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2009-07-01 00:19:37
Reciprocity
Member
+721|6874|the dank(super) side of Oregon

Deadmonkiefart wrote:

You don't understand what I'm saying.  At least in the days of Henry Ford, you could fix your car without having to spend a month's salary to pay some drone to replace a computer chip!
control modules are actually one of the least likely failure points.  the most common, non-maintenance, repairs on newer vehicles involve sensor failures.  and many of those are the result of poor maintenance.  Transmission and engine unit repairs are fairly rare on anything newer than 4 or 5 years.  people, keep your oil changed, your coolant fresh and your engine tuned and you'll likely never see a big bill.  unless, of course, you drive a ford, chevy or chrysler.

this drone thanks you for your month's salary.
2009-07-01 00:39:44
Flecco
iPod is broken.
+1,048|6958|NT, like Mick Dundee

rdx-fx wrote:

1. Car companies ran profitably in the days of carburated engines, no ECU, and a service garage at every gas station.
(No need for vendor lock-in)

2. If you can't make a profit on manufacturing a $20,000 car somewhere in the design/build/sell/maintain cycle, perhaps your business model is flawed.

3. Modern cars are needlessly complex.  The major systems would be recognizable to a mechanic from 1939 (70 years ago).  Yes, fuel injection, ABS, turbos, and such all existed in 1939.  Get back to reliable, durable, just-what-it-needs-to-be.  Better fuel economy is good - bling-wheels, DVD players in the headrests, massaging seats, and black box computers that run everything from the radio to the engine.. not so good.  Improve the essentials (safety, fuel economy, durability, reliability) - forget the rest of the junk until the essentials are 100% covered.

4. The core technology essential to a car's basic function (get from point a to point b, safely) have evolved in the last 70 years, but they have not gone so far as to require special manufacturer-only mechanics.  Shit out a decent repair manual, or a Chiltons, and a competent independent mechanic would do just fine.

5. Stop building half-assed disposable vehicles with a planned expiration date of 5-8 years, start building reliable "it just works" vehicles again - and perhaps profitability will come back.
Was going to post this.

He beat me to it.
Whoa... Can't believe these forums are still kicking.

 

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