"You don't see those on the road much anymore"

[brages]

Recently, I've been browsing a lot of automotive forums and several times seen threads where this statement, "You don't see many of those on the road anymore" is used to argue that a particular model of car has questionable reliability.

This is about the worst argument for reliability you can make. First off, the cars you notice depend on your own biases. You know how when you buy a car, you start noticing other people driving the same model? Even though you never gave that model a second thought until you went car shopping.

Second, the cars you "see on the road" are based on your local demographics. Drive around in a rich part of town and you'll see a lot fewer 20-year-old Impalas and Altimas and a lot more European SUVs.

Also, what's still driving around has a lot to do with other factors besides reliability - how popular of a car was it new? Is it an extremely practical car and so typically was driven a lot of miles per year?

I've seen this argument used on this forum and other places to say 2nd gen Fusions aren't reliable compared to the first gen. But in my own observation, trying to tally the cars I see on my lengthy commute or in the parking lot at work, 2nd gens are at least 2-3 times more common on the roads. Likewise, I saw someone saying you don't see third-gen Priuses on the road much anymore. ??? is my only reaction to that. And I saw someone saying you don't see early Dodge Chargers on the road much anymore. Which might be true - I don't really notice Chargers (see Point #1 above).

What also makes this a bad argument is that it's kind of unfalsifiable. Yeah, I see 2-3x the number of 2nd gen Fusions on the road, but I might just live in Fusion Heaven, and YOU live in a 2nd gen Fusion desert. Who can say?

Let's all agree never to use this statement to "prove" that a car is unreliable.

 

[CKN]

Recently, I've been browsing a lot of automotive forums and several times seen threads where this statement, "You don't see many of those on the road anymore" is used to argue that a particular model of car has questionable reliability.

This is about the worst argument for reliability you can make. First off, the cars you notice depend on your own biases. You know how when you buy a car, you start noticing other people driving the same model? Even though you never gave that model a second thought until you went car shopping.

Second, the cars you "see on the road" are based on your local demographics. Drive around in a rich part of town and you'll see a lot fewer 20-year-old Impalas and Altimas and a lot more European SUVs.

Also, what's still driving around has a lot to do with other factors besides reliability - how popular of a car was it new? Is it an extremely practical car and so typically was driven a lot of miles per year?

I've seen this argument used on this forum and other places to say 2nd gen Fusions aren't reliable compared to the first gen. But in my own observation, trying to tally the cars I see on my lengthy commute or in the parking lot at work, 2nd gens are at least 2-3 times more common on the roads. Likewise, I saw someone saying you don't see third-gen Priuses on the road much anymore. ??? is my only reaction to that. And I saw someone saying you don't see early Dodge Chargers on the road much anymore. Which might be true - I don't really notice Chargers (see Point #1 above).

What also makes this a bad argument is that it's kind of unfalsifiable. Yeah, I see 2-3x the number of 2nd gen Fusions on the road, but I might just live in Fusion Heaven, and YOU live in a 2nd gen Fusion desert. Who can say?

Let's all agree never to use this statement to "prove" that a car is unreliable.

There are vehicles that came right out of the factory that were pieces of garbage before they hit the road. The first couple that comes to mind is the Chevrolet Vega and Chevette. Both Gm's and Ford's attempt to compete with the VW Beetle and to a lesser degree the Japanese were not great in what they turned out. Then later the Fiesta with the DCT was also a piece of garbage. Then in Ford's truck offerings the 6.0 was a complete utter disaster.
So yea-I guess we have a difference of views.

 

[Lubener]

I believe that vehicles more prone to rust adds to their demise and extinction more than reliability.

 

[dadto2]

Boy, you don't see many Amphicars out on the roads anymore.

 

[The Critic]

Let's all agree never to use this statement to "prove" that a car is unreliable.

I woudn't say never, but that is generally an accurate statement.
Ford 6.4PSD's, old BMW 7-series and old Range Rovers are generally extinct for a reason.

 

[brages]

Boy, you don't see many Amphicars out on the roads anymore.

Did you look in the lakes and ponds, though?

 

[brages]

So yea-I guess we have a difference of views.

???
Can you summarize what you think my view is?

 

[CKN]

Boy, you don't see many Amphicars out on the roads anymore.

Well.....there were only a total of 3,800 made...........

 

[wings&wheels]

Well.....there were only a total of 3,800 made...........

...with English electrics in an amphib. What could possibly go wrong?




And I would own in a heartbeat if the right one cale along

 

[IndyIan]

I just compare what was on the road in my area, to what I see now. There used to be a small plague of idiots driving thrashed V6 Chargers on my commutes about 8-10 years ago, but they are pretty rare now, both Chargers and idiot drivers thankfully. I used to see lots of older sedans used for commuting too, but now its a lot of ~10 year old small or mid-size SUV's.
~20 years ago it was pretty regular to see a trail of oil leading to an old Ford Aerostar/Explorer on the shoulder as it did its last miles before holing the oil pan! Don't see that level of engine failure much anymore.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I disagree. While I do get the OP's point - especially in a place with road salt - its a good indicator around here where there is no salt.

For example - I see Zero Ford Taurus's from the 1990's around here - even though they were the top selling car for many of those years. I do however see plenty of 90's Accords, Camry's and GM W bodies. Tons of them - still daily drivers.

I see lots of early Ford Rangers - everywhere, always. I saw a cool tan one with the 7 foot box yesterday. I see no Nissan or Toyota small trucks from the same era. I find that odd actually? Did they sell so many less?

They only made 300,000 total 2nd Gen Xterra's across 10 years. Most were 2005-2007 - about 2/3 actually. So that would make the majoirty around 18 years old. I see them everywhere, all the time. Granted I do look - but its really pretty impressive. There are several in my neighborhood.

 

[Creekside]

Of all the things we could debate today OP chose an anecdotal statement that can't be proven or disproven. Exciting. I think the term "garbage bait" was used on a recent thread and I'd say this one qualifies.

 

[doitmyself]

Boy, you don't see many Amphicars out on the roads anymore.

Rode in one at Disney Springs, Florida last year. They have about 5 originals. I remember seeing them in NW Indiana growing up. Oscar Mayer mobile too.

 

[The Critic]

I disagree. While I do get the OP's point - especially in a place with road salt - its a good indicator around here where there is no salt.

For example - I see Zero Ford Taurus's from the 1990's around here - even though they were the top selling car for many of those years. I do however see plenty of 90's Accords, Camry's and GM W bodies. Tons of them - still daily drivers.

I see lots of early Ford Rangers - everywhere, always. I saw a cool tan one with the 7 foot box yesterday. I see no Nissan or Toyota small trucks from the same era. I find that odd actually? Did they sell so many less?

They only made 300,000 total 2nd Gen Xterra's across 10 years. Most were 2005-2007 - about 2/3 actually. So that would make the majoirty around 18 years old. I see them everywhere, all the time. Granted I do look - but its really pretty impressive. There are several in my neighborhood.

A lot of it has to do with the buying preferences and socioeconomic status of your area. I rarely see stuff before 2010 around here now, and even stuff older than 2015 is starting to dwindle.

 

[Pterostylis]

You don't see many of those on the road anymore" is used to argue that a particular model of car has questionable reliability

I’ve never heard it used that way.
Most people I’ve spoken to just say it when they see something that’s old or uncommon.

I get it often about my Samurai and then people tell me about how much they loved them, I’ve even had 2 people go out and each buy the new Jimny after reminiscing about how great Samurai’s were.

 

[PF52]

I get it often about my Samurai and then people tell me about how much they loved them, I’ve even had 2 people go out and each buy the new Jimny after reminiscing about how great Samurai’s were.

Coincidently, I was just thinking about the Samurai while reading the thread. They were everywhere here for a few years.... And then they disappeared really fast after everyone suddenly decided they were "unsafe". Years went by, and the hard-core off-roaders bought them up and made rock crawlers out of them. But I haven't seen one randomly driving around in years. A couple years ago, I saw a 100% stock one at a car show. The guy told me every time he drives it, he gets people pulling up beside him, wanting to buy it. They even follow him home and ask right there in his driveway!

 

[97prizm]

Recently, I've been browsing a lot of automotive forums and several times seen threads where this statement, "You don't see many of those on the road anymore" is used to argue that a particular model of car has questionable reliability.

This is about the worst argument for reliability you can make. First off, the cars you notice depend on your own biases. You know how when you buy a car, you start noticing other people driving the same model? Even though you never gave that model a second thought until you went car shopping.

Second, the cars you "see on the road" are based on your local demographics. Drive around in a rich part of town and you'll see a lot fewer 20-year-old Impalas and Altimas and a lot more European SUVs.

Also, what's still driving around has a lot to do with other factors besides reliability - how popular of a car was it new? Is it an extremely practical car and so typically was driven a lot of miles per year?

I've seen this argument used on this forum and other places to say 2nd gen Fusions aren't reliable compared to the first gen. But in my own observation, trying to tally the cars I see on my lengthy commute or in the parking lot at work, 2nd gens are at least 2-3 times more common on the roads. Likewise, I saw someone saying you don't see third-gen Priuses on the road much anymore. ??? is my only reaction to that. And I saw someone saying you don't see early Dodge Chargers on the road much anymore. Which might be true - I don't really notice Chargers (see Point #1 above).

What also makes this a bad argument is that it's kind of unfalsifiable. Yeah, I see 2-3x the number of 2nd gen Fusions on the road, but I might just live in Fusion Heaven, and YOU live in a 2nd gen Fusion desert. Who can say?

Let's all agree never to use this statement to "prove" that a car is unreliable.

I don't see automotive magazines using it as a yardstick for reliability but what people deemed worthy of repairing and keeping around. Some of it could be reliable rated. Honda crx used to be everywhere as well as Chevy Beretta, and Corsica. At least in Colorado I'd see several different Geo prizms per day. I haven't seen one in 5-6 years.

 

[Pterostylis]

The guy told me every time he drives it, he gets people pulling up beside him, wanting to buy it. They even follow him home and ask right there in his driveway!

I used to get asked all the time if I’d sell mine but since the new Jimny came out that has decreased a bit as a lot of people prefer the modern (albeit basic) interior and comfort upgrade whilst still getting the boxy compact exterior.

 

[skyactiv]

There is a mosque diagonally across the road of the Columbus Napa distribution center/store. 85% of the vehicles when they are having service are Toyota and Lexus with Honda and Acura filling virtually the rest.

 

[eljefino]

You still see XJ Cherokees around but 1st gen Libertys have vanished.

One has a fan base.

The Corisca/ Beretta were the car to have if you only owned one car... and had two jobs and a sick parent 150 miles away you visited every weekend. Of course they wore out and disappeared.