(quoted from post at 05:47:13 07/09/10) Batteries still corrode connections,but they are better than they used to be.You could buy a new set of plugs,points,cap,wires,and do a tune up every 50,000 miles for less that it costs to take one and get it hooked to a computer diagnostic terminal at a dealer.Which still doesnt tell them whats wrong.Actually I have taken a car to a dealer and had it run worse after they worked on it before.I agree on the exhaust systems and body rusting out.The choke deal is minor,actually nothing because there were automatic chokes ever since I can remember working on cars back to the 1960s.Wet Distributer caps can be fixed with spray stuff that waterproofs them.Seems like automatic transmissions have improved,but I dont think a computer made that happen.Tires are some better,still has nothing to do with computers.
So when it comes down to it,even if there have been improvments,most of the improvments have nothing to do with computer controls.
Other things like electronic ignitions were better improvments than computer controls.
I still say the computer stuff is a rip off,plus it doesnt really tell you whats wrong.Either its designed that way to make you buy more parts,or they dont know what they are doing.Might be a little of both.Geek types dont usually know a lot about mechanical stuff.
The EPA,somebody else said, is mostly interested in smog.They had catalytic converters way before they had computers on engines.I guess younger people dont know that.They had mechanical fuel injection and superchargers and turbo chargers in the 1950s and 1960s.They werent concerned with fuel mileage then,but if they were they would have done it mechanically instead of with a computer since they werent made yet.When I went to High School in the early 1970s they were putting turbo chargers on cars to get better mileage then.No computer,just a turbo.
The whole computer thing is a big scam.Its not necessary.They need to make cars simpler,and last longer,get better mileage,and be easy to fix,and not cost a fortune.Like it is now,even if they do figure out what is wrong,and if they do put the parts on to fix it,the bill will be astronomical.
I remember my neighbor couldnt get his car running,neither could anybody else,so he finally called a wrecker and had it towed to the dealer.1600 dollars later they had it running.Plus he couldnt sell it for 1600 dollars.He needed a car every day so he bought a brand new pickup,still has it.But he finally sold his car for 1200 I think.
I mean points and plugs better not cost 1600 dollars.If you do the work yourself you can change an engine for less than 1600 dollars.Plus I doubt that what was wrong costed 1600 dollars,they just threw parts at it until it finally fixed it,and of course didnt take off what didnt work.
Ive heard other stories too,that wasnt even the worst.They are going to get big dollars from you if you want to keep your car,or they are going to sell you one on payments for the next 5 or 6 years,that will be 500 or more a month.Sorry,I just dont see any advantage for this,except for the people selling cars.It sure hasnt helped the car owners that much.The things not rusting out,and running longer are far outweighed if it breaks down.
