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Adjust those for inflation, too. And add to that the fact that warranties are longer than they were in the '60s and '70s, and cars tend to break less/last longer now, too overall. My Chevy Volt is only 5 years old and like new, and I fully expect it to be serviceable at 300k miles.
My wife and I both drive Subaru’s neither one of them have any of the new tech in them. Mine has 332K on it. My wife’s car has 201k on it. Sure cars have warranties on them and as long as the dealer feels that your call falls under said warranty that’s great. And what happens when it’s not? I don’t think cars necessarily last any longer then they did say 20 years ago, people are much less likely to maintain them, more likely because it’s a generational thing. Everything is disposable, cell phones, TVs, you name it. When you have a repair bill that costs as much as two or three car payments something is wrong.
Adjusted for inflation, you get a lot more car for your money these days than ever before. More performance, more safety, lower emissions, higher MPG at any given HP level, etc.
Very true. Not only more capable but also more reliable.
This isn't true. Modern cars aren't any more difficult to work on than old cars, and they're far more reliable than they've ever been in history.
Have you attempted to work on some of the modern FWD cars?
Removing an engine to replace a water pump on a Toyota 3.5L V6 or a 13 hr job to replace a water pump on Ford FWD 3.5L cars since the pump is chain driven, requiring you to take the engine apart.
How about modern transmissions with no dipsticks or the other many car parts that are almost impossible to reach.
Adjusted for inflation, you get a lot more car for your money these days than ever before. More performance, more safety, lower emissions, higher MPG at any given HP level, etc.
I will say this, it is more common for cars to go higher mileage today than before, so I think you are getting more value that way. However, have you looked at the price of vehicles today? In 1971, I remember seeing advertisements for cars like the VW Bug, Pinto, and Vega for around $2,000 NEW. Adjusted for inflation that is $12,600 now. So what basic, vehicle can you buy today NEW for $12.6K? Even the lowest priced Hyundai starts at over $16K that's has wheels.
Today, even the average person is spending $30K - $40K for a basic Toyota, Honda, Ford, etc. We're not talking luxury vehicles here. Want luxury? $60K and up.
Adjusted for inflation, you get a lot more car for your money these days than ever before. More performance, more safety, lower emissions, higher MPG at any given HP level, etc.
Compared to when?
Even 10 years ago Accords topped out at $30k and now they are $40k+. The base price for cars might fit your equation but going to the mid-TOTL model will certainly break it. Autos are killing people on packages, Add ons, and options. That is where they make their profit!
Even 10 years ago Accords topped out at $30k and now they are $40k+. The base price for cars might fit your equation but going to the mid-TOTL model will certainly break it. Autos are killing people on packages, Add ons, and options. That is where they make their profit!
Add-ons and options were always where companies made their money.
AM radio option.
Automatic transmission option.
AC option.
Positraction option.
Power windows/locks/cruise control/intermittent wipers option.
Tilt wheel option.
Wheel cover option.
That's for a 1976 Pontiac.
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[quote=Sunbiz1;54143623]
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Originally Posted by cvetters63
Adjusted for inflation, you get a lot more car for your money these days than ever before.
Increased cost of repairs voids this advantage.
Frequency of repairs needs to be factored in. I used to do machine work and know people who still do, things like removing cylinder heads for a 'valve job' are no where near as common today as they were years ago. Also consider things like exhaust systems, many today are stainless steel and last the life of the vehicle.
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