The average car in the US is 12 years old. That average is higher in other countries. But regardless, that’s not because cars are unfixable. It’s because most people opt to buy a new or newer car when they feel like the vehicle they currently own is more expensive to fix than they’d like and a lot of that has nothing to do with the longevity of the vehicle and everything to do with how vehicle purchase can be financed vs how car repair can be financed.
It also has a lot to do with people who don’t or won’t fix things before they snowball, and or become astronomically expensive problems. Taking care of a vehicle is about doing regular maintenance (which most people don’t do), and getting at the very least an annual inspection (which most people also don’t do unless they’re forced to).
I won’t be buying a new car ever. I can say that with absolute certainty. I have rehabbed my current car in just about every way I can. Machined/honed block, new valves, new piston/lan rings, new head gasket, new water pump, new thermostat housing, new valve cover, new injectors, rebuilt transmission with new clutch, all new hoses, all new gaskets, new HP fuel pump. I will continue to do so because to me it’s worth it. Doner cars are readily available, but I probably won’t need one specifically because my car is considered and enthusiast car. I have walked into a dealer and ordered parts and my car is 15 years old. I also owned a 20 year old version of this car with the same ability to order parts directly from the dealer.
Most people aren’t buying used unless they have no choice. They will continue to buy new cars regardless of the controversy surrounding them.
I think it’s a bit disingenuous assume that older cars will not be available. Especially considering that the EV’s that are new right now aren’t going to survive 25 years without costly repairs of their own. I’d salvage an engine from an older car. I wouldn’t salvage a battery pack from an older car.
The average car in the US is 12 years old. That average is higher in other countries. But regardless, that’s not because cars are unfixable. It’s because most people opt to buy a new or newer car when they feel like the vehicle they currently own is more expensive to fix than they’d like and a lot of that has nothing to do with the longevity of the vehicle and everything to do with how vehicle purchase can be financed vs how car repair can be financed.
It also has a lot to do with people who don’t or won’t fix things before they snowball, and or become astronomically expensive problems. Taking care of a vehicle is about doing regular maintenance (which most people don’t do), and getting at the very least an annual inspection (which most people also don’t do unless they’re forced to).
I won’t be buying a new car ever. I can say that with absolute certainty. I have rehabbed my current car in just about every way I can. Machined/honed block, new valves, new piston/lan rings, new head gasket, new water pump, new thermostat housing, new valve cover, new injectors, rebuilt transmission with new clutch, all new hoses, all new gaskets, new HP fuel pump. I will continue to do so because to me it’s worth it. Doner cars are readily available, but I probably won’t need one specifically because my car is considered and enthusiast car. I have walked into a dealer and ordered parts and my car is 15 years old. I also owned a 20 year old version of this car with the same ability to order parts directly from the dealer.
Most people aren’t buying used unless they have no choice. They will continue to buy new cars regardless of the controversy surrounding them.
I think it’s a bit disingenuous assume that older cars will not be available. Especially considering that the EV’s that are new right now aren’t going to survive 25 years without costly repairs of their own. I’d salvage an engine from an older car. I wouldn’t salvage a battery pack from an older car.