Auto Woes

[brino]

Like you we didn't put that many miles on it, but it seemed to fall apart on a regular basis. Everything from door handles falling off to memory seats losing their memory, heated window washer reservoirs that were defective, blind spot indicators that worked when they wanted to, and the list goes on. The worst part was that every time something failed the estimate to repair it was always $1,600.00 or more.

There is at least part of the problem...... too many useless new gadgets!

okay I do want reliable door handles, but the rest of that list, in my mind, are crazy features!
Totally unnecessary "whiz-bang" features that I never need and never want.

If the systems worked flawlessly without maintenance for 20 years then I would have no argument.
However in the mad craze to put microprocessors everywhere it seem these designers lose track of the fact every time you add more components you increase the likelihood of failure.

Do they even offer reliability classes to design engineers anymore?

What it means to me personally is that I'll need to start buying older and older used vehicles to get away from all that crap.
I have joked on here before that I'll have to import my next vehicle from Cuba.

Brian

 

[Charles scozzari]

Picked up a super clean in and out 2013 F150 crew cab ! owner truck when I bought the the truck it was obvious it needed a water pump of which I was OK with. I replaced the noisy pump only to now be able to hear this what I learned is the typewriter key noise that is pretty common in the 5.0L Coyote motor. It seems Ford will not acknowledge any problem and in looking for a solution all over the internet and every one I know all I found is that's it there is no cure, just drive it that way.

 

[markba633csi]

Old and reliable. Always on my mind, as Willie says
97 Cherokee 4.0L
03 Mazda Protege 2.0L

 

[RJSakowski]

To you and me $1,000.00 is a hefty bill for an auto repair. Unfortunately, today it's not only not uncommon but considered "cheap" for most repairs. Back in 2008 we purchased a Buick Lucerne. Like you we didn't put that many miles on it, but it seemed to fall apart on a regular basis. Everything from door handles falling off to memory seats losing their memory, heated window washer reservoirs that were defective, blind spot indicators that worked when they wanted to, and the list goes on. The worst part was that every time something failed the estimate to repair it was always $1,600.00 or more. We finally had enough of it and got rid of the beast.

The current hourly rate for mechanical repairs at our local Ford and GM automobile dealerships is $149.00 per hour. When we had the transmission replaced in our motorhome last month at a Minneapolis Ford Commercial dealership, they were charging $289.00 per hour. To put things in perspective when I owned a couple service stations in the 1970's labor rates for independent garages were between $15.00 and $20.00 per hour, and you could buy premium gas for $.52 a gallon. Dealerships were charging $20.00 to $25.00 an hour

There is at least part of the problem...... too many useless new gadgets!

okay I do want reliable door handles, but the rest of that list, in my mind, are crazy features!
Totally unnecessary "whiz-bang" features that I never need and never want.

If the systems worked flawlessly without maintenance for 20 years then I would have no argument.
However in the mad craze to put microprocessors everywhere it seem these designers lose track of the fact every time you add more components you increase the likelihood of failure.

Do they even offer reliability classes to design engineers anymore?

What it means to me personally is that I'll need to start buying older and older used vehicles to get away from all that crap.
I have joked on here before that I'll have to import my next vehicle from Cuba.

Brian

And therein is the problem. They add more and more complex features that are more likely to fail and cost a fortune to repair. It is obscene that replacing an ignition switch cost 4% of the original purchase price of the vehicle. It isn't just the automotive industry. Major appliances and the agricultural industry are no better. I sixty years I have never had appliance repairman visit or other than collision repair, taken a vehicle in for a major repair. I once had a tractor taken in under warrantee to correct jumping out of gear (they didn't fix the problem but I did a few years later when I repaired the transmission). There is a move afoot to reestablish the right to repair and I hope it succeeds in spades.

 

[RJSakowski]

I really like the minivan. For me, it is an all purpose vehicle. It is reasonably comfortable, I can carry seven passengers, I can carry 20 8' 2x4's or 4 x 8 sheets of drywall or plywood, and I can tow my boat. All with reasonable performance and efficiency. I traded the '07 because of rust rather than mechanical issues and intend that the current one won't suffer the same fate.

I figure that at 60 years, I have maybe 10 more years at most for a tower/hauler and my goal of 14 more years of service doesn't seem unreasonable,

 

[slow-poke]

Next time round consider a Toyota for trouble free motoring. We have four Toyota in the family, and had four before that. Everyone of them incredibly reliable. I purchased my 2005 ES330 when it was 6 years old and have not done a single repair to it. Drives like new, no noises, no squeakes, no repairs, just fluids, brakes and tires. Only light on the dash is burnt out light warning (headlight every so many years) I cringe at the thought of driving anything else. The peace of mind and savings in repairs is priceless. Car still drives like new.

 

[455dan]

Next time round consider a Toyota for trouble free motoring. We have four Toyota in the family, and had four before that. Everyone of them incredibly reliable. I purchased my 2005 ES330 when it was 6 years old and have not done a single repair to it. Drives like new, no noises, no squeakes, no repairs, just fluids, brakes and tires. Only light on the dash is burnt out light warning (headlight every so many years) I cringe at the thought of driving anything else. The peace of mind and savings in repairs is priceless. Car still drives like new.

Have you seen the recall on 100,000 New Tundra's to replace the engines, because of improper block cleaning before assembly .

Have to Give Toyota credit for standing behind their product to make it right.

I would not trade my 03 Ram heavy duty diesel for a new RAM though. Wife has an 04 HD with Cummins as well, with lower miles. Dealer called her this spring and offered her what it sold for New, she respectfully declined. In the extended family we have 3 Jeeps two Grand Cherokees both well over 300K miles 4.0 and 5.2 Two Wranglers closing in on 200K. They have all needed something at one time or another for sure.

Would not touch a New diesel truck with a CP 4 pump on it- no matter who makes it.

I hear Ram has real inventory problems because they priced themselves way to high. One large dealer had over 3000 unsold new work trucks alone, and in a lawsuit to turn them back to Stellantis.

 

[Ischgl99]

Even though $1,000 is hard to take for something that looks like it should be simple, sometimes it's best to let the dealer take care of it. I had a 2008 Volvo that had the same problem shortly after we bought it from the dealer used in 2012, it would have cost close to that to get it repaired back then.

We now have a 2020 Volvo that has sensors for just about everything. There is not even a dip stick any longer for checking the oil level, it's checked through the computer and it tells you how much to add. We bought the extended warranty since it will likely be a $1,000 hello in the service department with that car.

 

[brino]

I hear Ram has real inventory problems because they priced themselves way to high. One large dealer had over 3000 unsold new work trucks alone, and in a lawsuit to turn them back to Stellantis.

Good! I hope all dealers find the same.
I spent $90k on my first house, I will NEVER spend that on a vehicle, and yes I understand that both dollars and prices are moving targets.

There is not even a dip stick any longer for checking the oil level, it's checked through the computer and it tells you how much to add.

....at least it gives you the info and let's you do it yourself!
I fear we're quickly moving to a world of no dipstick and no accessible oil fill, but instead turn on the Check Engine light and drop into "limp mode".
Forcing a dealership visit to check and top up the fluids for $300.

Brian

 

[matthewsx]

Well, the alternatives are.

1. Buy something used that's old enough not to have this type of issue. Not sure how old that is, maybe 1970's or 80's
2. Pay for the repair and keep driving this vehicle as long as you can.
3. Lease a new vehicle and trade it in every year or two.

My father-in-law does #3 but he's a retired Ford employee. It's actually not a bad strategy if you have the means since the manufacturer deals with any needed repairs and you always have a newer (probably more reliable) car. For me, the most important factor in a car is safety so as that continues to improve you get to take advantage of being in safer cars as time goes on. This might be a factor as we age and our reaction times increase.

My second biggest factor for cars is having them paid for. Also something that may change as I age since the need for cash will probably reduce as time goes on.

John