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Posted on 01/17/2012 1:39:47 PM PST by Responsibility2nd
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- The average vehicle on America's roads is almost 11 years old, according to the auto market analysts at Polk.
The 10.8-year average is the highest figure recorded since Polk began tracking vehicle age in 1995. Back then, the average was just 8.4 years.
Vehicle age has increased rapidly over the last five years as new vehicle sales have slowed. Polk's analysis is based on vehicle registration data.
Older cars represent an opportunity for some businesses.
"Dealer service departments and independent repair facilities, as well as aftermarket parts suppliers, will see increased business opportunity with customers in need of vehicle service," said Mark Seng, global aftermarket practice leader at Polk.
With vehicles getting older, fewer cars are covered under their original factory warranty, said Seng. That presents a challenge for auto dealers to bring those customers back into the dealership service department.
The number of cars under warranty is now the lowest it's been in the last 12 to 15 years, he said, and drivers whose cars aren't under warranty tend not to go to the dealer.
(Excerpt) Read more at money.cnn.com ...
“The 1957 Bel Air is an absolute tank”
[I’d guess that sitting in it is like sitting on your mom’s sofa.]
If you put a huge ship’s steering wheel in front of it, sure:)
The problem is that it's difficult to find an offering that meets my (minimal) specs: (Van-Station Wagon (a box), four doors (3 acceptable) plus rear tailgate (or doors, Dutch doors, liftgate, etc), manual transmission, 4x4/AWD (since 1990), turbo Diesel (since 2005), red paint).
How hard can it possibly be?
VW Passat 4 motion wagon.
oh rats.. can’t get one in the USA...
I am pretty sure you can get a BMW 328i Sport Wagon with X-drive and a 5/6 speed.
But you’ll pay for it.
(I only visit the dealer to get otherwise unobtainable parts. There is a cult following on the Web that definitely helps.)
My theory is that all car marketers in the US are retarded.
I bought a 1990 Toyota Corolla off the transporter with 6 miles on it. I traded it in on a 2000 Corolla after 198,000 miles, and the original clutch went out as I was driving it into the dealership. No rust, still got 35mpg on the highway, and it burned about 1/2 quart of oil between 3000 mi changes. But it didn't make sense to spend nearly $5,000 to bring it back to spec (it needed a new clutch, timing belt, exhaust system, brakes, shocks (and new springs, really), struts, front end, and tires.
So I traded it for a brand new 2000 Corolla, which I drove until December, 2009, with 178,000 miles.
Frankly, due to arthritis, I can no longer get in and out of such a low car. I needed something new, but that was right during the whole "Toyota recalls" incident, so rather than a Rav4, I bought a Kia Sportage, and I'm fairly happy with it, with the exception of the crappy mileage from the V6 (16mpg city, 22mpg hwy).
Great cars!
Mark
LOL. My W/SO is more than willing to drive m/ts so we are cool.
I liked ordering and buying new vehicles (even going to the assy. plant once to watch it get built.) The last vehicle I ordered was my 1990 Suburban. We've bought new vehicles since then, but from dealer inventory (though the last time I went ~500 and ~1600 mi to pick them up from the dealers (Frequently in the past I'd wished I'd bought a second example of my choice), including a shakedown evaluation drive of the specific vehicle.
These days the auto mfgrs put all the options into packages and no longer have billions of buildable configurations (not including interior/exterior colors).
I'm in the market, but nothing is attractive (kind of like the POTUS situation)
Power Steering is overrated, especially if you rarely park downtown (free parking is what made America Great - it's difficult find downtown these days).
In my neck of the woods, I'll occasionally see cars that are worth more than the house they are parked at.
02 Civic (10.8 years old) 257,000 miles
Runs like new
[47 Dodge 3/4 ton pickup (will haul as much weight as the Ford)
I am all set! ]
Cool!
I must have a 1953 Chevy pickup! Must have!
But seriously, I’m working the numbers and if I just keep upgrading my old classics, I can end up with adequate gas mileage AND absolute workhorses that are repairable. I can’t repair the new cars, no room to work and too many electronic gizmos.
Plus they are a kick to work on and drive. People come up to me all the time and gape. At the cars I mean.
Ford f-150 pick up 1997 235,000 miles. No problem.
Still driving my 2000 Expedition 240K miles on it.
The 57 is the last of the older style, nothing like the ‘59. The crashes would look just the opposite. For one thing, I wasn’t kidding about using a sledge hammer on the body for repairs, lots thicker sheet. The previous owner had taken hits on a front and tail corner that I have been repairing. I’m not saying there wouldn’t be damage to the car, but crushing to the firewall unlikely.
Besides I drive to avoid crashes. Not that that is always possible, but a lot of people don’t drive defensively.
I just signed the papers today to refi @ 3.75%.
Now I need to go buy a Corvette, LOL.
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