Future Classics

No, our IHC's are already "classics".
I was working on a 2008, domestic SUV with 60,000 miles on it today. The problem was a non-operational drivers door electric window. Now, I am not bashing electrical conveniences. I like power everything, but the problem with this vehicle were fatigued wires in the A-pillar. And not just a few. Remember, this was only a 4 or 5 year old, low mileage vehicle.
This vehicle will not survive long enough to become anyone's "classic". Not because of major mechanical problems, but something as simple as sub-standard wiring. I am not suggesting that car makers takes out all those electric accessories, just try to make the infrastructure last.
This is not an isolated case. I replace very few window motors or lock actuators, but repair a huge numbers of this problem. No one manufacturer is the source. They are all guilty.
OK, I have that off my chest. As you were.

I agree with you on that one. I have a 68 Cadillac with power everything, and everything still works original wiring and all. My wife has a ten year old minivan, that I have replaced both front window motors in, replaced the switch for the AC, and repaired some wiring for the blower motor. And she wonders why I like owning old cars.

A friend of mine graduated with a degree in electrical engineering and was excited to get a job at Chrysler being a gearhead. Excitement pretty quickly turned to disillusionment because every time he presented a design to his supervisor, the guy would just glance at it and hand it back, saying "looks great- make it cheaper."

It usually took three times through this process before the guy would even take a good look at the actual design.

The bottom line drops lower all the time. Every nickel they DON'T spend in production is another nickel they can stick in their pocket.

I believe firmly that thinking like that helped the Japanese out as much in the 70s and 80s, as fuel economy.

Yes, we are our own worse enemy's. we ask for quality, but buy cheap and get exactly what we pay for.