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The mechanic needs to get with the times - the fact is that unless you only are interested in very low end basic cars, the car will likely have a lot of electronics. the mid-priced vehicles of today have more electronic and motorized items than the luxury cars of just a few years ago. </p>
<p>Consider (comparing to one of the many decades old cars I regularly drive) -
- Power windows
- Power door locks
- Power side mirrors
- Cruise control
- Electronic stability control
- Air bags
- Multi-speaker relatively capable stereo system
- Electronic sensors throughout the engine and other components
- Electronic ignition
- Computer controlled engine including fuel injection
- Anti-lock brakes
- Power seats
- Air conditioning
- Self dimming rear view mirror
- Backup camera with corresponding screen for viewing (soon to be a regulated mandatory item)
- etc.</p>
<p>Of course, any of those can break and none of them are failure items on the car I was referring to because it doesn’t have any of them but almost all new cars do and in that list how many would you really want to forego on a new car? Most of those items are for safety and efficiency.</p>
<p>I’m not disparaging your mechanic but mechanics need to face reality and the reality is that today’s cars, even the basic ones, have these safety and efficiency items as well as the (currently) more optional items people desire like navigation systems, TVs for the rear, etc. The features aren’t going away (although some mechanics might if they don’t keep up).</p>