Do You Prefer Newer or Older cars?
Discussion
P5BNij said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I bought this '92 Maserati Biturbo a couple of weeks ago, the interior is nice and simple yet elegant, it has everything I need and feels a lot more comfortable than most of the modern stuff I've driven recently (the seats of which are often flat and unsupportive) it's not as complicated as some would have you believe and it all still works....Please tell me those seats are as comfortable as i’m imagining
2005-2010 is my sweet spot for cars. loads I'd like to own from those years. They hit a nice sweet spot of safety, design, price and fun.
My Mrs prefers new cars, so the balance works well. We have a modern for daily duties, and my old(ish) stuff for occasional and fun use.
Probably wouldn't go older than that generation of car though, as more likely to be a hassle to own along with much older safety and build technology.
My Mrs prefers new cars, so the balance works well. We have a modern for daily duties, and my old(ish) stuff for occasional and fun use.
Probably wouldn't go older than that generation of car though, as more likely to be a hassle to own along with much older safety and build technology.
Fat hippo said:
P5BNij said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I bought this '92 Maserati Biturbo a couple of weeks ago, the interior is nice and simple yet elegant, it has everything I need and feels a lot more comfortable than most of the modern stuff I've driven recently (the seats of which are often flat and unsupportive) it's not as complicated as some would have you believe and it all still works....Please tell me those seats are as comfortable as i’m imagining
Another one here who reckons the sweet spot in cars was the 15 years up to 2005 for some makers and up to 2010 for some others who tend to not fix what wasn't broken.
Our cars are '96 '05 and '08 and there are no plans to replace any with newer models.
Apart from some well proven 4x4's that Toyota still make, ie 70 series and 4Runner, sadly neither sold here, there is no new car sold in Britain that i would want.
Our cars are '96 '05 and '08 and there are no plans to replace any with newer models.
Apart from some well proven 4x4's that Toyota still make, ie 70 series and 4Runner, sadly neither sold here, there is no new car sold in Britain that i would want.
I prefer older but in particular, the modern classics so I guess from around the early 80's to around 2006 such as the 205 GTI, Porsche 964, Bmw E30 M3, Integra DC2, Lotus Elise, Honda NSX, Clio Trophy, 996 GT3 RS, E46 M3 CSL, Megane R26R, to name a few.
I prefer them for the reasons that have been mentioned already of cars from that era.
I do however like the current generation of cars also but more the niche cars like the GR Yaris, Type R, Cayman GT4 and Alpine.
I think these cars are likely to become the new modern classics in around 15 years from now.
I prefer them for the reasons that have been mentioned already of cars from that era.
I do however like the current generation of cars also but more the niche cars like the GR Yaris, Type R, Cayman GT4 and Alpine.
I think these cars are likely to become the new modern classics in around 15 years from now.
Petrolism said:
Personally, I have a pet hate for my wife's modern E-class. It's built to break, and it does. Frequently. Then I fix it. Again.
I prefer the 30-year-old retro-moded CRX-R, or any of my other cars. A Type-R Honda doesn't break and always brings a smile to my face.
It has air conditioning, a glass roof and a properly restomoded interior with Apple Car Play and a sound system with clarity that would embarrass all but the best OEM setups. Old cars don't have to be inconvenient, or unreliable for daily use.
The E-class is just modern, has all the toys, and is competent. Relaxing to drive. Dull.
CRX looks great!I prefer the 30-year-old retro-moded CRX-R, or any of my other cars. A Type-R Honda doesn't break and always brings a smile to my face.
It has air conditioning, a glass roof and a properly restomoded interior with Apple Car Play and a sound system with clarity that would embarrass all but the best OEM setups. Old cars don't have to be inconvenient, or unreliable for daily use.
The E-class is just modern, has all the toys, and is competent. Relaxing to drive. Dull.
Super Sonic said:
Petrolism said:
Personally, I have a pet hate for my wife's modern E-class. It's built to break, and it does. Frequently. Then I fix it. Again.
I prefer the 30-year-old retro-moded CRX-R, or any of my other cars. A Type-R Honda doesn't break and always brings a smile to my face.
It has air conditioning, a glass roof and a properly restomoded interior with Apple Car Play and a sound system with clarity that would embarrass all but the best OEM setups. Old cars don't have to be inconvenient, or unreliable for daily use.
The E-class is just modern, has all the toys, and is competent. Relaxing to drive. Dull.
CRX looks great!I prefer the 30-year-old retro-moded CRX-R, or any of my other cars. A Type-R Honda doesn't break and always brings a smile to my face.
It has air conditioning, a glass roof and a properly restomoded interior with Apple Car Play and a sound system with clarity that would embarrass all but the best OEM setups. Old cars don't have to be inconvenient, or unreliable for daily use.
The E-class is just modern, has all the toys, and is competent. Relaxing to drive. Dull.
kiseca said:
voram said:
_Mja_ said:
E36Ross said:
My daily is 1994.
Intriguing - what is it? Shogun, Land Cruiser? I know technically new cars are better; safer, faster, more economical, more capable etc but I’m finding myself more and attracted to slightly older cars.
Not super old but mid 2000’s seems to be a sweet spot for me. You can still benefit from interesting N/A engines, they’re reliable and there are often work arounds for modern tech.
I’ve recently sold an M140i which on paper was easily the best car I’ve owned (fast, sensible running costs) but I lost interest surprisingly quickly. I’ve bought an old 130 as a replacement and I’m really enjoying it so far. It sounds better, is much slower but actually more fun in a good B road.
I miss some of the tech from my old car; the big screen with amazing resolution, CarPlay etc. Oddly I’m not missing the performance. The CCC nav system in the 130 is ste compare to my old Pro Nav but I’ve found a way to add CarPlay which will modernise it a bit.
Lots of the latest cars leave me pretty cold if I’m honest.
Not super old but mid 2000’s seems to be a sweet spot for me. You can still benefit from interesting N/A engines, they’re reliable and there are often work arounds for modern tech.
I’ve recently sold an M140i which on paper was easily the best car I’ve owned (fast, sensible running costs) but I lost interest surprisingly quickly. I’ve bought an old 130 as a replacement and I’m really enjoying it so far. It sounds better, is much slower but actually more fun in a good B road.
I miss some of the tech from my old car; the big screen with amazing resolution, CarPlay etc. Oddly I’m not missing the performance. The CCC nav system in the 130 is ste compare to my old Pro Nav but I’ve found a way to add CarPlay which will modernise it a bit.
Lots of the latest cars leave me pretty cold if I’m honest.
P5BNij said:
I bought this '92 Maserati Biturbo a couple of weeks ago, the interior is nice and simple yet elegant, it has everything I need and feels a lot more comfortable than most of the modern stuff I've driven recently (the seats of which are often flat and unsupportive) it's not as complicated as some would have you believe and it all still works....
Stunning car - Maserati do make fantastic interiors! Looking forward to the Readers' Car thread.
Could well be right Fonzo, but the cars i grew up with you spent every spare moment fixing or welding or painting over rust holes covered in sellotape for a temporary fix so i don't miss cars of the 60's and 70's at all.
My first car was a '59 Volvo 122S Amazon i bought in '72, really a very accomplished car mechanically of its day but the rust was unbelievable, probably didn't help it was an import from South Africa so maybe had different manufacture regarding rust prevention.
It was the 90's that saw so many superb designs from so many different makers, Nissan's Primera, Toyota's Corolla/Carina/Camry and first Avensis, VW's Passat which sensible Polish fellers still seek out when being sold, Volvo S/V series even Hyundai Sonata and Kia Magentis come into that category as good simple reliable transport.
No one really makes cars as good long term durable as many from that era proved to be, which could generally be fixed by a decent DIY motorist and any mechanic, even Toyota saddled later Avensis with a pointless electric parking brake, the sole reason one of those isn't sitting outside now.
My first car was a '59 Volvo 122S Amazon i bought in '72, really a very accomplished car mechanically of its day but the rust was unbelievable, probably didn't help it was an import from South Africa so maybe had different manufacture regarding rust prevention.
It was the 90's that saw so many superb designs from so many different makers, Nissan's Primera, Toyota's Corolla/Carina/Camry and first Avensis, VW's Passat which sensible Polish fellers still seek out when being sold, Volvo S/V series even Hyundai Sonata and Kia Magentis come into that category as good simple reliable transport.
No one really makes cars as good long term durable as many from that era proved to be, which could generally be fixed by a decent DIY motorist and any mechanic, even Toyota saddled later Avensis with a pointless electric parking brake, the sole reason one of those isn't sitting outside now.
I prefer older cars in general, but there are always a few exceptions. I'll break it down by categories:
Roadster:
Old: Older mx5, Mr2, MGB, old Z4, S2000, lotus elan, old boxster
New: Mx5, Z4, etc.
Winner: old cars, but only just. What I like about some older roadsters is that you can get removable hardtops for them. Nowadays, they'll direct you to a different model.
Cheap performance:
Old: Capri, Manta, mk1 GTI, Ae86, Lotus sunbeam, mk1 Escort
New: Hot hatches, Subaru sti
Winner: old. There's something about those old cars.
Sports cars:
Old: 240z, older 911s, E30 M3, Mk4 Supra, R34 Skyline
New: M2, 718 Cayman, M4, new 911s, mk5 Supra, R35 GTR
Winner: old
Supercars:
Old: F40, Countach, 959, XJ220, McLaren F1
New: laferrari, Aventador, 918, Chiron, that new Gordon Murray thing
Winner: new - just more dramatic and more of what you expect a supercar to be.
Luxury cars:
Old: old Rolls Royce
New: new Rolls Royce
Winner: new
Roadster:
Old: Older mx5, Mr2, MGB, old Z4, S2000, lotus elan, old boxster
New: Mx5, Z4, etc.
Winner: old cars, but only just. What I like about some older roadsters is that you can get removable hardtops for them. Nowadays, they'll direct you to a different model.
Cheap performance:
Old: Capri, Manta, mk1 GTI, Ae86, Lotus sunbeam, mk1 Escort
New: Hot hatches, Subaru sti
Winner: old. There's something about those old cars.
Sports cars:
Old: 240z, older 911s, E30 M3, Mk4 Supra, R34 Skyline
New: M2, 718 Cayman, M4, new 911s, mk5 Supra, R35 GTR
Winner: old
Supercars:
Old: F40, Countach, 959, XJ220, McLaren F1
New: laferrari, Aventador, 918, Chiron, that new Gordon Murray thing
Winner: new - just more dramatic and more of what you expect a supercar to be.
Luxury cars:
Old: old Rolls Royce
New: new Rolls Royce
Winner: new
I like the idea of owning an older car and my mind is filled with useless trivia of 80s and 90s performance cars, but in practice they cause me nothing but problems and I waste too much time tinkering around with them. Last example of this was a mk3 supra turbo. I covered 1k miles in a year and it had many issues that needed fixing, but I sold it for more than a paid so eventually broke even. Top tip for owning an older car, is have a garage to put it in.
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