Old cars vs New cars
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lordkenmore
Well-known member
One difficulty I see with this question is what exactly is an old car? It seems like it's one of those labels that could have a bunch of definitions... Even for the same person. At times, I can see calling a 10 year old car old...but it's not the same old as a 1960 car.
This said...most of the cars I've owned have been "newer old." I have owned--exactly twice--a car with less than 100,000 miles, but in both cases it was barely under 100K. I have gotten at least one car with over 300K miles at the time of purchase (although the drive train wasn't original & untouched). The newest car was 8 years old (one of the
What made these cars attractive was, frankly, the cost.
Although I have to admit...I wish I could have something a little less worn someday... Many of my cars have been entirely local puddle hoppers, but it would be nice to have something I can drive across the state without thinking about... Indeed, I've been without a car for some months now, and I was talking a woman I know about it. I commented how I'd like something I could do wild and crazy things with...like driving to a nearby city (which has attractions like Trader Joe's).
I like cars that are much older for history and styling. Although I doubt I'd want one as daily driver...unless I wasn't driving it much. Strangely, perhaps, it isn't the safety argument others have, but more a consideration of liking more modern suspensions ability to keep the car reasonably stable going through curves.
This said...most of the cars I've owned have been "newer old." I have owned--exactly twice--a car with less than 100,000 miles, but in both cases it was barely under 100K. I have gotten at least one car with over 300K miles at the time of purchase (although the drive train wasn't original & untouched). The newest car was 8 years old (one of the
What made these cars attractive was, frankly, the cost.
Although I have to admit...I wish I could have something a little less worn someday... Many of my cars have been entirely local puddle hoppers, but it would be nice to have something I can drive across the state without thinking about... Indeed, I've been without a car for some months now, and I was talking a woman I know about it. I commented how I'd like something I could do wild and crazy things with...like driving to a nearby city (which has attractions like Trader Joe's).
I like cars that are much older for history and styling. Although I doubt I'd want one as daily driver...unless I wasn't driving it much. Strangely, perhaps, it isn't the safety argument others have, but more a consideration of liking more modern suspensions ability to keep the car reasonably stable going through curves.
Too true,
My disdain for the hysterical ökodämmlichen Idioten back home in Germany who try to impose their personal rules on me doesn't extend to car safety. Much as I love our 74 Sedan deVille, I'll stick to airbags and rigid passenger compartments Any day. Too freakin' many jerks on the road.
[this post was last edited: 8/26/2017-13:03]
My disdain for the hysterical ökodämmlichen Idioten back home in Germany who try to impose their personal rules on me doesn't extend to car safety. Much as I love our 74 Sedan deVille, I'll stick to airbags and rigid passenger compartments Any day. Too freakin' many jerks on the road.
[this post was last edited: 8/26/2017-13:03]
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I have two antique cars. A 1961 Oldsmobile Super 88 Bubbletop, and a 1955 Cadillac Coupe de'Ville. I love having and driving the old cars, however I feel much safer in my 2013 Volvo C70 retractable hardtop. The Volvo handles much better and is much easier to drive. Don't get me wrong. I still LOVE my old cars, and will always have them.
I have two antique cars. A 1961 Oldsmobile Super 88 Bubbletop, and a 1955 Cadillac Coupe de'Ville. I love having and driving the old cars, however I feel much safer in my 2013 Volvo C70 retractable hardtop. The Volvo handles much better and is much easier to drive. Don't get me wrong. I still LOVE my old cars, and will always have them.
fan-of-fans
Well-known member
I love looking at the older cars, my neighbor used to have an early 60s Lincoln convertible with the rearward doors. That was fun to ride in! What a barge.
But as far as owning or driving, I prefer newer cars because they are more comfortable and because of the newer conveniences.
My current car is a 2001 with a little over 100,000 on it. But for my next car I'd like something made within the last 5-8 years. I don't think I would ever buy a brand new car but I would want something with the latest technology and safety features.
But as far as owning or driving, I prefer newer cars because they are more comfortable and because of the newer conveniences.
My current car is a 2001 with a little over 100,000 on it. But for my next car I'd like something made within the last 5-8 years. I don't think I would ever buy a brand new car but I would want something with the latest technology and safety features.
lordkenmore
Well-known member
Of course, when talking safety it seems to me that a lot comes down to a question of specific cars. Talk of eras can only be general. I recall there was some columnist for (IIRC) a Wall Street Journal Sunday supplement to the local paper that talked about his son getting an old Saab 900 about 10 years ago. There was some outcry--that isn't as safe as a new car! In some ways, probably true--but that car was probably, for its time, very safe. It might have even had technology no else ever had. That car was probably safer than some newer cars. I had a car 10 years newer, or so, with airbags--but apparently the crash protection was, ah, criticised by safety people when my car was new. In that case, an older Saab might have been, overall, safer.
lordkenmore
Well-known member
Neither of these beauties would come close to fitting in one of today's grocery store parking spaces.
That reminds me of a grocery store not far from where I grew up. It closed, and later reopened as a thrift store (which seems to be the fate of old grocery stores here...). We never went there when it was a grocery store, but I have been there a few times since it opened up as a thrift store. They had the old parking lot stripes left. Very faded...and yet still visible enough. And wow! How big the slots were!
Another memory: parking lots in the 80s that had 2 sets of slots--regular, and ones for compact cars.
That reminds me of a grocery store not far from where I grew up. It closed, and later reopened as a thrift store (which seems to be the fate of old grocery stores here...). We never went there when it was a grocery store, but I have been there a few times since it opened up as a thrift store. They had the old parking lot stripes left. Very faded...and yet still visible enough. And wow! How big the slots were!
Another memory: parking lots in the 80s that had 2 sets of slots--regular, and ones for compact cars.
lordkenmore
Well-known member
But since this is not likely to happen I'll stick with my trusty, dependable 07' Honda Civic, which has been the most dependable car I've ever owned, had it since new, 54.800 miles and it feels like a part of me when I drive it.
55K miles is nothing in today's world. I'd think it should be easy for many cars to hit that these days with few troubles. It's when you cross the 200K mark (or so it seems) that you see the differences between "Yes, the odometer is high...but it runs like new!" and "This thing is ready for the junk yard!"
I talked to a car dealer recently, and he liked selling older Hondas (older by his standards--say 2000-2010 range) because they still could have usable life even at 200K miles.
My father had an Acura Integra (based on the Honda Civic IIRC). The car didn't get obsessive must make this thing last! maintenance, but it lasted nearly 300K miles. A mechanic told me that with aggressive maintenance, he's seen those Integras go 500K+ miles.
55K miles is nothing in today's world. I'd think it should be easy for many cars to hit that these days with few troubles. It's when you cross the 200K mark (or so it seems) that you see the differences between "Yes, the odometer is high...but it runs like new!" and "This thing is ready for the junk yard!"
I talked to a car dealer recently, and he liked selling older Hondas (older by his standards--say 2000-2010 range) because they still could have usable life even at 200K miles.
My father had an Acura Integra (based on the Honda Civic IIRC). The car didn't get obsessive must make this thing last! maintenance, but it lasted nearly 300K miles. A mechanic told me that with aggressive maintenance, he's seen those Integras go 500K+ miles.
Nice ride, Rick!
norgeway
Well-known member
I drive a 03 Mercury Grand Marquis
Which is as close to a old car as I can get without getting one, I take issue with old cars not being as comfortable as new...Big old Chryslers Cadillacs Olds and Buicks are MUCH more comfortable than anything today, and the cars of the 50s and 60s are much less likely to get you into an accident in the first place because you can see out of them so much better, the visibility in newer cars is terrible, get behind the wheel of say a early 60s Buick or Olds and look around, you can see all 4 corners of the car and can tell exactly where you are in the road.with new cars its guess work because you cant see anything!
Which is as close to a old car as I can get without getting one, I take issue with old cars not being as comfortable as new...Big old Chryslers Cadillacs Olds and Buicks are MUCH more comfortable than anything today, and the cars of the 50s and 60s are much less likely to get you into an accident in the first place because you can see out of them so much better, the visibility in newer cars is terrible, get behind the wheel of say a early 60s Buick or Olds and look around, you can see all 4 corners of the car and can tell exactly where you are in the road.with new cars its guess work because you cant see anything!
I'm the odd ball..again
I've never owned anything newer than a 1976 (not shown here)
So I don't know the difference.
When I ride with someone in a newer car, it's feels odd to me. I'm somewhat uncomfortable, not cuz I feel unsafe, just uncomfortable. Guess I'm use to the floating couch, and smooth ride. However, I also appreciate they way someone else's cars take corners, accelerates, and brakes, opposed to my old girls.
Seeing the crash vidieo above.. Has me wondering what I'm doing still driving these old things.
I've never owned anything newer than a 1976 (not shown here)
So I don't know the difference.
When I ride with someone in a newer car, it's feels odd to me. I'm somewhat uncomfortable, not cuz I feel unsafe, just uncomfortable. Guess I'm use to the floating couch, and smooth ride. However, I also appreciate they way someone else's cars take corners, accelerates, and brakes, opposed to my old girls.
Seeing the crash vidieo above.. Has me wondering what I'm doing still driving these old things.
The visibility in older cars is mush better than newer cars! A nice thing about old cars is you can fix then all by yourself, when it come to newer cars mine as well forget about it. You would have to spend a lot on buying all of the tools, and diagnostic equipment, while you just need the basic tools and knolege to fix an old car.
lordkenmore
Well-known member
When I ride with someone in a newer car, it's feels odd to me.
I feel that way, too, and my newest car was a 1990s model...
A nice thing about old cars is you can fix then all by yourself, when it come to newer cars mine as well forget about it.
I have known at least one person who purposely bought cars from the 1970s because he could do the work.
Of course, newer car supporters will cite less need for repair, and less maintenance required. Valid points, although, of course, when something does go wrong it is more likely to cost $$$$.
I feel that way, too, and my newest car was a 1990s model...
A nice thing about old cars is you can fix then all by yourself, when it come to newer cars mine as well forget about it.
I have known at least one person who purposely bought cars from the 1970s because he could do the work.
Of course, newer car supporters will cite less need for repair, and less maintenance required. Valid points, although, of course, when something does go wrong it is more likely to cost $$$$.
I've noticed when a new car gets hit real bad how much stuff under the hood gets exposed...
I've seen radiator fans, portions of batteries and even washer fluid vessels (siphoning, anyone?) become exposed...
So, older cars w/ much more heavier metal (other than being heavier) are certainly crash-worthy, as well as maintain the right amount of stability on the road...
-- Dave
I've seen radiator fans, portions of batteries and even washer fluid vessels (siphoning, anyone?) become exposed...
So, older cars w/ much more heavier metal (other than being heavier) are certainly crash-worthy, as well as maintain the right amount of stability on the road...
-- Dave
Hey Stan, you need to splurge on a set of the newly revived yellow-on-black plates for the Plymouth! They look ridiculous on newer cars, but are right at home on pre-1970 ones.
Well I have 2010 Camry that is paid for. I love it because it's reliable, gas efficient and rides well. Gets me from point A to point B with no issues. Even though it's a 4 cylinder engine, it doesn't feel like one and my car has plenty of balls to merge into the traffic we have here on the highways. You can pine and whine about these old cars of yesteryear, I will pass. [this post was last edited: 8/26/2017-18:55]
Backside....
lordkenmore
Well-known member
that is paid for
The very best kind of car.
"Paid for" is one reason I've never had anything but an old car.
The very best kind of car.
"Paid for" is one reason I've never had anything but an old car.
lordkenmore
Well-known member
Even though it's a 4 cylinder engine, it does feel like one and my car has plenty of balls to merge into the traffic we have here on the highways.
All my cars have had 4 cylinder engines, and, apart from the 4 cylinder oil crisis era econobox, the engines have been adequately powerful. Of course, it probably helps that all but the econobox had a manual transmission. (Real men drive manual transmissions, and what's good enough for a real man is good enough for me. LOL)
I remember when Honda released a V6 for the Accord. i read a review. The reviewer's take: the V6 was more expenisve, less fuel efficient, and not a whole lot more powerful than the 4 cylinder engine. But...in defense of Honda, 4 cylinder engines were often a hard sell in the US--unless gas prices were high...
All my cars have had 4 cylinder engines, and, apart from the 4 cylinder oil crisis era econobox, the engines have been adequately powerful. Of course, it probably helps that all but the econobox had a manual transmission. (Real men drive manual transmissions, and what's good enough for a real man is good enough for me. LOL)
I remember when Honda released a V6 for the Accord. i read a review. The reviewer's take: the V6 was more expenisve, less fuel efficient, and not a whole lot more powerful than the 4 cylinder engine. But...in defense of Honda, 4 cylinder engines were often a hard sell in the US--unless gas prices were high...
