My dad grew up working in he dad’s Garage. Growing up, we always had cars out front that were always in some state of repair or construction. (One brother basically built a Porsche convertible buying the shell and random parts.). They range from poor to rich now, and none of them work on cars anymore because it’s just not worth it or fun with the new computerized ones. One brother has an old motorcycle that he rebuilt, though, and has built some other similar stuff. But not cars.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It used to be that teen boys loved tinkering with their cars. Now, it seems that boys don’t have anywhere near the same interest in cars in general, much less a desire to mess around with them. Why is this?

Because you need a diagnostic computer to diagnose the issue(s)?

You can get one cheaply. We own one.

As others have mentioned, it's getting harder and harder to work on cars nowdays given the advanced electronics and car companies who "lock down' the technology. There is even a "no tinker" school of thought in some companies who are fighting to prevent you from modifying your car or tractor.

https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/203913-general-motors-john-deere-want-to-keep-tinkering-self-repair-illegal

Tesla is another one who goes ape if you start to mess with the car's internals.

teens don't even want to DRIVE cars anymore

Im an 80s baby. Me and all my friends were dying to get our permits.

I know several late 90s/2000s kids and they dont even have their license!

How many teen boys have cars?

Because no one sets an example. If parents don't work on their own cars or do house repairs, then why example does it set to the kids.

I think it's more that modern cars need so little maintenance that it's not cost effective to own the tools for repairs that only infrequently.

Anonymous wrote:It used to be that teen boys loved tinkering with their cars. Now, it seems that boys don’t have anywhere near the same interest in cars in general, much less a desire to mess around with them. Why is this?

Because you need a diagnostic computer to diagnose the issue(s)?

Anonymous wrote:It's partly the area. I see this where some of my family lives in rural WV, but not around here.

Well, and let me add-- it's class, too. I still see this here and there among working class folks (around here that means mostly people of color), but not so much middle class+.

It's partly the area. I see this where some of my family lives in rural WV, but not around here.

Because if my teen boys so much as look sideways at that Tesla they will not know what hit them!

Just kidding, but my kids are more likely to design and build a car (and they and their friends have current plans to do so), than to be allowed to tinker with ours.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It used to be that teen boys loved tinkering with their cars. Now, it seems that boys don’t have anywhere near the same interest in cars in general, much less a desire to mess around with them. Why is this?

Just curious how old are you, op? I've never seen any teen boy work on a car and I'm 52.

This. I graduated high school in the late 90's. I never saw any teen boy work on a car. DH graduated high school in mid-90s. I don't think he has any idea what is inside our car and certainly has never "tinkered" with a car in his life.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because their fathers don’t. I could do just about any repair on a car back in the day, but there’s not much you can do in the driveway with newer cars.

This. It was something that Dads did with their sons. Those days are over.

OP it still happens but only with a small niche of dads that still have these skills, and who have an older car to work on. Go to Katie's Coffee in McLean any Saturday 6-9 and among the super rich with their exotic cars you might find some more down to earth gear heads who are still doing this with their kids.

Anonymous wrote:Cars have become much more complicated. My boys can do a whole lot, but there are limits simply because of the technology involved in newer cars.

+1.

Anonymous wrote:Because their fathers don’t. I could do just about any repair on a car back in the day, but there’s not much you can do in the driveway with newer cars.

This. It was something that Dads did with their sons. Those days are over.