The End of Car Culture?

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by brucepick

My theory on this is, its almost unavoidable. People who buy new cars want nice stuff, otherwise they would buy older worn ones. So they're more likely to want bells and whistles. We on the downstream end of it are more likely to want something cost-efficient but the manufacturers build for those who buy new.

True.

I am extremely frugal, but even I choose to buy a used luxury car (TSX). One day I blew a fuse that ran the circuits to things such as the remote operated trunk and door locks. I couldn't believe how much of a hassle it was considering my previous car had no power options. Or consider how much effort it takes to open every window on a car when it's hot and you want to cool it off. With my power windows, I can open all 4 with 1 hand while I'm driving the car. No need to walk to each window and crank it down. I don't even know how you'd safely get the windows back up after you have started driving.

The only option I would change on my car is the power seats. It's annoying to wait so long for a motor to adjust the position when I could have it done in 2 seconds manually. Then again, it is neat that the car automatically adjusts to my fiance's settings when she unlocks the doors.

If anything, I have experienced a higher rate of failure with manually operated systems than electric operated. I drove a Beetle that had stripped out door handle cranks, a Volvo that had a broken sun roof crank, Dodge van with a sliding door that didn't close right, etc.

Problems on my 80,000 mile 2006 TSX- blew a fuse while incorrectly installing a backup camera. Also, the original battery died last year.

[niky]

That's something.

Some of the early electric power windows were garbage, failing within a year or two. And older keyless and alarms go bad annoyingly easily.

But newer ones just keep on going. Even after parking the car long enough to get the windows partially stuck... in which case you expect manual cranks to strip or break off in your hand... newer, better window motors just work.

-

Still sucks when things actually break, but for a careful owner, many of these things rarely will.

[redpoint5]

There is also a big difference in accessory failure rates between the auto manufacturers, and the models themselves.

For example, the load resistor in my Dodge Ram 2500 failed and had to be replaced. How does a resistor, having no moving parts, fail? Dodge not only found a very inefficient way to control fan speed, but also engineered a simple part you should never know about, to fail. Further, the thin metal itself that comprises the doors are tearing away and threatening to fall off. My truck has literally required infinitely more repair time than both the Subaru and TSX. The motorcycle only needs repair work as often as I crash it, unless you consider replacing the chain at 18,000 miles repair work.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I have experienced a higher rate of failure with manually operated systems than electric operated.

At least they're easier to perform some quick repair with simple resources.

[redpoint5]

Double post

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by 101Volts

I know the car rides pretty well on long trips and I've never rode in a taxi, But are/were those models (Early 80s models) that well-suited as taxi cabs? I was told that thieves tried to steal the one I drive so they could use it as an unlicensed taxi cab, But that was before my parents got it.

They were very good cabs. In NYC, the Caprice was used as the replacement for those 1950s Chevys that were the iconic "checker cab" back in the day. I drove for a company on the Jersey side of the river. It had the three customer service requirements: lots of room for luggage on the airport runs, big bench seats, and AC. There were plenty other American cars that had such features but somehow the Chevys won out in the NYC area--maybe because of the connections made in the checker cab days. Oh, and the radio is a pretty good idea, but not a requirement. Playing music that your fare hates is no way to earn a tip.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

They were very good cabs. In NYC, the Caprice was used as the replacement for those 1950s Chevys that were the iconic "checker cab" back in the day.

Checker was an independent automaker, altough GM supplied it with engines.

[101Volts]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

They were very good cabs. In NYC, the Caprice was used as the replacement for those 1950s Chevys that were the iconic "checker cab" back in the day. I drove for a company on the Jersey side of the river. It had the three customer service requirements: lots of room for luggage on the airport runs, big bench seats, and AC. There were plenty other American cars that had such features but somehow the Chevys won out in the NYC area--maybe because of the connections made in the checker cab days. Oh, and the radio is a pretty good idea, but not a requirement. Playing music that your fare hates is no way to earn a tip.

That's an informative post. Thanks.