Old Cars

Lirin

lol- an early car of mine suffered head gasket failure. As it was a Proton, the original mechanic, being just slightly derisive, fixed it and promised that since it was a Proton he wouldn't charge me...
I held him to that the second time. The third time, I used a different mech, who showed me a pin that needed engaged in that particular engine and sorted in a short time.
As the engine had been under so much stress, it gave out finally not soon after. Not terribly disenheartened- I got £50 more for it in part-exchange for my coupe than I bought it for! AND, I never paid the original mechanic- he didn't want paid!

WEEGIE

All in all it justs proves we live in a throw away society, in about 10 years time the oldest car on the roads will more than likely be only 5 years old.

Bob_the_Saver

WEEGIE wrote: »

All in all it justs proves we live in a throw away society, in about 10 years time the oldest car on the roads will more than likely be only 5 years old.

Mine will be 41 by then and still on the road.

gilbert_and_sullivan

The coming depression will alter peoples aspirations even more than the recession has done so far.

Notice how the people that used to look down their noses at those who worked manually are not so snooty now their jobs have vanished too and they themselves are having to turn their hands to all sorts, the same levelling is happening with the cars they run too (and the supermarkets they shop in, funny how Lidl/Aldi are now chic).

Another reason those good used cars have disappeared is export, over the last few years i've seen thousands of excellent used cars (the more rugged and dependable types especially) sitting on docks waiting to be shipped out, many going to Africa, and thousands of cars have gone to Eastern Europe too...not the rubbish that last 5 minutes either, those chaps know a thing or two about motors.

Agree about the more modern cars not being viable to repair as they age, those of us that objected to ever more complicated electronics going into cars for the reasons here were and still are called Luddites.

I wonder how many have maintained their present cars well in case they just might be trying to keep them going in 10 or 15 years time, those that haven't should maybe think again.

mikey72

Bob_the_Saver wrote: »

Mine will be 41 by then and still on the road.

I can raise you on that, my oldest one is 42 years old at the moment.

ZootHornRollo

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

The coming depression will alter peoples aspirations even more than the recession has done so far.

we're seeing that already. a lot of companies are keeping their current fleet vehicles for four or even five years instead of replacing them after the obligatory 3 years.

That will filter down to the private car owner.

Also the ever increasing value of property has wound up so people can no longer re-mortgage every few years to make those luxury purchases.

Gloomendoom

mikey72 wrote: »

I can raise you on that, my oldest one is 42 years old at the moment.

Mine's 55 and a relative youngster compared to some of the other cars in my village, several of which are well over 80 years old.

davemorton

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Mine's 55 and a relative youngster compared to some of the other cars in my village, several of which are well over 80 years old.

What village do you live in, Portmeirion?????

(Mines a sprightly 22 and 10yo)

jaydeeuk1

Probably in the minority, but I find the fact that there are very few 80's "classics" such as austin maestros/monetgos, renault 11's, ford sierra's/granadas/scorpios,fiat unos left on the road a good thing. Terrible decade for cars imo, bar one or two.

Lirin

Think the youngest car I've ever owned was 5years when I bought it.

I don't like the depreciation of a new car- and I very rarely buy to resell. Generally keep til they die- it's a game to see how high the mileage will go.

My current daily car has 130,000 on the clock- I'm determined it will do 250,000 before I break it. It gives me next to no problems, and parts are so easy to find.