Are things built to last anymore?

[rferg84]

So much this!

Cars run for 400k now and don't even burn oil! I know guys with 150k on 3/4 ton trucks that have never put brakes on them.

Yep.

I remember my granddad would get rid of a truck the second it hit 100k miles because it was gonna be crap after that back in the 80s.

[DRettele]

I agree that vehicles last longer now than they used to. Now with that said there are parts on them that are designed to fail at a certain point. The only time I had issue with this is on my 2009 VW Jetta TDI. The VW design back then for their TDIs had multiple catalytic converters and a diesel particulate filter. The diesel particulate filter would become full and rupture between about 220k and 240k miles. This is not an owner serviceable part and I got a quote to replace it for $3,500. I ended up taking VW up on their buyback program and received $9,900 for an 8 year old car with 245K miles.

Every vehicle I have had that I drive daily or I consider "my" vehicle, I have put at least 200k miles on each of them going back to my first vehicle I bought myself while in college.

1987 Ford Escort EXP - 214k miles
1994 Ford F150 - 240k miles
2001 Ford F350 Powerstroke - currently at 220k miles and still going
1998 Mazda Protege - 320k miles
1996 Mazda Protege - 380k miles
2009 VW Jetta TDI - 245k miles

[meltingfeather]

Nah-- vehicles last longer than they used to.

[lovemylegacy]

2004 4Runner, 213000 miles.

[wthunter]

2004 4Runner, 213000 miles.

It isn't just the really recent vehicles that hold up. The "newest" vehicle in our household is my 2WD 2003 Tacoma TRD. Has around 210K miles, and I assume it's going to go a lot more years. So much cheaper than buying new, yet still runs great.

[Mayhem]

I have a 2013 tundra with 185k on it that was been flawless, knock on wood.

Wife commutes to and from work with it daily and I drive it 1000k miles round trip to the deer lease multiple times a year and never think twice.

They last longer than ever now days, but are still overpriced.


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[Rush2Judge]

Not car related but our microwave oven is from 1986. That son of a gun sure ain't the prettiest but it heats better than any others I have used. I keep threatening to replace it with something that looks nicer but, I just can't bring myself to do it.

We also have a backup, full sized refrigerator that has been running great since 1988.

[topshot]

Perhaps the question should be: are we content with caring for the things we have, or is it easier to throw away and rebuy? My grandma has two working gas ranges that are over 70 years old, a fridge and a freezer that are well over 60. She has taken great care of them and they still work great.

Manufacturers are selling to the disposable consumer, quality it's not the top priority... it's getting your money

The Bitterness of Poor Quality Remains Long After the Sweetness of Low Price is Forgotten

[sotx]

Vehicles are the best they’ve ever been. I have no clue how old you are, but when I was a youngster your engine was ready for an overhaul around 80K, and that would only last for 30/40K. It was time for a short block after that. Brake jobs were a yearly affair or more depending on how you drove and what load you were stopping.



I’ve put 200K+ on many trucks in the last 15 years and some never had brake pads replaced. Even though they are stupid expensive, today’s vehicles are much better than the older ones.



Now to your other point, I wouldn’t even think about trying to work on one.

This all day long and number two don’t buy a Dodge


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[Pineywoods]

Some vehicles last longer and are built better than others, but in general, vehicles last way longer than they used to. I usually get a new vehicle every 2-3 years but not because I need to. It's just because I like having a new truck. I put a lot of miles on them. I have already put over 18k miles on my new truck in 6 months.

[AntlerCollector]

Only some stuff and only if it’s 100% American Made