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I worked on computer cars for decades, and finally became so disgusted with them I gave it up. To me these were no longer cars, but computers on wheels. I started working on ’50s and ’60s cars in the ’70s, and developed a love for them. I am now working on them again. I will never work on a car with a computer again.
Yes, Scotty does skip over a lot of the details as far as repairs go. He keeps bringing up his expensive diagnostic tools, something I have no interest in. But he does know a lot about which cars are best and which are junk. He realizes that while cars did get better after the ’70s, they are on their way downhill again, everything but the price anyway. If anything could justify all that computer garbage, it was that you could get 300,000 miles out of a new car. that is no longer possible and it is getting worse.
I think my favorite Scotty video was where he recommended getting a vintage car, which is all I drive anymore. When built right, I find them extremely reliable.
Alternators, ANALOG electronic ignitions, and disc brakes are not even remotely comparable to the trash they are putting on modern cars. Old car electrics could be checked with a simple multimeter.
I am a mechanic myself, have been for 36 years. I agree with Scotty about 90% of the time. I especially like his disdain for new technology. He’s spot on about that. It is garbage. The reason older cars did not last a long time (though I have a ’64 Ford that still runs fine) was because of poor quality, not lack of technology. Most new technology, especially electronic technology sucks big time. It’s so bad I finally couldn’t deal with it anymore, gave up a job I’d had for 28 years, since I was 18, and became a vintage vehicle only mechanic. I now actually enjoy my job. I get to turn wrenches, not mess with computers. I also now only drive pre computer, pre emissions vehicles. I have about 6 years to go before retirement, but I will probably still do some work on the side.
I also agree with him about which car brands are junk (like Nissan and Fiat) and about cars being made in third world countries being very poor quality. They use local unskilled labor to keep costs down.
I do disagree with him that newer cars do not need to be warmed up, or need their oil changed every 3,000 miles. If we still have ICE vehicles 50 years from now, they will STILL need to be warmed up and have their oil changed every 3,000 miles.
I agree with him that CVT transmissions are JUNK. I’ve actually had a couple of them apart. They were unrepairable, even if you had the parts. They were designed to be disposable. In fact, new cars in general are designed to be disposable. I grew up as a kid learning how to fix things. How long will it be before mechanics, or “technicians” as they call them now, are no longer needed?