Anil Dash has started a site called Last Year’s Model
We love cool gadgets as much as anybody else. We just want to be thoughtful about the stuff we’ve bought. Even the most cutting-edge, tech-savvy geeks in the world are choosing to hang on to their phones or their iPods that still work just fine.
We have some old technology that works great around the house. Camera’s, MP3 players, and games systems that still get a lot of use. It may not make Dell or Apple that happy but upgrading every time something new comes out doesn’t make a lot of economic sense, especially when a lot of that stuff is bought with credit cards. Head on over to the site and join the cause!
I propose we select a sustainable vehicle. A car that can be rebuilt over and over. There used to be companies that remanufactured BMW’s, from the bare metal up. But, nowadays there are a few candidates:
1. Same body over many years and lots of production.
2. Japanese engine with few annual variations.
3. Chain – no plastic timing belt. Ort an easy belt, no imbedded water pumps, etc. (like the 4AFE)
4. Easy to work on – no lifts, no nine inch fingers required.
5. Not a hot rod – like Hondas – that get stolen often. Boring is good.
Any suggestions? I’m thinking a Toyota?