Alright, I've just got to rant a little here. On the Saturn Fans forum section dedicated to the US Saturn Astra, there are a serious of how-to guides for replacing things like the cabin air filter and spark plugs. Every one of them is this whiny rant about how these cars are so hard to work on. For instance, someone was complaining about how hard it was to remove the coil pack from the plugs, and another was bitching about needing a set of e-torx sockets to work on the brakes. The one that is pissing me off right now is about the cabin air filter replacement.

When I initially read this guide, it was presented as a several hour tedious task. There were about 4 steps that could be skipped right over. People were complaining about having to bend the filter to slide it in place, and were worried that taking the glove compartment out might break it. I did this job in about 10 minutes of work. So far, it's taken me as long to pick up my laptop and write this rant as it took to do the job itself.

Now, this Saturn forum is the only one I have been a member of that seems to have a low average IQ, but I understand that BMW, Subaru, and VW forums have about the same percentage of mouthbreathing members. Which other forums have that same lack of common sense? I know most people on this forum don't agree on the cars we drive, but most of us can at least work on them and not bitch about stupid shit like dripping a bit of oil on the exhaust manifold when you take out the oil filter.

on the W body forums only thing i see is complaints about transmission failure and failure of the HVAC servos. aside from that most of the how to's are fairly normal

Wonder how many gearheads would still be gear heads if they dealt with points, regular engine tear downs, "Torque Tube" chassis, drum brakes all around, 6 volt electrical systems, vacuum wipers, hydraulic operated convertable tops, the wonderful late 70's early 80's emission controls and smog pumps, etc, etc.


Shade tree mechanics have NO IDEA how easy they have it now. I have dealt with all the above. I embrace technology, but glad I know how to get around old tech too.

Points and carbs are the only thing I've had firsthand experience with. Engines that had to be torn down regularly aren't a big deal to me, either.

Then again, I'm only 25 and still gaining experience regularly.

Dont need old tech when its obsolete and rare. Its all about OBDII, and most dorks cant even figure out how to plug the reader in the socket. Screw em all.

Don't need it at all, but it's nice to know how to work on the old stuff.

I'm glad these guys aren't flat-rate mechanics, because they'd be in the poor house.

I frequent 2 automotive forums, VWVortex and TheSamba.com.

The Vortex is filled with a bunch of know it all morons that figure if your car isn't scraping its oilpan on road crown or have hellaflush wheels, it's a piece of crap.

The Samba is a bunch of old school VW nuts who all seem to get along, except for a few old bastards who hate on "modern" '68+ Beetles because they have big bumpers.

But yeah, I've seen threads on the Vortex with people whining about how hard it is to change a headlight bulb.

Posted by bandi I frequent 2 automotive forums, VWVortex and TheSamba.com. The Vortex is filled with a bunch of know it all morons that figure if your car isn't scraping its oilpan on road crown or have hellaflush wheels, it's a piece of crap. The Samba is a bunch of old school VW nuts who all seem to get along, except for a few old bastards who hate on "modern" '68+ Beetles because they have big bumpers. But yeah, I've seen threads on the Vortex with people whining about how hard it is to change a headlight bulb.

i rarely hit either j-body.org or cobaltss.net anymore... same deal as the VWVortex.

the vortex is also full of guys who just ride the dick of a specific few members. meaning that no matter what those specific members do, its the greatest thing ever to happen

protip: dont hate on vortex at waterfest people get really sad about it

yeah, been there done that. I love the guys who load there factory painted cars with blue tape even though the car is crap

i loled at a guy who made a thread asking for advice on how to tape his car

hahaha, i would have too.

Posted by team haymaker yeah, been there done that. I love the guys who load there factory painted cars with blue tape even though the car is crap

i hate to ask, but I'll bite... what do you mean by 'blue tape' and 'taping' cars?

Posted by Samurai i hate to ask, but I'll bite... what do you mean by 'blue tape' and 'taping' cars?

I'm with sam on this one, wtf does all that mean?

VW Hipsters put masking tape on their cars to keep them from getting paint chips. It's one of the most asinine thing I've ever heard of.

Posted by wannabeotaku VW Hipsters put masking tape on their cars to keep them from getting paint chips. It's one of the most asinine thing I've ever heard of.

not quite entirely true.
i respect the guys that do it to their show cars that are out for the long haul with semi fresh paint.
but then you get losers with a 2000 jetta with original paint that do it. its ridiculous.
They tape the areas that would be stone chipped, when in reality they should just purchase a leather bra and install it for the drive to NJ

this guy has no reason to do it IMO


and this guy and all his friends are doing it at the track, which makes alittle more sense

Posted by team haymaker not quite entirely true. i respect the guys that do it to their show cars that are out for the long haul with semi fresh paint. but then you get losers with a 2000 jetta with original paint that do it. its ridiculous. They tape the areas that would be stone chipped, when in reality they should just purchase a leather bra and install it for the drive to NJ

I understand that. I was referring to the MKIII with crappy original paint being covered in tape.

i taped my mk3 the week after i got it painted when i went to jersey, but my other cars naw they were already chipped