Though you are basically correct...a combustion engine is essentially the same as it was 100 years ago...pistons compress fuel, combustion takes place, valves, crank shaft, cam, etc., it's still WAY more involved today and much more than most any "shade tree" mechanic wants to, or should take on. Special tools are needed for many engines today, and taking something off/apart and replacing it/trying to fix it may also do damage to the computer system or cause issues with it and you have to turn right around and take it back to the shop.

 

I used to be a decent shade tree mechanic back in the day (had 3 years of auto shop in high school, what they would call "tech school" now) and did a lot of my own work that didn't take a ton of tools or a covered garage. I have a 1996 Ford pickup that I will do some things to...but my 2015 Hyundai? Forget about that.

 

Title of thread why should you lease versus buying an automotive vehicle. Coming from 57 years in the private sector. No slight intended to anyone on the dealer side. Cost of vehicle and maintenance versus costs of leasing. Reasons why it is expensive to maintain your own vehicle. The interference engine is the best example of poor engineering on many vehicles built today that I can sight for you. Poorly designed timing belt is prone to break causing catastrophic engine failure. Many people found this out the hard way. Many of today's vehicles are built with inadequately sized braking systems and suspensions. There are no grease fittings and systems are poorly sealed. Both problems lead to early failure of these systems. Many require expensive repairs at low mileage for these systems. Changing spark plugs was not expensive maintenance, now on some vehicles you have to remove the intake manifold exhaust to gain access to the spark plugs. Continually increasing the amount of electronics makes for an unreal amount of breakdowns, these could have been designed more sensibly. Vehicles are engineered today with parts made with a pre-determined life expectancy. These are just a few of the expensive repairs that owners experience. There are numerous more headaches and problems because of poor design. Witnessed by increase of total of recalled vehicles. I think these are being designed to phase out independent shops. Wait until you take an all electric vehicle built in the next couple of years to the dealer. Anyone towing or working an accident scene will also need to be knowledgeable. Mechanics will be suited like an electric lineman and you better know what you are handling, your vehicle will be in a secure area with orange cones for warning mechanics. When the dealers are the only place you can take your vehicle, the cost increase will be much more than an independent working for $100 an hour. You may very well question ownership.

57 years experience does not make me a shade tree mechanic Since my retirement on 1/1/2016, I am still taking calls for tech advice. Multiple times I have diagnosed the problem by phone. As I said earlier I was an independent so that's my view.

Any responses I, Mamaw, will take and get back to you. He is still running most of the house since my surgeries plus yardwork and volunteering, so he stays busy. I should also say, the only interest we ever paid was to purchase our home and business. Whatever you own, care and maintenance is the key.

Edited June 15, 20179 yr by Sportsaholic Mamaw

I think you need to go back and re-read some of the posts Maw...no one accused Paw of being a "shade tree" mechanic...not even sure how you came to that conclusion. The comment was those that consider themselves "shade tree" mechanics, like I did myself at one time, can't work on modern cars they way they could cars years ago. And although cars today are much much better than years past, one might consider not being able to work on them as a fault.

 

Sorry, I read the statement and misinterpreted the meaning.

Does he do Pro bono consultant work? I might have a question or two about a 2005 Tundra.

 

Yes,I think he will try to help you, pm me and I'll give you my phone number. He truly does love anything with an engine, more so with retirement. Pressure is off.

Sorry and Papaw may be calling it poor design.