[Spridgets] Was: Bad MG news from Automotive News Now: Demise of Auto Industry

[David Riker]

Actually, I see just the opposite.  Cars and trucks have never been of 
higher quality than they are today.  In the 1960's, the average car needed 
its front brake drums relined at 15,000 mile intervals, a valve job at 
50,000 miles, and a rebuild of the 3 speed automatic transmission at 75,000. 
Why do you think that every corner gas station switched from having service 
bays, to having snack shops?  Because of the reduced repair and maintenance 
needs of modern cars.  Compare that 1966 Malibu I just described to the 2008 
Malibu.  The new car has Disc brakes up front that probably will need the 
first set of pads at about 80,000 miles, will never need a valve job or ring 
job, has a six speed automatic transmission that never needs a fluid change. 
And the price?  Adjusted for inflation, is cheaper as a percent of annual 
income than it was in 1966.  Oh, and it gets 31 mpg on the highway instead 
of 18, and its four cylinder engine produces more horsepower than the 1966 
with a 327 V-8.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Innis" <jdinnis at gmail.com>
To: "Jim Johnson" <bmwwxman at gmail.com>
Cc: <spridgets at autox.team.net>
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 6:20 AM
Subject: Re: [Spridgets] Was: Bad MG news from Automotive News Now: Demise 
of Auto Industry
  They also buy with the idea that they are just
> going to sell it off in three or four years anyway, so long term
> quality and maintainability are not important.  This trend is not new,
> but what we are seeing is the long term result of a consumer mentality
> that is just not sustainable.  The car makers are doing everything
> they can to drive cost out of the product, often at the expense of
> quality.