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They would also do maintenance. Cars used to require an absolutely huge amount of regular maintenance and having someone local to do it was a net win.

AussieWog93 3y ago
Don't know what it's like in the US, but here in Australia we have a huge industry of independent mechanics - on the scale of maybe 10-20 independents for every one dealer.
- steve_taylor 3y ago
  Also should mention that, by law, they can perform the regular servicing required by the manufacturer’s warranty.
- Kye 3y ago
  We have that in the US, but the quality can vary from exploitative and/or incompetent to better than the dealer. They especially like to take advantage of women and visible minorities.
  - AussieWog93 3y ago
    There's that stereotype in Australia (more women than visible minorities, good luck scamming an Indian dad), but I'm not sure how true that is. Every mechanic we've been to has been honest and respectful with my wife, and generally half the price of the dealer.
    - Kye 3y ago
      I've seen enough accounts and had enough myself to know it's more than a myth. They'll "huh, looks like you're right" and do the needed cheaper repair if you know enough to call them on it, but you have to know enough to call them on it.
FirmwareBurner 3y ago
>Cars used to require an absolutely huge amount of regular maintenance To a degree ICEs still do. Check the recommended service intervals in the user manual on a modern car. You basically need to visit the shop at least every year or sometimes every 6 months. Obviously the sky won't fall if you don't do it as often as they recommend and the car will run just fine, but then you're voiding your warranty in case something breaks.
- jdsully 3y ago
  Thats a far cry from when they used to check your oil every fill up (because your car was definitely consuming it). You had you had to grease mechanical joints on the body and suspension every 1k miles - now those are all sealed. Old cars needed a ton of work frequently. Check out this 1950s car owners manual: https://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyowner/50om22.htm https://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyowner/50om22.htm
  - FirmwareBurner 3y ago
    Fair enough, I'm only used to cars from the 80's and younger.

AussieWog93 3y ago

Don't know what it's like in the US, but here in Australia we have a huge industry of independent mechanics - on the scale of maybe 10-20 independents for every one dealer.

steve_taylor 3y ago
Also should mention that, by law, they can perform the regular servicing required by the manufacturer’s warranty.
Kye 3y ago
We have that in the US, but the quality can vary from exploitative and/or incompetent to better than the dealer. They especially like to take advantage of women and visible minorities.
- AussieWog93 3y ago
  There's that stereotype in Australia (more women than visible minorities, good luck scamming an Indian dad), but I'm not sure how true that is. Every mechanic we've been to has been honest and respectful with my wife, and generally half the price of the dealer.
  - Kye 3y ago
    I've seen enough accounts and had enough myself to know it's more than a myth. They'll "huh, looks like you're right" and do the needed cheaper repair if you know enough to call them on it, but you have to know enough to call them on it.

FirmwareBurner 3y ago

>Cars used to require an absolutely huge amount of regular maintenance To a degree ICEs still do. Check the recommended service intervals in the user manual on a modern car. You basically need to visit the shop at least every year or sometimes every 6 months. Obviously the sky won't fall if you don't do it as often as they recommend and the car will run just fine, but then you're voiding your warranty in case something breaks.

jdsully 3y ago
Thats a far cry from when they used to check your oil every fill up (because your car was definitely consuming it). You had you had to grease mechanical joints on the body and suspension every 1k miles - now those are all sealed. Old cars needed a ton of work frequently. Check out this 1950s car owners manual: https://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyowner/50om22.htm https://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyowner/50om22.htm
- FirmwareBurner 3y ago
  Fair enough, I'm only used to cars from the 80's and younger.