The Era of the Throw-Away
You buy a disposable lighter, use it until the fluid inside is used up – then you throw it away and buy a new one.
Hence disposable.
Cars are becoming that way.
Hell, they already are.
Have you priced a replacement automated manual transmission?
Some (the “high-performance” versions) list for more than $6,500.
Not counting the labor to remove and install.
This undermines the economic value of the mileage gains because the total ownership cost has gone up – a lot. A car that cost you say $15,000 that needs a rebuilt $1,200 transmission (conventional; e.g., a four or five-speed overdrive) at 150,000 miles that averages 25 MPG is much more economical to own than an $18,000 car that hits you with a $3,200 bill for a replacement automated manual at 150,000 miles that averages 28 MPG.
$6,500 – and it’s throw away time for sure.
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