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Mr. Luddite

On 7/26/2014 3:03 PM, wrote:
On Sat, 26 Jul 2014 05:07:43 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

On Friday, July 25, 2014 11:23:52 PM UTC-4, Wayne. B wrote:
On Fri, 25 Jul 2014 20:33:32 -0400, "Mr. Luddite"

wrote:

Better off with a simple Ford or Chevy that can

be repaired by just about anyone.

===

Personally I prefer a Toyota or Honda that rarely needs to be repaired

by anyone.
Plus, the dealer told me that in order to keep up the warranty, I needed to follow the strict "bring it in every 75oo miles" service schedule in the warranty book.

I guess that dealer never read the MAGNUSON-MOSS WARRANTY ACT. They
can not require you to use any particular service provider or any
particular brand of parts or supplies.

In the case of the two BMW M5s I had, if BMW couldn't resolve the
software issues that controls everything, including shifting from Park
to Drive, who the heck else was going to fix it? Both of them
experienced the "Red Cog of Death" (orange alert on the panel) and the
car wouldn't shift out of neutral. Happened to some people while
tooling down the highway. Fortunately for me it happened in my driveway
both times. Dealer had to send a flatbed truck down and haul them away.

Also, it's not necessarily a case of repairing items or replacing parts.
Those cars had a very specific and detailed "break-in" procedure with
more than usual dealer "check ups" required to keep the warranty valid.
The car computer recorded all data ... max engine RPM, acceleration
rates, etc. I remember that you had to keep RPMs below a certain level
for the first 1200 or 1500 miles, then start to slowly increase. If
they found you violated any of the break-in restrictions and something
went wrong, your warranty was at risk.

Bottom line ... nice car but a pain in the ass to own.

The Porsche was different. Old school. No fancy electronic controls
with software that crashed or hung up. Six speed manual transmission
and 450 hp in a car under 3000 lbs. Handled like it was on rails at 35
mph or 120 mph. I enjoyed it for a year or so but then realized it just
wasn't "me". I am a pick-up type. Far more practical and functional.