in operable Vehicles in West Memphis

[Industrial Toys]

Most of the unused cars and trucks here are just crusty, rusty and beyond reclamation. It's sad. All these modern vehicles with computers, model specific special components, sensors, massive wiring harnesses and air bags, will not be on the roads long, and if they survive at all, will probably only do so only in a stationary capacity.

I'm guessing that most modern tractors will suffer a similar fate.

 

[ultrarunner]

I do think about this especially when I see expensive German cars going to scrap because the emission equipment is no longer available or simply too costly... 10 to 12 year old luxury cars often go for a small fraction... yet reliable cars like Toyota retain an amazing percentage of value.

80k before taxes 2006 Rover and was offered 4k as a trade at 10 years... 100k miles and look as new...

The reason is the complexity of cars like the Rover makes repairs/maintenance expensive... the tilt steering wheel is a known issue and can set you back 6k at the dealer.

Complexity adds to cost and often affects long term reliability...

Thankfully, with the SF Bay Area mild climate... rust is NEVER a problem...

 

[Industrial Toys]

Friends of mine just bought a used BMW electric car from the dealer. Had to be towed on the way home.

Speaking of unused cars. Just saw on youtube. The City of Tulsa had buried a brand spanking new 57 Belvedere (sp?) in a concrete tomb as a time capsule in 57, for opening fifty years later. Filled up the tank, even had a jerry can in case gas was no longer available. Turns out the tomb totally flooded!

 

[Dftodd]

Ultrarunner, The rental company I work for has locations all over the United States. Branches in California keep new equipment for a couple years, then ship it out of state rather then paying ridiculous amounts of money trying to keep up with California emmision specs.

Seems like the neighboring states would have there used car market flooded from California.

 

[ultrarunner]

Same for Diesel Equipment... lots of the Utility stuff goes out of State as do Standby Generators... had a friends make a darn good living picking up large 100 kW units and up for nothing from Hospitals in the Air Districts... shipped them all over the world... not sure what it really accomplished except drive up the cost of Health Care.

The Surgery Center Unit has a Genset with that uses 50 gallons of Diesel on average a year... inspectors come out to inspect and review log book plus charge a $800 annual fee... testing and maintenance is limited to 20 hours annually... prior that unit was run every week for one hour... after... 40 minutes every other week... but a diesel refer truck and the marked next door can run all weekend for a seafood sale.

 

[ultrarunner]

Ultrarunner, The rental company I work for has locations all over the United States. Branches in California keep new equipment for a couple years, then ship it out of state rather then paying ridiculous amounts of money trying to keep up with California emmision specs.

Seems like the neighboring states would have there used car market flooded from California.

A lot head to Mexico and Central America.

 

[Industrial Toys]

It makes me wonder how long this craziness will go on? It's not financially sustainable. All this EXPENSE without producing anything that is adding value or actually making money.

 

[ultrarunner]

People are making money but it really boggles the mind... as they say... follow the money...

There was a time when Grandfathering was customary... as long as you maintained existing permitted equipment/infrastructure you only need be concerned with new regs when upgrading or new installs.

Not sure how it is elsewhere... My 1976 carburetor vehicles must still pass regular emission testing... 42 years and counting.

My cars are older than the mechanics testing them and many have never seen a carburetor or dual carbs and are rather lost...

Was not always this way... 25 years and newer was the standard for a very long time and then it was vehicles 30 years and newer... I attended the hearings at the State Capital... no sooner than 30 year was passed the State decided to Freeze the date and eliminate the rolling exemption... the state also suspended testing of new vehicles defined as 5 years and newer BUT the smog fee must still be paid to the State to renew registration.

I have a Triumph Spitfire and BMW 2002 that are both 1976 year model... lucky me.

On occasion, I have need of a very large monster crane... the crane company spent 60k retrofitting to meet the smog requirements on their 400k crane that is immaculate... when they have down time the guys pull out their polish and get busy.

My friends with Backhoes/Chippers/Dumptrucks simply give up... the cost to retro the one owner Dump I was looking at was 23k.... nothing wrong with the truck... loving owner operator care since new... even parked under cover.

The excavation contractor said at 62 years old he is not buying a new backhoe and dump... so he closed up shop after 31 years... he is the same gut that donated all his time and equipment to help with the youth ball field...

 

[quicksandfarmer]

Ultra, I'm old enough to remember what the air pollution was like 45 and even 25 years ago. Pollution controls started about 50 years ago, and even after they had been around for for 25 years there were parts of the country that were nearly unlivable. In LA the air was visible. I remember driving up the NJ turnpike into New York City, and seeing a brown cloud on the horizon as you approached the city. Cities like Washington and Boston would have "code red" days where parents were advised to keep their kids indoors. (I never understood that one, it's not like the walls of a house keep the air out.) It is way, way better than it was back then. For most people the benefit far outweighs the cost, because for most people the cost is pretty invisible. I will admit that the cost hits some people disproportionately.

 

[Doofy]

The demise of 'The Little Guy'. The Little Guy doesn't grease the palms of the politicians as do the Big Boys. Gov't pays lip service to small business but does nothing to help them succeed. Soon, all that will be left are the large corporations and of course...the politicians.