[retired]

Most new vehicles can be driven to 100k kilometers without significant issues.

Back in the 80s that was just unheard of. Most cars needed significant repairs before 100k and even require welding and sealing to prevent the floor from falling out. Material quality, paint, bearings, tires and fluids were of significantly lower quality back then.

[mikestew]

100K kilometers? Even a Chevy Chevette could make it that far without major trouble. 100K miles, that’s about when 80s cars started to become more trouble than they were worth, IME.

[retired]

In Europe we were pumping out some very crappy cars in the 80s. And in the north-east cars would have structural rust problems within five years.

When is the last time you had a car undercoated? Because back then that was the first thing you did with a new vehicle.

[mikestew]

Ah, got it. I have tried very hard to forget about 70s/80s Fiats. :-)

When is the last time you had a car undercoated?

I take your point, but the real answer is “when I lived the U. S. Midwest”, where they salt the roads. Since we moved to the milder climate of Washington state, even our ‘81 VW’s body is in great shape. But, yeah, in the 80s: straight from the dealer to the undercoat place.

[metalforever]

i have a running 80s vehicle with over 400k kilometers (its a VW T3)

[retired]

Survivorship bias. Try doing that with an Austin Metro, Citroen Visa, Fiat Strada.

On average modern cars are significantly better than what we had in the 80s

[fingerlocks]

I had one too!

Mine had a Subaru engine, Mercedes wheels, Audi Drive train, a Porsche suspension, and brakes from a Toyota Highlander.

How did you keep your Volkswagen running?