[Rareheart]

I'm probably one a very few who have actually gained work since the economic down-turn. I am a master automotive technician (read: grease monkey). It seems that people are waking up to the idea that instead of buying a new car, they would be better advised to repair their old clunker...plop down a couple grand for a new engine or transmission, and go right on driving, rather than face the idea of making payments on a vehicle that is only going to depreciate.

Older cars are more appealing in many ways...you can have minimum insurance, obviously there are no monthly payments...etc.
Smaller cars are now taking the place of the massive gas hogs that have been the "in" thing lately. People are spending more money on their old beaters, and it has kept me busier than normal.

I live in a place with no mass transit available...not one bus stop in the entire town. People around here require a vehicle...it's not a luxury anymore.
Not all of the repair facilities in this area are booming though...most have slowed down. The economy has sort of separated the wheat from the chaff, those with less skill and honesty have suffered.