I always chuckle when people make these arguments about cars being better when they were easier to repair.
Sure, diagnosing and repairing a problems like the throttle control example is more difficult and expensive today than it was in the '70s. But cars are also so much more reliable today that the frequency of these repairs is considerably lower.
I have a 2009 Toyota Matrix that I have owned for 12 years now. It has nearly 140,000 miles on it. Last month, the vehicle finally had to get a repair of a non wear item (failing O2 sensor), which cost me $300. In 1975, how many cars could be expected to last 13 years and 140,000 miles before needing a single repair?
Sure, diagnosing and repairing a problems like the throttle control example is more difficult and expensive today than it was in the '70s. But cars are also so much more reliable today that the frequency of these repairs is considerably lower.
I have a 2009 Toyota Matrix that I have owned for 12 years now. It has nearly 140,000 miles on it. Last month, the vehicle finally had to get a repair of a non wear item (failing O2 sensor), which cost me $300. In 1975, how many cars could be expected to last 13 years and 140,000 miles before needing a single repair?