73standard said:
And the other way they make more money is by making it harder to get to parts in the engine compartment. The harder it is for you to get to your engine, the more they can make. That's why I love old cars so much, you can get to what you need to.
There is also a fundamental difference in mindset of old vs new:
I just changed the timing belt on a 2001 Honda Accord. It was a PITA, but we did it. Much like a new Beetle, it's cramp but it can be done with a floor jack, jack stands, and about 6 hours (in this case, three days -- first timers) and a LOT of blood and sweat.
90% of people out there feel they are incapable or "too good" to do this type of grunt work, so they spend $1200 at the mechanic to do it (or dealer).
While I admit, agree and can't argue that a 1972 beetle is infinently easier, better documented and designed to be worked on in your driveway ... a modern car is designed to need "little" maintences throughout it's life with "big" maintences at certain "high mile" intervals, like 40, 80 and 105k. Most people today also don't keep a car past 40k miles (60k tops), and so the timing belt, water pumps, etc.. are things they never have to encounter... the worst for most is the convoluted VW lightbulb assembly.
The plastic parts are more cost, I'd say, than the known failure rate. Why? Because VW knows people don't keep cars anymore. Plain and simple, yet terribly sad fact.
I, however, like to go against the norm and do as much of my own work as possible (first time timing belt coming up VERY soon!)
