I am going to try and address two different
matters this week.
1. I get numerous requests for people asking
me what vehicles I would recommend for them and that question
is nearly impossible to answer. All vehicles have good points
and bad points and even these points are often open to interpretation.
For example, quite often a vehicle that the "Experts" pick for
"Lemon of the year awards", become the best sellers for that
year. (It is as if lots of people go out and buy those vehicles
just to see if they are as bad as reported.) What one person
thinks is a nice ride, someone else would consider it too mushy
and visa versa. Some people like firm seats, some like hard
and I could go on and on but I think you get the drift. The
main reason that there are so many different type of vehicles
available is to try and fill all the different taste and desires.
I myself prefer vehicles that I MAKE. I buy a vehicle that I
like and then I take it all apart and put it back together the
way I want it. I prefer things that are unique and not something
that anybody with a good credit history can buy. Then after
I get the vehicle the way I want it, I never sell it. I just
keep it and keep repairing and upgrading it. For example, I
have been using Computerized-timing controls on a 1972 Chev
since 1976. I have been using special fuel control system and
fuel injection since the sixties. I also like maximum performance
so I have more horsepower in the vehicles I drive everyday than
a lot of racecars have in this country. Heck, even my Hunting
truck is over 500 hp. But I can afford to do so because I haven't
made a car loan payment in over twenty years. (Go ahead, calculate
that based on whatever you pay every month.) ALL I CAN TELL
ANYONE IS BUY WHAT YOU LIKE. Every vehicle is going to have
problems and problems are always an inconvenience and costly.
It will be far easier to deal with these problems if you LIKE
the vehicle, otherwise the problems become a real pain.
2. I have been getting a lot of questions
regarding problems with computer controlled vehicles. I get
questions like; the check engine light is on, what could the
problem be? Or, How can I fix this myself? The problems are
far too complex in most cases to give specific answers without
having some test information. I would suggest anyone with a
question about system problems, go back into archives and read
what I have already posted on computer controls. Then if you
wish to try and do your own repairs, be prepared to buy the
necessary tools, equipment and technical information that will
be required. And yes, anybody CAN do it if they wish to go to
the time and expense required. These systems have been around
long enough now that there is a pretty good market of used diagnostic
equipment available for the home repair people. But, you cannot
repair them properly without this equipment and information.
(Unless you just get lucky.)
"TOOT" Rick "The Wrench" - August 8th,1999
Copyright of Rick The Wrench, 1999
