Why does your opinion matter?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 19,864
Likes: 146
From: South East TN
I have no credentials as far as corvettes go, I have experience with jets. Basic mechanical principles apply over a wide range of areas and give you a sound basis to work from. For expertise I came looking here, and I found it here also. By reading and researching and looking at who answered what and if their answers made sense. I take everyones opinion as that, just an opinion. " I " decide if the advice seems sound to me. And since I've assumed that resposibility if anything does go wrong I can only blame myself and chalk it up as a learning experience.
As far as engineers go, I've worked with many, some very good and some without a clue. A sound and analytical mind is much more important than a degree. A person with a sound and analytical mind and a degree in engineering has a much stronger foundation to work from. An engineer with hands on experience in the field and sound reasoning skills has a better perspective than an engineer who lives in auto cad and has never touched a wrench.
But this is all in my opinion and everyone knows what those are like.
I know who I can trust on here through their well reasoned answers.
So Thank you ET, Mr Bill, Bill Curlee, and all the many others who have offered sound, resoned advice.
As far as engineers go, I've worked with many, some very good and some without a clue. A sound and analytical mind is much more important than a degree. A person with a sound and analytical mind and a degree in engineering has a much stronger foundation to work from. An engineer with hands on experience in the field and sound reasoning skills has a better perspective than an engineer who lives in auto cad and has never touched a wrench.
But this is all in my opinion and everyone knows what those are like.
I know who I can trust on here through their well reasoned answers.
So Thank you ET, Mr Bill, Bill Curlee, and all the many others who have offered sound, resoned advice.
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,759
Likes: 3,277
From: Phoenix area, AZ
30 years as a shadetree mechanic. Two years working in a Corvette specialist body shop working on every model Corvette up to the C4.
35 years of listening, watching, and working alongside the "right" people. Some are sorely missed, others are welcome friends and mentors.
I learned very shortly after buying my 2000 coupe a year and a half ago that much of my experience working on cars didn't much apply to the heavily computerized and redesigned C5. Since then I have paid very close attention to those who I determined knew what they were talking about. I have made more repairs and upgrades on my car than I can remember without getting out all of the receipts, and having successfully completed all of them with no repeat problems I offer advice on what I know about from first-hand experience.
For all of the rest I just keep paying attention and learn as much as I can. Many years from now I will be the knowledgeable C5 expert offering advice to new Corvette owners.
35 years of listening, watching, and working alongside the "right" people. Some are sorely missed, others are welcome friends and mentors.
I learned very shortly after buying my 2000 coupe a year and a half ago that much of my experience working on cars didn't much apply to the heavily computerized and redesigned C5. Since then I have paid very close attention to those who I determined knew what they were talking about. I have made more repairs and upgrades on my car than I can remember without getting out all of the receipts, and having successfully completed all of them with no repeat problems I offer advice on what I know about from first-hand experience.
For all of the rest I just keep paying attention and learn as much as I can. Many years from now I will be the knowledgeable C5 expert offering advice to new Corvette owners.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,095
Likes: 42
From: Pewaukee WI
I started out as a auto technician, moved to heavy equipment - mining machines, then moved away into sales and management. My training from back in the day remains sold, what has happened since the late 70's thru to late 80's has been nothing short of amazing, with auto electronics and computerization. I can still do the usual mechanical repairs and servicing, pull a motor or auto trans apart and reassemble with out issues. The modernization of new equipment, like all improvements and additions, what was then a certainly isn't now.
I have learnt and will continue to learn a huge amount from the forum and listen to my peers. We have many very skilled and knowledgable folks on the forum, some thru training/schooling/hard knocks, hopefully using what little common sense I have, i will be able to weed out the BS from the correct stuff.
People's opinions are like butt holes, we all have one!
I have learnt and will continue to learn a huge amount from the forum and listen to my peers. We have many very skilled and knowledgable folks on the forum, some thru training/schooling/hard knocks, hopefully using what little common sense I have, i will be able to weed out the BS from the correct stuff.
People's opinions are like butt holes, we all have one!
Racer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 458
Likes: 2
From: The Great Northwest
St. Jude Donor '13
I put air in a car tire once...
(actually a little more experience than that, but I could not resist entering the measurement contest)
Actually, I know enough to know when I should not offer any advice. I will sometimes direct somebody to somebody else, but rarely offer any advice. If someone wants my opinion on how something they have done to their car looks, I am "all in" (but respectful and mindful of the fact that it is their car and not mine).
(actually a little more experience than that, but I could not resist entering the measurement contest)
Actually, I know enough to know when I should not offer any advice. I will sometimes direct somebody to somebody else, but rarely offer any advice. If someone wants my opinion on how something they have done to their car looks, I am "all in" (but respectful and mindful of the fact that it is their car and not mine).
Last edited by PNW Vett; Aug 5, 2013 at 04:02 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,488
Likes: 1,743
From: Knoxville Tn
I've got some wallpaper that says I'm pretty knowledgeable about computer mainframes (they barely exist anymore) and stocks and bonds (series 7 and a 32, but I haven't messed with them in years.)
Surely those qualify me.
Surely those qualify me.
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Alliance NE
Einstein thought up the theory of relativity when he was a clerk working in a patent office. Just because you have a degree, does not mean you have all the answers. As a matter of fact, I have noted that the younger you are, the less likely you are to think something impossible, so you go ahead and get 'er done! It is easy to get caught up in the "I have more experience and degrees then you do syndrome." My advice, "Don't judge a book by its cover." I know a lot of guys that don't have degree one to their name, and are just as competent or even more competent when it comes to fixing real world problems than guys with degrees out the whazoo! Food for thought.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,789
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville FL
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,789
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville FL
Racer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 458
Likes: 2
From: The Great Northwest
St. Jude Donor '13
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
From: Jasper Texas
St. Jude Donor '13
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
The question is " Why does your opinion matter " ?
Opinions have varying degrees of credibility. Some one offers their opinion, and " You " have to decide if the opinion is worth anything.
For me, I get hundreds of private messages a month. about 50 % of these messages start out will hello Bill, I value your opinion. can you help me .
I see a lot of opinions in open forum that make for very thin soup.
I also see some great opinions. So someone's opinion is very subjective to those who read it.
For me, I get hundreds of private messages a month. about 50 % of these messages start out will hello Bill, I value your opinion. can you help me .
I see a lot of opinions in open forum that make for very thin soup.
I also see some great opinions. So someone's opinion is very subjective to those who read it.