Rank: Member
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Joined: 4/03/2005(UTC)
Posts: 145
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For years I have expoused the benefits of buying an Aussie made car. One of the main differences between local carsand imported Euro cars has been the cost of replacement parts.
I have had several Holdens (still have myoriginal HQ) and a couple of Fords over the years an I basically expect them to be of reasonalby good build quality, solid, realiable, built for the the conditions with a good quality drive train, however accessories general frail ealry. Alternators, power steering pumps, buttons, knobs all start to fall apart about the 120-140k mark. Generally the4 bits not made by Holden and sourced cheaply to get the vehicle out the door.
Having said that rplacement parts have always been reasonalby priced,e asy to get and pretty good quality, so buitin to the overall life cost of the car not realy a problem.
Well I guess that has changed. I have an MY11 Sportswagon which just wnet infor the 120k service. 2 days before it went in the rear hatch accuatator died. Upon the first inspection this was only a $200 replacement which I thought was a loty more than a HQ door latch but hey it's 21st Century tech.
Upon the 2nd inspection because I have a reversing camera (which is not part of the unit, but does plug into it) that would be nearly $600 - WTF. Another $400 for an extra plug socket asnd possible some brtainless electronics?
Well I guess finally the locals have conned onto the Eurpopean parts scam. Cant do with out it - or you cant get into the rear hatch (no way to use a key), cantfit the standard one or the computer has a fit that the camera is not attached. At that price I may as well buy a BMW.
Considering there is no chance my next car will be locally made anyway I guess the options are no fully open - might be time to unload the VE and get something else - but the HQ stays.
Has anyone else had similar problems with inflated prices of local parts?
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Rank: Member
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Joined: 26/08/2013(UTC)
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I know what you mean.
I have a jap import van. Harmonic balance$685 (not a misprint) HT holden $85 and the 44 y.o HT is more easily available. I could go on but that is just one example.
Manufactures these days will often make a part slightly different on similar models so that you have to buy the particular part as no other will fit. In early holdens the part could go over many models.
ITs all about money these days and parts (unlike early holdens) are built to fail after a certain mileage. Early holdens were built to last as familys purchased those cars with the idea that it would be held on to for many years. Perhaps the idea of making parts to fail so we can make more money idea hadn't been thought of.
Manufacturers back then also had reputations to protect so they did make them reliable or suffer the damage to reputations.
I'm working toward getting my old girl back on the road for the above reasons as a regular 2nd car. Its just much cheaper and better economy I think. Yes I agree, not as safe in a prang but its a compromise im willing to make.
Alby
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