"...turns out, the motor was missing."

CENTREVILLE—For aspiring car enthusiasts, there's no better way to dive into wrenching than buying a car without a Carfax. The lack of detailed history, obvious negligence, and lack of budget can make for a perfect hands-on learning experience.

Steven Troy, a self-taught mechanic, swears by this method. “You don’t really know what you’re getting into. I bought a car for $1,000 that I thought just needed a new alternator. Turns out, the motor was missing. It was a nightmare, but I learned a lot.”

Buying a car without a Carfax means you’re a gambler that clearly enjoys pain, other peoples problems, or classic shitboxes. While this sounds like a risky move, it can offer valuable lessons. Troy believes this is part of the process: “I always tell people that if you’re trying to learn, don’t waste your money on doing research and inspecting the car. You want to get your hands dirty, figure out what’s wrong, and frustratingly watch your car as it sits on jack stands more than driving on the road.”

However, not everyone shares the enthusiasm for this high-risk approach. Sofia Hernández, who's married to a car enthusiast, warns against jumping in without knowing what you’re doing. “A lot of people like my husband think they can fix anything because they’ve watched a few YouTube videos. But trust me, You're going to end up with no parking left at your house.”

In the end, buying a car without a Carfax can be an exciting and educational experience—just don’t expect an easy rid