Powerdude wrote:
Well, I can tell you for sure that with less electronics and less power, and less gizmos, vehicles were easier to diagnose and repair than newer vehicles.
One NOx sensor can knock out an entire emissions system, and put a vehicle in limp mode now. You need a tow just to get home.
Alternators used to be simple to replace and were usually $69 bucks, and one belt to change. Fuel filters and/or most fuel pumps used to be in line on the fuel line. 10 minute job to change if you had a clog or bad gas. Now you have to drop the whole tank to change a fuel pump.
You could pull the distributor off, clean the points with a little sandpaper, and be on your way. Not anymore if an ECM module goes out, its $799 just for the part.
I'm not that old either, but I do remember buying a distributor cap for $5.99 and swapping it out in the parking lot. 10 minute job and I was on my way.
You are kind of pointing out only the best of what you do like and the worst of what you don't instead of making a true pros and cons comparison. I tend to call these type of comparisons "infomercial comparisons" since they do the same and like to take extreme worst cases and pass them off as normal to make their product look better. Truth is, there are plus and minuses of both.
True, they are harder to work on for most that do not have the proper equipment, but new engines last much longer, are much safer, have longer maintenance intervals, use less fuel, have more power, have longer warranties, and put out less emissions. These are all the reasons why these "gizmos" are on vehicles now.
People want longer warranties and their vehicles to last longer, so the manufacture has to monitor the vehicles and set programs to shut it down before it grenades. If one likes the peace of mind of long warranties, then they should not complain about the manufacturer adding sensors and programs to shut down the vehicle before it comes to a costly repair for them. People want better fuel economy and cleaner air, so they have to add emissions devices and have things such as NOx sensors put the truck in limp mode if something is out of spec. People want safer vehicles, so the auto makes have to add wheel speed and yaw sensors for the ABS and ESP systems to avoid collisions or rollovers. People don't want to be adjusting their carburetor for certain temperatures or altitudes, so electronic fuel injection is added to do it for them.
It is all a give and take and trading out some conveniences for other inconveniences. Both the new and old have their plus and minuses.
2014 Ram 2500 6.7L CTD
2016 BMW 2.0L diesel (work and back car)
2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 3.0L Ecodiesel
Highland Ridge Silverstar 378RBS
