My car was getting difficult to drive, more specifically it was taking Herculean effort to turn the wheel. Thinking that the power steering fluid might be low, I drive to visit the trusty Mini-Mechanics (Mini is particular about its fluids, you can’t just use the Canadian Tire brand). Six hours and a **whopping** $6500 later…. and my wee car is whistling like new again. Power steering failure was diagnosed by the Mini-doctors, who only operate using brand new parts to repair the offending malfunction, refusing to patch the problem. Both the power steering rack and the power steering motor-pump are just shy of $2000 EACH and there were other apparently rusty parts that needed to be replaced in order to put my car back together. Hip hip hoooooooooray for warranty!!
A bit of internet research finds that 100 years ago I could have bought 5.5 cars for $6500 or 1000 quarts of milk or 1000+ loaves of bread. However, at an average income of $637 per year (or $53 per month), I would most likely be walking.
Interesting statistics from one century ago:
- Total vehicle production in the U.S. is 4,192
- Top speed for new cars is 8 mph. Gasoline fuel efficiency is 35 mpg
- Total vehicle registration is 8,000. There are 10 miles of paved roads
- In 1900, 115 auto deaths – 96 lynchings
- Theft is a problem, even in the early days, so the Leach Motor Carriage has a removable steering lever – an early anti-theft device
- Avg. Income (US)………………………………………… $637/year
- New Home (Median Price)…………………………….. $2,225
- New Car (Avg. Cost)……………………………………. $1,168
- Milk (Qt)…………………………………………………… $0.07
- Bread (Loaf)………………………………………………. $0.04
I don’t have a pic of my Cooper, which is most certainly NOT red (that would clash with my hair 😉 so here is a more interesting Mini XXL Luxury Limo for you to gaze upon, complete with a pool in the rear.
//PJ
