It’s wild how the “advanced” safety stuff can end up costing more than the old-school repairs ever did. I see claims all the time where a fender bender that used to be a quick fix now turns into a multi-thousand dollar job just because of sensors and cameras tucked everywhere. The kicker is, insurers factor those repair costs into premiums, so even if you’re driving safer, you might still pay more just because fixing your car is pricier.
I get why people want the tech—blind spot sensors and lane assist really do help prevent accidents. But when a side mirror replacement runs north of $1k, it’s hard not to question if it’s worth it. There’s also this weird spot where if you skip the tech, your premiums might go up since your vehicle isn’t “as safe” on paper. Feels like a lose-lose sometimes.
Honestly, I miss when mirrors were just mirrors... less to break, less to insure.
Honestly, I miss when mirrors were just mirrors... less to break, less to insure.
Right there with you. I had to replace a mirror on my old work van—$80 and done. Did the same on a newer truck last year, and it was $1,200 because of all the tech crammed in. Feels like we’re paying more for “safety” but losing out on practicality. If you’re running a fleet, best bet is to really dig into what features you actually need before buying. Sometimes simpler is just smarter, even if the insurance company disagrees.
Honestly, I get where you're coming from. It’s wild how something as basic as a side mirror has turned into this expensive, fragile piece of tech. I remember my dad swapping out mirrors on our old minivan with just a screwdriver and a trip to the junkyard—now it’s like you need a loan and a computer science degree.
I do see the point of some of these new features, especially for safety with kids in the car, but it does feel like overkill sometimes. Half the time I’m worried about someone bumping into my mirror in a parking lot and setting off some sensor error that costs hundreds to fix. Insurance doesn’t exactly make things easier either... they just seem to keep raising rates because everything’s pricier to repair.
I guess there’s no going back, but I totally agree that simpler can be better. Not sure all these “smart” features are worth the stress or the cost—especially when you’re footing the bill for more than one vehicle. Sometimes I wonder if we’re really any safer or just paying more for peace of mind that might not even be there.
Yeah, it’s nuts how a busted mirror can turn into a $700 headache now. I get that the sensors and cameras help with blind spots, but honestly, I’m not convinced they’re worth the constant worry about breaking something. My last road trip, a rock clipped my side mirror and suddenly I had warning lights everywhere. Dealer wanted a small fortune just to reset the system. I miss when repairs were just… repairs, not mini IT projects. Insurance hikes just add insult to injury. Sometimes I think we’re just paying more for stuff to go wrong.
I miss when repairs were just… repairs, not mini IT projects.
Right there with you. These days, you tap a curb or get a rock chip and suddenly it’s like you’ve shorted out the Starship Enterprise. Here’s how I see it: 1) They load up basic parts with tech, 2) you pay more for “safety,” 3) one tiny thing breaks and the whole system throws a fit.
I get that blind spot sensors and cameras help, but half the time, I’m just annoyed at the beeping. My old ‘72 pickup? Side mirror cracks, I grab a new one for $30, bolt it on, done. No warning lights, no computer resets, no “dealer only” nonsense. Now? You’re basically forced to pay for features you might not even want.
Insurance is just following the money. More expensive repairs mean higher premiums. It’s frustrating, but honestly, you’re not alone in thinking we’re paying more just to have more stuff break. Sometimes progress just feels like extra headaches... and empty pockets.
