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Hi, Mort.
re: "...Retired, living on a budget, trying to avoid unnecessary expenses eg. dealership rates...."
I feel your pain -- will be retiring myself in about three years.
Sadly, all the newer models have grown increasingly dependent on a dealer-controlled software system, called VADIS I think, that controls more and more of the car's functions, instead of simple electromechanical relays and switches. It's an offshoot of the OBD-II diagnostic system. Nowadays, if you replace certain engine management parts, they have to be "interfaced" with the car's system before they'll even work -- no more mere bolt-on and she'll run kind of work.
My daughter, right out of school, bought a new '07 S60 -- while I'm happy for her that she has a safe car, there's little I could do for her car except maybe change the oil (if I lived close enough, but that's another sad story :-( for another time). And this is why I've still got three 240s!
Anyway, to answer your question, among used cars, the earlier/older ones are better in terms of being able to do things yourself. The transition to the new VADIS system has been gradual -- there's not just one year where the change took place, I'm afraid.
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