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What Automotive Products Are Worth Every Penny?
This week, Hagerty would like to know about the products you think are worth your hard-earned money. Set aside the basics, like food, shelter, and water—we’re interested in products that cater to the automobile specifically. Together we make up the Hagerty Community, and we love all things automobiles. (And motorcycles too!) And some automotive products are worth every penny.
Perhaps you noticed we recently asked a similar question to the staff here at Hagerty Media, but that was aimed at automotive accessories we didn’t like. This question is a bit broader, as it encompasses all things that pertain to the automobile. And we want to keep a positive tone to this edition of According To You, so here’s my contribution:
Gasoline + Crude Oil
Oh dear. Perhaps I was remiss in suggesting this could be a “positive tone,” because it only took seconds for me to associate my choice of gasoline with a shortage of said product. I wasn’t born during the first gas crisis, but I vaguely remember how cars were downsized for a second one that thankfully never materialized.
But gasoline is an obvious choice, as so many of us rely on it for daily activities. And the oil that gets refined at the same time as gasoline (they both come from crude oil) is used in just about everything we come in contact with. Which suggests I picked the lowest-hanging fruit from this particular tree. Shame on me?
So tell us, valued member of the Hagerty Community, what automotive products are worth every penny?
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Anymore, I’m so happy if a part fits right and works-well just by bolting it on. Heading in to the garage to try spend hours fixing a bolt-on part just now (rumble seat hinges; either the trunk deck mounts from Brookville are off (most likely), or the Vintique holes and angle are off, but either way, I can’t get all the screws in and they are hanging down into the trunk at a weird angle).
Electrical parts (ignition coils, starter solenoids, pickup coils, points) that actually work. Too many are bad right out of the box these days.
OEM or aftermarket parts at least a good if not better than the original. Finding parts that are lesser than the original ia slltoo common these days.
Tires. Years ago, I remember being pretty happy if I got 30,000 miles out of a set. Recently, I replaced a set with just over 60,000. For “miles-per-dollar spent”, I view tires as worth every penny. Yeah, I know that the type of tire, type of vehicle, and type of driving will affect the math, but I also think that tire compounds and designs have improved hugely in the last 40 years to where it’s fairly easy to get twice the life out of them than we used to.
I agree on tires. Many people today don’t understand that you used to get several flats on a trip out of state. This is why some cars had more than one spare. 10k miles were great.
Today with computer designs and up to 3 compounds on a tread face they are very advanced. Yet today they are still assembled by hand each and every one.
Another is the metals used. Piston rings and bearings were 30k miles in the 30’s. The metals in the cars to make them stronger but add less weight. These materials are very advanced.
It might help to start with a list of things made in America. I can’t think of too many off the top of my head.
I know New Balance makes some shoes here, and Snap-On makes most tools here. I know that 90 percent of the things I bolt onto my cars these days aren’t. Next to no electronics. It’s a pretty limited list
More things are made here than you think. The trouble is they are non American companies making parts here.
I laughed when I had an American car that was built in Mexico with and horn from an Italian company made in AZ. The engine came from TN and the transmission NY.
Since I am in retailing of parts I see where many things come from. Beware even if it says MFG in USA the casting may have come from China. The machine work was just finished here.
About a dozen years ago, I updated my BMW 2002 with electronic fuel injection using Megasquirt as engine management. It’s probably the best modification I have ever done. It’s made the car more usable and efficient in all weather. It’s not for everyone, but for me, it’s been worth every penny.
Battery powered jump starter.
I’ll admit I didn’t understand how handy battery jump packs are until I bought one. Now I make sure it moves to whatever car I’m driving regularly. They are very handy.