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Why Modern Cars Are Going To Age Horribly, And What We Can Do About It
Autopian ^ | 02/07/2025 | Jason Torchinsky

Posted on 02/08/2025 9:13:14 AM PST by TexasKamaAina

The fundamental problem is this: electronic technology advances far too rapidly to be something that gets permanently integrated into a car that you may want to own for more than, say, five years or so. There’s nothing that ages an otherwise perfectly-fine car more dramatically than integrated technology that was cutting-edge when the car was new.

(Excerpt) Read more at theautopian.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy
KEYWORDS: age; automotive; cars; moderncars; technology; usedcars; vehicles
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To: If You Want It Fixed - Fix It

Oh, yes, the dream machine. Even refrigerators are on Tik-Tok.


41 posted on 02/08/2025 11:00:02 AM PST by GingisK
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To: Skywise

Not sure what the yellow was (canary?). But burnt orange/bronze was popular too.

CC


42 posted on 02/08/2025 11:02:21 AM PST by Celtic Conservative (My cats are more amusing than 200 channels worth of TV.)
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To: null and void

Now that’s plain funny


43 posted on 02/08/2025 11:08:06 AM PST by Nifster ( I see puppy dogs in the clouds )
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To: TexasKamaAina

Build a good, reliable, basic, economical, comfortable car without a bunch of crap on it. A 2006 Buick Lucerne is further than they need to go for me. I never used Onstar or anything like it. I don’t need navigation or an infotainment center or a manual for the bells and whistles thicker than the one that used to tell you how to change the oil and filters and a flat tire. I don’t need all functions to operate the lights, horn, locks, windows, steering, anti-lock brakes and such to route through a central computer and I don’t need digital control of anything; just a switch and wires will do. I also don’t need a battery or relays for anything.

If my wife’s Buick were in production today at an inflation adjusted price I would buy one Monday. As it is we will keep what we have for as long as I can stand it.


44 posted on 02/08/2025 11:10:43 AM PST by Sequoyah101 (Donald John Trump. First man to be Elected to the Presidency THREE times since FDR.)
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To: TexasKamaAina
I have a 2005 Audi A4 Avant. It has a six speed manual, lowered sports suspension and a V6, none of which you can get anymore.

So last year, I put in a new head unit, with a backup camera, CarPlay, etc. now I have Bluetooth for phone and streaming, voice texting, navigation etc. and the car should be good to go for another 20 years. The new unit uses the car's old Bose amplifiers and I can use the original steering wheel controls as well.

Cost about $2000 Canadian, looks like it was original equipment and works great. A good investment as far as I'm concerned.

45 posted on 02/08/2025 11:23:35 AM PST by gymbeau (I refuse to be anonymous. I am THEnonymous.)
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To: Nifster

It wasn’t at the time. Turned out to be a smart cat, taught my roommate to play fetch...


46 posted on 02/08/2025 11:27:40 AM PST by null and void (I hoped it was the Bee but it’s California.)
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To: TexasKamaAina

OMG! Our 1997 Silverado’s electronics are outdated? What will we do?

I love that old truck simply because it’s so simple, so easy to use and very comfortable.

New more efficient electronics simply means the methods to track peoples whereabouts, what they are doing, what they are saying, who they are seeing, etc will be greatly improved.

Newer is not always better.


47 posted on 02/08/2025 11:27:58 AM PST by redfreedom (Happiness is shopping at Walmart and not hearing Spanish once!)
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To: GingisK

Agree

It’s strange how “new and improved” sells more often and costs more then old and working does. NOT

Some say cars are timed to fall apart not true they will fall apart stall electronics failure any time.


48 posted on 02/08/2025 12:32:06 PM PST by Vaduz
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To: ifinnegan

I have a 1963 Window a/c, 120 volts from Sears. It works great and still puts out 32 Degrees F. Never recharged it.


49 posted on 02/08/2025 1:11:07 PM PST by Don_Ret_USAF ("No Government can survive Without The Trust Of The People."er)
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To: TexasKamaAina

Special headlight bulb on my Durango... $150.00. For ONE!


50 posted on 02/08/2025 1:31:24 PM PST by faucetman (Just the facts, ma'am, Just the facts )
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To: ducttape45

headliner temporary fix magnets...


51 posted on 02/08/2025 2:51:30 PM PST by rolling_stone
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To: gymbeau
I have a 2005 Audi A4 Avant.

Just curious. Do you have a repair shop that won't rake you over the coals for repair costs?

52 posted on 02/08/2025 3:22:45 PM PST by EVO X ( )
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To: EVO X

No, but I have one that’s cheaper than the dealer.
I don’t expect to save money on the car, but I don’t want to be ripped off, either, and these guys seem pretty good.
Just turned over 170000 km, so 100,000 miles and a bit. Not bad for 20 years. I’ve had it for 12 years and still love it.


53 posted on 02/08/2025 3:53:13 PM PST by gymbeau (I refuse to be anonymous. I am THEnonymous.)
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To: TexasKamaAina

How about just having starting, spark plugs, lighting, and radio be electric and that’s it?


54 posted on 02/08/2025 6:00:00 PM PST by fruser1
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To: TexasKamaAina

I don’t give a rat’s behind about the console technology. Long as the engine goes vroom and the AC works I’m good with it.


55 posted on 02/08/2025 8:32:37 PM PST by Some Fat Guy in L.A. (Still bitterly clinging to rational thought despite its unfashionability)
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