Vehicle technology is both our best friend and our worst enemy, it seems. While many of us enjoy new tech like LED headlights and taillights, backup and around-view cameras, and other features like rear cross-traffic alert, they ballon vehicle costs and skyrocket repairs.
For instance, we can only imagine – and shiver at the thought of – what it might cost to replace the new camera-based rearview system on the upcoming 2016 Cadillac CT6.
But it’s not just camera systems that are bleeding us dry. A lot of the time it’s the fact that we add LEDs and other tech into basic vehicle functions like headlights and taillights. For example, let’s say you bust the the LED-peppered headlight on a 2015 Cadillac Escalade (pictured).
That’s no $300-and-done housing– you’ll pay $1,650 for the entire unit, according to Automotive News. If that was 2000 Escalade, though, you’d only shell out a measly $200 to repair the headlight.
If you happen to crack the taillight lens your 2000 ‘Slade, you’ll be out-of-pocket a mere $56.08, and the entire assembly will cost you $220.49. Smash a lamp on a ’15 Escalade and you’re forced to repair the entire housing, as they are no longer separate parts. You’ll also have to dig deep, to the tune of $795.
Of course, many of these tech-bits are built into the price of the vehicle, with the average price of a car now more than $33,000. In other words, what millennials make in a lifetime, probably.
The takeaway? While vehicle technology is no-doubt impressive and allows car manufacturers to offer customers loads of extra options, it makes our vehicles and the repairs we face that much more expensive.
GM Authority top tip: Don’t crash.
Comments
such is life. successful and high quality brands not really cheap-can not be cheap. such things also earn money for the automotive industry, although the details are actually more valuable. cars are more expensive to repair and maintain. However, the cars must be durable. However, some car manufacturers are abused by customers. Cars have been less durable and require expensive repairs. and so have a very large and well-known quality brand success earned big money. Be sure to serve today. However, such an abuse of clients will allow a very high quality and brand names.
But cadillac must be durable and of high quality. spare parts, maintenance, and parts can be expensive it is also useful to GM and Cadillac. However, if the car breaks down due to the poor quality and the constant need for expensive replacement parts it is ugly.
Does America different car insurance options are not. One is mandatory car insurance compensates the victim of an accident. The second option is more expensive insurance that compensates for the damage you cause an accident, however, as you will have to pay the amount in addition to his responsibilities. and if you drive a car completely broken, that can not be restored if you pay some portion of the value of the car and the car will be refunded.
Someone steals cadillac escalade first off the lights when you pay your responsibility such as 600 eur and get new lights.
Of course, some people are abusing the possibilities.
It really matter little anymore as most all new headlamps are very expensive even on the cheaper models. $1,000-2,000 is very common even on a average sedan.
And good luck finding a new one 10 years from now. Planned obsolescence.
Sorry but they will be easy to find as they will remain a very profitable item.
Many parts are still available at GM for cars well past 10 years. Hell I can get parts for My 30 year old Pontiac yet.
What parts not available are generally are obscure parts that seldom need replaced and if they do aftermarket companies continue to make them. Doorman has been one company that offers not only replacement parts but often improves problem parts.
I wish people who do not know would stop with this claim of no parts after 10 years.
Headlamps with the damage they receive will be a very profitable part to keep around in house of aftermarket.
Hell at work I can buy enough parts to build a 1969 Camaro from reproduction parts if I wanted to.
Now if you can’t get parts for a 1980 Citation you should already understand why.
You are quite correct! American suppliers and aftermarket parts exist for many cars. I can buy new parts for my 1995 Buick Regal. And a friend who own Corvettes told me he can get parts for his 1969 model.
As for imports, that is another story. My workmate had a broken starter on her Toyota Corolla. The replacement cost was $125. My 1980 Mustang had a starter problem and I bought a replacemnent at Western Auto for $30!!
Have you seen that someone is going to sell new 1966 Mustangs made all of repo parts. Neat idea but I am sure expensive.
Most mechanical bits are generally easy to get as most have been used on so many cars. Exterior bits are not too bad either other than some odd trim parts but if there is a demand they are made. Interior it just depends on the car. You will not fine interior trim bits for the rear of a 84 Sunbird Convetible easily but seat trim parts are available after market for an 84 FIero and dealer. You get to the more popular cars even more can be found.
I would trade this car in as soon as the warranty ended, but the rich do that anyways
I recently bought a 2015 escalade & chipped the tail light, may not be cheap to fix but it’s a great car!
It’s not a car…..why would you call it a great car? It’s a truck, the size of a house and ridiculous.
It’s an suv, not a truck.
For some of us who own more than one Cadillac we are very disappointed with GM not so much in the price of there lights but the fact that they don’t make replacement lights for some of their legacy cars . The Cadillac xlr being one of them I know for a fact that there are a lot of xlr owners who would be happy to pay $1600.00 for a new tail light or headlight. So my advice would be before a person buys one of these expensive vehicles just remind your self you may not be able to get parts for it after a couple of years .
The LED problem dates to way before 2000. Try 1992-1997 Cadillac third brake lights….$600 in mid nineties money….wow.
Functional LED third brake lights are now required to get your plates in many states.
For the manufacturers…..it is a lot easier to make money on a $400 sealed unit LED third brake light than a $2 bulb.
2015-2018 GMC Yukon LED tail lights….$700 each.
2010-2012 SAAB 9-5 LED third brake lights and LED light bars…..there are no replacements….SAAB is out of business.
Anyway….we fix all all of these LED lamps. See http://www.ledfix.com …..since 1998.