Are automakers getting overly cheap?

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grampi

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I've been noticing a trend with some vehicles lately. I hate to pick on one brand in particular as I'm sure most, or all of the automakers are guilty of this in some way, shape, or form, but I have noticed it more on Hondas. I have noticed that Honda has done away with putting trim level badges on their vehicles (I.E., EX, LX, DX, etc). The Fit also used to have a blue colored dot over the "i" in "Fit" that is no longer there. It just seems to me like some bean counter in the company figured out that by doing away with these small items it would save the company 10 or 15 cents per vehicle. I know the lack of these simple items has no effect on the reliability or function of the vehicle, but what corners are being cut at Honda, or any automaker for that matter that do effect the overall product? I mean come on, you can't tell me these car companies aren't making plenty of profit on their vehicles when a compact today sells for as much as mid sized vehicle sold for 10 years ago.
 
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Last summer, I was thinking of buying a new truck but was disappointed with the quality of the trucks I looked at. Chevy, for example, was filled with what I consider cheap plastic parts, especially in the interior of the cab. I could see all that breaking or cracking in a matter of a few years. It convinced me to stick with what I've got.
 
They started getting cheap and cutting corners when the market trend and buyer-mindset changed from 'making an investment' to 'buying a replaceable tool'

I agree with you, it sucks, but people want higher spec'd vehicles for the same or less cost. Corners have to be cut somewhere..
 
It seems to me that automakers typically decontent their cars as the model years go on. You can notice it on fairly subtle things through the lifecycle. So,entires technology offers some flashy new thing (like USB input) that I suppose gets traded for something else.

The makers want a nice offering to get the buyers in and interested, reviews positive, and get to the breakeven point on the investment. Past that, it's all about maximizing ROI.
 
Honda IS highly overrated in my opinion. They are what they are, but they are certainly not mystical. We, as a family, are done with Honda. Now it sounds like we will need our FOURTH power steering pump. Almost to the 110K mile mark. That's just not acceptable. I'm going to have to replace the left rear tail light assembly this spring.

Just way too much stuff breaking and LEAKING and falling off.
 
I believe the auto makers are trying to cut corners in areas that is less noticible to overall quality and reliability. The interior is just one place to cut quility. Chrom badging is another to a lesser extent. We could go on & on!

Remember when auto makers stopped painting/clear coating the under hood/trunk lids??? Now for some time, it's been a flat color of the rest of the vehicle.
 
Originally Posted By: GreeCguy
Last summer, I was thinking of buying a new truck but was disappointed with the quality of the trucks I looked at. Chevy, for example, was filled with what I consider cheap plastic parts, especially in the interior of the cab. I could see all that breaking or cracking in a matter of a few years. It convinced me to stick with what I've got.


^^This. The interiors of cars have gotten so ridiculously *cheap* and plasticy. No matter if it's on an econo appliance car or a high end/high dollar brand. They feel as if you could just rip them to shreds with your bare hands. When I get into one,I feel as if I have to be very careful as to not break anything.
 
Exterior-wise,the stuff I hate the most which looks horribly cheap,is all the plastic faux-chrome trim. Is it just a chrome colored sticker on top of plastic? The goofy HUGE brand badges look completely stupid too. It's as if it's screaming "Look at me look at me,I'm a *insert brand name here*".
 
It's a tool that wears out, despite our best efforts. Especially if one lives in the rust belt. Nothing lasts forever. Given how few cars rust from the top down, and how much work it is to keep a car shiny, call me jaded but I'm not sure I care too much about how much effort goes into shine and polish. Just make the expensive bits last a long time--which, they have been of late.

There's always room for vehicles that will last forever. But most aren't willing to pay for it, me included. A $20k vehicle that lasts 10 plus years? Not sure where the downside is.
 
My expierence ...cars in general are safer, more reliable, and cost less, even when factoring in inflation, now get better mpg, and offer more options for the same price than the early 90s.
 
Originally Posted By: grampi
I've been noticing a trend with some vehicles lately. I hate to pick on one brand in particular as I'm sure most, or all of the automakers are guilty of this in some way, shape, or form, but I have noticed it more on Hondas. I have noticed that Honda has done away with putting trim level badges on their vehicles (I.E., EX, LX, DX, etc). The Fit also used to have a blue colored dot over the "i" in "Fit" that is no longer there. It just seems to me like some bean counter in the company figured out that by doing away with these small items it would save the company 10 or 15 cents per vehicle. I know the lack of these simple items has no effect on the reliability or function of the vehicle, but what corners are being cut at Honda, or any automaker for that matter that do effect the overall product? I mean come on, you can't tell me these car companies aren't making plenty of profit on their vehicles when a compact today sells for as much as mid sized vehicle sold for 10 years ago.


Honda stopped using trim level badges a long time ago. But there overall quality is still excellent. The 2008-2012 Accord and the 2012 Civic were a little cheap interior wise with hard plastics, but the 2013 Accord and Civic both did away with that and they are back on par.
 
Originally Posted By: nepadriver
My expierence ...cars in general are safer, more reliable, and cost less, even when factoring in inflation, now get better mpg, and offer more options for the same price than the early 90s.


I don't see how a compact that cost as much today as a mid sized vehicle cost 10 years ago costs less, even factoring in inflation. Cost is cost no matter how you spin it...10 years ago my wife and I bought a brand new Mazda MPV LX for $21,600. Please tell me which vehicle sold today is available for that price that is even remotely comparable in any area.
 
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The issue is it can take many years for the plastic in a dash to crack in the heat or cold. So if they stray from uncharted waters as far as plastics in the dash, they may end up with a mess in a few years.
 
It's like my wife's "Ultimate Edition" Mercury Grand Marquis. Really? No locking gas cap, no light on the ignition, no heated seats, ultimate????
15.gif


John
 
Originally Posted By: ronbo
Badges is garbage to me, just bling. Interior plastics, weight reduction and to keep price of car down.


I agree that badges that tell you the trim level, engine size, presence of abs/awd/etc are pretty ridiculous. I don't mind it if there is some integration of this stuff into the model name, like 318, 135, 240d, Q35, etc. but to have excess badges advertising this, especially on appliance and run of the mill vehicles that just aren't that great is just silly. I don't mind the model name and manufacturer badge on my car, but if they are too oversized, that too is obnoxious.

I've found car interiors to be better than they used to be. That said, excessive use of soft touch materials is not my cup of tea, as they crack/scratch/rip too easily. I'd prefer well finished hard materials without a coating. There are some out there.
 
Originally Posted By: grampi
Originally Posted By: nepadriver
My expierence ...cars in general are safer, more reliable, and cost less, even when factoring in inflation, now get better mpg, and offer more options for the same price than the early 90s.


I don't see how a compact that cost as much today as a mid sized vehicle cost 10 years ago costs less, even factoring in inflation. Cost is cost no matter how you spin it...10 years ago my wife and I bought a brand new Mazda MPV LX for $21,600. Please tell me which vehicle sold today is available for that price that is even remotely comparable in any area.


You are completely ignoring inflation.

A $21k car 10 yrs ago is likely on par with a $31k car today. Maybe more.

I paid £17k for a Seat Toledo tdi in '99

Same car today is now slightly less.

Consider inflation and that car should be twice that price.

When i joined the Ambulance service ky basic was £1200 a month '00

When i retired my basic was £2800 a month '11

My pension, only 20 years, is over £600 a month
 
Originally Posted By: grampi
Originally Posted By: nepadriver
My expierence ...cars in general are safer, more reliable, and cost less, even when factoring in inflation, now get better mpg, and offer more options for the same price than the early 90s.


I don't see how a compact that cost as much today as a mid sized vehicle cost 10 years ago costs less, even factoring in inflation. Cost is cost no matter how you spin it...10 years ago my wife and I bought a brand new Mazda MPV LX for $21,600. Please tell me which vehicle sold today is available for that price that is even remotely comparable in any area.


Ummm , check the prices for everything as compared to 10 years ago.

Also make sure you're comparing apples to apples in terms of hp, MPGs, interior space, etc.
 
Originally Posted By: bigjl
Originally Posted By: grampi
Originally Posted By: nepadriver
My expierence ...cars in general are safer, more reliable, and cost less, even when factoring in inflation, now get better mpg, and offer more options for the same price than the early 90s.


I don't see how a compact that cost as much today as a mid sized vehicle cost 10 years ago costs less, even factoring in inflation. Cost is cost no matter how you spin it...10 years ago my wife and I bought a brand new Mazda MPV LX for $21,600. Please tell me which vehicle sold today is available for that price that is even remotely comparable in any area.


You are completely ignoring inflation.

A $21k car 10 yrs ago is likely on par with a $31k car today. Maybe more.

I paid £17k for a Seat Toledo tdi in '99

Same car today is now slightly less.

Consider inflation and that car should be twice that price.

When i joined the Ambulance service ky basic was £1200 a month '00

When i retired my basic was £2800 a month '11

My pension, only 20 years, is over £600 a month


You must have failed math. Inflation over the last 10 years does not equal doubling the price. Inflation has not risen 100% over the last 10 years...
 
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