Does "throw away" car designation still apply?

[zach1900]

I remember in the late 90's (high school) , Geo Metro, Ford Festiva, Ford Aspire, Mazda 323,Neon, Cavalier and to a lesser extent the Civic, Corolla, and perhaps the Sentra. were all considered "throw away" cars, My sister Drove a late 80's Civic in the early 90's that seemed to be about as bullet proof as one could get in that class (truly a remarkable car) . what exactly made them "throw away" cars -or- am I lumping Civics and Corollas in where they didn't belong, was it price, economy, Japanese (censored)! junk perception?

 

[eljefino]

New or used? I remember that era and you could grab a ten-year old econobox with 150k for $1000 any day you needed one. Even a Japanese name. And run it with minimum maintenance until you're bored.

Now they're 15 years old, 225k miles, and $2000. As Fred Willard would say, Wha' Happened?

 

[Quest]

It's the public perception where "cheep" equates to "disposible".

Yes, these said cars are economy cars. FACT: they are not disposible as you think.

I happened to own/operate 3 out of this list (Chev sprint (Suzuki 3cyl 1L); Mazda B3 block (Ford Festiva/Mazda 121); MazdaB6 block (Mazda 323), all worked out perfectly.

Both B3 and B6 blocks worked hard and have been reliable to my knowledge (not a whole lot of parts to fail, esp. the venerable B6 block). I sold my 323 when the paint started to peel after 15 yrs of under the sun; sold my B3 block to my buddy when I graduated from college; none of them burned a single drop of oil, ran perfectly, etc. I was using my B3 block for winter rally and training also.

I had my Suzuki sprint during my first 4 yrs of college: low-powered, sips gas like crazy; slow to pass, but poor me on student loan could do an easy 50+miles to a gallon with full of my person possessions in the trunk.

All these cars took me through stages in my life where when I looked back nowadays, I thank these machines for getting me where I am.

None of them failed on me though, none of them burned oil at all...

Good machines that get the job done, only public perception failed them.

Q.

 

[zach1900]

The Japanese entry level cars seemed worlds above anything from GM, my father had a late 80's Mazda 323 as well that seemed to go up well against the Civic of the same generation. I guess I just answered my own question too, hence the current price of a Civic.

 

[BRZED]

A throw-away car is just that only if the owner makes it one. I am not aware of any car that was produced without the availablility of spare parts and without the option to repair. That includes such buckets as the Trabant and Yugo.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted By: zach1900
I remember in the late 90's (high school) , Geo Metro, Ford Festiva, Ford Aspire, Mazda 323,Neon, Cavalier and to a lesser extent the Civic, Corolla, and perhaps the Sentra. were all considered "throw away" cars, My sister Drove a late 80's Civic in the early 90's that seemed to be about as bullet proof as one could get in that class (truly a remarkable car) . what exactly made them "throw away" cars -or- am I lumping Civics and Corollas in where they didn't belong, was it price, economy, Japanese (censored)! junk perception?


I'll add Daewoo and Daihatsu to the throwaway list.

 

[eljefino]

Saturn S series are doomed to throwaway status as the rear brake backing plates are No Longer Available. Sure, they show up online, but try and order them. They rust out up north and fall apart during other attempted maintenance. One can hope they "re-pop" them someday.

Automakers/ Distributors are required to supply parts for some-odd years, I'd like to say eight.

Daewoos are pretty throw-away-ish now, and IDK if Suzuki will follow. Whatever winds up at the Buy Here Pay Here lot in droves shares this destiny. This seems to include PT Cruisers, Contours, Centurys, and other unloved, boring cars.

 

[3800Series]

Most throw away cars where not really throw aways.

The idea was to build the most fuel efficient reliable car with only the price in mind. The thought process was it would be a good car for a highschool graduate, or even a young adult.

If you built the cars well enough and they held up then you had a good chance of keeping that person a owner for life. So in the future you had a chance to sell them a higher end mor luxurious car for a better price.

The main thought was simply cheap and reliable. For the most part the manufactors spent far more money on them dollar for dollar (cost to build vs retail price).

 

[zach1900]

Some of those cars seemed crazy well built for their price, mainly referring to the Civic, Corolla, Sentra and 323. seems the next gen Civic was cause for premium prices.

 

[Cutehumor]

I didn't know cars were throw away. I'm still driving a 09 cobalt and I'm 37 years old. whaddup yo!

 

[zach1900]

Originally Posted By: Cutehumor
I didn't know cars were throw away. I'm still driving a 09 cobalt and I'm 37 years old. whaddup yo!

I just remember that term frequently while purchasing cars, helping people with cars in the late 90's applied to anything under the size of a Camcord.

 

[Mr Nice]

I would love to find a mint Civic VX hatchback.

 

[zach1900]

I think those mid size cars deemed throw -away only years later and most weren't very good cars anyway. the Aspire-Metro segment were throw away from new.

 

[zach1900]

Originally Posted By: Cutehumor
I didn't know cars were throw away. I'm still driving a 09 cobalt and I'm 37 years old. whaddup yo!
Ouch! hope you got your ignition replaced.

 

[4D-56]

Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
I would love to find a mint Civic VX hatchback.


I know someone who has one, but she's not mint. GREAT car.

 

[Vern_in_IL]

Originally Posted By: zach1900
I think those mid size cars deemed throw -away only years later and most weren't very good cars anyway. the Aspire-Metro segment were throw away from new.


...then gas prices skyrocketed, the GEO Metro was highly sought after.

 

[901Memphis]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Saturn S series are doomed to throwaway status as the rear brake backing plates are No Longer Available. Sure, they show up online, but try and order them. They rust out up north and fall apart during other attempted maintenance. One can hope they "re-pop" them someday.

Automakers/ Distributors are required to supply parts for some-odd years, I'd like to say eight.

Daewoos are pretty throw-away-ish now, and IDK if Suzuki will follow. Whatever winds up at the Buy Here Pay Here lot in droves shares this destiny. This seems to include PT Cruisers, Contours, Centurys, and other unloved, boring cars.


I can see why century's end up in the junkyard, as they have LIM gasket issue, rust prone and transmission issues. All things that have been expensive in mine.

 

[zach1900]

Funny that some of these cars became cockroaches and if fact solidified Toyohondas following.

 

[earlyre]

Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm

I'll add Daewoo and Daihatsu to the throwaway list.

just don't forget those are/were GM, and Toyota brands respectively.

 

[artificialist]

I considered a car a "Throwaway" car if one major repair easily exceeded what the car was worth.