[AT] Autos-Was:refusing to replace old equipment

[charliehill]

Brad, I'm with you on the yes and no.  I don't have much problem with the 
way cars and trucks are made now.  They are for the most part a lot more 
reliable and in many instances easier to work on that say mid 80's cars.
My complaint is with what they build and the restrictions placed on building 
them.

Here's an example.  When Pontiac brought back the "GTO" name plate a few 
years ago what they actually did was re-badge an Australian built Holden 
model.  They wanted to put a different hood on it with hood scoops to make 
it look like a GTO but the gov't said no.  That would require several years 
of testing and approvals.  Well Pontiac was trying to get the little high 
performance yet economical coupe on the market to help with their low sales 
and couldn't wait for the Gov't approvals for the hood so they put it on the 
market looking every bit like every other little car on the street.  I 
didn't sell well and now they've done away with calling it a GTO.

Charlie
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brad Gunnells" <brad-gunnells at uiowa.edu>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Friday, December 19, 2008 10:08 AM
Subject: [AT] Autos-Was:refusing to replace old equipment


> Well yes and no. Much of it is the way in which we assume the task
> should be done. I can't speak for every make and model but some of
> the newer vehicles I've had have been easier to work on than some of
> the older ones.
>
> I've had to replace water pumps, alternators, brakes, shocks, and
> some other "wear" type items on several late model Bonnevilles we've
> owned. Those were all a piece of cake and mostly easier than some of
> my experience with older vehicles. Did a front hub and axle shaft on
> my '02 Super Duty 4x4, it was easier than my "79 F150 4x4 (which
> needs those wheel joints again).
>
> Dropping a fuel tank for the pump doesn't sound as easy (I've never
> done one so assumption here) as one bolted to the block. So I don't
> know if a blanket statement that they are harder to work on is
> entirely accurate.
>
> Now if only the parts prices would match that of some of our older
> stuff.............
>
> Brad
>
> On Dec 19, 2008, at 9:11 AM, Richard Fink Sr wrote:
>
>> If they had to work on them there would not be any autos. From the
>> design one can figure that they can;t drive or use common sense.
>> R Fink
>>
>>
>>
>> At 06:42 PM 12/18/2008 -0500, you wrote:
>>> I agree on building the cars the old way. If these people that
>>> design the
>>> cars, had to work on them day in and day out, they would be built
>>> allot
>>> differently...
>>
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