Am I stupid or are cars difficult things to maintain even the basics?

[NicholasRedone]

I mean even changing a car battery or pumping up tyres/tires. There's either electrocution or overinflated /faulty pump/ and just the downright scary freak one in a million tyre explode in your face fears.

Is maintaining a car meant to be this scary or this overthinking inducing - seems the easier part, only when the engine is cool, lifting the hood, reading lubricant and oil levels, or just plain taking it for a service every 6 months. Might be costly twice a year, yet a man (myself lol) a weak man never has to risk his own self by "what does this wire do" or "did I put this spanner here while i pull the disconnected battery out" or - blah blah blah

Life doesn't teach you these things lol 😭 😆

And no, physically I cannot change a car tyre/tire. Jacks, weights. Strength to tighten and untight. And my back even at my age of 31 is feeling 😝😛 the years of back strain for other work past jobs.

[Orion84]

I trained & worked as a mechanic when I was younger, so I may be biased, but I don't think it's all that difficult.

That being said, though, vehicles are much more complicated now than they used to be. It takes more proficiency to be able to do your own maintenance. If they're too complicated for someone's individual skill level, that's totally alright.

Not everybody is skilled at working on cars, and there's nothing wrong with that, and no reason to be ashamed. Personally, I can't cook worth a damn, so even though I could rebuild my own engine, I'd probably blow up my kitchen trying to bake a cake. 🤷‍♂️

If cars aren't your thing, that's why mechanics exist. At least you're aware of your limitations, and concious of the fact that vehicles need maintenance. That already puts you ahead of the people who think cars run on fairy dust and unicorn farts. They'll drive 50,000 miles without ever changing their oil, and act surprised when their engine siezes up.

[jamesgoldman]

Somewhat but even I as a non driver would attempt those jobs and have seen them performed enough times even brake pads and spark plugs

[NicholasRedone]

@jamesgoldman fair enough - I just watch too many FD or similar scary movies lol "anxieties or accidents can be found anywhere" lol risk adverse 😋 or risk averse me lol

[NicholasRedone]

@jamesgoldman I'm naturally clumsy so "that's why I leave it to the professionals" 😜🤭 I'm the type of guy if I could afford it lol to have roadside assist for example, even though it's an extra yearly or whatever fee, fee lol" lol like those with private health versus public health coverage lol 😂😆

[jamesgoldman]

I meant to say they are somewhat complex, a friend had an old Mercedes and that was complex enough let alone the stuff my friend in exotic rentals owns

[NicholasRedone]

@jamesgoldman words to the wise that a simpler engine bay is what I'd look for when considering a car personally ; 😅- a "no frills" engine bay

[NicholasRedone]

Yet everything even for fuel injected 90s or 2000s or 2010s, easily in sight and access ;

[NicholasRedone]

Is how I'd roll :) lol 👀👀👀 when or if I was ever picking "my choice" of car 🚗🚨

[NicholasRedone]

Ah well, alas, I'm just grateful 🥲 what I have versus having none lol 😆

[NicholasRedone]

@jamesgoldman one thing James, rhymes with names, many folks out there or of reading here - they rarely ever take humbleness or "take stock of their own gratefully grateful things they have" - lol always wanting more and lol sometimes I'm like that, sometimes I'm very humbled ☯️✌🏻🧙🏻‍♂️

[jamesgoldman]

Yeah there's an old MG for same not wildly far from me and if I had space I'd probably own it already

[NicholasRedone]

@jamesgoldman sort of even gives the God of various religions some credibility to the words of their various religious texts that "there are some things even (God name) could not do, despite being a God" hmmm 👀 📚📖

[NicholasRedone]

Credibility of actual existence i mean ; lol limitations even to a degree that even "even a god couldn't lift a chariot of iron" lol or similar verses elsewhere other religions even intriguing 🧙🏻‍♂️🧙🏻‍♂️🧙🏻‍♂️😆

[NicholasRedone]

@jamesgoldman the current (now just ended) up to 2024 MG seemed very good engine bay wise even - the 2016-2024 model usually white 🤍🤍🤍

[NicholasRedone]

Referring to the small baby hatchback white 🤍🤍🤍 from 2016-2024 (or to 2023)

[NicholasRedone]

@jamesgoldman hopefully you find a decent used car someday or decent new cars someday lol 😆 otherwise they'll never be used cars if people don't buy new cars to turn them to used over time lol 😆

[jamesgoldman]

This is a Midget from 1976

[NicholasRedone]

@jamesgoldman not my cup of tea :( too old lol 😔😆

[jamesgoldman]

The repairs it needs would cost the same I should imagine but would likely be a profitable endeavor

[NicholasRedone]

@jamesgoldman you do you man. Lol. The only downside is the lack of safety gear and technology evolved unless you're not keeping everything vintage. Peace 🙏🏻🕊️ obviously you can't install airbags on an old car. Peace 🙏🏻

[jamesgoldman]

Yeah, I know of a few companies modernising certain classics like e-types and old luxury land yachts

[PBandJ_Nerd]

If you're not good with tech & mechanics, then yeah it might be difficult. I for one won't own a car because of the fact I'm slow response & it's just not worth getting a nice car only for it to be busted up. That costs me more money rather than saving it in this case.

[NicholasRedone]

@PBandJ_Nerd uhh - do you currently use any mode of transport and if so what or how please then?

[PBandJ_Nerd]

Not yet. For now it's just my parents and their cars, but they're thinking of me trying Uber. We'll get me a can of pepper spray & I'll be fine.

[NicholasRedone]

@PBandJ_Nerd how very American or Canadian of you? Pepper spray lol 🫑🌶️ anyways laws vary everywhere I guess. Tell me lady what would be your ideal car in your dream world? Or even your realistic dream world? Please + i welcome the insights even if it sounds time wasting. I mean I know I'd buy a particular Mazda in my perfect world and it ain't even a top of the range, ain't even a sport or luxury car. Surprise surprise to some - Nicholas here is not frugal yet not rich 🤑 seeking 🥳 even in my dreams. My dreams 🙂☁️☁️
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[PBandJ_Nerd]

I'd probably like a Volkswagen or a jeep. Both are nice cars.

[NicholasRedone]

4wd? Aka SUV bodies? Or hatch or sedan?

[NicholasRedone]

I'm starting to think I'm an old fart humbly that I'm so and won't change, I'm an old fart at 31 for wanting lol @PBandJ_Nerd a baby hatchback - those city cars sadly are being it seems, it seems, phased out like the CD disc 😅😅😅😅 maybe that's the joy of my story ongoing - "I'll always have my memories of when" 👀✌🏻☯️

[trumpetplayerforlife]

They keep changing it making it harder for non mechanics to work on stuff everything has to be programed anymore and only that brand dealers can do it

[Redstang88]

If you’re scared of doing very basic maintenance/ upkeep I can’t imagine how you’d ever drive one. That’s way riskier than any of that

[Sunrising]

Give it a go, and you might like car maintenance. I'd suggest buying a book on your car, and having a read.

[itsannalee]

I don’t know, I don’t drive