We carry spares for the very practical reason that they aren't universally
available. As a friend of mine was told, when he limped into a service garage
in a western state somewhere off the interstate, "Shoot! If it ain't a Ford or
a Chevy, we don't work on it!"
The fact of the matter is that we CAN fix it ourselves, many times, if we have
the part(s). I can't say that about my computer-controlled fuel-injected Buick.
I don't carry "spares" for that because it isn't necessary from an availability
standpoint, nor can I guess when, what, or if something is going to go. I
really don't care to send it to its ultimate fate someday with a brand new $200
alternator riding in the trunk. (I wonder what flavor of electricity it makes
that requires fancy connectors and a serpentine belt pulley that makes it ever
so much better than the $40 generic alternators that used to come on GM iron.)
We talk to each other about problems and the ways to fix them in order to help
each other; educate each other; entertain each other. Not a lot of content
value in reporting that I drove the Century to work and the radio played ok.
OK, I've got the asbestos shorts on now. Flame away.
Jon Larsen (79 MGB)
>>> "Scott Gardner" <gardner7@pilot.infi.net> 02/02 2:27 PM >>>
> Hi Larry,
> Yes, fixing this in the street is the easy way. However, with
> reference to Mike's post about the questions people raise about
> reliability of our MGs, I try to do repairs inside the garage and out of
> sight.
> He's right--a muffler falls off a Toyota that costs $20,000 and it's no
> big deal. A muffler falls off an MG that cost a fraction of that, has
> 100,000+ honorable miles on it, and it's "I wouldn't go over 60 miles
> from home in one of those."
> Ripley put together an entire book on Believe it or Not. I believe.
> Bob
>
I agree with you, but you have to admit, we kind of do it to
ourselves as far as the reputation goes. Compare this list to a list
dealing with just about ANY non-British car, and it seems like all we
do is talk about problems with our cars and how to correct them.
Also, how many owners of new cars feel the need to drive around with
spare parts for their cars? I know several people on this list carry
spare fuel pumps around (at least) , and I think the Moss catalogue
even recommends it! :)
Scott
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