Buying guides for cars, collectibles and gear
In-depth guides to specific cars, parts, collectibles and gear: specs, known problems and what to check before you buy.
Acura Integra DA vs DC: trims, the Type R, and avoiding a stolen or tired carHow the 1990-93 DA and 1994-2001 DC Integras differ by trim and engine, what makes a Type R genuine, and what theft and modification history means for a used car.
BMW E30 M3: specs, versions and how to avoid a replicaThe 1986-1991 E30 M3 used the S14 four-cylinder. Versions and power, how to verify a genuine car, and what typically needs attention.
BMW E36 M3 Coupe (US): 1995-1996 originals and what to checkHow US-market E36 M3 coupes differ from European ones, the 3.0 and 3.2 US engines, how to read the VIN, and the cooling-system, VANOS and rust checks that matter.
1994 Corvette LT1 throttle position sensor: symptoms, replacement, adjustment and the mounting screwsWhat the LT1 TPS does, symptoms of a failing one, whether it can be adjusted, and what is and is not known about its mounting screw size and torque.
2014 Ford F-150 four-button remote start key fob: identifying, programming and buying usedHow factory remote start works on a 2014 F-150, which fob types exist, how to match one by its label, how Ford says to program a spare, and what to check on a used fob.
Audi BBS RS 861 / RS 865 (Speedline) wheels on a BMW E39: what fitment really takesAudi-fitment BBS wheels use a 5x112 pattern; an E39 is 5x120. What adapters, hub bores and offsets mean, and the safety checks before you try it.
Absolute Poker chips and the elusive $5,000Absolute Poker was an online poker site, not a casino. What is documented about the company and what collectors report about its physical chips and the scarce $5,000.
Bally's Las Vegas house-mold chips and the $100Bally's Las Vegas history from MGM Grand to Horseshoe, and what is known about the 1992 house-mold chips collectors seek, including the $100.
Binion's Horseshoe WSOP Paulson tournament chipsWhich chips the World Series of Poker used at Binion's Horseshoe, the Paulson T25 and the rest of the 1987 set, and what collectors say about their rarity and origins.
Choosing a 180 mm Japanese santoku, including the Masamoto KA kurouchiWhat a santoku is, how carbon, semi-stainless and stainless steels differ, what Masamoto's KA series is, other makers owners suggest, and how to sharpen and care for it.
Kiyoshi Kato Damascus gyuto: who the maker is and what to checkKiyoshi Kato is a Yamanashi swordsmith-turned-knifemaker, easily confused with Yoshimi Kato of Echizen. Sources disagree on details; here is what is documented.
Kochi V2 kurouchi 180 mm nakiri: what it is and how to look after itThe Kochi nakiri is a carbon-steel vegetable knife in V2 steel with a kurouchi finish. What V2 is, what the Kochi name refers to, size, use and care.
Collecting GeekHack novelty keycaps: how to identify sets and check fitA guide to GeekHack-branded keycaps (double-shot Cherry MX and Alps), group buys, printing methods, profiles, stem compatibility and how to check a cap before buying.
Intel Core i7-5820K: specs, X99 boards, DDR4 and buying one usedThe Core i7-5820K is a 6-core Haswell-E chip for LGA 2011-v3 and X99. Specs, platform requirements, upgrade options and how to verify and inspect a used one.
Matrix Lab 8xv keyboards: 1.2, 2.0, 2.2 and 3.0 explainedWhat the older Matrix Lab 8xv WKL boards (1.2, 2.0, 2.2) are, how they differ from the 3.0, how to tell revisions apart, and where firmware and documentation live.
Buying a Mortal Kombat II, Street Fighter III or Marvel vs. Capcom 2 arcade machineHow the three games differ in hardware (Midway T Unit, Capcom CPS-3, Sega NAOMI), what to verify, and the CPS-3 battery and security-cartridge trap.
Stern Ghostbusters pinball topper: what exists and how to source oneStern's 2016 Ghostbusters pinball came in Pro, Premium and Limited Edition. What the official Ecto-1 topper is, what fits, and where to verify parts.
Stern Simpsons Pinball Party (2003) and Spider-Man (2007): buying and inspection guideTwo popular Stern titles compared: design, rules highlights, what 'home use only' means, and what to check on a used machine before buying.
Rolex 16750 bezel inserts: is it genuine, and is it right for the watch?How to judge a replacement bezel insert for a Rolex GMT-Master 16750: why inserts get replaced, what dating clues forum collectors cite, and how to avoid a wrong one.
Rolex GMT-Master 16750: years, movement, dials and what to checkThe 16750 is the transitional GMT-Master: caliber 3075, matte then glossy dials, tritium lume, acrylic crystal. What to know about dials, inserts and service parts.
Oakley parts and accessories: Holbrook icons, the Sliver F metal case and Jawbreaker Splatter CelesteHow to identify and source three niche Oakley items, spot counterfeits, and tell the SKU and part names apart before buying or swapping.
Eagles Hell Freezes Over on vinyl: finding and verifying the original 1994 LPThe 1994 Geffen double LP of Hell Freezes Over: catalogue and matrix details from Discogs, how it differs from the Simply Vinyl reissue, and how to check a copy.
Voskhod 6N23P (6Н23П) tubes: equivalents, compatibility and buying notesThe Soviet 6N23P double triode is the 6DJ8/ECC88/6922 family. Heater and base data, what it can replace, what it cannot, and how to judge Voskhod versus Reflektor.
Identifying Japanese gold hallmarks and kanji marks on a belt buckleHow to read K18, the Japan Mint hallmark and plating stamps, what kanji maker marks can and cannot tell you, and how to test and appraise an unmarked-origin gold buckle.
Buffalo nickels (1913–1938): types, key dates and the date-wear problemBuffalo nickel types and varieties, why so many have no date, what date restoration does, the 1937-D three-legged and other keys, grading, storage and where to start.
Indian Head cents (1859–1909): types, key dates and what to look forIndian Head cent types and varieties (1859 laurel, 1864 L, 1873, 1886 Types I and II), key dates 1877, 1908-S and 1909-S, mintmark position, grading and care.
Lincoln wheat cents (1909–1958): key dates, 1943 steel and how to startHow to identify Lincoln wheat cents, the key dates and varieties, 1943 steel and copper cents, 1922 No D, altered and cleaned coins, and how to start a set.