Wondering if you guys can recommend an affordable, yet performance-worthy, cordless impact wrench / driver.

I am not looking for the latest and greatest - just something I can keep in the trunk of my car to change wheels with. Thanks!

 

I would recommend that you get a DeWalt impact driver. They cost a little more but it's well worth it. Just look for the 18V model on ebay. You will find some really good deals for it there.

 

the snap on one is good too. your best bet for that is to go to ebay. brand new runs about 500-600 but them impacts are built tough. they can take off truck lugs.

 

Yes Snap on..life time warranty and works good..

 

dam i need one too but dont know which one? and if its that cheap on ebay i'll get one right away.

 

The $199 Ingersoll Rand at Sears.

 

Make sure you get one with a 1/2 inch drive on it. Some of the Dewalt's have 1/4 and you need an adapter to do wheels (which breaks and twists occasionally).

I had a Dewalt but didn't do my research well enough to get the 'bigger' 1/2 version... it was tough and worked, but it wasn't powerful enough and wouldn't break a lug loose without a breaker bar starting the lug off.

I went totally overboard in my replacement (this is for my wife's track car, but I change a lot of wheels/tires) and got the monster Snap-on one.

http://www.motherofallcordlessimpactwrenches.com/

 

i have the 1/2 in snapon one myself, well worth the investment i use it everyday at work. I paid 500 new with two batteries, two years old now and still works like brand new.

 

Thanks for all the feedback - I am not expecting to get a lot of use out of this thing - probably not more than a handful of times a year (snow to summer wheels, flat tires, etc). I understand Dewalts are probably the better brand out there, but its reflected in the prices.

Is there a min. volt requirement that I should stick to be able to break a lug loose? Is a 14V too weak?

 

go with 18v.

 

no less than 18v. and nothing smaller than 1/2 drive. anythin less will require you breaking it loose with a breaker bar.