Posted on 06/28/2019 4:07:48 AM PDT by C19fan
The average age of cars and trucks in the U.S. has hit a record 11.8 years, as better quality and technology allows people to keep them on the road longer. The 2019 figures from data provider IHS Markit show that the rate of increase is slowing, but the average age is still expected to go over 12 years early in the next decade. The average age is up 0.1 years from 2018. People are feeling comfortable keeping vehicles longer because they’re built better than in the past, said IHS Markit Director of Global Automotive Aftermarket Mark Seng. “The quality is higher, lasting longer, withstanding the weather,” Seng said.
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...
Cars are more reliable and last longer. I also think what one has to endure at a dealership when buying a new car is also a deterrent.
I not only don’t need a lot of the complicated computerized features (which are only more things that can go wrong),
but I also don’t like the idea of the government being able to track every place I go.
Just another instance of the creeping death of privacy.
“I also think what one has to endure at a dealership when buying a new car is also a deterrent.”
You got that right.
I kept my previous Honda (Accord) for 9 years. I finally broke down three years ago and bought a new Civic, because I “had to have” the modern gadgetry such as Bluetooth and rear camera.
The Civic only has less than 18,000 miles on it after 3 years, so I expect to keep it for a while.
“The rust monster puts an upper limit on car life in the northern third of the country.”
This is a RED website, we don’t have anyone in that part of the country.
(just kidding, be tough up there!)
Hehehe. Wet behind the ears. Seven years ago one of my biz partners bought an early 2K's 7.3 Ford F250 with 500K+ miles on it.
Still going strong.
Vehicles are one item I'm glad "they don't mak'em like they used to". Can't say I'm a big fan of some of the electronic gizmos, tho'. d;^)
Just went through that crap this week with the stupid new wheels and air pressure sensor nonsense. It took me 2 days to find someone who could fix a slow leak in one of my tires, without destroying the sensor.
Grafting computers to cars is not about reliability. It is about making money via dealer repairs and parts costs.
The GPS navigation system on GM cars is pure crap. Phone apps beat it hands down. It is about selling tracking info and advertising of a few vendors in auto related retail outlets. (gas stations, restaurants, and convenience stores)
Our cars are from the mid 2000’s. I recently rented a Ford Fusion and drove a somewhat newer Prius. Both vehicles ding/buzz/ make godawful noise every time you turn around. I hate cars that do that....if I ever have to buy a newer car that does that I will be researching how to disable these noisemakers.
I think these new “driver” assist cars that warn you when you cross the line may make those who rely on them worse drivers.
And remember, AP = Always Propaganda.
People driving older cars is correct. 2004 Passat = 105,000 2008 Outback = 104,000. Sold a 2000 Park Ave with 205,000 last year for $500.
Reasons:
1) New cars are just too expensive
2) Paying so much for “free” healthcare under Obamacare.
3) Paying so many taxes not much left for living.
I bet if you googled it (or youtube) you can find a hack to disarm it. I had to replace the starter on my wife’s new van. (She drove the old Buick for a couple of days!) It was just the starter - but their were lots of hacks if it was one of the safety sensors that prevented the ignition from activating the starter.)
https://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/f23/no-start-push-reset-emergency-fuel-shutoff-starts-159793/
I have no idea if the above link is related to what you are dealing with.
Car repairs are such a ripoff if you have the time and some tools. It looks like replacing this inertia switch is pretty easy with a screw driver as all the tools you’ll need.
Diagnosing and replacing my wife’s starter cost $110 in parts (rebuilt starter) and probably 5 hours of my time. I didn’t know anything - so I learned something too. The mechanic would have charged probably $600 to $800.
It was actually an interesting project. By all accounts the starter seems to work (out of the engine it seemed to run just fine!) But everything else in the ignition circuits checked out - and the engine wasn’t frozen - so it must be the starter. Then, when bench testing the starter I noticed the gear didn’t retract when it should have once. So I’m guessing something was a bit “sticky” and it wasn’t engaging or releasing from the gears in the engine.
Although it wasn’t until I installed the new starter that I was 100% certain. (I was 99% sure though when I bought the new starter).
BTW - Amazon has inertia switches for $50 to $75.
I strongly agree with that. I purchase my 2001 Jeep Cherokee while station in Germany. Still driving it with 176K (driven in 10 countries and half of the USA) with the engine still going strong. I added a 3 inch lift and 31 inch tires the rest is original.
Plan on having the XJ repainted next year and replacing the carpet this fall.
The biggest deterrent of buying a new car is the cost at dealership for me. My last two cars I had to argue for many hours to get a reasonable price. They want way to much money. In the end I got my deal, but I wonder how many people get rip off not knowing.
One concern I have for some lower price new cars is the quality of plastic and rubber. The plastic snaps easier and the rubber turns white.
The more “features” a car has, the shorter that car’s useful lifespan. I own a couple of old Lincolns. The seat controls, the dash electronics and numerous other functions no longer work. The cars perform flawlessly, so they get driven a lot. Fixing those features costs more than the cars are worth. I owned a 2010 Jetta TDI from new. Even though, compared to other models, it is fairly large, the seats and seating position are uncomfortable on long trips. The car was designed so that only the dealer can work on it. Changing the transmission fluid, a process that changes only about a third of the fluid, requires special equipment and costs (wait for it) $900. This has to be done every 30,000 miles. There is a plastic cover over the bottom of the car. It made no difference in noise or mileage. It requires torq bits to remove and you have to do that to change the oil. If you have a lift, changing the oil was only a bit more time consuming than on a regular car, but requires tools most people don’t have. The timing belt and the DSG clutch kluge require changing about every 100,000 miles. It costs around $3,000 for the whole thing. AT 110,000 miles the DSG clutch again started clicking, so I sold the car at a loss because of the diesel controversy.
Since then, I have decided to buy only older cars, starting with a 1956 Studebaker President. I will eventually own a 1939 but updated with better brakes and Vintage air.
Paid cash when I bought it and my insurance costs me $30.00 a month.
When I go out of town and need a new car, I rent a nice one from Enterprise.
BTW, my friends at the police station laughingly tell me my truck is unlikely to be stolen. Car thieves nowadays can't drive a straight stick.
“and all basically look the same now.”
Hubby and I were discussing that just yesterday. Boring looking cars. I know absolutely nothing about cars, but enjoy watching the auctions on TV. Those older cars are gorgeous — pieces of art.
Just love my 2003 Toyota Matrix. Bought it new and has 80K well maintained miles. Why should I buy a new one?
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/31/a-523-monthly-payment-is-the-new-standard-for-car-buyers.html
Oh - previously on her van they diagnosed the steering wheel noise as needing a new pump - $700. I looked on the net. Seems where the hoses hit the pump there is a fancy attachment that uses some rubber ring washers. Except they built it with lousy washers. I paid $6 bucks (for two tiny washers - probably cost a nickel to make both of them) and removed the hose connection with a socket wrench - easy access.
Got the sound to go away. In cooler weather the washers contracted and leaked and the steering would squeal. Warm weather - no noise. Now in the winter she doesn’t get the strange looks when she pulls into a parking space.
Well - maybe she still does. But not because of the squealing steering!
I haven’t found a reason to replace my 96 Saturn wagon yet... I might keep it another 23 years.
2003 Buick Century....70,000 miles....Sign me....little old lady
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