When it comes to car repair and modification, there’s just nothing better than grabbing some tools and making a weekend of it. However, there are certain parts of the country that are more accommodating to the shadetree mechanic than others.
That’s why I’m polling the audience for the states that ain’t afraid, or are completely mortified of wrenching. Y’know, for science.
In my experience, the more rural a state or region is, the better your chance of running into a gearhead, but that’s not necessarily the case. Texas and Arizona stand out to me as havens for old cars just waiting to have their carbs adjusted, and the relatively laid back public that resides within those borders, more often than not, have a craftsman socket set hidden away somewhere.
On the flip side, I can see an area like New York City being notoriously hard to do any of your own automotive work. Square footage is extraordinarily expensive, you’re prohibited to do roadside repairs, and a startling amount of people living in the city don’t own an automobile and wouldn’t know a 10 millimeter socket if they found it floating in their Jamba Juice.
This, of course, is simply anecdote, but as the plural of anecdote is clearly data, what are your experiences with states and working on cars? Was it easy or hard to find parts where you live or lived? Did your jackhole neighbors ever make a fuss out of you putting in a new air filter? Have you ever gotten a summons for doing a coolant flush?
Let me know in the comments because I have a Zillow tab open right now and need things to plug into the search bar.
(Photo Credit: Alex Korovin)
Tavarish is the founder of APiDA Online and writes and makes videos about buying and selling cool cars on the internet. You can also follow him on Twitterand Facebook. He won’t mind.