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Very good point. Also, at least here in the UK, cars seem to get scrapped after 12-15 years. They should really consider higher priced cars that are designed fo

by batou 11y ago

Very good point. Also, at least here in the UK, cars seem to get scrapped after 12-15 years. They should really consider higher priced cars that are designed for a long life. My first car, a 1974 Land Rover series 3, is still going and will be for a long time to come.

ars 11y ago
These days cars seem to die because of rust, not failure (at least for me). Aluminum cars? Stainless steel?
- batou 11y ago
  Not a spec of rust on mine (12 yo Fiat). Think that depends on where you live.
- JoeAltmaier 11y ago
  All the rubber/plastic parts die too. And they are jammed in there - it takes an overhaul to get them all replaced. For a cheap car, not worth the cost.
ZeroGravitas 11y ago
I believe that electric cars are much better in this regard. Not being powered by tiny explosions helps longevity. I'd guess refitting old cars with newer generations of batteries and motors would be easier too when the time comes for that.
- batou 11y ago
  Definitely agree there. I worry about the distribution/generation costs however. I think the main idea should be necessary travel only. In 2015 the idea that most of us need to commute tens of miles shouldn't even be a thought; a big chunk of us can and should work from home or locally. Case in point, everyone I know works in London in the city. None of them have a job that requires their presence.
- koffiezet 11y ago
  Problems with the engine block, cylinders or cylinder valves are rarely the cause for scrapping a car - which are the only parts being really affected by these 'tiny explosions'. Most problems are due to failing gearboxes, clutches, water pumps, belts, electrical components, axles, brake disks, glue deteriorating over time, ... Mostly it just becomes economically unfeasible to replace all parts that start failing over time. But true, an electrical car has a lot less components that are prone to wear, but there still are parts that will wear down and be bloody expensive. And then we're not even talking about the electronics that become more and more important in these electrical cars. These are mostly already a bit dated when a car is brand-new - so what about in 5 year? These also don't have an infinite life. Right now cars are being equiped with already aging tech and communication standards. Right now you have Bluetooth, WiFi, Edge/3G/LTE, ... - and in 10 years those things will probably still be around in some backward compatible way. But in 15 or 20 years? Wouldn't put my money on that.
pjc50 11y ago
12-15 years is a long life for a piece of mechanical equipment that's left out in the rain. There are people driving cars with multiple hundreds of thousands of miles on them, all of which have been carefully maintained in dry countries. I suspect a lot of cars end their life owned by someone who wants the absolute minimum maintenance cost and are scrapped at the first expensive repair.

by batou 11y ago

ars 11y ago

These days cars seem to die because of rust, not failure (at least for me). Aluminum cars? Stainless steel?

batou 11y ago
Not a spec of rust on mine (12 yo Fiat). Think that depends on where you live.
JoeAltmaier 11y ago
All the rubber/plastic parts die too. And they are jammed in there - it takes an overhaul to get them all replaced. For a cheap car, not worth the cost.

ZeroGravitas 11y ago

I believe that electric cars are much better in this regard. Not being powered by tiny explosions helps longevity. I'd guess refitting old cars with newer generations of batteries and motors would be easier too when the time comes for that.

batou 11y ago
Definitely agree there. I worry about the distribution/generation costs however. I think the main idea should be necessary travel only. In 2015 the idea that most of us need to commute tens of miles shouldn't even be a thought; a big chunk of us can and should work from home or locally. Case in point, everyone I know works in London in the city. None of them have a job that requires their presence.
koffiezet 11y ago
Problems with the engine block, cylinders or cylinder valves are rarely the cause for scrapping a car - which are the only parts being really affected by these 'tiny explosions'. Most problems are due to failing gearboxes, clutches, water pumps, belts, electrical components, axles, brake disks, glue deteriorating over time, ... Mostly it just becomes economically unfeasible to replace all parts that start failing over time. But true, an electrical car has a lot less components that are prone to wear, but there still are parts that will wear down and be bloody expensive. And then we're not even talking about the electronics that become more and more important in these electrical cars. These are mostly already a bit dated when a car is brand-new - so what about in 5 year? These also don't have an infinite life. Right now cars are being equiped with already aging tech and communication standards. Right now you have Bluetooth, WiFi, Edge/3G/LTE, ... - and in 10 years those things will probably still be around in some backward compatible way. But in 15 or 20 years? Wouldn't put my money on that.

pjc50 11y ago

12-15 years is a long life for a piece of mechanical equipment that's left out in the rain. There are people driving cars with multiple hundreds of thousands of miles on them, all of which have been carefully maintained in dry countries. I suspect a lot of cars end their life owned by someone who wants the absolute minimum maintenance cost and are scrapped at the first expensive repair.