Quote:
Originally Posted by Jegan_V
Parts bin engineering is actually a good thing. I see few downsides for the consumer and the automaker when you can achieve excellent results from a part that's already developed and proven. Having common models share these parts with a lower volume model like our cars makes keeping these cars far far easier post warranty.
I've owned a car that didn't share too many parts and the only models it shared parts with...were rarer. I loved the car but it sucked every single time a 25+ year old part quit. Parts were uncommon making it not only expensive but the wait times grounded the car on average 2 weeks each time. Had my old car benefited from parts bin engineering with common stuff like Corollas and Camrys, I'd probably would've kept it as a weekend vehicle as I'd keep more money and the car would've been driven a lot more.
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Of course it's a good thing, it simplifies things and it makes parts cheap and common. I think there must be over 100 different Toyotas with that infamous digital clock in them at this point. I'm just stating my observations.
However, I still think it's a bit weird to drive several completely different cars that feel nearly identical inside...