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caricature
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08-05-2019, 08:39 PM
21

Re: Modern Cars.

Originally Posted by Baz46 ->
The same with me, except for removing or refitting an engine, far too heavy for one person! Nowadays I just check fluid levels once a week, I don’t really have to do that as they have sensors, even low tyre pressures are notified to the driver.

While having the ACC sensor re-calibrated recently on my VW Golf I was speaking to the Service Manager about the extortionate cost of that sensor. Had it needed replacing it would have cost £1,400 rather than the £450 to re-calibrate. As it was it was an insurance claim (see link at end as this was posted on OFF).

He was commenting that a front-end crash, not a really serious one, could actually write-off an older ‘modern’ vehicle: two new headlights £1,000 each, ACC sensor £1,400, plus new bumper, two new wings, new grille and a new bonnet and maybe new airbags as they can deploy at just 16mph. All in addition to any damage behind the bumper/wings which when considering how tight everything is to the bodywork could easily be possible, everything is designed to crumple anyway. All the above plus main dealer labour costs at £100 an hour!

The ever-decreasing value of cars, especially diesels, is also an issue. My own car, an unmarked 2014 VW Golf Blue Motion TDi 1.6 with 18,000 miles on the clock cost new around £23,000, it is now worth between £9,000 and £10,000 trade-in (depreciation £50 per week! ). So it wouldn’t take much to write that off considering the cost of parts and labour.

https://www.over50sforum.com/showthr...t=60026&page=8

https://www.reference.com/vehicles/m...58473d71eaa229
Bolded bit,I've just been out and bought a Astra Elite Navi 18 plate for half its original price,theres so much competition the sales man said they have to drop the second hand value to move them.
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08-05-2019, 08:50 PM
22

Re: Modern Cars.

Originally Posted by Longdogs ->
I agree. Plus they were falling over themselves to give me a hire car, I just wanted something to get me around until I sorted another vehicle but they insisted on a new BMW3 sport... totally unnecessary but somewhere along the line, it has to be paid for.

I hated it, when I opened the door, I fell out.
Clumsy sod.....
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08-05-2019, 08:52 PM
23

Re: Modern Cars.

Originally Posted by fender ->
Clumsy sod.....
I'm too old for that sort of thing.
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08-05-2019, 10:03 PM
24

Re: Modern Cars.

First, you need a discount, then you need to anticipate public demand then, there is no guarantee you can totally offset depreciation, not like the old days.
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09-05-2019, 02:07 AM
25

Re: Modern Cars.

There is no question that modern cars are far better than older ones.

No more de-coking, valve grinding, gaskets that leak, no greasing dozens of joints and cables, brakes that work even when you reverse, they don't stop working when it rains, heaters/AC that is not an optional extra, oil changes and services only every 10000km, great fuel economy, more power, more space, 5+ year warranties, fixed price servicing... the list goes on,

And how much cheaper are they (compared to income) for a much better package? Chalk and cheese.

The only spare parts I carry these days are the two fan belts. I would insist on a proper spare wheel in any new car though I guess that is not important in the UK
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09-05-2019, 09:53 AM
26

Re: Modern Cars.

I think technically cars are better now than they were, you don't see so many broken down vehicles as you did. I would argue though that in some ways, modern cars are more difficult to drive. They are much bigger than they used to be, much heavier (try pushing a CRV) and more difficult to park because modern seats prevent the driver looking over the shoulder to line up with the already parked car.

My latest car has all round cameras but I hardly use them because I don't trust them for some reason.

I think there are good and bad things about modern cars.
scot37
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09-05-2019, 03:35 PM
27

Re: Modern Cars.

I would reiterate all that Bruce said in post #25. I think much is down to the improvements in the oil, fuel and materials. Rust is not so much of a problem either. I remember when spark plug gaps had to be adjusted regularly, also the contact breakers in the distributor. Starter motors and dynamos also needed attention. I am maybe going further back than some
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09-05-2019, 04:08 PM
28

Re: Modern Cars.

Originally Posted by scot37 ->
I would reiterate all that Bruce said in post #25. I think much is down to the improvements in the oil, fuel and materials. Rust is not so much of a problem either. I remember when spark plug gaps had to be adjusted regularly, also the contact breakers in the distributor. Starter motors and dynamos also needed attention. I am maybe going further back than some
I always remember the points being the biggest PITA along with the condenser.
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Baz46
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09-05-2019, 04:10 PM
29

Re: Modern Cars.

Originally Posted by scot37 ->
I would reiterate all that Bruce said in post #25. I think much is down to the improvements in the oil, fuel and materials. Rust is not so much of a problem either. I remember when spark plug gaps had to be adjusted regularly, also the contact breakers in the distributor. Starter motors and dynamos also needed attention. I am maybe going further back than some

At least in those days, which I too remember, there was the choice to actually do those tasks. Now none of this can be done by the owner so the choice is one of pay the extortionate £100 hourly rates charged by main dealer garages or not have a car. I sometimes wonder if these garages know the weekly State Pension is £155 meaning a recent quote for changing the timing belt on my VW Golf (at only 17,000 miles) costing £479 is three weeks pension! Not three weeks' 'pocket money' but what any pensioner on basic State Pension has on which to live in total.
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09-05-2019, 04:16 PM
30

Re: Modern Cars.

Originally Posted by Baz46 ->
At least in those days, which I too remember, there was the choice to actually do those tasks. Now none of this can be done by the owner so the choice is one of pay the extortionate £100 hourly rates charged by main dealer garages or not have a car. I sometimes wonder if these garages know the weekly State Pension is £155 meaning a recent quote for changing the timing belt on my VW Golf (at only 17,000 miles) costing £479 is three weeks pension! Not three weeks' 'pocket money' but what any pensioner on basic State Pension has on which to live in total.


I hate the way we are ripped off by garages these days. Personally, if my car is running OK, I don't have it serviced. A service is basically an oil/filter change and can cost £300 or more. I never serviced my last car in the twelve years I had it, just had repairs done if needed.

Really, all a service is, is a piece of paper.
 
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