3v0
Platinum Member
Just the same it is nice to have an engine that might run 300K instead of 100K.
Cars are really hard to work on anymore
- Thread starter Alan L.
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Bird
Rest in Peace
I sure agree with that. I can remember when the police department replaced cars at 60k miles and they were worn out, too. And I've owned a couple of cars that were pretty well worn out at 100k miles. But with the later models . . . well, we had one with 121k miles that was still a very nice car and the only reason it was replaced was because my wife rolled it a few flips.:laughing: I replaced another very nice one at 101k because my wife wanted to swap the minivan for a big sedan.
RobertN
Super Member
I had a '79 Trans-Am a while back. Black with T-tops. Originally silver with silver leather interior 10th annivesary. Fun car!
I hhad to have a firend help change the two passenger front sparkplugs. It did not matter what angle, or from above/below, I just could not get them. My hands are just too big. Friend had smaller hands, and still could just barely get to them. They were directly under the AC compressor.
I hhad to have a firend help change the two passenger front sparkplugs. It did not matter what angle, or from above/below, I just could not get them. My hands are just too big. Friend had smaller hands, and still could just barely get to them. They were directly under the AC compressor.
3v0
Platinum Member
I am not sure of the make or model but I do recall hearing of cars and pickups where on had to lift the motor off it mounts to change the plugs and that was decades ago. But the stupidity seems to be much more common.
CliffordK
Veteran Member
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I always find this odd.
The manual transmissions can take a lot of abuse, although the clutches can be thrown out occasionally. But I would think that would make them better suited for pickups.
Although I think the manufactures think the auto transmissions are easier on the engines. And the new generation of autos are supposed to be essentially a clutchless manual transmission, so perhaps they are better.
I'm sure the manufacturers divide the vehicle's lifespan into: Under 100K miles, 0 to 6 yrs (1st generation buyers), and Over 100K miles, 6-12 yrs (2nd generation owners), Over 200K miles, 15+ yrs (3rd generation owners)
The manufactures really cater to the first generation buyers. And, to some extent this includes the first resale value.
Then, when you talk about the 3rd generation owners,
The manufactures probably like telling them that they have a $5000 repair for a $500 vehicle!!!
The unwritten goal of the manufactures must be to get the vehicles OFF THE ROAD once they hit 200K miles, and 20 yrs, and have changed hands 2 or 3 times.
If a car lasted forever, there would be no reason to ever buy new would there?
Plus, dealing with little nickel and dime repairs... and a few big ones too, is always an incentive to purchase new, to avoid these (in theory).
The other thing that happens is that many of the people buying new want auto-everything.
Auto transmission.
Auto Locks
Auto Windows
Auto Seats
Plush Seats.
By the time the 3rd generation owners have the vehicle, they really just want stuff that works, and are happy just rolling up their own windows.
A very large part of the rationale for buying new vehicles is to purchase a status symbol. If not, please explain the rationale of the annual model change.
RobertN
Super Member
Never seen it, but have heard stories of guysusinghole saws on the inner fenderwell to make access points to spark plugs on some of the old big-block Firebirds, Camaro's, 'Cuda's etc.
That probably would have worked on my old Trans-Am.
That probably would have worked on my old Trans-Am.
Bird
Rest in Peace
Another thing about these later model vehicles. Some of us are old enough to remember changing oil every thousand miles, and if you had a car that would go a thousand miles without adding a quart or two, you really had a fine automobile. And now . . . I change oil every 5,000 miles and never add any oil between changes.
farmgirl19
Elite Member
I do an oil change at every 3000 miles (or earlier) on the 7.3L, and every 5000 miles on the straight 6 in the F-150. I've always tried to do the diesel earlier, because it does get some idle time. I usually go more by hours of operation on it.
