. Nevertheless, I decided to give it a shot—and I had a plan.

When I was trying to sell my Mazda Miata through online auctions, I specifically targeted enthusiast-friendly websites. Hence why I started with Cars & Bids and progressed through Bring a Trailer and Rad for Sale. And in an attempt to maximize how much I could get for my NB, I did something similar on Facebook Marketplace. More specifically, I listed it for sale on the private Windy City Miata Facebook Marketplace page.

That’s one of the biggest differences between Facebook Marketplace and a site like Craigslist, CNET explains. Although sellers can list their cars publicly, private group listings are an option. This limits who has access to your ad and thus your information. And because private groups have moderators, it limits the potential for scammers. Plus, because it’s Facebook, buyers and sellers can easily communicate via Messenger.

Also, I was offering my Mazda Miata up for sale through a dedicated car club. That meant a genuinely interested and knowledgeable audience that would understand the unique aspects of my limited-edition Miata. And I was selling a convertible at the beginning of summer at a time of high used car prices.

As a result, I had several potential buyers messaging me the day after I placed the Facebook Marketplace ad. And a few days later, the Miata was sold—for the list price, too.

Would I sell another car this way?

To be sure, for every great Facebook Marketplace experience, there are undoubtedly some horror stories. And if I was to do this again, I’d probably have the buyer meet me in a public area, rather than at my house. Although I sent my address to them via private email, rather than Messenger, public meeting places are generally the safer bet, Edmunds notes.

But that being said, I wouldn’t hesitate to sell my car via a club’s private Facebook Marketplace again. It was easy to list my car and communicate with interested parties, and I had more confidence in their integrity. For me, it was a great idea.

RELATED: Buying a Used Mazda MX-5 Miata: What You Should Know

Follow more updates from MotorBiscuit on our Facebook page.

The post Is Selling Your Car on Facebook Marketplace a Good Idea? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by

3 Honda Models That Won’t Cost You an Arm and a Leg to Insure

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Most states require you to have insurance before driving a new or used car off the lot, but rates are steep for some models. Considering gas costs and auto loan repayments, some shoppers wonder if they can even afford a car at all. Fortunately, you can get most Honda vehicles at affordable prices.

Additionally, NerdWallet reports that the Honda CR-V is one of the cheapest to insure. Besides one of the nation’s best-selling SUVs, which other Honda models have low insurance costs?

The Honda Civic is relatively cheap to insure

2019 Honda CR-V steering wheel | Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

The average yearly insurance cost for a Honda Civic is $1,720, almost $300 more than the national average. That rate was also 8.33 percent of its MSRP for 2020. However, for an average of $20,650, it’s still one of the cheapest sedans on the market. The 2022 Honda Civic is slightly more expensive, starting at $21,700.

The latest Honda Civic is also completely redesigned, available in both sedan and hatchback body styles. The base four-cylinder makes 158 hp, and the optional turbo-four produces 180 hp. A continuously variable transmission is standard, though you can also get a six-speed manual transmission on the hatchback models. The Civic Si, which was absent last year, will also return for 2022 and offer a manual gearbox.

Though it’s not the quickest sedan, most critics praise the Honda Civic’s snappy handling and comfortable ride. The interior has also been updated, but it still remains spacious for all passengers. The sedan offers a total of 15 cubic feet of storage, while the hatchback has 10 more feet in the trunk.

Edmunds says the infotainment graphics are still dated, but the system responds quickly to user inputs. Smartphone integration comes standard, with wireless compatibility if your Civic has the available nine-inch touchscreen. Safety aids are generous, and even the base trim comes equipped with adaptive cruise control.

The Honda Accord is a good pick if you want lower insurance premiums

The Honda Accord has a slightly cheaper annual insurance rate compared to the Civic, averaging $1,667. A new Accord starts at $24,970, Honda shows, making its insurance rate around 6.94 percent of its MSRP. For 2021, the Accord loses its manual transmission but gains some new standard features.

Drivers can choose between two turbo engines, the standard producing 192 hp and an equal amount of torque. The optional motor makes 252 hp and comes paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission instead of the standard CVT. Both engines are quite speedy, and the Accord’s CVT is surprisingly subtle compared to rivals.

Drivers will also appreciate the Honda Accord’s fun handling and exceptional fuel economy, up to 30/38 mpg city/highway. The interior is roomy enough for all passengers, and it has one of the largest trunks in its class. Wireless smartphone integration comes standard, as does almost every safety feature.

Don’t forget the affordable CR-V

Despite having the highest base price of the three Honda models here, the CR-V has the least expensive annual insurance rate of $1,439. That’s only 5.75 percent of the average price paid for the car itself by consumers, around $25,050 to $25,350.

It offers only one engine choice, producing 190 hp and pairing with a smooth-shifting CVT. It also has an agreeable ride without too much body lean. Unlike either of Honda’s sedan offerings on NerdWallet’s list, the CR-V can have all-wheel drive. 

The Honda CR-V also offers two spacious rows of seating, but it doesn’t come with many standard features. The infotainment interface is also prone to a few hiccups, and the menus aren’t very user-friendly. Still, if you want low insurance rates and more interior space, the Honda CR-V is a perfect choice.

RELATED: The Standard 2021 Honda CR-V Makes Insurance Lighter on Your Wallet

The post 3 Honda Models That Won’t Cost You an Arm and a Leg to Insure appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by

5 Best Small Shop Vacs for Your Car According to Popular Mechanics

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Shop vacs aren’t just for use in workshops. These machines are powerful, and smaller versions can be useful for cleaning cars and home garages. A recent Popular Mechanics ranking shows some of the best small shop vacs on the market. Here are a few that should be on your radar.

Shop vacs | Igor Golovniov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

To choose the best small shop vacs for cars, reviewers at Popular Mechanics timed multiple vacuums as they sucked up two pounds of topsoil, two pounds of sawdust, and one gallon of water. They then considered several other performance traits, such as how comfortable the vacuum was to hold, how long the cord was, and how loud the machine was.

Reviewers also tested one cordless option. They did not subject it to the same speed tests but did use it as a conveniently portable dust collector.

The top-rated Ridgid WD5500 shop vac

The Ridgid WD5500 retails for $99 at Home Depot. Popular Mechanics determined this to be the best overall option due to its speed and power. This shop vac sucked up a gallon of water in just 2.2 seconds, making it significantly faster than any other option. The Ridgid WD5500 also comes with an excellent accessory kit and a cord length of 10 feet. However, it’s somewhat top-heavy.

The versatile Vacmaster VHB 305M

The Vacmaster VHB 305M comes in at $59.99 on Amazon. It features a four-wheel caddy and a wall-mounting bracket that Popular Mechanics praises for its excellent design. This shop vac’s wheels make it easy to move around, and its six-foot hose makes it particularly well-suited to vacuuming those hard-to-reach spots within your car. It also has a 15-foot cord.

The cordless and corded DeWalt DCB205CK

The DeWalt DCB205CK is one of the more expensive options on this list, priced at $159 through Platt. However, it is also the only shop vac option that works both cordless and corded. So its power cord is slightly shorter, at just eight feet. This shop vac runs on the same battery as other DeWalt products, making it a good option for folks who have cordless power tools from this brand.

Reviewers also say this model has the best air filter of any of the shop vacs tested, as you can use the same filter for both wet and dry applications.

The quiet Armor All AA255

The Armor All AA255 costs approximately $51 on Amazon as of this writing. It is quiet and comes with an accessory called the Deluxe Car Nozzle. Although Popular Mechanics notes the word “deluxe” might be “overstating things a bit,” this accessory functions well to clean ribbed floor mats and carpeting within cars. This shop vac features a Velcro band for the power cord, making it easier to stay organized. 

The power cord is 10 feet long but does get stiff in colder weather. Because of this, reviewers suggest keeping this shop vac in your home rather than in the garage, especially in the winter.

The fully cordless Snapper 1688061

The most expensive option on this list is the Snapper 1688061, which costs $299 through Home Depot. Popular Mechanics found this shop vac could run for about 20 minutes on one charge, giving enough time to vacuum most cars quickly. It also charges decently quickly — 15 minutes on the charger provides approximately 15 minutes of vacuuming time. 

Whether you’re cleaning up after your kids or looking to spruce up your car, a small shop vac makes it significantly easier to keep your vehicle spic and span. One of these high-quality options will get the job done.

RELATED: 5 Best Car Detailing Kits in 2021

The post 5 Best Small Shop Vacs for Your Car According to Popular Mechanics appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by

The Suzuki GT750 Was a Honda CB750-Rivaling ‘Water Buffalo’

by Gabrielle DeSantis

In launching the 1969 CB750, Honda sent shockwaves throughout the motorcycling world. And it was a message no motorcycle company could ignore, especially not Honda’s Japanese rivals. Kawasaki responded with horsepower, creating the high-speed Z1 900. The Suzuki GT750, though, went with a completely different answer.

To take on the Honda CB750, the 1971-1977 Suzuki GT750 needed to be cool…liquid cool

1974 Suzuki GT750 | John M Manolato/Fairfax Media via Getty Images

The Honda CB750’s arrival coincided with a period of notable motorcycle technology experimentation, Silodrome reports. And at the time, Suzuki was one of the most experimental. It’s the only Japanese company to release a rotary-powered motorcycle, the RE5, for example. But before the RE5 broke ground, the Suzuki GT750 made waves of its own.

Although the Honda CB750 is a four-stroke bike, two-stroke motorcycles were a common sight in the 1960s and 1970s. And in some ways, the Suzuki GT750 resembles the two-stroke bikes Kawasaki offered at the time. For example, like the contemporary H2, the GT750 has a three-cylinder engine. However, the GT750’s 738cc two-stroke three-cylinder engine has one notable difference: liquid cooling. That made the Suzuki GT750 the first liquid-cooled Japanese production bike, RideApart explains.

A gray-and-silver 1975 Suzuki GT750 in a garage with several covered cars
1975 Suzuki GT750 front 3/4 | Bring a Trailer

Being a liquid-cooled three-cylinder two-stroke bike, the Suzuki GT750 is certainly distinct from the air-cooled, four-cylinder, four-stroke Honda CB750. But in some areas, the GT750 mirrors the CB750’s design. And Suzuki continuously tweaked it over its production run.

Initially sold with a front drum brake, in 1973 the Suzuki GT750 gained a dual-disc front setup, Motorcycle Classics notes. The following year saw the bike get upgraded carburetors, a slight power boost, and a gear position indicator. In 1975 the GT750 got revised gear ratios, larger carburetors, and more ground clearance. And in 1976, the two-stroke bike’s gearing was changed again, and it got a locking gas cap.

Whether Water Buffalo or Kettle, the Suzuki GT750 “was the anti-superbike,” Motorcyclist says—in a good way

Technically, the Suzuki GT750 was called the Le Mans in North America. But in the US it quickly earned the nickname ‘Water Buffalo’ due to its liquid cooling and 500-lb curb weight, Silodrome explains. Over in the UK, it was called the ‘Kettle,’ and Australians dubbed it ‘Water Bottle.’

Regardless of what you called it, though, the Suzuki GT750 wasn’t a superbike, Motorcyclist says. Or rather, it was “a totally different take on the superbike concept,” Brightside Media muses in the above video. While it weighs roughly the same as the Honda CB750, the GT750 is softer and doesn’t handle quite as well. Plus, it’s slower and not as sporty as its contemporary two-stroke rival, the Kawasaki H2.

However, speed and cornering clearance aren’t what draw Suzuki GT750 fans to the bike even today. Its two-stroke engine is remarkably smooth and refined. And crucially, it has plenty of low-end torque, which is ideal for long-distance touring. Also good for long-distance touring? A wide, comfy seat and well-sprung suspension, both of which the GT750 has. It’s less a Honda CB750 and more like an early two-stroke Gold Wing, which is by no means a bad thing. It’s just another way the Suzuki GT750 tread a different path compared to those early UJMs.

These vintage two-stroke UJMs still don’t cost too much

While early Suzuki GT750s had a few teething issues, overall, these two-stroke bikes are renowned for their durability, Motorcyclist says. And if you want slightly sharper handling, it’s just a suspension upgrade away.

With the industry-wide move to four-stroke engines, the Suzuki GT750 was something of a last hurrah for two-strokes. And when the GS750 arrived in 1976, the GT750 became effectively obsolete. But today, its liquid-cooled two-stroke powerplant and overall comfort have made it a desirable classic.

As a result, its market value has risen in the last few years, Hagerty notes. But it’s still more affordable than a Honda CB750. A good-to-excellent-condition example typically costs around $6000-$9000, and only pristine GT750s go for more than $10,000. Roaming on this Water Buffalo, then, won’t be too hard on your wallet.

Follow more updates from MotorBiscuit on our Facebook page.

RELATED: The BMW R90S Created Sport-Touring To Take on the CB750

The post The Suzuki GT750 Was a Honda CB750-Rivaling ‘Water Buffalo’ appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by