The rise of the disposable car

Post by yesthisiswes » Thu, May 30, 2024, 11:53 AM UTC

sokoloff wrote: post #229

yesthisiswes wrote: post #209

Earlier quoted context omitted.

$800 is steep. I have a 2018 Subaru Outback. I got in a fender bender that caused the right front headlight unit to snap near the top bolt where it attached to the car. I found out when my car failed inspection. I called the dealership and they quoted me $500 just for the headlamp. I went on rock auto and bought one for $250 and installed it. I had to take the front bumper off the car to install the headlamp. Passed…

One Rockauto tip is to Google for a 5% discount code and enter it at checkout. I’ve never not found one.

Post by AdamN » Thu, May 30, 2024, 12:21 PM UTC

Clubber wrote: post #168

AdamN wrote: post #112

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Cars more than about 10-15 years old just aren't as safe as newer ones. That's the fundamental issue. With that said there are ways to mitigate the risk (drive more cautiously/slower, etc...).

>Cars more than about 10-15 years old just aren't as safe as newer ones. Can you give some examples? The only safety innovation I can think of recently the side airbags. The backup camera, which is a huge improvement to backing up accidents was probably over 15 years ago.

Post by kube-system » Thu, May 30, 2024, 2:38 PM UTC

bluGill wrote: post #199

kube-system wrote: post #192

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For varying definitions of “governments” and “will”. You’re looking at this from a very western perspective. For example, airbags have proven to drastically increase safety, yet almost a half-century later they’re still not required by many countries across 2 and a half continents. Governments only require safety equipment as far as their population can afford it.

Most governments don't need to as they can leach off of it not being worth making a model without airbags.

Post by albrewer » Thu, May 30, 2024, 3:26 PM UTC

jmrm wrote: post #114

toast0 wrote: post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

At least in my area, the problem is labor costs. If you can do things yourself, it's great. If you need a mechanic to do it, you're looking at a big expense, because mechanic labor is expensive and there's a lot more covers and harder to get to parts these days. 'Maintenance free' transmissions are very common in newer cars, and they do tend to need less maintenance, but when they do, there's often not a great way to…

> 'Maintenance free' transmissions are very common in newer cars I take advantage to your comment to write this PSA (that probably you already know): All transmissions require maintenance, and even manual ones. Those automatic tagged as 'maintenance free' from the brand aren't, and if you call the manufacturer of that transmission, Getrag, ZF, or whatever it is, they should say which ATF and filters it needs and in w…

Post by giobox » Thu, May 30, 2024, 5:03 PM UTC

xattt wrote: post #218

toast0 wrote: post #205

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Checking that state of the fluid isn't difficult, as is bright red when it's new, and turns more and more brown when it's used, and it's mostly used normally between 50k and 100l AFAIK. Yeah, but getting to the fluid to see it is hard. They stopped putting in dipsticks, so hopefully there's a check plug somewhere you can get to.

Some fluids are proprietary, like Nissan’s earlier CVT oil which probably costs more than printer ink. Using some near-beer brand often resulted transmission failure.