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Non-Disposable Cars | |||||||||||||||||
I read this article today: http://csmonitor.com/2004/0419/p13s02-wmgn.html To sum up the article: Cars are becoming "Disposable". Parts and materials are becomming so difficult to repair/replace that even a minor accedent will cost thousands to repair. So, I prepose that a car company make the Easy to Maintain vehicle. Imagine this: Standardized parts across the board. Inexpensive materials. A centralized computer designed to be inexpensive and cost effective to produce. Less Techno-Toys which just cost more to replace when they break. A real "No thrills" vehicle for the masses. This vehicle does not have to be the fastest, most powerful, most fuel efficient, or even the cheapest vehicle on the planet. Instead, it should be designed and marketed tward those who wish to have a lower cost of ownership. KISS: Keep It Simple Stupid. Realizations: 1. Yes, this car may look bland... but then again it may not. That's up to the designers. 2. Using 'less-than-state-of-the-art' materials may make the car heavier, slower, etc. I'm okay with that. 3. Unless it was marketed correctly, this vehicle would probably be a total flop. Marketing would be key to it's success...
Pathway, Apr 20 2004
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Copyright © Barry Nalebuff & Ian Ayres
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Henry Ford & the Model T. What, 80 years ago?
You just described Jeeps, especially any Jeep made more than five years ago. There are no gadgets, nothing complicated in them; they don't even have electronic ignition (which is why Jeeps take several seconds to turn over, and are so loud when doing so). Jeeps barely have any suspension system at all, let alone the independent suspension so many vehicles sport today. Sure, it's a rough ride, and hitting a pot-hole will almost lift you out of your seat, but there's not much to break either.
This is why Jeeps are actually pretty good off-road when compared to other vehicles of their class. There's nothing to break, and nothing complicated to get in the way. I still find it hilarious that car companies that advertise SUVs with independent suspension, still claim they are great off-road vehicles, when an independent suspension is only good for getting you stuck.
It's been done- the Checker Marathon. I think they quit making them in 1978. Those were bulletproof, unbreakable, durable cars, 500,000 miles with a Checker isn't unusual. The thing is, they cost $25,000 in 1978, when a new Chevy Caprice was under $10,000. Today, in the equivalent price range, you'd be looking at the bigger Mercedes or BMWs, maybe a base model 2wd Tahoe. If you want a rugged, durable car, take a look at what taxi companies buy- Ford Crown Vics and Dodge Caravans. The trick is to order the "taxi package-" which is the same as the "police package" minus the faster motor.
Another candidate is the original VW "Beetle" (I like the ones made after 1963 especially). Not many other cars had such a long production run.
Another candidate for a durable car is the Peugot 504 and 505. I especially like the turbodiesel wagon.