My biggest complaint are the plastic headlights...a 10 year old otherwise pristine vehicle will look like garbage without constantly polishing the nasty foggy and/or yellowing lenses!!!
Hippie Bits we use plastic lights because they're are cheaper and way more durable. Plus you can just take a day to clear coat them to make em permanently clear. I recommend ChrisFix's tutorial.
Smoke Screen Thank you for your suggestion. Why don't they come this way from the factory if the clear coat will last forever...seems a little ridiculous especially considering the cost of a new loaded vehicle these days.
Hippie Bits its because they use the same clear coat for the paint on the lights. Im not sure why either considering the permanent clear coat costs like $5; other than they are being greedy and want you to replace your headlights.
I don’t mind the plastic around the wheel archers, but i like it to be body colored and not cheap black plastic that looks HIDEOUS and ruins the whole look. That white Rav-4 looks a lot classier than the red one
It's a mixed bag. I like black plastic trim pieces. I think it adds dimension to the vehicle. Plus the ruggedness. Rather have a cheap plastic piece all torn to hell and back that you can easily replace compared to the metal side.
Great video. First post and like. 😂. Plastic definetly has advantages. Agree it’s cheap looking but alternative of composites and fibers can be pricey. Metal is no longer light enough for today’s cars
I have issues with plastics when it comes to interiors. I hate them when they are exposed as hard touch plastics on dashboards, door pockets, handrests etc.. Why cant they glue a soft touch rubber covered with a rexin or some other nylon fabric on top of hard plastics for the interiors? I mean, we as consumers, are ready to pay extra for that bit. But for heaven sake, car manufacturers, no more hard exposed scratchy plastic interiors please.
I just want everything I touch to be metal, wood or leather in a car. I think plastic should be left to the outside of the car and on interior trim. Buttons, switches, gear levers and handles should be made out of better materials.
The best way to keep black plastic trim looking good from the start is to protect it from UV rays. Use something like Aerospace 303 on it and it will look good for years
Great video! I get everything you're saying, but what about plastics in the engine compartment? I feel like everything that ever breaks in my early 2000s Mercedes is a plastic sensor, a plastic reservoir or the plastic parts of the otherwise metal radiator. Do car companies really pride that dollars and cents savings over their reliability?
Ahh the Acura RL (as mentioned was their first review). I’ve got a 2007 TL Type S 6 speed which shares the aforementioned, dated as hell navigation as well as the 3.7L V6 - the RL’s is tuned to about 15 more hp, but I think I’ve got one of the most attractive sedans to come out of the 00’s, as well as I think it certainly aged better in looks than most cars from the era from any brand (especially the 07-08 facelift).
We owned a smart car, the body panels are almost entirely plastic, but the benefit was you could change them out easily if broken, which we did (went from red to green). Car was not very reliable though and the parts were Mercedes prices.
Very informative video as always Brian, just wanted to share another thought about the wheels, mirrors, window trim and those body claddings going black from body coloured on modern cars. A few years ago, if a car had all those in black it used to be considered a low end variant of that model. Top end variants had those painted body coloured just to show off their fully loaded character ! I hope you get my point, just a thought, wanted to share.
This guy should've also talked about the disadvantages of plastic. It's less durable and reliable than metal. I would rather have metal than plastic. Still, awesome video.
I agree I Am not a fan of the plasticy color and look on the lower part of new cars... but when most cars have it I don't worry about it standing out so much as it ages from sun fading for resale....
Had a 2003 Camry which's rear plastic bumper took a hit & left a large dent, had to have the whole bumper ordered & replaced & painted to match. The bumper's dent could not have been pulled out , just the new plastic bumper cost over $700.00 that's not including installation & paint. Plastic repair's are out the roof costly, it's crazy. If I was an Auto Insurance Co. I would not like the expensive plastic CRAP.
I just purchased a smart car that has plastic door panels etc. I was wondering if you have a clue what kind of solution i use to wash these? I’m not talking about the fenders, I’m talking about the actual car.
Hey, is it true that Mazda still doesn't zinc the metal in their cars? Someone has argued that to me why if I bought a new MX-5 I'd need to undercoat it every year with oil.
Oh By the way That comment of the first review in 2005 reminded me of Molly Wood saying “Cooley doesn’t like Android he thinks a free OS is communist, what can I say, he’s old school” LOL
Hate those cheap plastic bumpers. My first car was a 1981 Pontiac Grand Prix with chrome plated steel bumpers. One time another car ran into the back of me and there was almost no damage to my bumper; just a small dent a few inches wide. Run into the back of these newer cars and the whole plastic bumpers piece will fall off. Cheap. Cheap. Cheap.
Plastic is not durable and it will not flex back. You can have a truck with a metal bumper and the cost to repair at The Body Shop is a lot. Cheaper than if you total. A plastic Sedan. You're looking at at least five thousand dollars worth of damage
What is even worse is those plastic parts you can buy to add on vehicles (though usually they are added on by dealers on the lot to increase margins), like around the window sills or the stupid wind deflectors on the hood. If they did anything then the manufacturers would design them that way. You are literally paying hundreds of dollars for cheap plastic. If I was buying a car and it had them on it I would tell them to take it off (if it can be), they look so stupid
plastic is ok but one only problem is that if the car catch on fire by by your car and if you can not get out of your car you no what will happen well that all. Please do not reply as all message will be delete to my mail spam
And driving a car. Is made out of plastic is like driving Is an egg on wheels. The slightest little ten mile per hour tap will cause at least five thousand dollars worth of damage or possibly total the car
To me, plastic = cheap. When a car cost over $100,000, the headlight should be glass not cheap plastic that turns cloudy over time. Same thing with monolith black interiors - cheap. In the old days like 1950s, when you order a red interior, almost everything is red. Now when you order a red interior, it’s still mostly black. CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP on expensive cars!
LMacNeill Y'know you make a good point. While plastic and aluminum radiators do cool better than the old copper and steel radiators a fully aluminum radiator would cool even better and be far more durable. Yes, I know they're costly. But as a retired auto mechanic now selling Auto Parts in handing out repair advice I wish I got a $1 commission for every replacement radiator I have sold! Copper, steel, and aluminum radiators can be repaired (welded) if they spring a leak. With plastic and aluminum radiators, sure you can repair them, but what's the point. You'll pay just as much to have the plastic welded (filled) as you would to buy a new radiator.
I would be ok with plastic IF IT DIDNT COST SO MUCH, jeez a plastic under tray panel for a Honda cost like 300 dollars, bet it cost them like 10’dollars to produce it, would much rather have a solid metal piece that I can bend back in shape
Remember Saturn? My buddy had a Saturn SL and even though it was junk, years later it still looked good. Here on the east coast of Canada, salt is a huge problem and plastic is the answer. It may not look good as a textured black trim but it sure saves on rust.
I only like it if something is built to be off-road capable. Its durable, light, and cheap to replace for spots that will see a lot of wear when not on pavement. Unless the factory is going to give me powder coated steel in those parts I'll take the plastic. For something thats never going to see more than a dirt driveway however, its rediculous.
I think the exterior plastic trim is more of a North America thing. Either for costs or to reduce fender rust. For example the CRV in NA is hideous for the plastic trim but in Asian its all body painted and pretty upscale.
I'm sorry but black unpainted plastic does NOT make a car look "sporty or youthful" it says cheap and unfinished, i don't want to pay thousands of dollars for a vehicle only to take it to a paint-shop to spend hundred more do what the manufacturer should have done.
Come on, you don't know? Are you really posing a question here, or is this one of those items posted that's some sort of test for people who may not know, but you do? Well, that's neither here nor there. Bottom line, in case you may have had a "Rip van Winkle" moment the past 40 years, give or take. It's a disposable commodity, just like your home, your tv, etc etc. We ARE a disposable society. And will be forevermore, RIP humanity.
Remember CNET on cars?! I wish they'd let Cooley out of the basement to do more than answer a few emails.
nappiral same here
This guy is just very informative.
You are right!
My biggest complaint are the plastic headlights...a 10 year old otherwise pristine vehicle will look like garbage without constantly polishing the nasty foggy and/or yellowing lenses!!!
Hippie Bits we use plastic lights because they're are cheaper and way more durable. Plus you can just take a day to clear coat them to make em permanently clear. I recommend ChrisFix's tutorial.
Smoke Screen Thank you for your suggestion. Why don't they come this way from the factory if the clear coat will last forever...seems a little ridiculous especially considering the cost of a new loaded vehicle these days.
Hippie Bits its because they use the same clear coat for the paint on the lights. Im not sure why either considering the permanent clear coat costs like $5; other than they are being greedy and want you to replace your headlights.
Eh if we had glass headlight assemblies they couldn’t make them as cool as they do plastic headlights
I love the open mindedness and information this video provides
Nah biggest reason for plastic around the fender these days is because GM can't design them in a way that doesn't freaking rust out.
I don’t mind the plastic around the wheel archers, but i like it to be body colored and not cheap black plastic that looks HIDEOUS and ruins the whole look.
That white Rav-4 looks a lot classier than the red one
It looks classier, but the red one looks like it was made to actually go off-road. :)
Why would you buy a rav-4 to be classy?
It's a mixed bag. I like black plastic trim pieces. I think it adds dimension to the vehicle. Plus the ruggedness. Rather have a cheap plastic piece all torn to hell and back that you can easily replace compared to the metal side.
Great video. First post and like. 😂. Plastic definetly has advantages. Agree it’s cheap looking but alternative of composites and fibers can be pricey. Metal is no longer light enough for today’s cars
No complaint with plastic as long as they don’t put it on the critical component under the hood.
I have issues with plastics when it comes to interiors. I hate them when they are exposed as hard touch plastics on dashboards, door pockets, handrests etc.. Why cant they glue a soft touch rubber covered with a rexin or some other nylon fabric on top of hard plastics for the interiors? I mean, we as consumers, are ready to pay extra for that bit. But for heaven sake, car manufacturers, no more hard exposed scratchy plastic interiors please.
We painted the black cladding on my mom's G6 GT Coupe; she loves the transformation which made it look lower and similar to the GXP G8.
I don't think people realize how great plastic really is! Long live plastic!!
Cooley not in my car but in my ❤️ at least
I just want everything I touch to be metal, wood or leather in a car. I think plastic should be left to the outside of the car and on interior trim. Buttons, switches, gear levers and handles should be made out of better materials.
I can't wait for your sticker. If only the show was back.
The best way to keep black plastic trim looking good from the start is to protect it from UV rays. Use something like Aerospace 303 on it and it will look good for years
Does it also mitigate any stones thrown up by the wheels that would damage any painted surface there?
Great video! I get everything you're saying, but what about plastics in the engine compartment? I feel like everything that ever breaks in my early 2000s Mercedes is a plastic sensor, a plastic reservoir or the plastic parts of the otherwise metal radiator. Do car companies really pride that dollars and cents savings over their reliability?
Less weight and better gas mileage is a good reason.
i think having plastic near the wheel well makes sense, as that where you find most of the corrosion and rust on older cars.
Love my plastic intake manifold!!!
Ahh the Acura RL (as mentioned was their first review). I’ve got a 2007 TL Type S 6 speed which shares the aforementioned, dated as hell navigation as well as the 3.7L V6 - the RL’s is tuned to about 15 more hp, but I think I’ve got one of the most attractive sedans to come out of the 00’s, as well as I think it certainly aged better in looks than most cars from the era from any brand (especially the 07-08 facelift).
And plastic parts under hood have broken 10 times faster than the old metal ones
We owned a smart car, the body panels are almost entirely plastic, but the benefit was you could change them out easily if broken, which we did (went from red to green). Car was not very reliable though and the parts were Mercedes prices.
Very informative video as always Brian, just wanted to share another thought about the wheels, mirrors, window trim and those body claddings going black from body coloured on modern cars.
A few years ago, if a car had all those in black it used to be considered a low end variant of that model. Top end variants had those painted body coloured just to show off their fully loaded character !
I hope you get my point, just a thought, wanted to share.
I had rust problems in the wheel wells of my 2nd gen Ford Escape. I don't expect to see the same problems in its replacement... My 3rd gen Escape.
This guy should've also talked about the disadvantages of plastic. It's less durable and reliable than metal. I would rather have metal than plastic. Still, awesome video.
Well the real they point use plastic cladding I think due to corrosion in those parts, the Pontiac Aztek was the first car to use this.
Great video! Informative and easy to understand.
If matte black plastic fades, there are plenty of products that will restore it to a fresh black appearance.
I agree I Am not a fan of the plasticy color and look on the lower part of new cars... but when most cars have it I don't worry about it standing out so much as it ages from sun fading for resale....
Henry Ford is way ahead of his time.
why is it that once you put plastic on a car it becomes very expensive to replace!!
The Ford Edge doesn’t have plastic around the fender arch.
Had a 2003 Camry which's rear plastic bumper took a hit & left a large dent, had to have the whole bumper ordered & replaced & painted to match. The bumper's dent could not have been pulled out , just the new plastic bumper cost over $700.00 that's not including installation & paint. Plastic repair's are out the roof costly, it's crazy. If I was an Auto Insurance Co. I would not like the expensive plastic CRAP.
I just purchased a smart car that has plastic door panels etc. I was wondering if you have a clue what kind of solution i use to wash these? I’m not talking about the fenders, I’m talking about the actual car.
Great video 🤗
Hey, is it true that Mazda still doesn't zinc the metal in their cars? Someone has argued that to me why if I bought a new MX-5 I'd need to undercoat it every year with oil.
Ottawa canada all up in this 👊🤛💪👈👍🔥👊🤛💪👈😃😆
PLASTIC DOESNT RUST. Why are we so against plastic? I say we use more of it!
I'm a big fan of Audi a4 allroad estate
Is carbon fiber technically plastic?
Yes it is.
Oh
By the way
That comment of the first review in 2005 reminded me of Molly Wood saying “Cooley doesn’t like Android he thinks a free OS is communist, what can I say, he’s old school” LOL
Cheap plastic around wheels doesn't anthropomorphize youthfulness, instead a reason to get a better job to afford a fully finished vehicle.
I'd rather have at least a full size truck with a solid steel frame and a solid steel front and rear bumper.
One more reason they use plastic is pedestrian safety
I'm starting to think that Brian Cooley must've stepped down from reviewing cars, he probably go tired of doing it
Hate those cheap plastic bumpers. My first car was a 1981 Pontiac Grand Prix with chrome plated steel bumpers. One time another car ran into the back of me and there was almost no damage to my bumper; just a small dent a few inches wide. Run into the back of these newer cars and the whole plastic bumpers piece will fall off. Cheap. Cheap. Cheap.
Plastic becomes brittle over time.
Why can auto maker give me the option to get glass headlights housing and rear lights 😡😡😡😡
Readin Medrano because plastic is cheaper and more durable.
glass is a safety hazard.
Big time safety hazard. Imagine rear ending a motorcycle and his head coming back on your glass headlight.
Cars need to be made just a little bit more rigid
Nissan Murano doesn’t have plastic fenders the whole car is metal
Plastic is not durable and it will not flex back. You can have a truck with a metal bumper and the cost to repair at The Body Shop is a lot. Cheaper than if you total. A plastic Sedan. You're looking at at least five thousand dollars worth of damage
What is even worse is those plastic parts you can buy to add on vehicles (though usually they are added on by dealers on the lot to increase margins), like around the window sills or the stupid wind deflectors on the hood. If they did anything then the manufacturers would design them that way. You are literally paying hundreds of dollars for cheap plastic. If I was buying a car and it had them on it I would tell them to take it off (if it can be), they look so stupid
plastic is ok but one only problem is that if the car catch on fire by by your car and if you can not get out of your car you no what will happen well that all. Please do not reply as all message will be delete to my mail spam
Plastic can be painted body color it's just that manufacturers do not care I'm agree with the cheap and ugly look of it.
Buy a dump truck! Almost all metal!
Nissian Murano
And driving a car. Is made out of plastic is like driving Is an egg on wheels. The slightest little ten mile per hour tap will cause at least five thousand dollars worth of damage or possibly total the car
Dude, that's a lie, impressing car makers?
To me, plastic = cheap.
When a car cost over $100,000, the headlight should be glass not cheap plastic that turns cloudy over time.
Same thing with monolith black interiors - cheap.
In the old days like 1950s, when you order a red interior, almost everything is red.
Now when you order a red interior, it’s still mostly black. CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP on expensive cars!
You forgot “pedestrian” safety
I love u mr Cooley🤽🏻♂️
Plastic fenders will last ALOT longer than metal.
Plus all of those folks wanting for us to get off oil, plastic is based off of oil.
true, but most oil production comes from us burning it for energy.
How on Earth did Cooley get a downvote!!!!!!!
It's probably Junaid; in his email, he is unhappy with the use of plastics lol
Cougarsamurai My bad. My phone was upside down.
YAY plastics! I have no issue with plastics, they have their place when used appropriately.
I like the cute dog. Is it yours?
Yes, they do have their place. Which is *not* the radiator! (I'm looking at *you* BMW!)
LMacNeill Y'know you make a good point. While plastic and aluminum radiators do cool better than the old copper and steel radiators a fully aluminum radiator would cool even better and be far more durable. Yes, I know they're costly. But as a retired auto mechanic now selling Auto Parts in handing out repair advice I wish I got a $1 commission for every replacement radiator I have sold! Copper, steel, and aluminum radiators can be repaired (welded) if they spring a leak. With plastic and aluminum radiators, sure you can repair them, but what's the point. You'll pay just as much to have the plastic welded (filled) as you would to buy a new radiator.
I would be ok with plastic IF IT DIDNT COST SO MUCH, jeez a plastic under tray panel for a Honda cost like 300 dollars, bet it cost them like 10’dollars to produce it, would much rather have a solid metal piece that I can bend back in shape
Remember Saturn? My buddy had a Saturn SL and even though it was junk, years later it still looked good. Here on the east coast of Canada, salt is a huge problem and plastic is the answer. It may not look good as a textured black trim but it sure saves on rust.
The Acura RL was my 3rd Car!! For three years and I loved it! Still til this day I miss it 🤣
Still think exterior black plastic trim looks cheap, cheap, cheap, as if the designer could not think of a good, proper design
S G Go to bed dear baby boomer.
I only like it if something is built to be off-road capable. Its durable, light, and cheap to replace for spots that will see a lot of wear when not on pavement. Unless the factory is going to give me powder coated steel in those parts I'll take the plastic. For something thats never going to see more than a dirt driveway however, its rediculous.
I completely agree with the emailer! I hate that black plastic!
Many, many people hate the black plastic cladding.
There's a trim level of the Jeep Grand Cherokee that doesn't have it
Your right, the Overland & Summit trims does not have it. The first two trims, Laredo and Limited,, & I think the "75th anniversary" one, does
Saturns were a metal frame dressed entirely in plastic as a selling point... GM Transport/Silhouette van and Fiero too
Why don't you guys do full episodes anymore? :/
I don’t mind the plastic cladding on the right vehicle but a lot of cars it’s just cheap, like a Chevy Trax.
Just don't put plastic where I'm going to set my arm. Can't believe the Corolla still has this problem.
I think the exterior plastic trim is more of a North America thing. Either for costs or to reduce fender rust. For example the CRV in NA is hideous for the plastic trim but in Asian its all body painted and pretty upscale.
Now today they have carbon fiber. If only they substituted that for plastic.
Audi A4 wagon "Allroad" you can have that black plastic painted so you get a real A4 Avant! Haha
I'm sorry but black unpainted plastic does NOT make a car look "sporty or youthful" it says cheap and unfinished, i don't want to pay thousands of dollars for a vehicle only to take it to a paint-shop to spend hundred more do what the manufacturer should have done.
wow the way he explained it
Awesum pointers 👌
I like the show and the way you do all reviews... kudos my friend. I started watching CNET because of you and Brian T. Keep up the good work....
They could just not buy a Crossover POS and buy a hatch or a wagon, like a civic si or a fiesta st
@roadshow I would say that it aides with the scratches and scraps from rocks
Why plastic? What would you prefer?
Love anything with Cooley
Come on, you don't know? Are you really posing a question here, or is this one of those items posted that's some sort of test for people who may not know, but you do? Well, that's neither here nor there. Bottom line, in case you may have had a "Rip van Winkle" moment the past 40 years, give or take. It's a disposable commodity, just like your home, your tv, etc etc. We ARE a disposable society. And will be forevermore, RIP humanity.