Budget builds, mystery fluids, and the noble art of not spending money
Let’s be honest. Some car guys are horsepower junkies. Others are detail freaks with ceramic-coated garages and microfiber towels made from unicorn eyelashes.
But you? You’re a cheap car guy—and you wear that badge with pride (and maybe a bit of rust).
If you’ve ever fixed your exhaust with a soup can, debated the lifespan of 5W-30, or described a Craigslist car as “probably just a sensor,” congratulations—you’re part of the tribe.
Here are 13 telltale signs you might be a cheap car guy:
1. Your toolbox is 40% zip ties and 60% hope
Who needs OEM clips when you’ve got industrial-grade optimism and a pack of Harbor Freight zip ties? You’ve probably rebuilt an undertray using nothing but those and a few wood screws.
2. Your favorite detailing product is “rain”
You don’t “wash” your car. You wait for weather. Bonus points if you’ve ever used a snowstorm to remove pollen.
3. You describe all mechanical issues as “just cosmetic”
Rod knock? That’s “just a tick.” Suspension creak? “That’s normal for these cars.” You’ve convinced yourself (and maybe others) that every red flag is just part of the charm.
4. Your daily driver was someone else’s project car—and it shows
It came with coilovers, three mismatched tires, and a mysterious switch labeled “Don’t Touch.” But hey, it was $1,200 and came with two spare bumpers.
5. You live on Facebook Marketplace like it’s your full-time job
You don’t “shop” for car parts—you hunt. You’ve scrolled so deep you’ve seen listings from 2017 and a guy selling a wing off a Civic he no longer owns.
6. You know which junkyards let you sneak in “after hours”
Whether it’s legal or not, you’re a regular at the local pick-n-pull. You’ve pulled a fuel pump with a flathead and a prayer.
7. You own more jack stands than forks
Because safety is important—just not enough to buy a lift. Every cheap car guy has a graveyard of crusty tools, bent screwdrivers, and a floor jack that “only leaks a little.”
8. You believe in the sacred power of Seafoam
Check engine light? Rough idle? Questionable emissions? There’s only one solution: Seafoam. You’ve used it in the intake, oil, fuel tank, and possibly your cereal.
9. You daily something that probably shouldn’t be daily’d
A Miata with no roof? A WRX with three working gears? A slammed Corolla with snow tires in July? You make it work. You’re out there. You’re committed.
10. You’ve used a Dremel where an impact gun should’ve been
Every project becomes a creative exercise in what you can use instead of the right tool. You’ve cut off bolts, bushings, and probably your dignity.
11. You call $500 “too much” for coilovers—but $100 for junkyard rims “a steal”
Because priorities. And you can’t argue with 15-inch steelies that “still hold air.”
12. You’ve made a muffler out of something that wasn’t a muffler
An energy drink can. A steel cup. An old vacuum cleaner. You’ll try anything if it saves you from paying $200 for an OEM part.
13. You have a dream car—but it’s mostly duct-tape and delusion
It’s not about the money—it’s about the vision. Your cheap car may not be pretty, fast, or reliable… but it’s yours. And with just a few more weekends and a couple more parts (or less), it might just be track-ready.
Final Thoughts
Being a cheap car guy isn’t just a budget—it’s a lifestyle. It’s about finding joy in the junk, pride in the patchwork, and humor in every half-working sensor.
So if you’ve ever rebuilt a clutch in a parking lot, driven cross-country in a $900 beater, or brought a car back from the dead using YouTube and bad decisions…
Welcome home. Chenaraa.com sees you. And we salute you.
