A very long time, its the bells and whistles that go out to get the new car itch going. Don't get fucked, a backup camera is worth 2 bucks tops.
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I'm no longer driving, but back in the 80's and into the 90's, I was able to fix my own car in some situations. Water Pump, Alternator, Starter, etc... now it is as you say.
I just put a radiator in my 14 Avenger. I have expensive diagnostic tools but they help me do it better and cheaper. My $200 pressure test kit told me radiator was the issue.
View investment in tools as long term. That pressure test kit just paid for itself 1st time out of the case by quickly diagnosing the issue and allowing me to fix it myself.
My hand tools are long ago amortized but my specialty stuff takes longer and is often bought waaay ahead of time on a whim knowing "I'll need it someday."
I've recently been thinking if it would be wise for patriots to go back to the old fashioned, mechanical cars. I know nothing about cars, other than how to drive them, and wouldn't know how to fix even an old mechanical car, but I'm sure there are plenty who would and I'd like to have at least one of those to fall back on. What would you recommend?
Thank you so much for this information! Greatly appreciated. I think I might actually love an old, heavy 'steel' car. At least, for getting around locally. I understand the gas issues, but like the feeling and safety of a heavy vehicle. Not to mention that a mechanic could fix it without all the computer falderal. Anyway, thanks again.
Gotta watch tho for EMP purposes even cars back in the 60s had electronic ignition etc. My 68 Cadillac had a coil in the cap in place of points for example.
And even early 80s had computer systems. My 82 Cadillac had DIGITAL fuel injection with an onboard computer accessed thru the hvac head and my 84 Lincoln had a ford system pre-OBD that I can't recall the name of that would blink out codes with the check engine light when in use.
You'd have to go pretty far back to get a truly mechanical car and you also run into rust issues. Yes the engines were good but the bodies made them 100k mile cars. :(
Diesel is the way. Old diesels dont need an ECU and can be started in many ways, manual/bump start. I have a jeep cherokee xj diesel which is perfect for my needs although it is ECU controlled but still quite primitive by todays standards. It drinks just about anything and I havent used a drop of diesel in about 7 years. I collect used oil from local mechanics. However, this is not my primary daily but in a shity post EMP day, would be a blessing really.
Ford processor, in the 80s. EEC-IV.