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Forget Netflix, Volkswagen locks horsepower behind paid subscription (www.autoexpress.co.uk)
submitted 1 year ago by to c/aboringdystopia@lemmy.world
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[+] -9 points 1 year ago* (5 children)

I loathe the idea of a subscription, but you buy a car upfront knowing what specs you're getting.

If they want to unlock more power for a one time fee, that's fair game. It actually does have a cost incurred on them via increased wear and tear and warranty claims.

But it's gotta be a 1 time purchase and is lifetime of the car.

Also tough luck if you failed to secure it properly and someone jailbreaks it. It's their car they can do whatever the fuck they want to it.

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  • [–] 7 points 1 year ago (2 children)

    Insurance and taxes declarations are going to be fun! Either you'll have to pay for the actual power of the engine (that you don't actually use), or you'll need to modify the documents after unlocking the feature.

    What happens when you sell the car? Does it go back to factory features?

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago*

    What happens when you sell the car? Does it go back to factory features?

    I already said - But it’s gotta be a 1 time purchase and is lifetime of the car.

    or you’ll need to modify the documents after unlocking the feature.

    Usually when you unlock something it increases the value of the vehicle, and you need to let insurance know or the extra value won't be covered. This is already pretty normal in any kind of insurance if there's a change that can be considered material. If you don't let them know, they won't cover the cost of the altered/new item.

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  • [–] 4 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    It actually does have a cost incurred on them via increased wear and tear and warranty claims.

    The customer friendly way to deal with this would be put in a limiter, and write in the contract "Warranty void if limiter removed".

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  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago*

    Not sure how well that would stand up in court as they can only void things if they can prove the alterations broke it.

    So if you remove it and the warranty is 4 years 50k km, and it dies after 1 year, early wear and tear doesn't seem likely. But maybe closer to the 50k they could claim it somehow? Or maybe it'd work, I dunno. Just doesn't seem so clear cut.

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