OT- Cars

[admin]

It’s boring around here and I know that cars get people talking.

Since we are such a car culture, the cars we drive reflect who we are and our economic conditions.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/18/automobiles/as-cars-are-kept-longer-200000-is-new-100000.html?_r=1&hpw#

HOW far can a modern car really go? Given the increasing age of vehicles on American roads, we may be on the verge of finding out.

As a stubborn recession made drivers wary of new purchases for several years, the average age of vehicles on the road in the United States stretched to a record 11.1 years in 2011, according to the research firm R. L. Polk, which tracks vehicle sales and registrations.

Multiply that number of years by the annual miles driven — the E.P.A. uses 15,000 for the cost calculation on fuel economy labels — and it becomes evident that one pearl of conventional wisdom has become outdated.

In the 1960s and ’70s, when odometers typically registered no more than 99,999 miles before returning to all zeros, the idea of keeping a car for more than 100,000 miles was the automotive equivalent of driving on thin ice. You could try it, but you’d better be prepared to swim.

[sdrealtor]

Damn I was hoping for Lightening McQueen

[bearishgurl]

I think it’s preferable (AND safer) to drive an older (loaded) high-mileage luxury car to one which is newer and cheaply made.

But that’s just me …

[Coronita]

[quote=bearishgurl]I think it’s preferable (AND safer) to drive an older (loaded) high-mileage luxury car to one which is newer and cheaply made.

But that’s just me …[/quote]

IIHS crash test data and european crash test data would suggest otherwise…Older cars are not safer than newer cars. Newer cars have been engineered to adhere to the newer and latest safety standards….

A car 10 years or older from today probably does not have all the standard safety equipment that is available now
Modern, new cars, from all manufacturers are now manufactured to these latest crash standards and tests, from all different makes and models. Yes, even the latest Hyundais score high in safety, probably more so than any other car from 10 years back.

http://iihs.org

[svelte]

I remember visiting a relative a couple of years ago and sitting at a park with him so he could run his dog.

As the dog ran around the park, he started pining for the cars from years gone by, going on about how much better they were.

I said WTF, today’s cars get better gas mileage, have more HP, go faster, are safer, pollute less, last longer and have more creature comforts. Why would anyone want cars to be built like they used to be built?

We moved on to another topic.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=flu][quote=bearishgurl]I think it’s preferable (AND safer) to drive an older (loaded) high-mileage luxury car to one which is newer and cheaply made.

But that’s just me …[/quote]

IIHS crash test data and european crash test data would suggest otherwise…Older cars are not safer than newer cars. Newer cars have been engineered to adhere to the newer and latest safety standards….

A car 10 years or older from today probably does not have all the standard safety equipment that is available now
Modern, new cars, from all manufacturers are now manufactured to these latest crash standards and tests, from all different makes and models. Yes, even the latest Hyundais score high in safety, probably more so than any other car from 10 years back.

http://iihs.org[/quote%5D

Understand this, flu, but I was posting from the affordability standpoint … for myself ($4-12K). I realize the older models only have 2 front airbags, etc. However, the older Lexuses, for instance have VERY heavy multi-layered doors with steel bars across the insides (don’t let one fall back on your leg). The older luxury sedan is built like a tank and gets 29 mpg on the open road (if properly maintained). ALL the Lexus sedan models have been shortened (less trunk space) and slightly stripped down since model-year ’99 (to compete with Acura and other Japanese luxury models). I often need to travel with a dog and/or cats and a lot of stuff.

I couldn’t afford a newer comparable vehicle that is built the way I have “become accustomed to” and could care less about navigation, dvd players, ipod hookups and such. I just use paper maps (if needed) but usually I am traveling somewhere I have been to many times.

Having the finest engines in the world, the average odometer miles on these vehicles before finally being salvaged varies between 350-500K (depending on how well it has been maintained). At 200K+, they are still “teenagers.”

If you don’t believe this, ask any experienced Toyota certified mechanic.

Even though major repairs can be expensive, it is cheaper overall to buy a used private-party vehicle (well-maintained, with svc records), fix as needed and pay FAR less registration and insurance premium on it every year :=]

Having monthly payments and a high cost of registration and insurance would NOT work out for my budget.

edit: both the front and rear-wheel drive sedans handle VERY well in the snow … with tire cables on. I’ve driven a LOT of different vehicles in the snow in my lifetime and the sheer weight of these vehicles (along with their double-wishbone suspension) helps tremendously on snow and ice.

[briansd1]

I heard of a guy being rear ended in brand new Toyota Corolla. He was pushed into the car in front and sandwiched in between. The car was totaled, but the walked out unscathed.

Cars are better built today that they used to be.

Despite the reminiscing and romanticizing of the past, inflation adjusted dollar for dollar, everything is built better today. Have you walked into an original 1950s house lately?

[paramount]

I often hear so many say they’re driving a car until the tires fall off, and IMO they may be making a big mistake.

I say drive the safest car/vehicle you can within reason, you won’t be able to spend your saved money if your dead or worse.

BTW, I agree 100% with svelte, I don’t want an old car either for exactly the reasons svelte mentioned. Cars are like computers, generally the newer the better.

There are a few exceptions of course:

1980 Turbo Trans Am Indy 500 Edition (really any Indy Pace Car)
Early 1970’s Chevelle SS 496
Boss Mustangs (Any year)
Shelby Mustangs (any year)

[bearishgurl]

[quote=paramount] . . . There are a few exceptions of course:

1980 Turbo Trans Am Indy 500 Edition (really any Indy Pace Car)
Early 1970’s Chevelle SS 496
Boss Mustangs (Any year)
Shelby Mustangs (any year)[/quote]

I’m very familiar with the Chevelle SS and Shelby-body Mustang and agree both are very well-built and had a massive firewall/engine/hood to save the driver in a front-end collision.

Fun cars to drive, also 🙂

No shoulder straps or airbags, though. These cars do NOT save a driver in a collision from crushing their clavicle against the steering wheel or hitting their kneecap through the keys hanging from the ignition (if wearing shorts).

OTOH, I’ve seen photos from PI cases of people who were blinded (in one eye or both) by airbag deployment in newer cars, even in a low-speed collision – usually under 100 lbs sitting in front seat. I’ve never had an airbag deploy on me so don’t know what it feels like.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=briansd1]…Cars are better built today that they used to be.

Despite the reminiscing and romanticizing of the past, inflation adjusted dollar for dollar, everything is built better today….[/quote]

Not always, brian. Here are some “reviews” and specs for the 1st Gen luxury sedan.

Lexus LS 400 Included in Edmunds 100 Greatest Cars of All Time

1992 Lexus LS 400 Commercial: Steel Plate Drum

http://www.lexls.com/info/ls400.html

You can purchase one of these today (in wildly varying condition) for $1200 to about $9000!

[paramount]

[quote=bearishgurl]
1980 Turbo Trans Am Indy 500 Edition (really any Indy Pace Car)
Early 1970’s Chevelle SS 496
Boss Mustangs (Any year)
Shelby Mustangs (any year)

Fun cars to drive, also 🙂

[/quote]

That’s what I’m talking about, the fun factor.

Some cars are worth overlooking safety features.

[Allan from Fallbrook]

[quote=paramount][quote=bearishgurl]
1980 Turbo Trans Am Indy 500 Edition (really any Indy Pace Car)
Early 1970’s Chevelle SS 496
Boss Mustangs (Any year)
Shelby Mustangs (any year)

Fun cars to drive, also 🙂

[/quote]

That’s what I’m talking about, the fun factor.

Some cars are worth overlooking safety features.[/quote]

Paramount: I drove two Mustangs in high school. I had a 1968 with a Boss 302 (put that into a lightpole) and then I had a 1969 Mach I with a 428CJ.

I recently drove one of the new GT Mustangs and, while fun, it didn’t have the mystique (or the sound) of the old ’60s circa muscle cars. Kicking over an old 428CJ/429SCJ/427SO, or a Chevy 454, or a Mopar 426 Race/Street Hemi is a completely unique experience.

There’s a local here that drives a fully stock AC Cobra with a 429SCJ plant and just the sound of that beast revving at a light reminds you of the time when Detroit steel ruled the world.

[sdrealtor]

My best friend in HS drove a 69 Mach 1. I remember going out on beer runs and watching the road go by at my feet. You could see the road through the floorboards. For those of us living outside in CA in places with snow and rain they were rust buckets.

[Allan from Fallbrook]

[quote=sdrealtor]My best friend in HS drove a 69 Mach 1. I remember going out on beer runs and watching the road go by at my feet. You could see the road through the floorboards. For those of us living outside in CA in places with snow and rain they were rust buckets.[/quote]

sdr: Snow? That’s that weird white shit that falls from the sky, right?

Growing up in the Bay Area, I do remember the rain, though. Especially when I romped on it coming off a light and the rear end would break loose. Definite pucker factor there!

Good times.

[LesBaer45]

[quote=bearishgurl][quote=paramount] . . . There are a few exceptions of course:

1980 Turbo Trans Am Indy 500 Edition (really any Indy Pace Car)
Early 1970’s Chevelle SS 496
Boss Mustangs (Any year)
Shelby Mustangs (any year)[/quote]

I’m very familiar with the Chevelle SS and Shelby-body Mustang and agree both are very well-built and had a massive firewall/engine/hood to save the driver in a front-end collision.

Fun cars to drive, also 🙂

No shoulder straps or airbags, though. These cars do NOT save a driver in a collision from crushing their clavicle against the steering wheel or hitting their kneecap through the keys hanging from the ignition (if wearing shorts).

OTOH, I’ve seen photos from PI cases of people who were blinded (in one eye or both) by airbag deployment in newer cars, even in a low-speed collision – usually under 100 lbs sitting in front seat. I’ve never had an airbag deploy on me so don’t know what it feels like.[/quote]

It hurts. There is a lot of speed/force behind those things, and the covers aren’t exactly buttery smooth. You get a hell of a “rash” from them. Try rubbing one if you are ever near a vehicle that has them deployed.

BTDT you can have the freakin’ T shirt.

The newer cars are getting better at trying to control the deployment to better match the force of impact. Still not perfect but it’s an evolutionary thing.

(Keeper of vehicles until they reach 200k+ or are totaled out)

[Author]

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