20 years ago this wasn't that unusual a car in most respects. I don't think that overall mechanics are "worse" but you don't see any educated in the past 20 years with experience on this FI system in particular. Like anyone else doing a job, when they work on similar cars day after day they are fine, one Honda is pretty much like the next after a while. Documentation and training are up to date and in the guys' hands. In a normal shop, when a DeLorean comes in that's not in the "labor rate book" they mechanic goes on the clock. They can't beat the clock, and if they take all day finding the plug that fell halfway out of the ECU they have to charge the customer 8 hours labor. If you don't bring them a manual they don't have one. The customer isn't happy, the tech isn't happy, and his boss isn't happy. This is why so many shops will just plain turn you away - the service writer just knows that it will come out bad with ill feelings on both sides. They are also scared to death that they will break some non-replaceable part unrelated to the orignal complaint. Overall though, it's bad to generalize. I'm sure there are many shops out there with a tech or two with some experience or a higher than average ability to non-destructively troubleshoot and solve problems. That's why you see forums like this where people are asking for references. Dave S --- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Wilson Hitchings" <canon20dfan@...> wrote: > > If the general opinion is that quality mechanics are on the decline, > I'm curious why that is. Repair places have had a profit motive since > day one, but many of you are saying a good mechanic is harder to find > now than it was, say, 20 years ago. Why? > ------------------------------------ To address comments privately to the moderating team, please address: moderators@xxxxxxxxxxx For more info on the list, tech articles, cars for sale see www.dmcnews.com To search the archives or view files, log in at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnewsYahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:dmcnews-digest@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx mailto:dmcnews-fullfeatured@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: dmcnews-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/