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This is a critical aspect most mechanically-inclined people choose to ignore. They also like to pretend that a generator, water pump, belt tensioner, etc (just

This is a critical aspect most mechanically-inclined people choose to ignore. They also like to pretend that a generator, water pump, belt tensioner, etc (just picked accessory belt items for an example) are as reliable as they were 200k ago. And they fail to consider the cost of time lost due to the car stopping at the side of the road or not starting. When your car loses power and consequently loses power steering in the middle of the road, it's not very fun. Yes, new car owners probably do overpay for maintenance, but it's likely not that key maintenance and could be avoided. Yes, new engine bays are more cramped and there is more automation. I am against connected cars, but I hate when people go way overboard on the "used cars are the best by far" argument just because they know the order of the flywheel, clutch, pressure plate, throwout bearing and fork.

linuxftw 3y ago
I just watched a youtube video of a brand new F150 that needed tail light replacements. Due to all the electronics (lidar IIRC), replacing both was around $5600. And, it prevented the truck from even starting. Just for tail lights. That's pretty much what you can get an entire engine installed for on an older vehicle. Parts for new vehicles are also very hard to obtain right now. Much easier to get parts for 15+ year old (domestic) vehicle.
- throw1234651234 3y ago
  These are, for the most part, nitpicked exceptions of expensive models or expensive optional upgrades. Get a new Civic or GR86 (or even Supra / V8 Mustang) and you won't have any of this. Yes, you can't turn off nannies on the Integra fully for example, but it's still a fuse away.
- swader999 3y ago
  It won't even start so you can run it into a pole to properly write it off.
forgetfreeman 3y ago
Speak for yourself pal, all of my belt accessories were upgraded to new OEM-equivalent this year. If this is an argument you actually want to win consider bringing up parts quality instead. Nobody who's worked on cars for the last 30 years would argue that quality hasn't significantly declined in the parts aftermarket, it certainly has.
- throw1234651234 3y ago
  How do you think it came to mind? I was doing the A/C and ended up doing everything on the belt. It is NOT a simple repair in a lot of cramped engine bays. Yes, I could do it in a NA Miata in under 2 hours, probably, if I remember correctly. A lot of engine bays, even from 90-2010 are very, very cramped. So this "simple" repair ends up taking days. And yes, if you actually worked as a mechanic for half a decade, you can still do it fast, but here are my points: 1. These are colossal time sinks. 2. New car owners don't have to worry about this. 3. New bonus argument: Sometimes I wonder if depreciation is cheaper than all the parts I am throwing at my old car, entirely ignoring the time cost. 4. Old car will still feel like an old car.

linuxftw 3y ago

I just watched a youtube video of a brand new F150 that needed tail light replacements. Due to all the electronics (lidar IIRC), replacing both was around $5600. And, it prevented the truck from even starting. Just for tail lights. That's pretty much what you can get an entire engine installed for on an older vehicle. Parts for new vehicles are also very hard to obtain right now. Much easier to get parts for 15+ year old (domestic) vehicle.

throw1234651234 3y ago
These are, for the most part, nitpicked exceptions of expensive models or expensive optional upgrades. Get a new Civic or GR86 (or even Supra / V8 Mustang) and you won't have any of this. Yes, you can't turn off nannies on the Integra fully for example, but it's still a fuse away.
swader999 3y ago
It won't even start so you can run it into a pole to properly write it off.

forgetfreeman 3y ago

Speak for yourself pal, all of my belt accessories were upgraded to new OEM-equivalent this year. If this is an argument you actually want to win consider bringing up parts quality instead. Nobody who's worked on cars for the last 30 years would argue that quality hasn't significantly declined in the parts aftermarket, it certainly has.

throw1234651234 3y ago
How do you think it came to mind? I was doing the A/C and ended up doing everything on the belt. It is NOT a simple repair in a lot of cramped engine bays. Yes, I could do it in a NA Miata in under 2 hours, probably, if I remember correctly. A lot of engine bays, even from 90-2010 are very, very cramped. So this "simple" repair ends up taking days. And yes, if you actually worked as a mechanic for half a decade, you can still do it fast, but here are my points: 1. These are colossal time sinks. 2. New car owners don't have to worry about this. 3. New bonus argument: Sometimes I wonder if depreciation is cheaper than all the parts I am throwing at my old car, entirely ignoring the time cost. 4. Old car will still feel like an old car.