> Although, it's very possibly a legacy of planned obsolescence (the good cost-saving kind) where the engine would last 200k so the rest of the car was only made to last 200k as well.
I think this is the answer. If a critical component of the car only lasts X miles, then building any other piece to last more than X miles is pure waste. As counterintuitive (and annoying) as it might seem, having all the parts of the car fail around the same time actually indicates that it was engineered perfectly.
A very fun poem on the theme by Oliver Wendell Holmes (the father of the famed American jurist): http://holyjoe.org/poetry/holmes1.htm
Because second hand parts are worthless?
Yeah, this. Right around 2-300k you need to replace almost everything rubber in the suspension all at one.
Re:Long Life Vehicle
by CamelCaseName on Monday December 31, 2018 @04:43PM
(#18797227)
Is this because of the rubber drying out?
My understanding is that this is why tires need to be replaced after 5-6 years and are not safetiable thereafter. The dried out rubber is much harder than when it was first made and no longer grips the road as strongly.
Tires actually dry rot from ozone exposure, theoretically, if you store a tire in an airtight container - it won't have a problem.
If you drive 10-15,000 miles a year (about average), your tires will probably be bald anyway in 5-6 years
Yes, largely, the rubber hardens or has otherwise become worn
Even brake pads will last longer due to regen braking. A mechanic told me just today he's seeing Priuses in his shop at 80-100k with original pads.
Although, it's very possibly a legacy of planned obsolescence (the good cost-saving kind) where the engine would last 200k so the rest of the car was only made to last 200k as well. Perhaps as engines start to last far longer, the rest of the car will be built to match.