Sometimes I wish I could say that. My last new truck was a loaded 2007 GMC 2500HD diesel, paid $50k. I've had 5 new trucks in my life. Now I enjoy my 2007 more than when it was new knowing the 2023 equivalent is nearly $90K. And I have 2 used around town beaters that still look nearly new to keep the miles down on the big truck. No more new car purchases for me, the older ones are built far better and are much easier to work on, especially as they age. Too many of the new cars/trucks are crap - weak transmissions, too much unnecessary electronics that fail much sooner than the mechanical systems they replace,, shitty paint, direct gas injection causing piston ring failure, little engines with turbos replacing torquey V8s, plastic engine parts that become brittle with heat cycles and age, etc. etc. Nothing but problems waiting to happen that often require a $125/hr mechanic to repair. And the late model replacement parts, if you can get them, are outrageously priced.
And here is the big question - semi conductors have about 30 maybe 40 years in them. What happens when the ecu has been obsolete for 20 years and you can't get a new one? Injectors won't fire without it.
Absolutely.
There are more computer subsystems than just the ecu ... The Car Wizard (YT) was on Hoovie's Garage (YT) and had some exotic Audi or BMW he claimed had nearly 100 specialized circuit boards throughout the car. Ride leveling, ecu, TCU, etc etc. The manufacturer went nuts on electronics. This seems to be the direction all manufacturers want to go, or feel they have to in order to keep up with the competition.
Because they know this will always force a move to an upgrade and the removal of the vehicle from the road.
Agree
To be fair, I've only had 6 cars in my life, two of them new. I estimate about $55000 total.
I am guessing I have 20-25 years on you, I'm in my early 60s. It used to be the thing to trade in your 100k+ mile 4-5 year old vehicle for a new one. I didn't grow out of that until after 2007. I ran up most of those miles commuting back and forth to work. I should have driven a shitbox and left the new truck home! Hindsight is 20/20.
I should have driven a shitbox and left the new truck home! Hindsight is 20/20.
You don't want to do this, vehicles are designed to be used and not left sitting in a garage. You'll end up with old oil, dead batteries, stuff not working on the vehicle etc. And you'll be paying for both to be on the road, and you'll have to remember all of the maintenance for both vehicles and it will be taking up space. Just have a single vehicle that does the job best for you.
You have a few years on me, but not as much as you'd think.
Out of my 67 cars:
2018: Subaru, Still have 2007: Ford, Still have 1989: Buick, T-boned by a nigger 1986: Omodribble, More hole than metal, mechanic brother said "this is completely unsafe, and I'm not working on it anymore." 1973: Chrysler, the back seat literally fell through the rot 1979: Chrysler, massive mechanical failure because TF904 transmissions were shit and 318s weren't much better. 1981: Ford, Wrecked.
I guess it was 7. I forgot about the '73, but that brings the total up $500.
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