Built-in Obsolescence in New Cars

[Mark S.]

Keep the faith. I hope you're right. I hope the economy, regulation and the business argument behind manufacturer and 3rd-party ongoing support in the years to come are in our favor.

My glass is almost always half-full.

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[jkernitzki]

My glass is almost always half-full.

Once you hit a certain age, it's your bladder that's almost always half-full.

 

[Mark S.]

Once you hit a certain age, it's your bladder that's almost always half-full.

That too!

 

[sajohnson]

If you want to talk about complexity and build quality over the years, I remember my dad’s first and only new vehicle, a 1968 Chevy half-ton.

The day he brought it home, he & I spent the entire afternoon and evening tightening and retorquing everything from the bed to the belts, and drivetrain to lug nuts. Most of it was out of spec. So this isn’t exactly a new issue.

Still, it had the most bulletproof motor I think was ever made, the 292 inline six. Toyota used the same motor in some US-spec Land Cruisers back then.

Our '65 Chevy pickup had the 292. My brother was young and didn't realize that putting straight water in the cooling system is no bueno, especially in the winter.

The result was a cracked block. With nothing to lose, I sealed it with some 'miracle in a tube'. It actually held under pressure! So then for good measure I replaced the cam with a more radical one. Everyone that drove it thought it had a V8. Great engine.

 

[Bucko]

I got your point. MY point is if there is demand someone will make it happen. Where there's a will there's a way. Some people still use Atari game consoles and Commodore 64 computers, both of which use outdated and obsolete digital hardware. There's no modern NEED for these devices, but some people like them enough to keep them functioning.

Along with my radio shack TRS-80.

Tried to load FORScan on it....it failed

 

[Dude]

Along with my radio shack TRS-80.

Cassette tape and 5.25” floppy drives … and here I thought no one except the federal govt uses those

https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/built-in-obsolescence-in-new-cars.15858/post-250416

https://www.npr.org/2025/06/06/nx-s1-5424682/air-traffic-control-overhaul

 

[sinbuster007]

hate to hear this and hope it doesnt come true...i tend to hold on to vehicles quite a long time....
i always wondered what would happen if i still had my 1994 mustang if it would run and if i could find the CPU for it when it goes or if i would have a permanent lawn ornament.....not like the cars from the 60's or 70' where you can fix almost anything yourself and STILL have a car to drive....

 

[Bucko]

hate to hear this and hope it doesnt come true...i tend to hold on to vehicles quite a long time....
i always wondered what would happen if i still had my 1994 mustang if it would run and if i could find the CPU for it when it goes or if i would have a permanent lawn ornament.....not like the cars from the 60's or 70' where you can fix almost anything yourself and STILL have a car to drive....

That's why I still own and drive my '67 Camaro. I recently removed its heavy TH350 automatic and replaced it with a Muncie 4 speed. You can still easily locate the original parts to do this.

This Camaro will still be around with the cockroaches when the sun burns out and the earth dies I believe.

 

[S Duncan]

I just read an article in the Hagerty Insurance membership newsletter (unfortunately I can’t link the story) regarding the lifespan of new cars. It’s talking, of course, about all brands and vehicles become “classics”, but the interesting part for us is the planned obsolescence of new cars.
Our cars will probably only be viable for 10-12 years, not because of mechanical failures or parts availability, but because the computers/software that run everything will be so dated that they won’t be supported for updates or have parts for repair — sort of like our cell phones.
If you can get to read the article (know someone with Hagerty Classic Insurance) it is quite interesting.
fortunately, for me, I don’t figure I’ll be here or a least not driving in 2036 <lmao>

Sounds about right, I know they do the same thing for appliances and electronics, phones even.

 

[DWG]

From the 2025 BS Order Guide:

FordPass Connect™ (optional on select vehicles), the FordPass App., and
Complimentary Connected Services are required for remote features (see
FordPass Terms for details). Connected Service and features depend on
compatible AT&T network availability. Evolving technology/cellular
networks/vehicle capability may limit functionality and prevent operation of
connected features. Connected services excluded Wi-Fi hotspot.

In prior year order guides too. Also noted in the Escape order guide so disclaimer is most likely in all Ford order guides.

 

[Warped9]

The only remote features I use are periodically remote start in the winter and summer and to lock/unlock the doors occasionally. I don’t use the system to connect with my phone, but I do connect to my iPod for music. I don’t use satellite radio or GPS. Oh, and do use the backup camera, of course.

I also don’t use the lane assist feature or adaptive cruise control so if they weren’t there I wouldn’t miss them.

 

[Unicorn]

Even without the supposed planned obsolescence thing, they will be out of date and need to be replaced. The more things advance, the more and faster they will advance in the future. Something faster, or with more features will come along. But once the updates end, and hopefully they do at some point because if not the system in our current car will be too slow to operate them, we can still use the old one. You just won't be able to connect to the Samsung Galaxy 2043 or iPhone 35.

 

[sinbuster007]

i drove my 66 mustang to work today....something about driving the older cars and how they feel. raw. but i didnt mind it. no radio, no tech, no fancy gizmos....just pure driving.
hard to believe my 2012 boss 302 is 13yrs old! love that car.....

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