4 ms·

I don't know about Australia, but "Cash for Clunkers" deprecated those and enabled faster iteration. Good luck finding an authorised mechanic who can work with

I don't know about Australia, but "Cash for Clunkers" deprecated those and enabled faster iteration. Good luck finding an authorised mechanic who can work without OBD-II or other computerized diagnostics.

ssl-3 2y ago
I don't know about Australia, but "authorized mechanic" doesn't seem to mean much (if anything) in the context of old cars in any of the lower 48 when it comes to general repair. (Inspections? Sure. But inspections are by no means universally required.)
- notjulianjaynes 2y ago
  In some states there is additionally the personal benefit of older vehicles (usually 20+ years old) being exempt from annual emissions testing. This is probably a wash for society (harm from extra emissions - however much C02 emmissions you save by not purchasing a new car). Not having to pay $500 to replace a malfunctioning hard to reach sensor on a $1000 car is helpful if you don't have a lot of income though.
  - ssl-3 2y ago
    In some areas of the US, there's no statewide emissions testing (or inspections) to be exempt from to begin with. For example: Ohio is broadly this way, with the exception of some counties near Cleveland that require emissions testing for vehicles that are between 4 and 25 years old. To extend that example: For most of Ohio, anyone can hire anyone else to work on their their cars (or DIY) without any practical third-party concern about things like "authorization" or "certification."
    - AStonesThrow 2y ago
      > without any practical third-party concern about things like "authorization" or "certification." Or "geniune parts" or "insurance" or "liability" or "loss of use" or "damages" or "employment-related injuries". Just sign this waiver; payment in cash only, up front...
      - ssl-3 2y ago
        What kind of bizarro-world are you living in where these things happen? I just take my car to the [both "unauthorized" and "uncertified"] shop when that is necessary. My mechanic looks at it and either generates an estimate while I wait or he calls me later -- depending on how busy they are. I then either agree to have him do the work, or I don't. If I do, then: He gets it done, and then I pay the bill, and then I drive my car home. It's a very straight-forward kind of transaction.
        AStonesThrow 2y ago
        It sounds like you enjoy elements of loyalty, mutual trust, negotiation skills, and perhaps even a lack of bigotry or Marxist class struggles. Congratulations to y'all from Bizarro-World.
mistrial9 2y ago
California is certainly cleaning out older cars with cash buyouts.. no question about it. Unsolicited offer via US Mail to the registered owner of a running car, offering cash to End-of-Life the vehicle.
- smcin 2y ago
  When and in which city/county did that happen? I've never heard of BAR sending out unsolicited mail offers before. You always had to go to them.
TimeBearingDown 2y ago
The sweet spot has been 1996-2007 ish for a while. OBD-II, electronic port fuel injection, decent crash structures and side airbags, often better suspension design, no DI carbon fouling, decent mileage. Cheap parts and nearly no remaining depreciation.

ssl-3 2y ago

I don't know about Australia, but "authorized mechanic" doesn't seem to mean much (if anything) in the context of old cars in any of the lower 48 when it comes to general repair. (Inspections? Sure. But inspections are by no means universally required.)

notjulianjaynes 2y ago
In some states there is additionally the personal benefit of older vehicles (usually 20+ years old) being exempt from annual emissions testing. This is probably a wash for society (harm from extra emissions - however much C02 emmissions you save by not purchasing a new car). Not having to pay $500 to replace a malfunctioning hard to reach sensor on a $1000 car is helpful if you don't have a lot of income though.
- ssl-3 2y ago
  In some areas of the US, there's no statewide emissions testing (or inspections) to be exempt from to begin with. For example: Ohio is broadly this way, with the exception of some counties near Cleveland that require emissions testing for vehicles that are between 4 and 25 years old. To extend that example: For most of Ohio, anyone can hire anyone else to work on their their cars (or DIY) without any practical third-party concern about things like "authorization" or "certification."
  - AStonesThrow 2y ago
    > without any practical third-party concern about things like "authorization" or "certification." Or "geniune parts" or "insurance" or "liability" or "loss of use" or "damages" or "employment-related injuries". Just sign this waiver; payment in cash only, up front...
    - ssl-3 2y ago
      What kind of bizarro-world are you living in where these things happen? I just take my car to the [both "unauthorized" and "uncertified"] shop when that is necessary. My mechanic looks at it and either generates an estimate while I wait or he calls me later -- depending on how busy they are. I then either agree to have him do the work, or I don't. If I do, then: He gets it done, and then I pay the bill, and then I drive my car home. It's a very straight-forward kind of transaction.
      - AStonesThrow 2y ago
        It sounds like you enjoy elements of loyalty, mutual trust, negotiation skills, and perhaps even a lack of bigotry or Marxist class struggles. Congratulations to y'all from Bizarro-World.

mistrial9 2y ago

California is certainly cleaning out older cars with cash buyouts.. no question about it. Unsolicited offer via US Mail to the registered owner of a running car, offering cash to End-of-Life the vehicle.

smcin 2y ago
When and in which city/county did that happen? I've never heard of BAR sending out unsolicited mail offers before. You always had to go to them.

TimeBearingDown 2y ago

The sweet spot has been 1996-2007 ish for a while. OBD-II, electronic port fuel injection, decent crash structures and side airbags, often better suspension design, no DI carbon fouling, decent mileage. Cheap parts and nearly no remaining depreciation.