There is a new way to make batteries. Graphite!

What really puts me off of new vehicles is all the tech - the bells and whistles and useless crap that's only put there so that it can break and cost you money to fix. That, and no one designs a new car to last much longer than 3-5 years. I get a good laugh out of these commercials showing SUV's going off road. You KNOW that the commercial filming probably sent the thing to the junkyard after they were done. Way back in the day, circa 30 years ago, I was in the gearhead, off-road group.

We did crazy things, like put a 400 CID engine in a little Dodge Dakota. Shot the rear axle out, too. It went on down the road without us! A 302 in a Ford Pinto? It worked. And God love the Mopar 383 Magnum of the late 60's/early 70's era. You had to KNOW what you were doing to drive some of the death traps we built. Note to self, a Ford 460 does NOT belong in a Ranger. It was put in the F-series for a reason.

Now it seems that everything is little more than a small CID 4-banger with a turbo, or a tiny 6 with 2 of the damn things. Hell, the Ford Ecoboost is a turbo. Probably 8 of 10 buyers don't know that. And loaded with stupid features like "limp mode". Really? Honey, if there's an issue in that engine, it's "damn the torpedoes, open up the turbo, and pour on the gas!" Raise the temperature to 240 or so and burn that problem out at 8,000 RPM's or so. Oh, and now it's one unit that takes 12 guys 2 weeks to change out. At least in 1980, it was six bolts, a gasket, and a good smack with a rubber mallet. Given that you had to replace it every couple of hours, that was good.

But this whole "stick an iPad in the dash" that runs everything? Intelligent auto-cruise control? Lane assist? Auto braking? What's next? Automated ass-licking seats? Shit, you can even buy an Android "stereo" replacement now that's essentially a good tablet for your old car! It takes about 6 weeks to install, but that's nothing, I guess. My 2004 has automatic headlights and door locks, and after almost 13 years, I'm STILL not used to some of the stuff this truck does. Vacuum activated on the fly 4wd? Blasphemy! You get your ass out in the snow and freezing wind and lock those hubs in by hand and yank a lever!

And don't get me started on transmissions. Hell, to me, when I hear the word "Tranny", I don't think of a slur about gender - I think of something like a C-6 automatic with a shift kit.

I recently watched some videos of the LA Auto Show for the coming 2019 models. Made me want to cry. It's no surprise that these car companies are singing the blues, and I figure that within a year, they're going to be in deep shit trouble again.

Why?

They're making overpriced, over-engineered products that no one can afford, that hardly anyone wants, that aren't at all reliable and won't last until they're paid for. Add to that, aiming your product at a market with a high percentage of those who DON'T USE it!

Such was why G2 quit working for the local dealer. As he said, he'd have been more comfortable pushing illegal drugs, instead of suckering people into 6 and 7 years loans at $500/month, knowing they couldn't afford it, and the car wouldn't last that long either.

Rant over. Sorry.

Thoughts?

I agree that they are way overpriced for what you get. However, if they didn't sell, they wouldn't make them that way. My wife and I own a 2014 Mazda 3 and we love it. All the bells and whistles are used and appreciated. So obviously not everyone thinks like you do. Now understand I used to be an auto mechanic for about 15 years. I stopped just when all the computerization was coming on board. You had to have special equipment, one for each brand just about. This is why you don't see corner gas stations with garages anymore. It's progress. I too like the old way, you used to be able to do your own tuneup on a Saturday afternoon. The old ones needed this about every 10k miles. Now cars go a lot longer between "tune ups" and get way better gas mileage with the new multi gear auto transmissions. They are also more comfortable, and stop better; besides the fact they have cup holders now.

I just wonder what it would cost to make an exact duplicate of a 1968 Mustang right now. Forget the new safety requirements. What would it sell for? Originally they went for about $2900.

Another ridiculous fucktard piece of shit, for only about $38k, or $1,200/month for the next 200 years. Of course, in 2 years, it'll be in the junkyard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mWgU2CxiE4

I mean, really, who in their right mind would even get into this stupid thing?

Paolo wrote: Mon Dec 31, 2018 3:23 pm Another ridiculous fucktard piece of shit, for only about $38k, or $1,200/month for the next 200 years. Of course, in 2 years, it'll be in the junkyard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mWgU2CxiE4

I mean, really, who in their right mind would even get into this stupid thing?

Says you. But I believe that they will sell a bunch of these. In fact, if I won the lottery or some how else could afford one I would buy it.

Paolo wrote: Mon Dec 31, 2018 11:08 am They're making overpriced, over-engineered products that no one can afford, that hardly anyone wants, that aren't at all reliable and won't last until they're paid for. Add to that, aiming your product at a market with a high percentage of those who DON'T USE it!

The Red Nun's current truck works wonderfully, I felt completely safe and not worried about breaking down on the side of the road when I rode with him in it last July.

The newer bells and whistles... I have the GPS in my 2018, the heated steering wheel (was nice after being outside for several hours last night), heated seats, and a whole bunch of other stuff. I think it even has a blow job attachment on it somewhere, but I've not searched as I have nothing for it to blow anymore. The tech takes a while to figure it out, and half the time I think the little bitch living in mine wants me to whisper sweet nothings into her ear, in GERMAN, but overall I've not had much in the way of trouble with it. When I got it this time last year, we had a huge snow storm move in, and I wandered right past all those big trucks that sit 10-feet in the air (which I think are extensions of the owners tiny penis), that they paid as much or more than I did for my vehicle, but were stuck in the snow. Why? They bought the look, not the practicality. $50,000+ truck that didn't have 4-wheel drive. I opted for the full-time 4-wheel drive, drove right past them in my little car. Waved, then went on my way.

That said, I do appreciate older vehicles. There are some wonderful things out there, and you can mostly work on those 60's and older cars on your own. My favorite car to this day is my very first - a 1965 Mustang inline 6cyl with AC. I think it was probably about the only 6cyl the factory installed AC on. You'd turn on the AC, step on the throttle, and the car would act as if it were saying, "You're kidding, right?" Still I loved that little car, and I drove the wheels off it. Sold it when I moved from California to the east coast the first time. Wish I could get it back. It's still wandering around my hometown in California occasionally.

LT,

Yeah, out there it wouldn't rot away in the salt, etc., in winter.

The hell of it is, I spent so many years fighting snow and ice in driving to college and work, and being so frustrated with it all. Then, as soon as I get a 4wd truck, the climate begins to shift in this area, and I've had to use the 4wd maybe a dozen times in since 2006 to get unstuck.

I don't use the term very often (in fact, the term itself does just what it says), but that video really triggered me! hehe

When I think 'truck', this thing isn't what comes to mind.

The favorite truck that I owned was my 1950 Mack; next favorite was 1941 Chevrolet. --FLO--

LT,

Paolo wrote: Mon Dec 31, 2018 6:12 pm Yeah, out there it wouldn't rot away in the salt, etc., in winter.

The hell of it is, I spent so many years fighting snow and ice in driving to college and work, and being so frustrated with it all. Then, as soon as I get a 4wd truck, the climate begins to shift in this area, and I've had to use the 4wd maybe a dozen times in since 2006 to get unstuck.

I don't use the term very often (in fact, the term itself does just what it says), but that video really triggered me! hehe

When I think 'truck', this thing isn't what comes to mind.

I have to say the most practical car I had, given fuel economy, power for what it was, and durability, was my '88 Ford Escort GT. I drove that thing all over the western USA. California to eastern Wyoming and back, several times. Apparently before I had it, it got hit on the freeway in California, and pushed down the road about 100 yards sideways. Got repaired, kept running for another 100,000 miles. If I could, I might find a better kept example, because with the stuff that car went through, it was nearly indestructible.

I had an Escort in 86, as an insurance paid rental for about a month. Given what it was, as you said, it was a very good car. Back then, cars with little 4-bangers that could hardly get out of their own way were the norm. I just watched a YouTube video about a guy who found a Ford EXP that actually ran. Remember them? Sort of looked like a frog.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2_qGoFayCk