This topic (replacement of ageing metal) has brought to my mind the matter of what the age of our automobile census might be, and why (or when) we replace our cars. From the web:
The average age of automobiles on the road in California is approximately 12 years. This is slightly younger than the national average, which is about 12.6 years, as reported in 2024. While California drivers often keep vehicles longer, the state's high rate of new car sales, particularly electric vehicles, helps keep the overall fleet age slightly lower than the national average. Key Details on California/National Vehicle Age: * California Average Age: 12 years (as of 2024), according to Auto Innovators <https://www.autosinnovate.org/resources/insights/ca> . * National Average Age: 12.6 years (as of 2024), noted by S <https://www.spglobal.com/automotive-insights/en/blogs/2024/5/average-age-vehicles-united-states-2024> &P Global. * Segment Breakdown: Passenger cars in the US are older, averaging 14.5 years, while light trucks/SUVs are younger, with an average age of 11.9 years, according to S <https://www.spglobal.com/automotive-insights/en/blogs/2025/05/average-age-of-vehicle-in-us> &P Global. * Ageing Fleet: The national average vehicle age has been consistently rising due to higher vehicle prices, causing consumers to keep their cars for longer, notes S <https://press.spglobal.com/2024-05-22-Average-Age-of-Vehicles-in-the-US-Continues-to-Rise-12-6-years-in-2024,-according-to-S-P-Global-Mobility> &P Global. The data shows that, despite high replacement rates, California's, and the country's,, vehicles are becoming more seasoned, with many on the road for well over a decade, as highlighted by S&P Global. Note that the term βageβ is described in years, and not miles. So we must remember that the 12 year number is an average over a very large number of cars. Some are much older. Some barely a year old. And we might ask ourselves, why do we replace our car and what measure do we use? Personally, I am an older person and a low-mileage user of my car. This was not always so, but it is now. In the present day, I replace my car primarily on the basis of maintenance cost and warranty limits. In past years, I used mileage limits that I set on myself. Even earlier, it was just a budget matter. In the very beginning, as a Navy pilot, I just wanted a really spiffy and new sports car. If we took a Mifnet survey of why and when we get a new car, , I guess that weβll get many different answers. In the final analysis, cars, airplanes, ships, and all vehicles have time or life limits. But it is a complicated question. For a fighter aircraft, maybe what matters is winning the battle. But that is hugely complicated. It certainly includes the pilot. Bob Ditchey From: Robert Ditchey via Mifnet <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2026 12:39 PM To: [email protected] Cc: 'Dan Solon' <[email protected]>; [email protected] Subject: [Mifnet π° 75276] Re: new fighter? In my opinion, Joint use design is a disaster. No decent aeronautical engineer would endorse it. Bob Ditchey From: Dan Solon via Mifnet <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2026 12:28 PM To: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> Cc: Dan Solon <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > Subject: [Mifnet π° 75274] Re: new fighter? I am totally unqualified to comment on the tech aspects of this. What I do know, however, is that previous efforts to develop joint Air Force/Naval Air fighters (i.e., the F-111 and now the F-35B) have usually been unsuccessful. Only contrary case I can recall was the F-4, which I believe started life as a carrier-based aircraft and then went on to operate "1 if by land and 2 if by sea." Daniel Solon With a tip of the tricorne to "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere." On Thu, Jan 29, 2026 at 8:21β―PM Jack Keady via Mifnet <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > wrote: keady: how do we feel about this? is it that much more advanced than the expensive F-35? <https://mzpjmp.clicks.mlsend.com/tf/cl/eyJ2Ijoie1wiYVwiOjk5MTQyMCxcImxcIjoxNzc5NTUzMjIyODM5NTE4NzgsXCJyXCI6MTc3OTU1Mzc2NzAzOTk3MDg0fSIsInMiOiI2MjJkZGQyYjM2Y2YzMGFjIn0> U.S. Navy CNO Warns F/A-XX Must Launch Now to Face Future Air Defense Threats 2026-01-29 <https://mzpjmp.clicks.mlsend.com/tf/cl/eyJ2Ijoie1wiYVwiOjk5MTQyMCxcImxcIjoxNzc5NTUzMjIyOTEyOTE5MTIsXCJyXCI6MTc3OTU1Mzc2NzAzOTk3MDg0fSIsInMiOiIwYmNlYmIzZjRhMjBkZjVjIn0> Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle warns F/A-XX must launch now as Iran and other adversaries field advanced air defenses, ending the era of flying with impunity. The U.S. Navyβs next-generation carrier-based fighter, known as F/A-XX, appears to be still stuck in a limbo, almost a year after Boeing was selected to start building [β¦] -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revised: 20250507 You are receiving The Mifnet because you requested to join this list. The Mifnet is largely a labor of love, however the infrastructure isn't exactly cost-free. If you'd care to make a small contribution to the effort, please know that it would be greatly appreciated: https://wardell.us/url/mifbit All posts sent to the list should abide by these policies: 1) List members acknowledge that participation in Mifnet is a privilege--not a right. 2) Posts are always off the record, absent specific permission from the author. 3) The tone of discussions is collegial. 4) Posts are expected to be in reasonably good taste. 5) We discuss ideas and not personalities, and we don't speak ill of other Mifnet members. * The Mifnet WEB SITE is: https://www.mifnet.com/ * To UNSUBSCRIBE from this list at any time please visit: https://lists.mifnet.com/ OR: SEND THIS MESSAGE via email: [email protected]?subject=leave <http://[email protected]?subject=leave> * Send Mifnet mailing list POSTS/SUBMISSIONS to: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> * You may reach the person managing The Mifnet at: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> * Please consider the DIGEST version of The Mifnet, which consolidates all list traffic into 1-3 messages daily. See instructions at: https://lists.mifnet.com/ * Manage your personal Mifnet SUBSCRIPTION at: https://lists.mifnet.com/ * For a list of all available Mifnet commands, SEND THIS MESSAGE via email: [email protected]?subject=help <http://[email protected]?subject=help> * View The Mifnet LIST POLICIES and PRIVACY POLICY at: https://mifnet.com/index.php/policies * View instructions for Mifnet DELIVERY PROBLEMS at: https://mifnet.com/index.php/delivery-problems * View The Mifnet LIST ARCHIVE at: https://lists.mifnet.com/hyperkitty/list/[email protected]/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revised: 20250507 You are receiving The Mifnet because you requested to join this list. The Mifnet is largely a labor of love, however the infrastructure isn't exactly cost-free. If you'd care to make a small contribution to the effort, please know that it would be greatly appreciated: https://wardell.us/url/mifbit All posts sent to the list should abide by these policies: 1) List members acknowledge that participation in Mifnet is a privilege--not a right. 2) Posts are always off the record, absent specific permission from the author. 3) The tone of discussions is collegial. 4) Posts are expected to be in reasonably good taste. 5) We discuss ideas and not personalities, and we don't speak ill of other Mifnet members. * The Mifnet WEB SITE is: https://www.mifnet.com/ * To UNSUBSCRIBE from this list at any time please visit: https://lists.mifnet.com/ OR: SEND THIS MESSAGE via email: [email protected]?subject=leave * Send Mifnet mailing list POSTS/SUBMISSIONS to: [email protected] * You may reach the person managing The Mifnet at: [email protected] * Please consider the DIGEST version of The Mifnet, which consolidates all list traffic into 1-3 messages daily. See instructions at: https://lists.mifnet.com/ * Manage your personal Mifnet SUBSCRIPTION at: https://lists.mifnet.com/ * For a list of all available Mifnet commands, SEND THIS MESSAGE via email: [email protected]?subject=help * View The Mifnet LIST POLICIES and PRIVACY POLICY at: https://mifnet.com/index.php/policies * View instructions for Mifnet DELIVERY PROBLEMS at: https://mifnet.com/index.php/delivery-problems * View The Mifnet LIST ARCHIVE at: https://lists.mifnet.com/hyperkitty/list/[email protected]/
