If someone popped-off an EMP bomb in our atmosphere almost every car and truck would be toast. How comforting .... knowing delicate computer chips control almost everything.
There's not a single new car I would buy at this point
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The more stuff they bolt on a car or truck, the more that can go wrong with it. Nice features and handy but expensive. I have bought 2 new trucks and 2 new cars in my life, the rest used. So far so good vehicle wise. I would have rather invested in old S&W's, I would be much ahead in the game.
Finances and skill level have always prevented me from owning anything more technically sophisticated than a lawnmower.
And even those are currently ridiculous.
No problem though, this truck has daily driven me from point A to point B for the last 30 years now.
And even those are currently ridiculous.
No problem though, this truck has daily driven me from point A to point B for the last 30 years now.
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Model 15-4ever
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I suppose if you work on your own automobiles, this is a big deal. I don't even change my own oil.
We have 5 autos in the family - BMW, Jeep, VW and 2 Fords, and the OLDEST is a 2021. While electronics can be a source of glitchiness, the benefits in safety, performance, comfort and economy so far surpass the oldies as to be comical.
We used to lease our vehicles, but only have one left. The deals just aren't there anymore. Instead I will buy extended warranties on every one of these that we keep... the cost of the simplest repair and especially the electronics is beyond self-funding.
Less than a year ago bought my son's Jeep when it came off-lease for far less than it was selling for - the last of the good lease deals. I bought an extended Mopar warranty before the original ran out. The entire cost of the extended warranty has already paid for itself after less than a year when the Uconnect nav/display/radio went belly up: $2800 repair avoided.
Firearms technology - particularly handguns - hasn't changed much since 1903. You can defend yourself with old Colt or S&W quite handily.
Automobiles on the other hand... I'd rather have my family on the road with most advanced systems of braking, detection, steering and safety available.
YMMV, of course.
We have 5 autos in the family - BMW, Jeep, VW and 2 Fords, and the OLDEST is a 2021. While electronics can be a source of glitchiness, the benefits in safety, performance, comfort and economy so far surpass the oldies as to be comical.
We used to lease our vehicles, but only have one left. The deals just aren't there anymore. Instead I will buy extended warranties on every one of these that we keep... the cost of the simplest repair and especially the electronics is beyond self-funding.
Less than a year ago bought my son's Jeep when it came off-lease for far less than it was selling for - the last of the good lease deals. I bought an extended Mopar warranty before the original ran out. The entire cost of the extended warranty has already paid for itself after less than a year when the Uconnect nav/display/radio went belly up: $2800 repair avoided.
Firearms technology - particularly handguns - hasn't changed much since 1903. You can defend yourself with old Colt or S&W quite handily.
Automobiles on the other hand... I'd rather have my family on the road with most advanced systems of braking, detection, steering and safety available.
YMMV, of course.
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YeshuaIsa53
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Some things can be frustrating. We bought a new vehicle when the 2003 models came out. We like it, but most likely will never use it to its full potential. Had to order and pay for a manual from eshmay, as they were online. This also with our computer and phones. Gimme shelter.
Still like the fishing and hunting truck we have, made in 2000. Needs body work and paint. Maybe one day I can afford that.
Our 2003 shut off after crossing a RR track and left us in the road with no control. It just stopped and shut off. It's hopefully fixed.
Still like the fishing and hunting truck we have, made in 2000. Needs body work and paint. Maybe one day I can afford that.
Our 2003 shut off after crossing a RR track and left us in the road with no control. It just stopped and shut off. It's hopefully fixed.
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I'm jealous about some of the older vehicles posted, but that doesn't happen in Michigan with winter salt. I wonder how many of you had break lines and frames rust out. 
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Very few US manufacturers sell cars anymore...
Ford has ONE, the Mustang. That doesn't work in the winter.
People buy SUV's and trucks, so they can haul more than two adults and some gear.
Read this... Gas Guzzler Tax | US EPA
We've owned Lincoln and Ford vehicles for over 30 years and our new trucks are the finest vehicles we ever owned.
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Very few US manufacturers sell cars anymore...
Ford has ONE, the Mustang. That doesn't work in the winter.
People buy SUV's and trucks, so they can haul more than two adults and some gear.
Read this... Gas Guzzler Tax | US EPA
We've owned Lincoln and Ford vehicles for over 30 years and our new trucks are the finest vehicles we ever owned.
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I could still ride my John Deere..........
GypsmJim
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Ziebart is your friend. Only way to keep cars rust free in the northern Midwest. I'm a believer.
Burban needed manifold gasket, machined the heads flat and used Fel-Pro. No issues since.
The burban used to eat pads- just weighs too much. NAPA "Fleet" pads are the solve ( and not trying to panic stop)
I thought they had gone out of business. At least there are no more stores locally.
In the olden days every new car we ever bought was taken to Ziebart the day after delivery. Even with that, we never kept a car more than 6 years because the outside would rust.
Today, however, factory metal treatment has eliminated the need. The last rustproofed car I had was in 2011.
GypsmJim
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Interesting thread. As a professional Engineer for 45 years, I have always embraced new technology. Developing your own patents (although not in automotive) has been a life-long endeavor.
Personally, we have 2 vehicles - one for me and one for the wife. We prefer a Crossover with trailer towing capability. One needs to be a class 2, and the other a class 3.
Last year, when we heard about the Traverse going to a 4 cyl, we upgraded our 2018 Travers (with only 30,000 on the clock) because we wanted to stick with a 6 cyl. With high demand we got a huge trade in value.
This year I traded in my 2018 Lincoln with only 40,000 miles. Why? We heard that they had basically eliminated the tow package, and the new models had insufficient leg room for me. The only mid size CUV option was an XT5, and 2025 was the last year they would be made. A Chevy Blazer was an option but I didn't like any of their features.
Bottom line, both new vehicles are awesome. The technology is great. If there is an item that you don't like, it can be eliminated or dialed down to you liking in the setup menu.
I won't ever buy an EV, and it looks like the new models don't meet ALL of our requirements. I also won't buy a pickemup truck. I'm not a farmer or a construction worker. But, new technology is NOT an issue.
If all else fails, I can always bring my classics 45 year old Ponch back into daily service. The big V8 onlt has about 80,000 miles on it, and he runs like a top. No cat converter or computer and he can still tow like the best of them.
Personally, we have 2 vehicles - one for me and one for the wife. We prefer a Crossover with trailer towing capability. One needs to be a class 2, and the other a class 3.
Last year, when we heard about the Traverse going to a 4 cyl, we upgraded our 2018 Travers (with only 30,000 on the clock) because we wanted to stick with a 6 cyl. With high demand we got a huge trade in value.
This year I traded in my 2018 Lincoln with only 40,000 miles. Why? We heard that they had basically eliminated the tow package, and the new models had insufficient leg room for me. The only mid size CUV option was an XT5, and 2025 was the last year they would be made. A Chevy Blazer was an option but I didn't like any of their features.
Bottom line, both new vehicles are awesome. The technology is great. If there is an item that you don't like, it can be eliminated or dialed down to you liking in the setup menu.
I won't ever buy an EV, and it looks like the new models don't meet ALL of our requirements. I also won't buy a pickemup truck. I'm not a farmer or a construction worker. But, new technology is NOT an issue.
If all else fails, I can always bring my classics 45 year old Ponch back into daily service. The big V8 onlt has about 80,000 miles on it, and he runs like a top. No cat converter or computer and he can still tow like the best of them.
OK with me. When the SHTF I plan on staying home and if everybody has to walk maybe my homestead will be too far for them to walk.
LarryI want my 1952 Buick Super back! It had a 263 straight eight engine and a Dynaflow transmission.
With a lot of things is seems to be KISS!
Less things to go wrong!
Less things to go wrong!
I remember the Star Trek movie where Scotty said something to the effect of: "The more sophisticated you make the plumbing the easier it is to stop up the drain."
My 56 year old truck has done just fine putting around town for the last 30 years getting groceries.
Superior brakes?
For stop and go driving you just push a pedal.
Superior steering?
You just turn a wheel.
Better safety?
Newer stuff may be superior there with air bags and such, especially if you hit a tree while playing around with your touch screen instead of watching where the heck you're going.
My newer Chevy trucks are always in the shop for some electronic/software issue right down to the push button parking brake I had never used. Radio turns itself off driving down the road and have to restart truck to get it back.
2001 Chevy truck goes in for oil changes.
2001 Chevy truck goes in for oil changes.
Here's an example of how poorly newer cars are engineered! And I'm not talking really new, but 18 years old! My daily driver which I really like is a 2006 Ford Fusion SE V6. It got to over 120,000 miles and it still ran good, but while at the Ford dealer for warranty airbags the dealership said I was well over time to replace spark plugs. I asked if they could do it at the same time, and what the cost would be? $660 was the quote!! Why so much? Because you have to disassemble the whole top end of the engine to get to the rear 3 plugs!
I decided that was silly, and something I might fumble through myself. I began taking all sorts of hoses and wiring apart, and then removed the inlet and throttle body. Then more wiring to unplug and finally removed the whole intake manifold. Finally the coil packs, and spark plugs! 3.5 hrs. later I had 6 new plugs in. Then another hour to reassemble everything I removed to change plugs!
Now I could have changed spark plugs in all three of my old cars in a bit over an hour by comparison, and had enough time leftover to put away the ratchet handle and plug wrench. And guys tell me how easy these new cars are to work on. Baloney.
I decided that was silly, and something I might fumble through myself. I began taking all sorts of hoses and wiring apart, and then removed the inlet and throttle body. Then more wiring to unplug and finally removed the whole intake manifold. Finally the coil packs, and spark plugs! 3.5 hrs. later I had 6 new plugs in. Then another hour to reassemble everything I removed to change plugs!
Now I could have changed spark plugs in all three of my old cars in a bit over an hour by comparison, and had enough time leftover to put away the ratchet handle and plug wrench. And guys tell me how easy these new cars are to work on. Baloney.
Those old cars from the 60’s and earlier will be running decades after those built in the 20’s have been junked because some electronic widget that is no longer available croaked
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Have a 24 Santa Fe and it has way to many bells and whistles but can manage except the +$#- idle stop. Hyundai will not disable it so going to find someone that can. Drives and rides very good and get 34+ mpg on long interstate trips. Going on a 1000 mile + trip end of the week.
DWalt
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Some survivalists see the ownership of pre-digital vehicles as being essential as they would not be affected by EMP and would be far more easily repaired given that you also maintain an inventory of parts and components most likely to fail or require frequent replacement such as belts, hoses, spark plugs, and filters. I kept a 1952 Chevrolet going for nearly 25 years, and it was still running fine when I gave it away. And it would have survived an EMP.Those old cars from the 60’s and earlier will be running decades after those built in the 20’s have been junked because some electronic widget that is no longer available croaked
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