Vehicles these days, where are we going?
Asked by
okc405 (
255
)
March 30th, 2008
I bought a 2004 chevy trailblazer last september and have had several problems with it, O2 sensors, bad starter, ignition switch. GM is fully aware of these problems and for some reason decided not to recall them. Everything in my truck is plastic and multiple computers run it. I hate this. All new cars are built so cheaply and its making me worried, they’re made so that it is so difficult to work on that a home mechanic has no choice but to take it to the dealer and pay gobs of money to keep their car on the road. My father has a 1970 vette and the only thing that is electric is the battery, Hell I could probably fix everything on it with a ratchet and a screwdriver. Did the greed of car companies in the cover up of reliability and safety make autos a handicap instead of an advantage?
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4 Answers
I would say this really depends on what you’re buying. Certainly, getting a good car is more expensive.
I personally believe that onboard computers make cars safer and more enjoyable to use, despite the rare cases of being able to gain access to the onboard computer of some cars and unlock doors via radio control. (That said, lockpicking older cars is often very easy so you wonder where the winning mark is.)
Respectfully, are you reading Consumer Reports before picking a model? The information is all there, especially for reliability of used models. For a 2005 Trailblazer they show worse than average reliability for fuel system and electrical system (also scored worse than average for paint/trim, squeaks and rattles, and body hardware), which I think covers all of your complaints.
From a reliability standpoint, I wouldn’t touch an American car, except maybe a 2008 model year Ford.
Regarding computers, etc., I do know that independent repair shops are getting screwed by manufacturers who aren’t giving up diagnostic codes without the repair shop forking over an arm and a leg. Beyond that, I’m not sure what the trade offs are, other than increased safety.
I never take my car to a dealer, since they always inevitably tell you something like “your blankety blank is this and that-ing your so and so, but we’ll get that fixed for you right away! You only need to pay us this ridiculously exorbitant amount of money, and give us your car for longer than your we, or your insurance will pay for a rental!”
Which is why I adore my mechanic, if something seems to be wrong, I’ll take it to him, and more often than not, he can fix it, and charge me parts at cost, and a negligible amount of labor, if that.
I had a bad idle air control valve, took him
10 minutes to fix, paid him 5 bucks.
My suggestion is to find a local mechanic who has dealer training, or a manufacturers certification, they’re usually the most reasonable. (not to say some of them aren’t cheats, but the chain repair shops are nightmares!)
I have a 1955 Chevy Bel-Air that is safer than any new car on the road. Hell, I could probably take out a Greyhound with it, and drive away. I can do any needed maintenance myself. Gas milage isn’t the best and no power steering, but it’s not my everyday driver.
okc405, I know what you mean about cars getting shittier and shittier.
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