HoosierDaddy
Well-Known Member
You're not alone. That's why I always steal mine.I build my own cars from scratch. I don't respect anyone that just goes to a dealership and buys a premade car.
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You're not alone. That's why I always steal mine.I build my own cars from scratch. I don't respect anyone that just goes to a dealership and buys a premade car.
Electronics can complicate new cars, but at the same time there is a positive. All these electronics make it easier to diagnose an issue. It also means the repair cost is probably more $$$$ because it takes longer to replace a part on a newer car.At the ripe old age of 50, I do all my own work outside of what would fall under warranty. It's therapy to a degree, but primarily I know the job was done right if I did it myself. I've got a shop with a giant rolling tool chest full of tools for something. The only time I'll farm something out is if it will require a lift, wish I had one.
What I hate about newer vehicles is the complexity and overuse of electronics, which make them harder to work on. I love working on my old cars, which require nothing but the most basic tools to complete a job. Not to mention parts are dirt cheap.
Also, I've worked on cars since I was a kid helping my Dad, which has a lot to do with my hands-on preference.
You'd say most IT folk pay for their car to be fixed? I love wrenching because it's a nice change from sitting all day at my job(also IT).39 years old and work on my own cars when it's not something too crazy. Replaced the turbo in my mini before I sold it to a friend. So far, done 99% of the things to my stang by myself. I do have access to a lift witch makes things much easier. My brother pays to have everything done to his car, he fits the typical IT stereotype. He would also let his car go long before I would mine.
Nope I can’t be that way. When I started this thread it wasn’t to talk down to anyone or bash people, it was really curiosity. I was not aware that some places had dropped Shop classes from schoolsI build my own cars from scratch. I don't respect anyone that just goes to a dealership and buys a premade car.
The problem with book learnin' is the ridiculous "designs" people like that come up with. It looked fine on CAD but impossible to service without tearing the whole damn car apart, kind of nonsense. If you have no background in trying to work on an assembly you're unlikely to think along those lines. Just because you 'can' doesn't mean you 'should' when it comes to packaging and access. The lack of Zerk fittings really chaps my ass when it's obvious they are superior to having to take an entire linkage apart.I worked (24 years) at a company heavy with mechanical engineers. One of our upper managers bemoaned that many of the new hires did not work on their own cars and didn't know how to work on our products.
I work on my own rides and believe in engine swaps.No bashing anyone, just want to know!
I’m 55 and have gone fast pretty much all my life in several different cars, from different makers, starting with Ford, going through imports, chevys and for the last several years back to ford, where I’ll stay.
I’m struggling a little with how to put this out there without offending anyone.......so I’ll just jump in. Does anyone work on their own cars anymore? Don’t get me wrong I do know that a few do, having read some good stuff on this site.
Growing up, if you wanted a fast car, you turned wrenches.....I see people buying bolt-on kits for S550’s and then talking about labor prices....it’s bolt-on... at the same time I do understand that some require they be installed at a dealership to retain warranties.
Even here in Va where I live, I’ll go to get-to-gethers, shows, drag track, etc and listen to guys spout all the tech, and how their cars hook, make power, etc and in the same breath state it was built/modified by mr xyz......out of the couple hundred enthusiast here with newer Chevy and Ford cars only a handful have done any of the work themselves. I’ve done stuff to my different cars over the years that I didn’t know how to do, but I learned, through trial and error, blood and sweat, tears and a lot of cursing.
Maybe it’s just me....I can’t be proud of my car if I’ve paid someone else to make it what it is.
Awesome!My 17yr old daughter just finished her first ride, a 1964 Fairlane. I helped, but she turned the wrenches. 95 HO mustang drivetrain swap, power discs, power steering. Lots of work, but she did a fantastic job.
My dad is 72 now and has always been a motor head. His biggest loves are old British cars from Triumph and Austin Healy, but he's had his share of American rides as well. He, and numerous Haynes manuals he referred me to so I would have to learn something for myself, taught me everything I know. Now, with the experience of turning wrenches and YouTube for complicated processes I'm not familiar with, there's not much I won't tackle.Awesome!
That's a question we can ask: how many old guys passed the knowledge on to their kinds.
Also, there were a lot of those motor heads back in the 60's and 70's who ended up buying the plain vanilla crap in the 80's...