I always specify synthetic oil for a oil change since the car was new. Zero engine problems. At age 80 I do not bother changing oil myself. The dealer charges $56 (incl tax) for synthetic oil change and they wash my car.
Synthetic is okay in the HHR where I mentioned the screens, it's the high-mileage oil that has some additives in it that block those little screens. I change the oil on all my vehicles and use synthetic in them. I can buy high quality filters and Mobil 1 for less than anyone around me can give me a basic oil change (it might cost me the price of the filter over the cost of WM's basic service).