Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Ever stopped at a dealer to confim how great your current car is?

user removed · 01-21-2010, 02:50 PM

Hmmm collapsible columns were required in 1968.

Crumple zones came on in the 70s.

In fact when they dropped the requirement for 5 MPH bumpers the low speed collision repair costs skyrocketed.

No saying new cars are not better, they are just not that much better, at least in collisions.

Emissions have certainly improved, and air bags have helped reduce traffic fatalities by close to 25% over the decades.

As far as economy I'll take my 94 VX over any new car, and it should be running for at least 5 more years easily, maybe 10.

Comparing my Insight to the VX over the last 20k miles (each has just over 52k miles today).

No problems whatsoever with the VX.
The Insight check engine light has come on 3 times.
Once was the O2 sensor---$400
Once was the fuel vapor system---$750 (replaced the fuel cap and fixed it)
Once was today when the IMA light (bad battery) came on then the check engine light came on 1 mile later when the idle speed dropped and the engine almost stalled. $2500+

So far it has needed
oxygen sensor
fuel tank filler neck upgrade
catalytic converter---$2200
IMA battery

remember the VX is 8 years older than the Insight and has been hit in the rear end hard enough to total the car in 1996.

The prior owner of the Insight told me he spent $750 getting one of the power windows fixed.

Total is $6500 on an 8 year old car with 52,000 miles. Thankfully most of it was warranty, all but the O2 sensor, and the $20 gas cap.

VX has crank windows.

Bottom line from my personal experience and 60k hours working on cars.

New cars are better made than many older cars, with a lot of exceptions.

If you are going to drive a lot of miles, find an older car that has a good reputation for reliability and economy and avoid getting crucified on the depreciation on a new car.

If you are mechanically inclined and don't mind working on your own car and also don't mind occasionally getting stranded on the side of the road, the cheapest transportation is about 12-15 years old and you can scavenge parts from the pick and pay yards for dirt cheap.

regards
Mech

01-21-2010, 02:50 PM	#27 (permalink)
user removed Master EcoModder Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 5,927 Thanks: 877 Thanked 2,024 Times in 1,304 Posts	Hmmm collapsible columns were required in 1968. Crumple zones came on in the 70s. In fact when they dropped the requirement for 5 MPH bumpers the low speed collision repair costs skyrocketed. No saying new cars are not better, they are just not that much better, at least in collisions. Emissions have certainly improved, and air bags have helped reduce traffic fatalities by close to 25% over the decades. As far as economy I'll take my 94 VX over any new car, and it should be running for at least 5 more years easily, maybe 10. Comparing my Insight to the VX over the last 20k miles (each has just over 52k miles today). No problems whatsoever with the VX. The Insight check engine light has come on 3 times. Once was the O2 sensor---$400 Once was the fuel vapor system---$750 (replaced the fuel cap and fixed it) Once was today when the IMA light (bad battery) came on then the check engine light came on 1 mile later when the idle speed dropped and the engine almost stalled. $2500+ So far it has needed oxygen sensor fuel tank filler neck upgrade catalytic converter---$2200 IMA battery remember the VX is 8 years older than the Insight and has been hit in the rear end hard enough to total the car in 1996. The prior owner of the Insight told me he spent $750 getting one of the power windows fixed. Total is $6500 on an 8 year old car with 52,000 miles. Thankfully most of it was warranty, all but the O2 sensor, and the $20 gas cap. VX has crank windows. Bottom line from my personal experience and 60k hours working on cars. New cars are better made than many older cars, with a lot of exceptions. If you are going to drive a lot of miles, find an older car that has a good reputation for reliability and economy and avoid getting crucified on the depreciation on a new car. If you are mechanically inclined and don't mind working on your own car and also don't mind occasionally getting stranded on the side of the road, the cheapest transportation is about 12-15 years old and you can scavenge parts from the pick and pay yards for dirt cheap. regards Mech Last edited by user removed; 01-21-2010 at 03:02 PM..