It is certainly easier to maintain older cars economically for longer.
I do not think so! I spent a lot of time in the 1960s maintaining VW
engines, and it was not easy or cheap. In the 1950s and 60s automobiles
seldom lasted more than five years or 50,000 miles. The warranties were
for 20,000 miles as I recall. Nowadays you can even get an extended
warranty for 10 years or 100,000 miles, and many people I know keep their
cars for 150,000 miles or more.
Something struck me the other day. In July, 1997, I bought my first
fuel-injected Jeep Cherokee. And I realized the other day, while I was
driving, that this car has NEVER died on me in the past 8 years, (except
when I've run out of gas). I drive it 40+ miles on every weekday, for 8
years, 150,000 miles, doing only marginal maintenance on it, and it has
never died on me. This is phenomenal, and certainly beyond the expectations
of any of my pre-1990's cars.
Craig Haynie (Houston)
