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Topic: Detroit’s Worst Nightmare Post ReplyPost New Topic
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Bill Collins
Byrne Robotics Member
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Joined: 26 May 2005
Location: England
Posts: 11544
Posted: 16 March 2026 at 7:11am | IP Logged | 1 post reply

I don't anthropomorphize my cars, i just look after them
and they seem to become part of me, like a comfy pair of
shoes. Have bought new the last couple because i wanted
specific colours and extras, such as a heated steering
wheel and seats as i work in the cold a lot, and my
arthritic, scarred hands deserve it! My current one is 7
years old and only has 18,000 miles on the clock.

Same as Vinny, in the 80's and 90's my cars only let me
down in convenient situations, such as dead batteries on
the drive, or a snapped fanbelt on the way to a rock
festival which i easily replaced at the side of the road
as i carried a spare.
Doubt i could do that with a modern car when it's a major
undertaking just to change a bulb!In the 80's and 90's i
changed headlight units, alternator, radiator, bulbs etc
myself.
Also it will seem like nothing to our American members,
but having driven my wife's automatic car, my current car
is automatic not manual, and i would never go back to
manual now! I had driven auto rentals numerous times in
America, but it was my wife's car that persuaded me to
change!
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John Harrison
Byrne Robotics Member
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Joined: 27 July 2007
Posts: 1455
Posted: 18 March 2026 at 6:20pm | IP Logged | 2 post reply

Some years ago I mention I bought my first Jeep a 2015 wrangler I am at
62,000 bought it w 24,000 I got it a few months before the pandemic shut
the world down.

I was unaware of the Jeep community out there the Jeep wave the ducks or
the way every Jeep owner instantly wants to talk to you about their Jeep.
It's odd to me but I have never been a car guy so it was a new thing to me.

I bought a manual transmission and a 2 door. If I had to do over it would be
an automatic four door probably a Willy or Rubicon.

Besides two batteries in 5 years the second one it was a bad day I just went
and bought a new battery instead of trying get a jump buy cables etc etc.
And I Just replaced the thermostat

Since I don't have a garage where I live I have never pulled the hardtop off
the doors or anything fun that comes with a Jeep. I removed the backseat
added some handles for getting in removed the factory rails and haven't
bothered to buy new ones yet.

I have never worked on a car till I owned a Jeep. Changing wipers used to
confuse me. Now I change my own oil. I have changed the transmission a
few times. I could have easily changed the thermostat and brakes but lack
of a garage and freezing cold I just paid the mechanic.

This the probably the first car I put any real attention into. Before it was the
mechanics problem now I try to fix it myself first. They are just so easy to
work on.

It will be my last manual tho. It's my third and I'm just too old and tired to
work this much to drive anywhere. It may also be that my Jeep is a 6 speed
whereas my other 2 were 5 Speeds and were just easier to drive and I could
easily float between gears and downshift hardly touch the clutch.

But its been paid off for over a year and I get a huge discount on car
insurance due to my employer it's basically a free car besides gas.
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