Until recently throttles were not sealed units containing high-precision actuators and sensors controlled electronically and responsible for idle, cruise and all other throttle functions with so-called fail-safe etc features. Cars from just a few years ago had rather ordinary throttle bodies which could not fail in the current ways but also could not meet new emissions etc laws. Sorry, but over the years just doesn't count Heck, over the years catalytic convertors didn't fail cos there weren't none LOL. I preferred the old laws and old throttles but we appear to be forced into the new stuff.

 

OK, now I disagree, a bit. The "old" way would not be able to produce a 300hp 4.2L stock V8, or a 230 hp 3.0 V6, or a 168hp 2.4L 4.... (yes my damn Honda's come up again) Tech has it's challenges but we experiencing a renewed level of performance.. Did we ever think the day would come when a slightly above average sedan would out perform the revered muscle cars of the past?

 

Er, I meant for reliability (what the thread's about). That's why I drive a car with no excess computers or electronics..... an S-Type R. Oh, wait. Oops.

 

And I'll say this... Despite the OMG threads...Overall new tech cars are a whole ton more reliable than the old stuff as well.... Last car to strand me, personally, for a failure, was an 83 Chevy. Damn I wish that Monte had a limp home feature when the PCM started failing.......

Now on the other side of things... I did find it extremely odd that my buds at the dealer did an entire reversal on me the last time we talked. They were ones that ensured me that it was perfectly fine to do the whole engine clean thing that I have always done. No worries... Then when I was in last time they specifically told me.."...now don't go washing everything under here. Water can do some really bad stuff in there." When I asked them why change from a year ago... They said, "well we know how **** you can be.." Honestly, they have always known how **** I can be. I actually think that they are realizing that there is a reason to be careful and that some of these systems warrant extra care when it comes to maintenance. The thing is, how do you communicate that without creating unnecessary issues of liability.

I knew I shouldn't have gotten involved in this....