old cars
    17 years
|
I still think it's good to drive cars 20-25 years, but it can be frustrating.
2024-2025 seems to be the tipping point where our cars began to fail state inspections.
2006 Lexus, 2007 BMW, 2011 Buick.
12/24 was the first time ever for the BMW. Still need to put the new battery in and program it.
The Buick being a GM made in MI vehicle, well, it wasn't the first time and then in May 2025 it simply became a total loss.
The 2006 Lexus is imho one of the best built vehicles although Japanese cars have parts that well exceed that of German in price so total cost of ownership isn't as great as it may seem if you can't DIY.
Suddenly the transmission started to act up, and per online, the fix is to have the ECM sent out for repair, because on it, is an IC that is the TCU (transmission control unit). Apparently over time, this becomes corrupt and needs to be reprogrammed. Then apparently they fix a bad solder--nobody shows this online, they say it's proprietary and how they earn a living. That's OK, because the testimonials and YouTubes of customers saying this fix returned their cars to normal is evidence.
Anyway, if a car dealership now charges over $250/hr for labor, is it even realistic that most people can afford to drive? $250/hr to me is like a choice steak costing $34.99/lb at trader joe's. No can do and even if wealthy still a no can do.
Anyway it's this place that everyone online says to get it fixed at
Imagine if we had no resources other than the dealer, they would basically replace the trans at $7000 or some said to replace the ECM at about $5400
https://www.reddit.com/r/LS430/comments/1gwnk6v/am_i_actuall...
Again my fear is that we can't ultimately sustain activities that we cannot afford, as we get older, and driving a motor vehicle seems to be one of them? We only have so much time to research and DIY and time is valuable. I've seen youtubes of how many issues that people with EVs can have due to hardware AND software, then their design on top of that.
There should be a world in which the typical person can tackle most things on their own, save money, and live a decent life. But it's become more complex that it used to be.
The end lol
Slightly off topic
Most of the beef at Trader Joe’s is likely NOT Choice grade but Select grade. And the grade is rarely called out on the TJ’s package labeling. Absolutely minimal marbling which is essential to kick it into the higher Choice and Prime grades. That being said, at least at my TJ’s the beef runs around $15 to about $18/# but I won’t buy it. My dad was a USDA beef inspection so I learned enough to seek out beef at other places that do carry the higher grades and label it as such.
John from PA