> AH, but let me play the devil's advocate. I remember being able to "get by" with many different kind of car problems, w/o having to pay a professional "technician" to do the work for you.
> Lets see....
> a dead battery ? get it rolling about 10mph & "pop" the clutch
> automatic ? have someone push you with their vehicle to about 40mph, drop it down into drive. Voila !
> carburetor stuck closed ? use a screwdriver to hold it open.
> voltage regulator problem ? disconnect & reconnect as needed
> corroded battery ends ? clean with baking soda or coke
> clutch out on a stick ? shift "by ear" unless you've invested in a "tach"
> I"m a female & not mechanically inclined, but I bet there are lots of you out there that can remember "home remedies" that would, at least, get you to where you were going at the time...or get you through to payday, when the problem could be "really" fixed
> Today, if the computer says there is a problem, you are on foot, til the "technician" can get to it, or the new part can be ordered in. So, in a way, it's very good that today's mechanical parts are much more efficient, beause if something goes wrong, you'll be on the "wait-list".

Or you could buy a Toyota.
Howard
PS. A couple of hours after I wrote that about the battery in my truck, I went out to start it and it was dead as a doornail. The horn wouldn't blow. My first thought was that seven and a half years was enough from one battery, but I put the charger on it for a while and it charged right up. If it croaks again tomorrow, I'll have to spring for a new battery. That's life.
H