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Just be aware that newer vehicles often have more things that can and will fail, and parts seem less standardized these days, so you may not be able to keep it

Just be aware that newer vehicles often have more things that can and will fail, and parts seem less standardized these days, so you may not be able to keep it running past the expected service lifetime. Older vehicles (depending on the platform) often use common parts that are shared even across manufacturers. And third party manufacturers keep cranking out new stock for them. I am hoping that this type of system develops for simple no-frills electric vehicles over time. Although laws like the one mentioned here keep piling up, increasing vehicle complexity and cost of maintenance.

bluGill 10mo ago
Parts were mostly never standardized. The difference is when a production run ends they would sell all the tooling to a third party that makes parts under their own name. (and even before production ends parts that break often are worth duplicating). With computers when the production run of the LCD, CPU, ... ends nobody is making more. Even if you could get the software to install, nobody makes the computer at all at any price.
- iamnothere 10mo ago
  Fair, standardized probably isn’t the right term. Maybe common usage is a better term? I saw a video where someone was modifying a Dodge Viper and found that it used a Ford branded control switch or relay, not even the same company! Although that is a bit of an outlier.
  - qbrass 9mo ago
    Relays were standardized. Other parts were sourced from outside suppliers, which also supplied the same or similar parts to other automakers. Some of them were direct replacements, some were easily modified to work, and some could be robbed for components to refurbish your old part.
- maxerickson 10mo ago
  I know someone that installed an aftermarket touch screen in their Cadillac. The OEM part arguably has a flaw where it dies when it gets too hot (Cadillac didn't do a recall though). I think there were more than one third party options.

bluGill 10mo ago

Parts were mostly never standardized. The difference is when a production run ends they would sell all the tooling to a third party that makes parts under their own name. (and even before production ends parts that break often are worth duplicating). With computers when the production run of the LCD, CPU, ... ends nobody is making more. Even if you could get the software to install, nobody makes the computer at all at any price.

iamnothere 10mo ago
Fair, standardized probably isn’t the right term. Maybe common usage is a better term? I saw a video where someone was modifying a Dodge Viper and found that it used a Ford branded control switch or relay, not even the same company! Although that is a bit of an outlier.
- qbrass 9mo ago
  Relays were standardized. Other parts were sourced from outside suppliers, which also supplied the same or similar parts to other automakers. Some of them were direct replacements, some were easily modified to work, and some could be robbed for components to refurbish your old part.
maxerickson 10mo ago
I know someone that installed an aftermarket touch screen in their Cadillac. The OEM part arguably has a flaw where it dies when it gets too hot (Cadillac didn't do a recall though). I think there were more than one third party options.