Are "normal" cars getting worse?
Discussion
Is it just me or in some aspects are mainstream cars getting worse? Performance, fuel economy and feature content have definitely improved but I've recently bought my wife a new car and it's not as comfortable, doesn't ride as well as and there is more engine and road noise than in my 10 year old car and actually, the new car feels ever so slightly tinny in comparison! I like the new car but I find these things surprising, especially when it cost me 5 times as much as my car! I don't think I bought the wrong car, because we test drove 6 different new cars in our price range and they were all the same! Even my MILs new car, which cost double what ours cost has a crap ride and lots of road noise and it's supposed to be a luxury car not a sports car!
To all intents and purposes, my car and my wife's car are of similar size (although mine is a V6 and hers a 4 cylinder) but I only have a 4-speed auto and she has a 7-speed!
Disclaimer: I'm sure a new top-end car, like a McLaren P1 for instance would blow my mind!
To all intents and purposes, my car and my wife's car are of similar size (although mine is a V6 and hers a 4 cylinder) but I only have a 4-speed auto and she has a 7-speed!
Disclaimer: I'm sure a new top-end car, like a McLaren P1 for instance would blow my mind!
white_goodman said:
Is it just me or in some aspects are mainstream cars getting worse? Performance, fuel economy and feature content have definitely improved but I've recently bought my wife a new car and it's not as comfortable, doesn't ride as well as and there is more engine and road noise than in my 10 year old car and actually, the new car feels ever so slightly tinny in comparison! I like the new car but I find these things surprising, especially when it cost me 5 times as much as my car! I don't think I bought the wrong car, because we test drove 6 different new cars in our price range and they were all the same! Even my MILs new car, which cost double what ours cost has a crap ride and lots of road noise and it's supposed to be a luxury car not a sports car!
To all intents and purposes, my car and my wife's car are of similar size (although mine is a V6 and hers a 4 cylinder) but I only have a 4-speed auto and she has a 7-speed!
Disclaimer: I'm sure a new top-end car, like a McLaren P1 for instance would blow my mind!
Can indication of the specific cars in question would help To all intents and purposes, my car and my wife's car are of similar size (although mine is a V6 and hers a 4 cylinder) but I only have a 4-speed auto and she has a 7-speed!
Disclaimer: I'm sure a new top-end car, like a McLaren P1 for instance would blow my mind!
daemon said:
Can indication of the specific cars in question would help
Sure, although not UK market cars. 2004 Chrysler Sebring and 2014 Toyota Corolla Sport both on 17" wheels but the Chrysler does have higher profile rubber. Partly my fault, as I went for the wheel "upgrade" on the Toyota because it made it look less boring! Maybe, it will ride better and be less noisy on the steel wheels and winter tyres that I will put on it later in the year?Willy Nilly said:
I bet most of the noise and harshness is down to the tyres
+1As much as I prefer older cars, the standard of a "normal" car is so far beyond a normal car of 10 years ago.
I mean, look at the 2014 version of a hatchback compared to its 2004 equivilent - think how primitive the older model is compared in every respect.
TREMAiNE said:
+1
As much as I prefer older cars, the standard of a "normal" car is so far beyond a normal car of 10 years ago.
I mean, look at the 2014 version of a hatchback compared to its 2004 equivilent - think how primitive the older model is compared in every respect.
Ford Focus?As much as I prefer older cars, the standard of a "normal" car is so far beyond a normal car of 10 years ago.
I mean, look at the 2014 version of a hatchback compared to its 2004 equivilent - think how primitive the older model is compared in every respect.
white_goodman said:
Ford Focus?
With the exception of driver involvement, the new one is leagues ahead. Bare in mind, normal cars are just that, normal cars - they're not designed for people like us, so though a lot of them now lack the enjoyable driving experience they once had, in every other way (the ways that matter to the target buyer) they're miles ahead, the removal of feel and control is replaced with safety and ease of use.
Realistically what aspect of an older car - we'll say a Focus as that's the model you chose, are actually better than the new one?
Looks - subjective, personally I'd say the older one but I know non-car guys who'd say the current gen.
Driving experience and involvement - old one wins
Comfort - having been in both, new one any day
Economy - new one
VED - new one (though I don't condone buying a brand new focus for cheaper tax
)Refinement - new one
Build quality - probably split depending on what part of the vehicle you're talking about, but overall the new one would likely be better - as well as having a much more premium feel.
Tech/Kit & Options - new one
Engines - new one, engines are more powerful and efficient per litre
Ease of use - new one, things like automated parking help with this
It goes on... I prefer older cars all day long but newer 'normal' cars trump the older ones in almost every way!
white_goodman said:
Sure, although not UK market cars. 2004 Chrysler Sebring and 2014 Toyota Corolla Sport both on 17" wheels but the Chrysler does have higher profile rubber. Partly my fault, as I went for the wheel "upgrade" on the Toyota because it made it look less boring! Maybe, it will ride better and be less noisy on the steel wheels and winter tyres that I will put on it later in the year?
Same with my Prius on 17 inch rims, very poor ride quality. Much better with the 16 inch rims that have the winter tyres on.white_goodman said:
mainstream cars
= washing machine. Everything from Minis, Vauxhall, Ford, VW, Audi, BMW . . . they are all boring washing machine cars, mass produced for the mass market, there's no way round it except to buy one of the more upmarket versions.
Eg, don't buy the 320d/520d which is the new Vauxhall Cavalier (remember those ?), buy the 730d . . . that's a much nicer car in every respect. Same with Audi A4/A6 2.0 tdi, it's a basic car but the A8 3.0tdi is leagues ahead. Buy at 2 or 3 years old and the difference in price might be a pleasant surprise.
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