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[quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=76960]
Aftermarket stuff usually is a mixed bag. For the most part the aftermarket part industry is driven by profit margins over quality. Come to think of it, that’s the way most things seem to work these days.[/quote]I agree. Quality in my opinion means the product was built to last, and to the best of the company’s ability. The same goes for service. Quality service is when a vehicle is repaired to the best of the mechanic’s ability. These days fixing things “good enough” seems to be the norm. It all comes down to pride in your work or pride in your product. I believe as a society, we have lost a lot of pride in our work, which impacts the quality of what we do.
As a customer, I will pay more for quality every single time, even if it means waiting a bit longer until I can afford it. The shop I use may not be the cheapest, but they take pride in their work and do a great job. I also respect them a lot more because of the pride they have, as well as how they treat their customers. They always show the customers what the problem is with their vehicle, and it shows how much they care, and in turn the customer is more willing to pay for something they now understand.
The biggest problem I find is that we have a throwaway society. Many people buy a new car after a few years around here. Cars are made with cheaper quality than ever on certain things, yet the prices are outrageous because of all the technological gadgets we feel we “need”. Its hard to keep a car for 10 years if the electronic systems start getting flaky after 5 years, and to fix these items costs more than the value of the vehicle.
I’d rather pay $40k for a vehicle I can keep for 20 years than one that lasts 6 years but has a heated steering wheel, infotainment system, and a digital gauge cluster.
[quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=76960]
Aftermarket stuff usually is a mixed bag. For the most part the aftermarket part industry is driven by profit margins over quality. Come to think of it, that’s the way most things seem to work these days.[/quote]I agree. Quality in my opinion means the product was built to last, and to the best of the company’s ability. The same goes for service. Quality service is when a vehicle is repaired to the best of the mechanic’s ability. These days fixing things “good enough” seems to be the norm. It all comes down to pride in your work or pride in your product. I believe as a society, we have lost a lot of pride in our work, which impacts the quality of what we do.
As a customer, I will pay more for quality every single time, even if it means waiting a bit longer until I can afford it. The shop I use may not be the cheapest, but they take pride in their work and do a great job. I also respect them a lot more because of the pride they have, as well as how they treat their customers. They always show the customers what the problem is with their vehicle, and it shows how much they care, and in turn the customer is more willing to pay for something they now understand.
The biggest problem I find is that we have a throwaway society. Many people buy a new car after a few years around here. Cars are made with cheaper quality than ever on certain things, yet the prices are outrageous because of all the technological gadgets we feel we “need”. Its hard to keep a car for 10 years if the electronic systems start getting flaky after 5 years, and to fix these items costs more than the value of the vehicle.
I’d rather pay $40k for a vehicle I can keep for 20 years than one that lasts 6 years but has a heated steering wheel, infotainment system, and a digital gauge cluster.
[quote=”cbriden” post=77011]I love the reliable POS for many reasons including:
1) I don’t like being beaten by a machine.
2) Miles are virtually free except gas and oil since the depreciation has already occurred.
3) Don’t care about the dings
4) Lot’s of parts available cheap (2000 expedition).
6) Lot’s of forums with people who know all about pattern failures.
7) Financial freedom – not indentured to a car loan or bank
8) You avoid the hassle of purchasing a new car – painful, complicated process.
9) I am not afraid to take a wrench to it and void a warranty.
10) You learn to appreciate what you have if you repair it yourself.[/quote]VERY true!
[quote=”cbriden” post=77011]I love the reliable POS for many reasons including:
1) I don’t like being beaten by a machine.
2) Miles are virtually free except gas and oil since the depreciation has already occurred.
3) Don’t care about the dings
4) Lot’s of parts available cheap (2000 expedition).
6) Lot’s of forums with people who know all about pattern failures.
7) Financial freedom – not indentured to a car loan or bank
8) You avoid the hassle of purchasing a new car – painful, complicated process.
9) I am not afraid to take a wrench to it and void a warranty.
10) You learn to appreciate what you have if you repair it yourself.[/quote]VERY true!
I will forever drive a reliable POS, it just makes financial sense. I have a 2000 Jeep Cherokee 4×4 with 139k miles on it. It is paid for, repairs are easy to do myself, and parts are easy to find. Its 13 years old and considered a “POS” by today’s new car standards, but it is reliable and has no rust. I take great care of it and some people think it is only a few years old by how clean it is. I have friends who have taken out huge car loans on new vehicles, only to need repairs 2 years down the road. New cars break too, they are often more expensive to fix, and insurance is much higher on them. Even if I was rich I still wouldn’t drive a new car.
Unfortunately, with the electronics and technology in newer cars, the reliable POS will soon be a unicorn. The electronic systems and complexity of newer vehicles make them have a much shorter life expectancy.
I will forever drive a reliable POS, it just makes financial sense. I have a 2000 Jeep Cherokee 4×4 with 139k miles on it. It is paid for, repairs are easy to do myself, and parts are easy to find. Its 13 years old and considered a “POS” by today’s new car standards, but it is reliable and has no rust. I take great care of it and some people think it is only a few years old by how clean it is. I have friends who have taken out huge car loans on new vehicles, only to need repairs 2 years down the road. New cars break too, they are often more expensive to fix, and insurance is much higher on them. Even if I was rich I still wouldn’t drive a new car.
Unfortunately, with the electronics and technology in newer cars, the reliable POS will soon be a unicorn. The electronic systems and complexity of newer vehicles make them have a much shorter life expectancy.