Which are better - old cars or new cars?

[dabigginger]

I've been thinking recently, which do you think are better purely from a driving perspective? Sure, newer cars are definitely more refined now than ever. As for looks, there are definitely good looking, mediocre and ugly cars no matter which point in motoring history that you look at.

The one thing that I have always noticed with newer cars is I can't drive them to their limit - they just seem to lack any real feedback. Old cars feel much more an extension of me than newer cars. The best way I can describe it is that newer cars feel more like driving in a computer game than a real car. Admittedly, I've spent more time behind the wheel of older cars (15-25 years old roughly) than newer ones throughout my driving life.

Have I just not spent enough time behind the wheel of newer cars to get used to them, or do others share my opinion?

[Kickstart]

Hi

Personally I prefer the feel of older cars. Less weight (normally a hell of a lot less weight) and less insulation from the road.

I still have an old Alfa 33 P4 (4wd). In practical terms you could probably say it is an awful car. Noisy, harsh, vibrates. But it is far more fun to drive that newer cars. It feels like it wants to encourage you to thrash it, rather than just ignoring you.

All the best

Keith
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[andyscooter]

depends on what for

long motorway use new refined car

thrashing about like a nutter (winding chavs up in there corsa saxo 106s) then old skool fords
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[Poseidon]

There isn't as much timelessness in "todays" cars compared to cars of years past. I much prefer the 60's styling to most modern efforts. But then, I'm only 26 and so I'm only seeing the cars that have stood the test of time from the 60's.

Although from a safety point of view modern cars win hands down. Having said that, I think the early 00's cars were where it peaked as safety features are starting to interfere with the fun of the vehicle.

Everyday use, modern all the way

Weekends... possibly an old car (MkII Cortina 1600e springs to mind), if I didn't have the bike!
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[Harold_Shand]

I had an '88 pug 205, it was great fun. Thrashed it, literally, to the death. Can't really comment on new cars, newest ive had is a 2001 Xsara and it's boring but cheap and reliable. Dull, depressingly dull.

That said, I think you can have a lot more fun in an older car... if you fuck it up... so what?
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Harold_Shand's theory might be the best explanation.

[Handsome]

Older cars have soul and character and you get the feel of driving them, and if you broke something, so what they were easy enough to fix......

Newer cars have a load of electronic tat on that makes them mostly bland and similar and expensive to relace parts on and a little harder to work on...
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[sk8wheeler]

The newest car i've owned was my 1998 mini, and that was a hell of a lot of fun to drive. I'm currently driving a '95 Golf, and that takes a hell of a thrashing. I've driven newer cars, usually hire cars, and they feel just a bit too light on the road, like I'm not really in control of them. I like cars that don't lull you into a false sense of security. Maybe i'm just far too used to bangers.

[Jrod]

I love old cars, can't say the same for bikes.

[hmmmnz]

im all for old cars,
simple to fix,
the newest car ive owned has been a 1990 nissan bluebird,
and thats was because it cost me 2 tinnys (how you buy $20 worth of marijuana in new zealand)
but every other car has been 80s 70s or 60s,
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[Carl_steveo]

Anything without power steering beats anything with it.
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Luke "cant be arsed to read your post, but suck my balls anyway."

[Stelmer]

I prefer old cars. Especially old, forgotten ones rescued from a barn or field and reborn.

I resurrected an 85 Sherpa van and an 86 Sherpa Minibus on Saturday. I'd love to restore them.

[bEN_]

Deffinatly old cars, new cars don't interest me at all, they all blend in and look boring.

My current car ( BMW 316 E30 1988 ) is the oldest one i've had yet but i love it and i can't see myself wanting to get anything newer anytime soon.
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[Misc]

Newer cars for me, don't really like old cars apart from the classics. But still wouldn't want to drive them as an everyday car.
I dislike the oldness, lack of gadgets & the general feeling of being in one.

Oldest cars i've owned were both 97's & after coming from a 2000 they just felt old fashioned, creaky & dull. Sure they can be fun when putting your foot down, mainly the MR2 but when you just want to pootle along i'd much rather be in something newer.

But you do get more for your money with older cars off course. Just look at the 90s MR2 GTS, i dread to think how much you'd have to spend to get a car with the same performance today.

[Phoenix]

Generally prefer cars pre 2000, though I suspect a lot of that is to do with the fact they're big cars and therefore not subject to the ever doubling new tax bands. I'm just not so keen on new cars, they're all pretty sterile inside and what's with the departure of focusing all the equipment on the driver and putting it in the middle of the dash, the layout is almost perfectly symmetrical apart from pedals and wheel these days. Will be sticking to older cars and bikes for the foreseable future. I do like the Mazda RX8 though in every way, just a shame it's got a crap engine in it, put a 4cyl 280hp 2litre turbo in it and i'd be tempted.

[Flip]

Brand new.

[killa]

I learnt to drive in a 2008 Fiesta. Its was like driving an icecream tub and had about the same amount of charisma.
My budget was low so i looked at older cars, i love anything retro and ended up buying a 1988 Scirocco GT in white. It rattles for an old hatchback, its low down and has no power steering. Everyone who has a ride in it likes it and i love it.

I recently did an oil and filter change, air filter, fuel filter, HT leads, Distribution cap and rotor and plugs with a good ol clean around the engine bay for..... £45.
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Bike:- Yamaha TRX850 | Killas Biking History | Killas Gaming History | Killas autmotive history

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[Bofh5]

i just got a 97 mazda mx3 v6
for 600 quid it had a years mot so was to be another throw away but after driving it i'm really hoping to keep it long term.
its nearly as much fun to drive as the bike is to ride !
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