PCA Forums

Sadly EVERTHING is becoming like this. Tractors, cars, even washing machines. I can't "fix" my washing machine anymore. Not even the repairman can, really, all he can do is swap out modules, and if that doesn't work it's not worth fixing. It's nuts. On appliance forums people are trading old pre-computerized washers for outrageous prices because you can at least tinker with them to keep them running.

http://www.wired.com/2015/02/new-high-t ... e-farmers/

Interesting. My ex-brother in law was a farmer who also built race cars. He made a lot of money just buying up old busted up lo-tech stuff from others who didn't have a high end machine shop and salvaging/repairing.

Both of our 15+ yr old washer, dryer needed repairs in the last year and I seriously debated just replacing them with new ones but the parts weren't overly expensive and other than needing my son to come over and help me carry them out to the back porch, replacing the parts wasn't too hard and now, both machines work better than ever.
As for new cars which I work on often, at the end of the day I'm glad to go out to my 20 yr old Volvo's and drive home. They're also paid for, in very good condition and do everything I need them to do.
The systems on newer cars get more over the top every year. You should read on the new 2015 Lexus RC-F with its "true vectoring differential" (LOL) and programable dash controls for racing, as if anyone needs all that. It's a nice car but at $75K, I don't think so.