These are STILL in stock?

[Damion]

It's true, simplistic vehicles are easier to work on with basic tools and a little common sense. Complex repair of real cars however is simply not possible without a good education and thousands of dollars in special tools and service literature. Reconditioning heads on a V8 or V12 Mercedes for example is no joke to do properly. (Fortunately, cars are more reliable these days and usually go longer intervals before major repairs are needed.)

On a late model vehicle, try diagnosing a climate control fault without specialized diagnostic equipment. Not gonna happen.

My perspective on this comes from growing up in a family owned independent Benz garage.

Nascar sucks BTW. MotoGP FTW.

[Damion]

@Damion: What do do define as a real car? It can't be mercedes, those toys have utterly terrible gearboxes. A choice between boringmatic and a manual designed by fred flintstone is no choice at all.

Exactly which Mercedes have you driven? Which gearbox are you referring to?

Also, If I needed a new cylinder head I'd probably just buy one (parts are cheap for "real cars") rather than refurb it.

New cylinder heads for German cars are usually very expensive, and obviously don't come assembled. Sorry, you'll still need more than a "ratchet".  

@tone007: We use the fuel taxes to pay for healthcare, that way people can actually get it. .

A friend of mine emigrating from the UK says that many people in Britain maintain some sort of private insurance, because of potential long waiting periods for specialty care. (A quick google search shows a plethora of such plans.) I have absolutely no desire to defend the US healthcare system, but yours isn't without its share of problems.

[Damion]

I've driven exactly zero merecdes,

Thanks, at least you were honest. 'Nuff said.