“they are built not to last”
New vehicles last far, far longer the the vehicles of yesteryear.
250,000 miles is routine.
When I was growing up, 100,000 was unusual.
DO NOT KNOW HOW OLD YOU E-—
BUT I BOUGHT A NEW PONTIAC WAGON IN FEB 1965.
PUT OVER 444,000 MILES ON IT BEFORE FALL OF 1981.
WISH I HAD NEVER SOLD IT.
Body gone by 100k due to lack of galvanic protection, but drivetrain, if cared for was 300k just like today before the transmission replacement exceeds the value of the auto. Think the answer is to simplfy the drivetrain, build just about everything on proven frames, spend real money on coatings and reduce the special parts counts, and retro body styles that people liked.
While I can afford electric mirrors with defrost, 4 zone AC controls, in excess of 400HP and lane keeping assistance not everyone needs that. I would give up infotainment for tablet that I replace every 3 years. I would give up 100HP for another 200,000 miles or 6 mpg.
A Chevy 6L LS2 circa 2006 is near automotive perfection, cheap enough to just replace the block and heads when it is worn out, starter, water pump and alternator need not be in the worst place, everyone can tune, 20 years of upgrade parts. If there were a manufacturing defect to be introduced by GM skimping, the history compared to the others would be evident.
250,000 miles is routine.
When I was growing up, 100,000 was unusual.
Whereas, I agree with you on the longevity, I was a GM tech in the late 70's and early 80's. There was definitely planned failure built into many of those cars components.
“When I was growing up, 100,000 was unusual.”
And about 20 tuneups. It has been over 25 years since I had a care tuned up.
We’re using metals now that make even metals from the 90s look like trash. Or engines today are built to such nice tolerances, with such great steel.
Put a manual behind it, there shouldn’t be a reason to bring it in. Oh, and a driver who can properly drive a manual.
But our gasoline back then was also different. If the same gas came back, our cars would get 80mpg and run forever.