The Ugly Truth About Your New Car
At Heavy Metal Motors, we work on everything from classic carbureted beauties to vehicles up to around 2019. Why do we draw the line there? Because after 2019, you've entered the territory we're about to discuss—where cars are designed to fail and use proprietary software that makes it so they can only be repaired at dealerships. With over 20 years of professional wrenching experience, we've watched manufacturers get really creative at separating you from your money—long after you've driven off the lot!
That new car smell? It comes with a side of subscription fees, repair restrictions, and built-in obsolescence that would make your grandfather's mechanic shake his head in disbelief.
Let's pull back the curtain on what dealerships don't mention during the sales pitch.
You're Renting Features You Already Own
Remember when buying heated seats meant you actually owned heated seats? Those days are gone.
BMW tried charging $18/month for heated seats already installed in your car. Toyota requires a subscription for remote start—even though the hardware is sitting right there in your vehicle. You're not buying a car anymore; you're leasing access to features that are literally dormant in the machine you just purchased.
Our Take: Before buying, ask specifically what requires ongoing payments. Some manufacturers are more aggressive about this than others. Your wallet is the only vote that matters.
That Fancy Tech Will Be Obsolete in 36 Months
We see it all the time in our SE Portland shop: customers frustrated because their three-year-old "cutting-edge" infotainment system won't connect to their new phone, won't update maps, and can't be fixed without replacing the entire unit for $2,000+.
Manufacturers design vehicle software with shockingly short lifespans. That touchscreen you paid extra for? It'll be outdated as fast as an iPhone, except you can't replace it for $800. You're stuck with it for the decade you'll own the vehicle. (If the car lasts that long).
Our Take: Prioritize Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which update through your phone. Those proprietary systems? They're expensive paperweights in a few years.
The Right to Repair Battle (And You're Losing)
Here's something that frustrates us daily: Modern vehicles are deliberately designed to be difficult for independent shops—or DIY owners—to repair.
Manufacturers use proprietary diagnostic software only dealerships can access. They install security systems that brick components if replaced wrong. Even changing your battery can require a dealership visit to "register" it with the computer in some vehicles.
That $150 repair at our shop? It's now $800 at the dealership because they're the only ones with the software key. They claim it's about "safety," but it's really about capturing the lucrative repair market.
Our Take: Ask about repair requirements before buying. Choose vehicles with good aftermarket support. And please, support Right to Repair legislation—it affects everyone.
Extended Warranties Are Designed to Deny Claims
When the finance manager pushes that extended warranty hard, there's a reason: 50%+ profit margins.
But read the fine print. Pre-existing conditions, required dealership maintenance, excluded components, wear-and-tear clauses—the contract is engineered to give them reasons to deny your claim. Miss one oil change or take it to an independent shop? Claim denied.
We've seen customers denied coverage because the failure was "normal wear and tear" or the specific part was buried in the exclusions on “page 47”.
Our Take: Read the entire contract, especially exclusions. Most major failures happen either early (covered by manufacturer warranty) or late (after extended warranties expire). That money might be better in your savings account.
Dealer Markups and Mandatory Add-Ons
"Market adjustment" fees. "Dealer-installed options" like paint protection, fabric coating, VIN etching. We've seen Portland dealers add $1,500 for coatings that cost them $50 and you can buy for $30 at any auto parts store.
That VIN etching to "prevent theft"? It's literally just scratching your VIN on windows—something you can do with a $15 kit from O'Reilly's.
Our Take: Negotiate hard or walk away. Get quotes from multiple dealers. For popular models, wait for the market to cool. Those "mandatory" additions aren't as mandatory as they claim.
Manufacturers Want Your Car to Have an Expiration Date
Here's what manufacturers don't want you to know: they discontinue parts surprisingly fast to push you toward buying new. That $30 plastic clip? "Discontinued after 12 years." They want you to think you need a whole new car!
But here's the truth—and why Heavy Metal Motors exists: with the right expertise and resources, virtually any car can be kept running. Some manufacturers are worse than others about early parts discontinuation, but that doesn't mean the car is done!
Our Take: At Heavy Metal Motors, sourcing hard-to-find parts is what we do. Whether it's a 1965 pickup or a 2015 sedan, we have the knowledge and connections to track down what you need. We've kept countless Portland drivers on the road in vehicles manufacturers wrote off years ago. This is our specialty—keeping your car running long-term, not selling you a new one.
Your Car Is Spying on You
Modern vehicles collect data about your driving habits, locations, and behaviors—then sell it to insurance companies and data brokers. GM was recently exposed for sharing detailed driving data that led to insurance rate increases for customers who had no idea they were being monitored.
That "connected car" technology isn't just for your convenience. It's a revenue stream. Your hard braking events, late-night trips, and everywhere you drive are being recorded and monetized.
Our Take: Read the privacy policy. Opt out when possible (though this may disable features you paid for). Push for legislation requiring clear consent. Or consider older vehicles without connected features.
TPMS: A Costly Safety Feature
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems are federally required—great for safety, expensive in practice. Each sensor costs $50-150, batteries die after 5-10 years, and they must be reprogrammed every time you rotate or change tires.
What should be a simple tire change becomes a $400-800 ordeal. Winter tire swaps? You'll need a second set of sensors or pay twice yearly to swap them. The dash warning light can't be disabled, forcing you to pay for repairs or drive with constant alerts.
Living in Portland where we swap winter tires? This adds up fast.
Our Take: Budget for TPMS replacement as part of tire costs. Buy winter wheels with their own sensors.
The Bottom Line
Modern cars are incredible machines. They're safer, more efficient, and more capable than ever. But newer models are also designed with manufacturer profits as the priority and your long-term ownership experience as an afterthought.
At Heavy Metal Motors on SE 82nd, we believe in transparency. This is exactly why we focus on pre-2020 vehicles—we can actually fix them without dealership software and proprietary restrictions. Whether you're considering a newer purchase or keeping your current ride running, understanding these tactics helps you make better decisions.
The most expensive car isn't the one with the highest purchase price—it's the one that costs you a fortune in surprises you didn't see coming.
Do your research. Ask hard questions. Read the fine print. And when you need honest repairs without the upsells, you know where to find us!
Call or text Heavy Metal Motors today. We're here to help Portland drivers navigate these frustrating realities—one honest repair at a time.
