I wonder if this is the recession having an effect, people leaving servicing longer, to save money, or having a go themselves. 

Years ago when Mini's and Austin All Aggro's were the norm and would often break, people tended to bodge and get on with it. My dad's Allegro went through 2 MOT's with a bottle crate bolted behind the drivers seat as the runners had rusted. I often think it's a combination of cars getting more complicated and (rightly so) safety. But people will also moan at small things going wrong too and the Internet makes this worse as it makes it a lot easier for people to complain and feel more wronged.

I wonder if this is the recession having an effect, people leaving servicing longer, to save money, or having a go themselves. 

Bob on.

This exactly what I'm hearing in my travels around the dealers.

 

I'd be seriously worried and pensive about buying ANY car over 3 to 8 years old outside the manufacturers warranty now.

 

VERY expensive cans of worms waiting to empty your bank account.

Edited 17 February, 201412 yr by Mr Ree

There's no reason why they couldn't make a car last forever, the technology is there already, carbon fibre and aluminium etc. but it boils down to the simple fact that something that lasts forever is not good for a future sale.

There's no reason why they couldn't make a car last forever, the technology is there already, carbon fibre and aluminium etc. but it boils down to the simple fact that something that lasts forever is not good for a future sale.

Precisely.

They'd all go out of business due to lack of sales.

 

On saying all that, my 13 year old JVC 'tube' telly refuses to die, much to the annoyance of the collective here that want an all singing dancing flat screen jobbie .

I refuse point blank to budge though.

Edited 17 February, 201412 yr by Mr Ree

I've often wondere why they don't make cars modular too, for example the entire engine and drivetrain becomes a disposable bolt in piece that you can change in minuites. Would make perfect sense.

I've often wondere why they don't make cars modular too, for example the entire engine and drivetrain becomes a disposable bolt in piece that you can change in minuites. Would make perfect sense.

 

Depends on perspective.

Makes perfect sense to you but a manufacturer sees loss of sales revenue and increased development costs.

 

Manufacturers want you to buy new cars, the government wants you to buy new cars (VAT, industry & greenwash). Therefore the market is rigged to encourage you to buy new cars.

 

The closest you will see to modular parts will be rental battery packs for electric cars. And that's because the technology is flawed not because the manufacturers want it.

 

If they could get away with it they'd bolt the bonnet shut and make you pay for every oil level check.

 

My prediction for the future is exactly that, bonnet locked shut and the car hooked to the web automatically ordering oil and booking appointments at franchises and us probably paying a subscription for the pleasure.

Precisely.

They'd all go out of business due to lack of sales.

 

On saying all that, my 13 year old JVC 'tube' telly refuses to die, much to the annoyance of the collective here that want an all singing dancing flat screen jobbie .

I refuse point blank to budge though.

SWMBO's old Sony CRT telly also won't die. I might have to set fire to it and blame it on dust build up

SWMBO's old Sony CRT telly also won't die. I might have to set fire to it and blame it on dust build up

I know someone that very recently took his to the dump just because he wanted a flat screen one.

Absolutely nowt wrong with it either, but he couldn't give it away.

 

Disgusting waste imo

Edited 17 February, 201412 yr by Mr Ree

Two things I would say..

 

1, As already said cars are more technical now than ever, more electronic and powered items, a simple electrical problem results in an issue.

2, people are less tolerant now, years ago, a certain amount of people would just use the car and not worry about a dash squeak for example, nowadays, people will return a car for anything and everything!

 

 The result reflects this, along with longer warranties too, people might be keeping their cars longer instead of trading at three years old..

 

 personally I have cars for three years and they get standard servicing and fuel, if a squeak or rattle appears the radio gets turned up 

The technology is available to manufacture incandescent bulbs that never blow.

 

Ain't gonna happen though as you'll never need to buy replacements. What type of company wants to design a consumable that lasts too long?

If cars lasted for ever my dad would stil be driving a Ford anglia and Iwould be in my Riley elf.

If cars lasted for ever my dad would stil be driving a Ford anglia and Iwould be in my Riley elf.

 

Oh yessssssss! 

 

 

....and the combined value of that pair in mint condition would probably be more than the cost of a new fabia vRS, and will both be still going long after it's gone to the scrap yard......probably in about 8 years time.

Edited 17 February, 201412 yr by Mr Ree