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This is something that can mean different things to people depending on your own situation,it could be at three years old or longer,or maybe when the warranty expires,or when it gets it first big bill or ding,for me i tend to move them on when i get to 100k on the clock which is silly considering i drive a diesel but its a subconscious thing,I could keep my car for another ten years but if we all did that what would happen?
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It's changed a lot hasn't it? Many moons ago, cars died of moth and rust after a few years, and the complicated service requirements meant that a lot of mechanical parts died as well. Modern cars have much better rust-proofing, and many engines will now last to starship miles if well-maintained (which usually means much shorter service intervals than recommended)
But then again modern cars (particularly diesels) have all sorts of goodies that do not last. The unspeakable DMF never seems to be fit for purpose, and electronic systems do not seem to hold up well. And why do cars have things that get superceded by technology far too quickly (Satnavs that can't be updated, integral phone systems, entertainment thingies). Such things should be easily replaceable.
Rant over, I'll get me coat.
Edited by veryoldbear on 13/10/2011 at 13:14
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You're spot on, veryoldbear. The more gadgets and widgets there are, the more there is to go wrong. I'm happy not to have a built in satnav or anything. Climate control is nice though, but headlights that come on by sensing light levels or windscreen wipers that have a water sensor - for goodness' sake, use your eyes and switch your own on!!
Some cars don't seem to look dated though. I think mine would probably run forever (~95k and still ticking beautifully) but it's going to start looking like an old design, which since there is a facelifted version, it already is. I remember my parents having a Volvo 340 for most of the 90s but nowadays they look so old fashioned!
I'm sort of with Gotanoldhondar about the 100k limit; it's a psychological thing really as I bet that in 6,000 miles' time my car will be just as good as it is now, but I will feel that it has become ancient and it's only 6 years old.
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On the money there. I was having this very conversation recently.
Back in the day, the thing that caused the demise of vehicles was terminal rust and / or major mechanical failure. Garaged and well-treated low-milage cars went on forever. These days we have the body and mechanics good for spaceship miles, but a plethora of expensive electronic / electrical bits, the failure of any one of which can render the thing beyond economic repair.
Worse still, while treating the body and mechanicals well can extend their lives, if a complex electronic component is made to be good for 10 years' life, every year you get after that is basically a game of chance played against the Mean Time Between Failure fairies.
Personally I reckon the days of Classic cars are gone. The absolute maximum life of a modern car is governed by the length of time it's possible to still get hold of a working computer with an operating system that can run the diagnostic / programming software for it.
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This is an interesting topic. I think cars can last alot longer than they used to these days and in my view 'old' is something 15+ as even 10 year old cars can have most of the same gizmo's and extra's that a new car has. Engine wise theres not a problem if maintained, the only issue really is the electrical extra's but they can go wrong in a new car. My old 406 which is garaged at the moment is 11 years old and everything electrical on it works, and some 'older' cars like the 406 dont look dated. Look at a mk1 Mondeo and that shows its age now but a 406 doesnt in my view. The only thing is should a car of this age suffer a big failure theres no financial sense in paying to repair it, but when a car gets to 10 years old or 100k on it, people think its worthless. Its a psychological thing, its easier to sell a 9 year old car with 87k on it than a 10 year old car with 102k on it, even if the latter was a better car in better condition.
Makes for some good bargains though!
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And we may have the silly situation arising that Euro III diesel cars may well outlive Euro IV cars ... a Euro III car may be rattley, but it won't have a DPF, probably no DMF, much simpler electronics, a chain cam not a rubber band ....
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Am i the only one who thinks the reliability issues thrown up by the EU bulldozing this DPF stuff though has resulted in us coming full circle in terms of car reliability? In the 60s and 70s people accepted that one day out of five, their car wouldnt work. Then by the 90s and 00s we reached solid reliability and now we're going backwards again?
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I tink the late 90's were the pinnicale of diesel achievement, Bosch rotary high pressure pump with minimal electronics.
The Galaxy is still starting fine, with 241,000 miles on the origional injectors & pump, a bit "stchooie" mind but her be rattling on just grand.
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I think a car becomes 'used' when you get your first dent or scrape.
It beomes 'old' the first time it breaks down and leaves you stranded. Or 100,000 miles if that's sooner.
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Good definition.
On that basis, we (Mr and Mrs Bear) have two used / old cars.
Son and DIL have a used car
Daughter has a write-off but will shortly have a new used car
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Yep my car is pretty "used".
Jamie there is a chap with a 406 in dark blue near us its still better looking than most.
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Jamie there is a chap with a 406 in dark blue near us its still better looking than most.
I love the Peugeot 406 and even the original pre-facelift model in my opinion still looks modern and parked up next to your average 3 year old family box it doesnt show its age. I'd defend the 406 against anybody, mine will have tax slapped on it and some insurance if indeed the snow hits as its like a snow plough, ive been through four feet of snow in one of those without any issues.
I would consider using it daily again in the future but the autobox is iffy, doesnt change up when its supposed to and is very lumpy so that will need looking at.
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Hmmm,
"through four feet of snow"
four feet vertically or horizontally?
puzzled is all.
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Methinks that Jamie may be resorting to hyperbole there.
Even a Land Rover with serious snow tyres, the diff locks on and low ratio engaged can get "interesting" in four feet of the stuff.....
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My 14 year old 1.8 petrol Toyota Carina has just had to have its first replacement exhaust. It cost nearly as much as the car's worth!
Then the car tax was due at £205 for 12 months.
It's on the original clutch too, so when that goes I shall have to decide if it's all worth it!
Having said that, 160,000 miles, starts first time and does what it says on the tin. It's also remarkably agile in deep snow thanks to its skinny tyres.
Edited by V4 Heaven on 14/10/2011 at 11:28
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I've been thinking about how cars can be perceived as old and it struck me as odd that I am beginning to consider mine as a bit long in the tooth because of it's high mileage (and the joy of looking forward to getting a new car next year may have some contribution).
Yet I don't think my husband's car is old, even though it's two years older than mine, because it still looks good and the mileage is lower. Weird.
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When does a car become "old"?
When it is older than you are?
How could my Xedos be old @ 13 when I am 5 x that age and I am not old...........my MiL is 96 and that is old!
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Ok four feet may be a bit extreme but put it this way, all that snow we had a couple of years ago, my first 406 took me through that to work every day without getting stuck once, just put it in drive and let it do the work. I think the key is small wheels, even with the alloys they're quite small and chunky tyred on the 406 with decent ground clearance. I was seeing Mercedes and BMW's with their RWD and massive alloys/low profile tyres getting stuck on the hill and rolling back down as i just toodled past in my Peugeot.
I think when a car gets to 5 years old, your average family box like a Ford or Vauxhall could financially be described as 'old' as its lost a large chunk of its value and its not worth paying for any massively expensive repair anymore, but some cars just dont look old.
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