http://rumors.automobilemag.com/6623...ate/index.html

What a bunch of crap. I'm tired of always getting the bad end of the stick!

Tell me about it, special tools really start to add up. Even my software for tuning is getting close to a grand and goes up with every car I tune.

Wish I could even afford it. I try to read everything and remember nothing.

Really getting ridiculous when you need a computer and/or OEM software to reprogram a brake system or spend $1000 for a brake tool for one car manufacturer. They are really taking the low road to get the most money out of someone for the price of a car.

Sell the car cheep, but make special tools and charge a ton for that.

They just don't want us to be able to fix our own cars anymore. If we conyinue to learn then the car manufactures wont make their money as easy. It is like when they build them, they don't care how things have to be repaired just make it compact and to hell with the mechanic.James

If I remember right, I payed like $40 for a simple tool to adjust a AC clutch, that'* all it does.

There ya go. Nailed it on the head. My step father teaches ASE classes so people can get their ASE cert'*. He'* also an ASE Master Tech. so he fixes peoples cars on the side to make extra money. When I had my 07 Avalanche I had a random SES light. He plugged in his scan tool (which he gets updated EVERY year), and couldn't pull the code.

Car manufactures are releasing the bare minimum diagnostics to 3rd parties and making parts that require specific tools.

I see the "shade tree" mechanics (as the Auto companies call them) not being able to repair new cars in the next 5 years.

On the bright side, Advance has started a loaner tool program. If you're willing to put down a deposit, they'll let you borrow a tool. I haven't tried it yet, but I wonder how deep their toolbox goes.