Mechanical Paradox. Who Else is Afflicted?

[Muzz]

Almost without exception the Euro cars are much worse to work on than the Japanese and Korean brands.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I opened the hood on our Prius 4 when I brought it home. Decided there were no user serviceable parts in there, closed the hood, and I was right. 85000 miles now with nothing but oil, filter, and tire changes. By the dealer.  It's the first vehicle that I've never even changed the oil. That's fine. It's about as interesting as watching grass grow.

[Kev m]

When I bought the Wrangler Jeep it came with 2 free oil changes a year for the first two years or some such BS.

I cannot be bothered to spend the time to:

1. Make an appointment.
2. Find time for Jenn to follow me down to the dealer to drop it off.
3. Find time for Jenn to take me back to the dealer to pick it up.

It is worth the money for me to buy the filters (in bulk at one time) and buy the oil (whenever I happen to be near the store and keep it in stock on my shelf), and then change it myself when the monitor says to.

I also run synthetic which would have been an up-charge, so the net price difference - time would have been almost a wash anyway.

[Muzz]

Late last year we changed our 10 year old Suzuki Swift for the latest model. All I did to the old one were oil services, put new tires on it, brake flush and very little else. The thing was bullet proof.

The dealer here in Christchurch has a "cost free motoring" plan. For every 10 years of your age they give you a years cost free motoring. If you live in Canterbury, come time for the service (a year or 15000kms) they will drive out with a loaner, take your vehicle away for it's service , and then drop yours back. Free of charge! It used to be completely cost free. Now it excludes tires, battery and brake linings. The rest is all included.

When we first went they did not have a manual in the colour we wanted; for three weeks we had the unlimited use of a brand new Suzuki Ignis while ours was on the water. We had put a $1000 down as only a few were coming to NZ in the colour we wanted.

Needless to say, there a large number of Suzuki cars running around Christchurch.

[canuck750]

My dad was a licenced auto body mechanic and a pretty decent shade tree mechanic to boot. I was beating panels, welding an sanding cars by the time I was 12 and got into mechanics shortly there after. I have spent decades keeping old cars on the road because money was tight, kids going to college, a business to fund etc. By the time most of my external responsibilities were met and the business got above the red I bought the only new car I have owned with the exception of a Jeep CJ7 in 1980 (that was a real POS). I got a new Beemer in 2006 and once I opened the hood I knew my time keeping a car maintained was over, I couldn't begin to tackle a driveline controlled by computers and the cars come with a unlimited four year maintenance program. I don't miss the hassle of working on a vehicle, to me its just bull work, dirty, messy chores. But I will gladly tear apart any motorcycle.

[Sheepdog]

I still work on the cars, but the allure went away when I started to think of them as appliances.

[twowings]

If I have a nice sunny day to work, I KNOW I'm choosing the Guzzi first!

[Lannis]

Needless to say, there a large number of Suzuki cars running around Christchurch.

Getting thin on the ground here in the US.   For whatever reason, Suzuki pulled their cars out of the US in 2012/13.   

I was primed to buy one, always have liked them.

Lannis

[Muzz]

A shame that Lannis. They are a well engineered vehicle. Ours is doing 55.6 mp(imp) gallon as well. Almost as good as my B750, but it only needs regular 91 as against the Breva which needs the highest octane I can get. (around 95)