My situation exactly. 70k km on a paid off ICE vehicle, the math doesn't work.
What's p***ing me of are the service costs with ICE.
How much of a dealership's profits come from new car sales, used car sales and service?
Service is a con game of "Protecting your investment" and minor service items at major prices. They wanted to charge mega bucks to change my cabin air filter and squirt some perfume on it.
With my car you don't even need tools. It's like changing a tape in a VCR.
I'm seeing regular service climb from a few hundred dollars to pushing a grand.
Service costs have skyrocketed compared to car prices.
Right to repair and difficulty to repair are big factors for the DIY types and even small shops. The software costs hammer them.
Changing a headlight, round or square, used to mean a trip to Canadian Tire, $20, a screwdriver and a few minutes time. Now the assembly has to be coded and it isn't $20. Standard OBDs don't work.
I'm seeing my ICE as a service cash cow and that is part of the dealership game.
1) You talk to the service advisor and sign for minor work. He doesn't look at anything but the keys and mileage.
2) The mechanic doesn't interface with the customer. The car owner isn't allowed into the shop, insurance reasons, to see if the belt is that badly worn etc. Recommendations are pushed and the car is on the hoist. Sign here and kiss your wallet goodbye.
If EVs don't require much service where do the dealers make up the lost profits?
Subscription fees can be healthy. A Tesla S with self drive is well over $100 a month.
My idea of an economy EV would be an early Corolla with an electric motor and battery. Our car averages 40 km per day over seven years. That could be done with lead acid if there weren't a mix of zero and 300 km days.
The most base vehicle today has standard features that would be considered high end options on a Cadillac 50 years ago.
I miss my 1970 Corolla. $4 fill up on premium and almost 50 MPG on an economy test.
There's a company here in Ontario that puts Tesla running gear into a donor car of your choice but you end up with an oddball at nearing Model S prices. Nice for an expensive hobby but not a daily driver. I'd go for an MGB EV or the 1970 Corolla.
My hair will grow back before that happens.
Adder: Like a custom M/C check for insurance rates first. They could shock you.
www.whichcar.com.au
www.autotrader.ca
