Automotive Terms Glossary
Car Classified Abbreviations
Since car classified ads have very limited spaces, or the seller has too less time to write, they use a lot of abbreviations. Here are the most common abbreviations used in online car classified ads.
Drivetrain
- Auto or AT: Automatic transmission
- 5sp: Manual, five speed transmission
- Fwd: Front wheel drive
- Rwd: Rear wheel drive
- 4wd: Four wheel drive
- Tilt: Tilt wheel steering
Accessories
- p/w: Power Windows
- p/l: Power locks
- loaded: has all common optional accessories, usually power locks and windows
Body
- 2-dr: Two door
- 4-dr: Four door
- 3-dr: Three door hatchback
- G/C: Good condition
- Mpg: miles per gallon
Price
- B/O: Best offer
- OBO: Or best offer; the price is negotiable
- Firm: The asking price is not negotiable
Car Classified Jokes, or Not?
These glossary terms may be off jokes, but normally joke is partially based on truth. So check these terms carefully when you buy from online auction and classified ads.
- Needs Minor Work: Needs significant work.
- Needs Nothing: Except a tow truck.
- Easy Project Car: Completely disassembled, bring many boxes.
- Minor Rust: Don't sit down!
- Minor Rust: Major rust you can’t see.
More jokes... or say... reality exposed:
- Low Mileage: Only 170,000.
- Convertible: After driving under truck.
- Runs Great: Too bad it doesn’t roll.
- Alarm: Wires are cut to sell stolen.
- Nice Stereo: To overcome exhaust noise.
- Needs Paint: To cover rust.
- New Paint: Beautifully covers rust.
- Fully Loaded: Seller is too.
- All Options: 8-track player.
- Only 59,000 Miles: Actually 359,000 miles.
- Rare Model: One of 500,000 made.
- Must Sell: Before the law finds seller.
- Must Sell: Need bail money.
- Summer Fun: Roof leaks in winter.
- Summer Fun: Won't make it to fall.
- Reliable: Don't leave the neighborhood.
- Daily Driver: 400 miles a day.
- Only Driven Sundays: Sunday is race day.
- Engine Rebuilt: Engine degreased to look it.
- Doesn’t Smoke: No oil to burn, or 90wt oil.
- Trans. Rebuilt: Fine sawdust used to make it quiet.
- 4 Speed Gearbox: 5th gear is dead.
- Hurry, Won't Last: Neither will car.
- New Tires: Retreads years ago.
- Well Maintained: Oil changed every other leap year.
- Drives Like a Dream: Nightmare.
- Car Cover: To help keep out rats.
- Always Garaged: Embarrassed to leave it outside.
- Family Owned: Driven by 6 teenagers.
- Fully Restored: Nothing original.
- Smog Exempt: DMV doesn't think so.
- Tags Till Next Year: Stolen year sticker.
- Moving, Must Sell: Off to jail, need bail money.
- Must Sell: Before it blows up.
- Runs Fine: I was going to say "runs excellent" but I had a last minute attack of conscience.
- Needs Some Body Work: Was side-swiped by a Winnebago.
- Well Maintanied:I occasionally change the oil.
- Looks Like New: Just don't try to drive it anywhere.
- All Original: I never had anything fixed, adjusted, or replaced.
- Loaded With Options: Each one more troublesome than the last.
- Never Smoked In: Unfortunately, that's the best thing I can say about it.
- Project Car: I can't figure out how to finish it and I doubt you will either.
- Lots of Potential: To drive you insane.
- Needs Minor Repair: Doesn't run.
- Engine Quiet: Uses 90-weight oil
- Parts Car: Beyond repair.
- Rough Condition: Too bad to lie about.
- Immaculate: Recently washed.
- Concours: Recently waxed.
- Needs Minor Overhaul: Needs engine.
- Needs Major Overhaul: Phone the junkyard.
- Burns No Oil: It all leaks out.
- Rebuilt Engine: Cleaned the spark plugs.
- Drive It Anywhere: I live on a hill.
- Drive It Anywhere: Within 10 miles.
- Desireable Classic: No one wants it.
- Rare Classic: No one wanted it even when it was new.
- Stored 20 Years: In a farmer's field.
- Ran When Stored: Won't start.
- Never Apart: Bolts too rounded to loosen.
- Solid As A Rock: Rusted solid
- Restored With 0 Miles: Won't start.
- Restored With 2 Miles: Won't stay running.
- Older Restoration: First owner washed it.
- Good Investment: Can't be worth much less.
- No Time To Restore It: Can't obtain parts.
- 95% Complete: Other 5% doesn't exist.
- Clean: Homeless dude at 5th and Main did the windows.
- Good Transportation: It's ugly as sin.
- Engine Blueprinted: I don't know what it means either.
- Exellent Gas Mileage: It's slow.
- Low Miles: The odometer was turned back.
- One Owner: Can't give it away.
- Sure to Appreciate: That's why I'm selling it.
- ..Or Best Offer: I'm guessing here.
- Faster Than A 'Vette: A Chevette.
- Other Interests Conflict: Spouse's ultimatum: "Either that #!!@&## thing goes or I do!"
