Whiner. How hard was that? He is not being an IT tech, just a program user, does he not use a phone? The customer pays, other pieces like the pass-through are tax deductible. I started off as a youngun as a motor mech, a bit later in life became an network/system admin and consultant. Understanding IT was very much like understanding how vehicles work.

Leaving the business 'now' yet he's talking about an 18 year old car.

Why does he care, he's still going to charge for his time.

Bobby. wrote on Apr 19^th, 2026 at 8:18pm:


Bad luck for him... He was born 50 years too late, I'm sure he knew what he was getting into and what needed to be done. Whiner.

Bobby. wrote on Apr 19^th, 2026 at 8:18pm:


When i fitted fuel injection to my Torana 32 years ago i had to buy a laptop computer to program it.
I stared with a 386 processor windows 3.1  250 Mb hard drive  just to program it.
Neighbor came over he said last time he saw someone plug a laptop into a car was Dick Johnson Sierra Turbo at Bathurst.

It was heaps of fun programming it while driving results were instant and unlike tuning quad webers didn't have to pop the bonnet pull 4 carbies apart then put them back together to make tuning changes. It was all done by numerical inputs from keyboard.

These days we have OBD 2 scanners that tell you what is wrong with vehicle just by plugging into it which makes diganostics easy when it tells you a relay is faulty.

It's just a simple program install for that gearbox which same box goes into anything from SUV to Commodore.

Turbo 400 was the last of the simple GM autos.

Some of the newer tech is disagree with like lane keeping assist which cuts in when you try to avoid potholes and Kangaroos.

Windscreen replacements have become a job for the pros you need to recalibrate cameras for AEB.

I left working on cars because i didn't like getting covered in oil and grease these days i only work on my own and sometimes help friends and family.

Bobby. wrote on Apr 19^th, 2026 at 9:51pm:


Cars tune themselves Bobby, other than malfunction you should never need to access the computer.
Even if there is a malfunction the computer tells you what the problem is via an error code.

I own and drive a 2004 4x4 diesel, tray ute.

It has been a good, and reliable vehicle/transport for me.

When i 'inspected' it, prior to purchase,
i noticed that it came with......a cassette player !!  [i was expecting, maybe, a DVD player]

But its OK for me....i'm content to listen to the inboard radio, or listen to music on a little USB FM [mp3] drive.....



But my question is, to all here.....

If i wanted to replace my vehicle in 2026,
what is the least tech dependent vehicle out there today,
in your opinion ?

[....i'm a guy who does not own a smart phone.      'Luddite' Yadda]

Somehow.......the world still turns for me.
.....even though i do not own a smart phone.

Bobby. wrote on Apr 19^th, 2026 at 10:01pm:


The same gearbox goes in anything from a SUV to sedan possibly even Corvette.

The programming for gearbox will vary depending on vehicle as each vehicle has different requirements with driving style. The same box will go behind several engines each with varying power/torque characteristics so shift points etc will vary.

There isn't much you can do without software these days. Not if you want to get anything useful done.

May 18, 2026 

The DOJ subpoenaed Apple, Google, Amazon, and Walmart for the name, address, and purchase history of everyone who wanted to fix the car or truck by download an App. No warrant. No charge. No allegation against you specifically. Just a Terms of Service checkbox — and according to the federal government, that's enough to make you a suspect.

This is about the car or truck in your driveway. Your right to own it, modify it, and control what happens to the computer inside it. And it goes much further than that.

I've been in this fight personally. A state government came after me civilly — not because I broke a law — because they wanted my customers' names and addresses to turn law-abiding people into criminals. I'll tell you how that ended.

If you think this doesn't affect you — it does. Every app on your phone. Every checkbox you've ever clicked. This is the precedent they're trying to set right now.

USA -
Several States Try To BAN 2005 & Older Cars, And Now Even Hand Tools SAY WHAT!




Jun 20, 2026

In today’s video, I talk about several states like Minnesota attempting to ban classic cars states like Illinois looking to ban cars from 2005 and earlier and then insane states like the state of New York, which are trying to ban CNC machines and other metal working machines under the guys of getting rid of ghost guns but also banning the ability to make hand tools to work on older vehicles.
Sound insane to you? Don’t worry it was sounded bat s crazy to me.
Let’s discuss this in the comments

Bobby. wrote on Apr 19^th, 2026 at 8:18pm:


I would be sure he uses all the traditional methods of car servicing that have been around for the last 40 years. But, using computers could aid in promoting the car's efficiency. If he was such a rev-head, he probably watches NASCAR races and keeps an interest in how the garage monitors fuel consumption, speed efficiency, rpm, etc. So, this should be a natural motivator for him to upgrade his skills to learn how to use a program.

Bobby. wrote on Apr 19^th, 2026 at 9:10pm:


How old is this guy? He looks to be anywhere from early thirties to mid forties. Surely, he would know that this technology existed during his traineeship.