[split] New versus Old Vans

[29chico]

OK, this is not only funny, but oh so true!
The ideal vehicle for me would have H.E.I., throttle body  injection, and "no" stinkin computer!
Unfortunately most of those have about a million miles on them.
My latest van is a Dodge with the 5.2 engine, but the computer scares me. Two mechanic friends say that if the computer goes out I will have to have a new one programmed at the dealer. Not something I look forward to.

A throttle body injection system w/o a computer?  What tells the TBI to inject fuel?

 

[accrete]

...My opinion? It's a no brainer, older vehicles are simply cheaper to run, carb units, old tech, a bit more expensive on gas, but
the overall cost of ownership is quite low.

In my non-mechanical mind I can agree with your "Opinion"...
That said...

I'm a tech guy and have only changed oil _maybe_ a handful of times since my first car in 1975.

I figure if i'm paid to do my nerdy-tech job by mechanics,
I can pay a mechanic to do a mechanic's job.
I have no personal interest in learning the going's on under the hood of our nice 2010 chevy van... or any future van 2.0
Yea, I know. Crazy. But I've got a handy skill set in other areas of _life_ , and helping another put food on his/hers family table is ok with me.
IF we get a van v2.0...it will most likely be a Chevy or Ford to keep things easy on finding shops. Our current rig has been into the shop 6 times in its five year/30K life...all for oil changes.

YMMV
: ) Thom

 

[SoulRaven]

While I am capable of repairing everything on almost any vehicle, I still prefer to pay someone else to do the work.

The real challenge is to have vehicles that seldom need any repairs.

 

[Gary68]

not to mention that a 76 chevy 350 was like 180 hp-10 mpg
and the modern equivalent is 300+ hp-20+ mpg

but when your 3 ridges from no where you want tried and true and since i have a transfer case 200 hp gets me by just fine

 

[Ballenxj]

A throttle body injection system w/o a computer?  What tells the TBI to inject fuel?

I suppose they do require a small simple computer that gets feedback from sensors, but nothing like the new computers, some of which will even nag about your tire pressure. Those are the computers I was referring to. I wish some computer tech would come up with a bullet proof computer that sticks to running just the engine.
Having said that, I'm not afraid of carburetors either. I have rebuilt a few in my day, but I prefer to not have too anymore.
I definitely see the advantages and disadvantages of both systems.

 

[DannyB1954]

If you think you have a vehicle that can't break down, you have a false sense of security. Be it far from me to try to disillusion you.

 

[GotSmart]

The real challenge is to have vehicles that seldom need any repairs.

 

[LeeRevell]

Some early Fuel Injection systems were mechanical, like earlier VW cars.  But they had reliability issues.  A buddy had a '69 Squareback with it, and changed it to carbs because it needed less fussing about.
Electronics are wonderful and work great.....  until they fail.  Which they absolutely will do, sooner or later.
So, we have choice - carbs for some folks, EFI for others.  You go with what you prefer, same as any other aspect of vehicle design.  Choice is a good thing.....  

 

[highdesertranger]

I agree get whatever you are comfortable with. It just upsets me when people make stuff up out of thin air. highdesertranger

 

[DannyB1954]

I agree get whatever you are comfortable with.  It just upsets me when people make stuff up out of thin air.  highdesertranger

Was there something about post #7 that was made up out of thin air?
You like to follow behind me and criticize whatever I say. When I say I like something, you want to chime in and tell the world how wrong I am.

Some day my vehicle will break down. At that point I will have it repaired. I am not going to stress over it before that happens. I took auto shop in high school for 3 years, (it was a trade type high school in the Detroit area). I know how to work on the old cars, I just don't want to work on them.

 

[highdesertranger]

whoa Danny slow down. first off I am not following behind your post lurking to pounce on you. if you notice post #6 is mine you were following my post. now as far as the accuracy of you post, NO 80's vehicles had points, points were phased out in the mid 70's. as far as the smog crap goes newer vehicles have much more smog crap on them. so I really don't understand your point there, was that made up out of thin air, I don't know but I have to question it. my comments were not pointed at you in particular but at everybody who touted new vehicles are more reliable. sure a newer vehicle is more reliable but what happens after the first 10-15 years. most people sell and buy something newer. come back to me in 30 years and tell me how reliable your vehicle is. vehicles to most people are like paper plates, use once and throw away. my truck is 38 years old and has never left me stranded, never been on a tow truck, and won't be unless it's my fault. what I do know is where ever I am, I can get my truck back to town without outside help, I will not have it repaired because it's simple I can do it myself. in my book simple is good. if you like all the complicated systems that go on modern vehicles then go for it. but please don't try to BS me, I have owned and run auto repair shops. come to RTR you can see my rig there. highdesertranger

 

[akrvbob]

We've all had our say and no one is going to change the others mind.

The simple answer is all that's important is that you buy the best vehicle that works for you in your circumstances . It's very likely that will be different for everybody.

This thread is closed
Bob