Posted on 11/03/2015 11:23:56 PM PST by Cowman
Not only are cars becoming more safe, feature-rich and efficient, but engines have never had more output, whether it’s an econobox Hyundai Sonata churning out a torque curve that would literally twist the swiss-cheese frame of a Mk. I Golf GTI, or the more insane Dodge Charger Hellcat, with its ticket-to-the-pearly-gates 707 HP supercharged V8.
*** However, as with anything in the known universe, there’s no such thing as a free lunch, no matter what ‘80s John Travolta will tell you. With legislation putting forth mandates for increased complexity in cars over the last three decades, automobiles have become, on average, more than 800 pounds heavier than they were in the late ‘80s. In addition, car prices have drastically increased over the years, even when inflation is accounted for, fueled in no small part by the added cost of development and implementation of the systems that serve as layers in between the driver and an unfiltered driving experience. For example, A loaded 1983 Volkswagen Golf/Rabbit GTI cost around $8000 brand new, which translated to just over $19,000 in today’s money. Fast forward to today, where a 2015 Golf GTI with all options ticked would set you back more than $31,000.
The model also gained over 1,100 pounds in curb weight over the same time, .
*** I can’t help but wonder what would’ve come out of a automaker’s factory when the company wouldn’t have had to deal with the stringent regulations that tie the industry down to making cars that all look and feel relatively numb.***
(Excerpt) Read more at thegarage.jalopnik.com ...
“I’ll soon have my 53Willys jeep back on the road.
Next, I’ll get my 56 Chevy 3/4 ton rolling again. It just needs a fresh coat of paint. Then I think I’ll get my Son’s 75 Vette going again.
I just hate working on the newer, computer controlled, cars.”
Us old farts are soooo stupid, we’ll just go out and enjoy our old “clunkers”. (I’m a 57 Bel Air and a 67 Camaro).
Dirty hands and the satisfaction of new rotor and wires and knowing that the carburetor was just right - not too rich, not too lean.
Good times now consigned to the Empire of Memory....
“if you edited out all the warnings (such as “Do not run into a wall, serious damage or personal injury could resultâ€), that would reduce the page count by at least 100.”
LOL! Other warnings:
Do not remove spark plugs with engine running.
Driving with head and arms outside of vehicle not recommended.
See dealer if motor has no oil.
Don’t allow pets to sit on accelerator pedal.
It came and went: the VW Beetle.
Our (2001) F150 will hit 300K next year...no plans to dump it. Maybe get a new engine when needed.
When I buy a new vehicle, I drive it until the wheels fall off. Other than junk, it has no resale value.
Then bring on the best car to not drive. I wouldn’t mind getting into my car at home, tell it to take me to work, then snoozing until it got me here.
Every time I think about a new engine, I tally up that cost and the other worn-out annoyances (thread-bare seats) and decide it is way too much to put into an old vehicle. We typically sell them around 200k and get something used w 30k on the clock. Except this spring we got a super deal for a Mercedes baby SUV that was a loaner at the dealership (10k on it). It came w full new car warranty.
And I just saw an ad for the new Chevy that says nothing about driving or reliability or horsepower or anything that you would expect to see in a car ad. But it did make a huge point about the car being fully compatible with BOTH Android and I phone.
...
Nothing about cupholders?
Ours doesn’t have much threadbare. ..maybe carpet...but it’s actually in great condition. Plus it’s MY car and I don’t want a new car.
It’s VERY hard to go back to payments when you’ve had years without them. There’s a lot to be said for MY CAR, not the bank’s car.
Meh. Strung together non sequiturs. A 1983 model car that performed as well as a 2015 model would have cost far more than $8k, if available at all. That '83 Rabbit GTI has about a 9 second 0-60 time. Any new 'sporty' Golf/GTI will do 0-60 in less than 7, and some models a lot less than that.
I'm cool with that. Of course, the CAFE, emissions, and safety requirements would make it look a little different.
If they'd change the laws to make it possible (which they won't), it'd be even better.
“A friend just took delivery of a 2016 Bentley GTS. “
One of those things costs more than my house. Boy, wouldn’t that shake up my neighbors!
New cars will lose 1/2 of their value in three years!
That’s why we buy super low mileage less than 1 year old cars. We also pay cash for them (haven’t had a car payment in 20 years) from our ‘car fund’ that I put money into every month instead of making car payments. You can get some really good deals if you have cash.
We started upgrading to luxury cars years ago by this method. We paid less for our Mercedes SUV than a friend of ours did for her small Toyota truck.
Good point (pun intended). I purchased a 1958 Chevy Impala a couple years back. When I look under the hood, I know exactly what each part does, and can troubleshoot most problems and repair or replace same.
You have to be a computer technician to work on today's cars with all the electronic goodies included. Still, wouldn't mind having an new Audi or Lexus with the screen display for GPS locations and back up camera (great idea).
Guess I'll hang on to my 2000 Corvette with only 53,000 miles. Still, even that car has a computer chip for ignition and have to use a knowledgeable mechanic to deal with it. Wonder how many cars are offering the heads up display on the windshield my Vette has? Another great innovation. Surprised all cars don't have it.
Just frigging gorgeous. Look at those lines from front to back. Moving art...
I’d like to see a car where you buy the interior (engine, seating, etc.) but you can get your own exterior created by an independent company that fits over the top.
My son and his buddy bought and restored a 1980 VW Rabbit. They replaced the fuel injection system with a carburetor. Someone had replaced the engine with an Audi engine at some point. 110 hp supposedly.
My 2003 Infiniti has 260hp.
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