Speaking as a mechanic at a dealership. The 90s is absolutely the maintenance sweet spot. They have simple electronics that replaced complicated and finicky mechanical systems, but they still have a lot of simpler mechanical systems.
It could be the same, but manufacturers declared war on repair and customizers. So much precious engineering wasted just to steal ownership from the owners, it is insane.
I’m 20 years old and have grown up in the garage working on everything from the 30’s to brand new. It’s extremely apparent that nothing built today is meant to last. People have this weird idea that newer is better but at some point something will break and honestly we see more brand new commuter cars than 20 year old Chevy work trucks. Unless gas prices become unbearably high, as long as you can still get parts I don’t plan on buying anything newer than 2010 in MY lifetime
Im 18 and ive seen nothing but the same , i got my 2000 passat and shes not built perfectly, but built damn better than the garbage new cars my parents keep buying
Lol same here I prefer older cars being able to work on them at home but would update to a modern Toyota hybrid when they've depreciated though with how expensive gas is in my country.
People said the same thing in 2010, and 2000, and 1990 and so on. I bet they said that going back a century and they'll be saying it for another century. At the height of the 1975-1985 malaise era there really were a lot of lousily built cars being sold but now many look back at them fondly. In fact I had a fully optioned 1979 TransAm I owned in 1980 that I still wish I had but that's my selective memory of a single car. The past often looks rosier than it actually was.
@@ddavidson5 True, but much of that feeling is the constant cost cutting and plastic replacing metal. It makes the car seem chintzy and trashy. Also, the traditional American car was intended to be easily repaired and infinitely rebuildable, even if few did. Today's cars are not, and seem disposable whether the owner likes it or not.
@@ddavidson5 But those poorly built 70s - 80s cars could be rebuilt and the problems fixed. Today's cars can't. Plus, they are cramped, ugly, rough riding, noisy, and uncomfortable.
Today's "cars" are designed to be Transportation Appliances rather than automobiles. That's why they are almost impossible to fix. If something fails, it is intended that you simply dispose of it, just like an old ice box or something.
@@slapshotjack9806no like you’re sitting on a lounge. In other words it’s a lot more comfy (springed seats) not that it’s as soulless and boring as an office
One of the best and most applicable takes ive heard is that the 90s was such a technological sweet spot because we had enough tech to make our lives better but not too much that it changes how we live.
You had no carburettors in 90s. Efi is turning point between new and old cars imo. Had 2002 lada with solex carb and shittiest ignition possible. Barely made 40-50hp out of 74hp engine myself by google My newer car can just start in -40c just by turning the key
@@dren4kTo be fair, you're using one of the shittiest cars in the entire world as your example. My 2003 F-150 is profoundly easy to work on, and it performs objectively better than most of the carbed F-150s that came before it.
If I weren't a know-nothing know-it-all with zero funding or experience, I'd want to start up a new company to make a PROPER light pickup truck in the US, without the extreme AI fetish modern tech is going for. It would obviously take advantage of improvements like baked in GPS, modern outlets, etc. But it would try to preserve the tactile feedback and maintainability of older machines
@@ericortega1745 of course in familiar with the judge, i grew up in a 73 lemans gto in the same orange, with a twin carb 427 and a 3 speed sequential gearbox
@@Justin-yt7pi I've got the privilege of refurbishing a 63 ragtop bug, and I can confirm. There is a fantastic elegance to just how simple, sturdy, and consistent everything is. And even though it sat in abog for 15 years, EVERYTHING just threads in and out like butter
When a mechanical system has problems. You have warning signs. You can fix it. When electronics go bad. They just quit. No warning. And it usually takes expensive equipment to diagnose the problem. Then you have to replace an expensive electronic part. And sometimes that new part is faulty. Especially today
This is a really important point. I drive a ‘77 GMC K25 (3/4 ton). I can hear little squeaks, pops, and gawd know what else. But I can find the issues, and deal with them. Usually cheaply. I can tell if it is idling rough and needs the plugs cleaned (don’t even have to replace them). And I will never be stranded by some damn throttle position sensor or some crap like that. Old rigs are not for everyone, but they sure are great if you’re an enthusiast.
That's really not true, electrical systems have warning signs too. If a wire is burned up, it doesn't immediately go out. The resistance skyrockets and your electrical thingimabob starts working intermittently. Then you know you have a problem with out it being completely broken.
@@firstNamelastName-ho6lv it depends, they can do both. The worst is when you just have enough resistance somewhere that your whole car just doesn't work. That's why I avoid electronics.
Another thing with electronics is they can make everything proprietary and closed source, and then electronically pair the parts to each other so if you replace it the car will either limit it's own functionality or just outright brick itself. You can't have nearly that much control mechanically so they try to replace everything they can with computers.
I drive a 1990's era car and the main reasons I enjoy it is because you have more control over how it drives, they are simpler, you hear more of the car's internal actions and they have better visibility. Not to mention look cooler.
Today's are all in the Japanoid mold - aerodynamics over looks, always function over form, even if the result is ugly, computers all over the car, impossible to fix.
I sold my 2018 Dodge Charger back to the dealership when I had the chance to own a pristine 1999 Lincoln Town Car. I'm not saying the charger was a bad car, quite the contrary, but I knew the hidden value that the Lincoln had to offer. It is a Panther body-on-frame platform with Fords Modular 4.6l V8. The heart and spine of the car will live forever when properly maintained. The skin can always be unbolted and replaced. They made a ton of these cars so parts are readily available. Just this past weekend I spent 12 hours on good Friday replacing the ball joints, tie rods, and swaybar links in my driveway. It was 60deg and sunny the entire day and it was one of the most hard working yet relaxed days I've had in a long time. The satisfaction of eliminating a noise you've heard and felt that makes you cringe for so long is indescribable. I don't know if I would have been as comfortable trying this on a new car. Or how about brakes? These days you need a special tool to depress the calipers. On my 90's/early 00's cars all I needed was a c-clamp and the old brake pad. It's jazz like that that puts me off owning new cars for longer than 10 years. I don't know if I will be able to work on them without buying more special tools and struggling to learn proprietary procedures actively being hid from the public so we can't do it ourselves.
As someone who drives a car from the 1950s and loves old things, I do agree that old things were much better made. That said, we have traded the quality of old things for technology. My 1951 car is built extremely well of the finest of materials, but it doesn't go, and it doesn't stop, and the technology of the flathead six is laughably antiquated. It is also the case that in spite of the better materials old cars didn't actually last longer than new ones, they rusted away, and their engines were worn out after 50000 miles, this is because of an improvement over time in the technology of engines, better lubricants and metallurgy enabled engines and so on to last much, much longer than a 1950s car would ever last. To add to something else you said about car reliability, yes it is obviously true that new cars are "more reliable" but that isn't really the whole story. As someone who has been daily driving cars more than 50 years old for a decade, it isn't nearly as bad as you might think. I've never been stranded, and I haven't really had many issues that were difficult to repair. Old cars are easy to fix. As someone who works on modern vehicles for a living, they break down plenty, and they break down in ways that are much more expensive and complicated to diagnose and repair, because the complexity is miles ahead of anything made 50 years ago. Everything in that damn vehicle from the power windows to the braking system is a computer on a CAN bus network, and god help you if it has so much as a rubbed wire somewhere. Goodbye car, and you ain't fixing that on the side of the road with a hammer.
I'm 17, so I guess the nostalgia doesn't really exist for me yet, but the main car I drive is a 1990 nissan. When I drive my moms new audi suv it doesnt even feel like I'm driving and I feel like I'm a worse driver just by driving that car. I can barely see in front of me and I feel like I have no control over the vehicle. My car is the sweet spot where I can do all my maintenance on it very easily and I also have the reliability of a 90s nissan and its overall been a blast to drive and work on and maintain and I couldnt be happier
Your emotions aren't wrong here, you're not wrong. I'm an older Gen Z, (02, I turn 23 next April.) I love my 99 Camry! One of the best and simplest cars I've encountered.
New cars can't even do comfort as well as older ones. No modern car rides like a Ford Crown Vic, which wasn't even an expensive car. Older Mercedes, Acuras, BMWs - all rode better than their modern counterparts, because they had tires with actual sidewall.
No, you are right. We demand appliances now. I bought the newest old car I could and then updated it 10 years. 1994 BMW e30 wagon swapped with a modern 24v inline 6, new suspension, brakes, cooling, steering and a lot of wiring. All together 1/3 the cost of a Tesla model 3, and will last three times longer. Really fun to drive.
@@baoquoc3710 no the m20b25 12valve engines are just as bulletproof, just has less power and runs ona belt insteed of a chain. You know that the M20 Engine is the million mile engine....im sure you can youtube it
Those inline 6 of bmw are made to last forever. I had an e46 328i. Everything on this car broke except the engine. One day even the chassis broke at the mounting point of the rear axle. The engine was still running like new with 300'000km on it. And i have to say that i changed oil all 50000km (you should do it earlier). Also the cooler broke about 3 times and the engine was running without enough cooling. But the engine survived and was running quiet and smooth like it came out the factory. And i floored this car constantly. The only thing i always did was not going over 2500rpm until the oil reached a temperature of 90°c
Old SAABs had built-in rolller cages, night displays and had interiors and windshields inspired by fighter jets, providing great visibility and putting all the important stuff within view and reach of the driver to decrease distractions. Old Mercedes had rear lights designed to not get too covered in dirt to not fill their function. Old Volvos were built like tanks from Swedish steel and with engine blocks made out of cast iron to increase durability. They also came with the first modern seat belts, seat warmers, crumple zones and airbags. All that asside, many of these old wonders of machinery came with beautiful interiors in leather, wood, metal and chrome which is much more beautiful that the cheap looking plastic of modern cars. The practical features and durability from 70's-90's German and Swedish cars, the design language of 50's-60's American and British sports and muscle cars and the fuel economy of a modern diesel engine combined would be the ultimate car design in my opinion, and I believe it would be a vehicle most would enjoy owning
Some cars from the 60/70 have dashboards that look like pinball machines it's a literal work of art to look at. Old cars also have more special features like a Mercedes that put on your seatbelt for you or special ways to hide your headlight or your tank cap(not always good ones but al least they were trying somthing new). Most new cars look and feel the same as other brands it's like one brand makes one and they all just make a new body around it. It's boring
@@jellevh8460 Boring is right. I call them "jellybean cars." I remember helping a girl late at night who was driving a Mercedes. She got an oil-low indicator light, and we spent 10 minutes in the half-dark trying to find a dipstick. It didn't have one but admiring this 6-foot-tall blonde girl's long legs as she bent over the engine compartment in a mini-dress looking for it is still one of my best memories. --Old (but not blind) Guy
Ehhh, most people don't *want* the experience of driving a car. They want to go from A to B. The first thing my girlfriend said when she drove a newer car is "Wow! It doesn't even feel like you're driving!" That was the biggest advantage to her.
I’m like that, looking to go from A to B, but it’s more of a utilitarian mindset. I don’t enjoy the experience of driving any more that I like walking from A to B. I have a goal in mind when I set out and that’s what I’m focusing on. I’ll go out on walks for my own enjoyment, yes; but in that case, that’s the explicit reason I went out on the walk to begin with. My car is separate from that, I don’t associate it with fun I use it for the utility. A tool, nothing more. I wonder what you think about this mindset?
@@justinrockholt7055 I think it's a reasonable mindset - cars became a standard in may places in the world and therefore it's not associated anymore with pleasure or luxury but instead just as a work tool.
I don't want it either. I LOVE how fuel injection took away the "experience" of carbureted cars refusing to start in the cold and damp. But I also want a car that is easy to repair, which cars made in the last 20 years definitely are not. I think the golden age of minimum ownership cost of cars was between fuel injection in the 1980s and about 2005.
Viewer from the 3rd World here. I am an electrical contractor in my country, so I'm in houses and apartment buildings since they start to be built, up until they are furnished. And while there's a lot more of tech now (from heating floors and security systems, to microcontrollers everywhere, even WiFi-controlled lighting and plant watering), the core of most houses are still made the old-school way: Mortar, bricks, rebar-reinforced concrete beams and columns, ceramic tiles, plaster ceilings... All still made by an army of specialized people; from masons to electricians, carpenters to plumbers, painters, gardeners and the plaster guys. Yes, it's still like that because the workforce is cheaper than the tech and equipment for the dry construction used today... But gladly it is, because things come out better and stronger, it employs lots of people, and specially gives young people (like me) the chance to learn a lot of stuff, either by looking and asking the other guys, and by doing your own job (i.e my job as electrician implies lots of digging, preparing and using mortar, a plethora of tools, and even some demolishing too 😂)
Yes, the cardboard house epidemic is mainly North American. Here in Europe we also make all building out if reinforce concrete skeleton closed up with non-structural brick walls. But you would be mistaken if you think this new reinforced concrete stuff will last as much as old houses do. A lot of new buildings have a flat roof (because it is cheaper to make it that way) and they end up leaking. Then the reinforcement rust from the inside out, and everything cracks and crumbles surprisingly fast. We truly exchange quality for lower labor in new buildings, and use lesser quality materials as well.
@@DrBernon You have no idea what you're talking about if you think American houses are made of "cardboard". Stick-framed construction with a concrete foundation, interior gypsum wall panelling, exterior structural sheathing and exterior brick facades is one of the cheapest, most efficient, most flexible, and fastest methods of home construction, with decent fire resistance (today; old wood houses were bad in this regard) and long-lasting durability, and that is exactly how many US and Canadian homes are built. The primary reason stick-framed houses are often rebuilt isn't because they are intrinsically poor quality, but because their very nature _allows_ them to be easily rebuilt or modified cheaply and easily. There is absolutely no reason to overbuild our houses to last 200 years. We don't do it for major infrastructure like bridges; why would we do it for houses? If southern Europe had access to cheap wood like Canada and the US has, you can bet your bottom dollar that houses would be built the same way.
I have a house from the 1950s and a model t from 1927. It always strikes me how tough all stuff is. Like drilling a hole in a modern house or car takes seconds but drilling into my oak floor or my model t takes effort.
Your analogy for old houses is very nice. You mentioned that there are good and bad craftsmen from every industry, and you also mentioned something like there is no test like time... Well, this is how it goes... Old houses that were made by good craftsmen have withstood the test of time, while the ones made by bad craftsmen have already rotten away. So yes, you do get the quality ones if they are still standing 100 years after they are built. I actually get the same jive with some thrift shops for clothes. Many new clothes tend to fade in color very quickly, however, in thrift shops, we can see which clothing brands have not faded or warped despite longtime use, so I can be pretty sure of their quality.
I lived in budget house built in year 1911 for factory workers. It is still built with quality and standing today despite no renovarion ever done. It just have different features, like small apartaments with isles in walls to torn down when apartment expansion is required. And no ornate decorations. But there was no enshitificarion on any kind.
The house I live in right now was built in 1926 and has held up incredibly well against the worst of mother nature and continues to march onwards through time. Despite being near 100 years old it has outlasted many modern structures by a large margin.
@@alexanderwhite8320 I am happy that you live in a quality home that does not need extensive and expensive maintenance. I hope you dont mind, but like this video says, old cars are like old homes. Your home doesnt have extensive features that can break down easily. It is just like old cars which dont have fancy electronics or computers that break down easily too.
i honestly belive the sweetspot are 80s 90s cars. they are old enough to still feel like youre driving, they mostly give you the emotions, they are still easily fixable by yourself, they dont have too many electrical systems that are dependand on each other or connected to each other and they are still good to live with today. you want a fun little car? get a mk1 miata. you want a reliable but nimble and practical daily? get a 94' accord wagon manual. you want a big cool off roader? get Cherokee, a Landcruiser or a Patrol. you want a big luxury cruiser? get an LS400. in the 90s, computer engineering was still in its infancy. manufacturers couldnt calculate accurately enough how long thier things would last. how long thier parts would last. so the rather over engineered them still. coming closer to the 00's these things changed. you can still find some 90s tech remnants in early 00's cars but you will have more and more electric steering and throttle systems, vsc, abs systems and so on. long story short, peak car engineering for the normal consumer was in the 90s in my humble opinion
DUDE, I saw a Mk1 Miata at the gas station today with a big block Chevy and an enormous Holley sticking out where the hood should be. If I hadn't been late for work, I woulda stopped and asked about it. Edit: Oh and a giant fuel tank strapped to the trunk Mad-Max style. I almost didn't notice the engine because of the fuel tank lol
Also, the fact that lots of Honda tuners change the OBD2 cars back to OBD1 tells you a lot. Me and a buddy are looking at doing this with, plus turboing a '98 Accord.
This exactly. That's the reason why my daily is a '99 Toyota Corolla wagon. It is still driven by cable, as is the shifting. It isn't fast at all, but it does feel like it is because of all the sounds it makes. Its exterior is pretty banged up, so I don't habe to worry about scratching it. At the same time it has a bigger boot than a modern wagon that is way bigger in size. Everything that goes wrong, I can fix myself. That's a win in my book. When I don't have to get from A to B, but I want to experience driving, I take my '88 Toyota MR2. This thing is amazing in what it does.
Personally, I 100% believe we could have every single 'modern nice-ity' w/o all the difficulty in repair and 'disconnection' from the driver. Technology advanced. The implementation of it, rolled backwards.
There has always been bad cars, as well as bad houses, bad tools, clothes and basically every kind of product. Stuff gets old when it is good, when it is loved and appreciated by it's owner(s) So, all old cars weren't better than new cars, but the good ones survived to be appreciated by many generations of owners, or by a single owner who loved and cared for it for many years.
19 year old here, I bought a 1996 Buick LeSabre Custom for $2,000. It looks like a hooptie and drives like one but after putting over $2,000 in repairs and I'm also gonna replace the engine air filter soon. She drives really nice now, still have to fix the a/c when i can because I live in Las Vegas but man shes super comfy to drive, feel like im on a cloud. Did i forget to mention it has one of gms most reliable engines they ever made the 3.8 V6? Marilyn just keeps going!
Another great old car is the Ford Panther Platform (Ford Crownvic, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car) with the 4.6L SOHC 2V Modular V8 in it.
Hell yeah dude, the 3800 is a tank, as long as you've gotten rid of the plastic intake. I've got a 3100 in a '95 Olds Cutlass Supreme that I have literally tailgated Impreza WRXs with down our country roads. That thing was a quiet beast until Mom forgot to turn on the cooling fans and blew it up. (The ECM would never turn on the fans by itself, which is why I got the car for cheap with a blown head gasket. I finally replaced the ECM when it crapped all the way out, but left the manual fans cause they were cool.) Still got it, but gotta fix it lol
My best friend has a 2001 Buick LeSabre. It’s pretty ugly outside, but inside it’s pristine. It feels like you’re driving your couch down the road. They’re worth fixing
My first car was a 1966 Ford Thunderbird, which I bought in 2017 and rebuilt the engine in 2020 since a previous owner had rebuilt it wrong and it was running on 7 cylinders. To be fair it also had over 100k miles by that point. Most reliable car I've ever owned. I don't buy the whole schtick of "old cars are less reliable," as that old beast of a Ford still got me everywhere I needed to go without fail even when running poorly. And the thing is, old cars get an unfairly bad reputation due to external factors - for one thing, the quality of oil and pump gas used to be much lower, so in the old days things wore out faster. But some engines with architecture dating back to the 1960s and built as late as the 90s, such as the legendary Ford 300 straight six, are known as among the most reliable engines ever made, because the last ones were made when the oil and gas got good enough for them to really last. The other part of it is that most owners don't drive their classic cars enough. Classics were built to be daily driven, that was what was expected of them when they were new and nothing in that regard has changed. If you leave them sitting too long, gas will evaporate out of the carburetor, oil will drain out of the high places in the engine, things meant to stay wet will dry out, and when you go to start it again it'll be fussy and troublesome BECAUSE you let it sit too long. Now, I drove my 1966 Thunderbird almost every day, both before and after the rebuild, so it rarely sat for long. The thing ran like a clock. Once I sorted it out and fixed all the previous owners' mistakes, it started quickly every morning, warmed up quickly, and drove anywhere anytime with no fuss. After all, if it ran perfectly fine yesterday, what's so different about the next day? Nothing! So it just runs and runs. No reason it couldn't run, no computer telling it it can't, nothing it can really do to hurt itself. Heck, this is a carbureted engine and it still runs fine year-round. Unreliable my foot. And chances are it'll be more than 100,000 miles before it needs a rebuild again, because there's modern oil in there now, so things like bearings will likely have a much longer lifespan. The whole thing is built like a tank and it's all metal, no modern plastic parts that only last a certain number of heat cycles before breaking. All you really have to replace is spark plugs, oil, belts, occasionally points in the distributor, and not much else. It just works. I've unfortunately however also been in a crash in this car. A truck slammed on the brakes in front of me, I stopped without hitting him, but the driver behind me was distracted and did not stop. Got hit at 30 mph in a car with no crumple zones or headrests. Some will tell you old cars are better in a crash because they don't crumple, and that's partly true - my car was a lot less damaged than the car that hit me, and I even drove it home after the accident, with all lights still working and it even still tracking perfectly straight - but that meant most of the force of the crash went to my neck instead of being dissipated in crumple zones or a headrest. So yeah, bit of whiplash. But that's all healed by now and I intend to fix the bodywork and drive it again :) The one area I will say classic cars don't hold a candle to modern cars is where fuel economy is concerned. My old 'bird gets 16 mpg highway, 14 city, and that's on non-ethanol gas. It gets like 10-12 mpg on ethanol fuel so it's more than worth the extra cost to put non-ethanol in it, plus it runs a lot better on that (old cars aren't designed to run on corn, they don't like it), but still it ain't exactly the cheapest thing to run. But when the V8 chugs along at 35 mph while practically idling, the car feels so relaxed and carefree that you kinda stop caring how much fuel it consumes. Old cars really are like nothing else. Don't fear the challenge of daily driving a classic car, it's well worth it.
Agreed, I have a 1996 Ford F150 with a 5.0L (302) Windsor V8 with 211,000 miles on it and still going strong 💪. The only things I replaced on my truck was the starter, the rear fuel pump, and the power steering megunisum but other than that mostly was just simple maintenance, took out the transmission fluid just to get rid of the shuttering it was making and it hasn't had a problem ever since.
Back here in the east where the snow flies you might see more of the old steel but not after November 1st cuz that's usually when everyone puts their old cars and trucks away and drives their newer stuff!!!.
My first car was a 1962 Thunderbird hardtop. He drove that car forever till I had a wife and kids. I know have a 1966 Thunderbird convertible. I love that car. Everything you say about it is true I haven’t hit anybody and nobody’s hit me, I don’t drive it in the winter. I live in New Hampshire but I go out to the barn at least once a month fire it up but it warm up and drive it out into the yard and put it back in and when I’m going down the road I’m watching the dashboard as much as I’m watching the traffic. Because of that I once actually turned around and went home and got my BMW and finished my trip. I also have a 1966 GTO four-speed with a 400 inch Pontiac engine that car is really fun to drive and you have to drive it nothing is automatic. Do you really feel connected to the road in a in a mid 60s car. Motor on dude.
@@CJColvin I have a 93 with the same engine. Just had an old time mechanic very familiar with that timeframe. Take the top off that motor and make it like new. Did away with all the extemporaneous tubing in extra stuff enough to fill the 20 gallon garbage can. Now it runs like an old time 351. I love that truck. I’m in New Hampshire so I’ve had it oil under coated every year. This year I had a small sections spots Actually of rust repaired. I have to say I really loved your story I have a 1966 Ford Thunderbird, convertible and a 1966 Pontiac GTO hardtop drive in those old rigs is nothing like driving anything in the 2000s good luck to you brother.
As far aesthetics go, in contrary, the regulations for headlight shapes specifically used to be more strict but eventually loosened up more and more. You may have noticed how prior to the 70's all car headlights were round but in the 70's so many of them were square, that's because only round headlights were allowed for decades so of course when square suddenly became an option everyone switched to the new style. Nowadays we have all kinds of shapes, some are even quite bizarre.
I run a Jeep with square headlights and used to get ribbed by other Jeep owners because, they said, "A real Jeep has round headlights." So widespread was this criticism that Jeep (Chrysler) reintroduced the round headlights with the TJ model (mine's a YJ). Nowadays, my 1991 square-headlighted YJ is a classic, and everyone admires ... the square headlights. 🙂
Came here to say just this! The regulations around bumpers, headlights etc was strict but different. Today, it’s a lot of other things and many more things. But, one example! The pop-up headlights were by and large only invented because of headlight regulations. When thinner slim headlights were allowed, the pop-up’s disappeared almost entirely. European cars from the 80s had to have US spec headlights, and the bumpers of cars such as the 911 from the 70s was hideous in the US. Let’s not talk about emissions regulations during the 70s and 80s when it was not uncommon to see a 5-7 liter V8 with a lot less than 200 bhp. The Camaro of early 80s had roughly 140 bhp in its 5 liter V8! The Cadillac 500 V8 had more than 400 bhp until emissions regulations came about and then it mustered a 180-190 bhp.
I’m 20 and I just bought a ‘63 cadillac coupe deville. It’s a beautiful car and needs some exterior work, as well as a bit of interior work and engine work. The car is running already, but it was sitting for 6 years before I bought it, so I need to touch up on the transmission a bit, and I need to check out everything else to look for corrosion and make sure it’s all good, but I’m so excited to work on this car. I was originally planning on eventually doing an LS swap on the car before I bought it, but now that I have the car, I just want to keep it the way it is.
I think the issue is that all of the "consumer friendly" veneers of today have made the common man forget that a car is a machine. An industrial grade heavy duty machine. To be reminded of that and remain in tune with the mechanics of your car is a very spiritual experience that I doubt many would understand.
I have my two Chevy's. 1979 Monte Carlo and 1989 G20 Van. Both very reliable. Everything is simple and can be repaired yourself. I've owned them for 34 and 22 years. Greetings from Germany.
Awesome! As a Chrysler diehard who converted to Chevy just because our Chevy truck drastically outlived all our various Mopars ('95 Chevy Cheyenne K2500 that's still my daily with 305k miles on the clock now, plus my bands old '78 G20 touring van that lasted until I decided to completely revamp it), I love hearing of Chevys in Europe.
bought my first car this past October, 1984 Nissan Z31. It has everything that I want from a car, its fun, comfortable, and enjoyable to drive. It was also affordable to buy and insure, plus it is great on gas! (post oil crisis mileage for the win) The electronic and vacuum systems are modern enough to feel familiar to me, but are simple enough that I can repair, maintain, or modify them to my liking. With some research, there is plenty of information and resources available to help me maintain it, and a whole community of people in the same boat as me willing to share their findings and experiences. Through the work I've done for it I've learned much of what I know about cars to date, and I'm grateful for that. Sure, maybe if i had gone with a newer car I wouldn't have had to restore it for three months after purchasing, which would have saved some headaches for sure, but I feel this car is an expression of myself and being able to experience it each day adds a little fulfilment to my life.
I have an ‘86 Z31. Sure the only compliments I get are from old dudes but the car is so sophisticated yet simple to work on. The repairs keep my life a little more entertaining too
As somebody who’s first car was an 85 you made a rough choice and should probably find a more reliable modern car. If you can afford to miss work I get it, your young and can deal with that but a 80s Datsun/nissan is not a the definition of reliability my brother. Cool, not reliable. Not anymore at least.
My dad was a builder in the 1970’s. Even then he put so many nice things into them, and didn’t build cookie cutter houses. One thing I specifically remember was my brother in law, who was an excellent trim carpenter, explaining why when he installed crown moldings, he always glued the mitered corners. As a home shifts, he said those moldings would stay tight. The other memorable thing was that all the trim was stained and then covered with 5 coats of lacquer. It was more craftsmanship. Similarly, I’m of the opinion that the older automobiles were more of a craft. They certainly had better looks certainly had better personalities that differentiated themselves, and they certainly were exciting as the model years would change. Of course they rusted they didn’t have the same reliability that I’m sure we see today, and other issues, but I’d still rather drive my 1978 Thunderbird or my 1976 Lincoln mark four versus my wife’s 2024 Nissan rogue. excellent videos. I am a recently new subscriber and I am excited to watch more of your videos.
No I agree 100%. Since only a year ago I bought my first stick shift as my DD, learned how to drive stick on it and if everyone drove stick in a year 2000 car there would be less accidents for sure, because you’re with the stickshift you are always engaged with both hands. Also imo makes for a funner driving experience
That'll never happen in the US.. 😂😂 Manual is better overall imo... plus I don't have to dish out 3k-5k+ for auto trans. It can be broken down to the manual trans, clutch, flywheel, etc.. And I will agree that people will be more engaged with their driving since you have to constantly shift.
I totally agree. When my parents helped me buy my 99 Ranger new they told me if I defaulted they were done. That got me scared and motivated and when I got rid of it in 2021 it had 418K.
I took 2 years of auto mechanics in high school because it was a good skill to have and lots of fun. That knowledge saved me a lot of money, too. There are very few things I feel comfortable doing myself on modern cars, which is one reason I don’t have one. Repair & parts replacement of electronic components is very costly.
This summer I aim to learn auto shop stuff. I think it'll go very well with my degree of mechanical engineering. Hopefully I can also save my family some money with oil changes too haha
Learned to drive on my dad's 72 CJ5, I can tell you the is no driving experience more pure than an old Jeep. Thin military style tires, hard suspension, mechanical steering with a massive steering wheel, everything open around you, 2.6l straight 6 on a 3 speed box, pedals are perfect for heal and toe. You hear every noise, you feel every bump, you smell every smell.
1975 and 1980 U 50 owner here (Brazilian C 5 with 2.4 Ford engine 4 cylinder) I couldn't agree more! my GF's Jeep (the 1980) has a "cage" and her windshield is up and she has half doors. Mine is lacking all that. Windshield down, no doors. Smile from ear to ear
@@roelandpeeters931 hehe meu 72 Ford ainda era o 6 canecos, adoro esse motor. O seu tem alguma coisa escrita na tampa traseira? Li que 72 foi o último ano que tinha escrito FORD na tampa
There's a lot of bias in the house example cause your referent consists of old houses that survived to this day. Making them a terrible sample size from all old houses.
I’m 22 and i own a 1979 porsche 924 and i agree with everything you say about the driving experience,it’s a lot more involved than today and if you actually like driving that’s the thing that make us cherish these old cars
I go out of my way (and sometimes pay out of pocket) to convince people to fix their GM 3800s and 3100s instead of replacing them. They're such unsung heroes. My old 3100 has kept a few Impreza WRXs on their toes.
Not to mention how many old Chevy and ford trucks from the late 80’s are still on the road as salted up winter beaters with 300k+ miles. The video guys stupid for thinking a modern pickup would last that long
Anything with AC, power steering and non vinyl seat is good for me. Growing up as a kid in the 60s and living in Australia I still remember wearing shorts in summer with temps over 38c (100f) with vinyl seats and no AC.
Love my 78 caddilac, cruises 75 like a dream. The feeling is best when all 4 barrels are making the big block rumble. And here's something crazy, it averages 19 and 20 on the highway
After having a '92 Firedbird, '01 Bonneville, '02 Grand Prix, '97 Ecoline, and '01 Explorer, i have decided that i will always get vehicles from the 90's to very early 00's for the rest of my life. I love being able to actually work on my car. Say what you will about Explorers, but there hasnt been a single problem ive had yet that i couldnt fix, and there are so many of them at pick'n'pull that often i can find parts very cheap. On top of that, the aesthetic of 90's models were great, and the features were awesome. CD/cassette combo for life!!!
I just picked up a 2009 mercury Gran Marquis...and I absolutely love it! 70,000 original miles..and runs like a top. I'm 60 years old and have had the privilege of owning quite a few vehicles in my time....but mercury is lovely to drive...it just makes me smile...oh, and there's nothing like a V8...peace, brother... really enjoy your channel 👍
When I was 16, I wanted a Crown Vic. I'm 41 now & I'd love to find one for my "midlife crisis" purchase. I told me wife that she's getting off easy. I could spend my "midlife crisis" on a Dodge Challenger or something.
I own a 1955 Ford Customline. My great grandfather bought it brand new in 1955. Those cars were made to last! You really can’t beat the experience of driving an older vehicle
This video almost made me cry. I will keep my '99 Corolla forever. Thank you for this fantastic masterpiece of a video. This is one of those videos that feel truly important. You are not blinded by nostalgia. My Corolla is modern, yet very simple and old school. It is like a car that feels 10 years older than it actually is. In a very good way. I have driven different cars, mostly from the 2005 to the 2015 era, but my old Corolla with the 86 hp 1.3 engine, puts the biggest smile on my face. You are so much more THERE when driving. It becomes an extension of my body. You can feel and hear so much more, yet it is comfy silent. I could rant on, but you do not get to experience the "true drivers feel" in a modern car where everything is muffled and faded. More people should see the value in old cars. Modern vehicles feels like you are driving high on some comfy substance with your nervous aunt yelling at you.
@@amyramos4886 Yes, they got their charm those old cars. Keep it rustfree, proper maintenance and normal driving, and it should last forever :-) I'm crazy, so I'm going to repair rust on the Corolla for a lot of money. It will cost x2-3 of what the car is worth in money. But it is worth it to me
@@amyramos4886 saw some pictures of your model, and it looks really nice. I like that era's simple but clean design. Hope you manage to keep it going forever:D
I just spoiled myself and put a new stereo in my early 2000's Australian Civic. What bloody moron invented a stereo deck without a volume knob? Less than a month in and I want to take a hammer to my new radio with its stupid touchscreen, and go back to the old one. What are we doing giving drivers TV Screens in their Cars? I reckon inside 10 years we're going to be looking at todays cars as our real loony stage.
Survivorship bias, old houses seem better built because they are the ones that survived poorly made houses built at the same time didn’t last as long. It is the same reason you don’t see many Pintos or Gremlins on the road, they were crappy cars.
Seems like a lot of this video can be sumbed up as, "old cars were better because the were more clunky, more of a hassle and less user friendly". As a technology developes and gets more refined it becomes easier to use and better for the majority of people. I'm sorry but it just seems like nostalgia of a bygone era. If we flipped it around and had modern day cars before and they were replaced by the older cars now, we would call it what it is, a downgrade.
I really enjoyed this episode. I drive a 79 F250 as my daily driver and a 87 Buick Grand National when the weather allows. I agree you’re definitely paying far more attention to an older vehicle, trying to listen and diagnose every noise or vibration. However the satisfaction you get when driving an older vehicle that you have kept running and maintained can never be duplicated in a new car. Thanks for the content, very interesting!
Speaking of old houses, go back further in time and the materials become thicker. Also all the framing was knot-free vertical grain fir made from old trees that have long-since become unavailable. Cars of old were made from the highest quality materials as well, materials that are now unavailable in mass. The peak in quality being about 1910ish. Technology peaking in the 1960's.
Mid 80's to mid 90's caprice are my favorite! Gas guzzler but reliable af! Plus easy fix. I had a 91 caprice... until my kids dad sold it behind my back (and my 84 caddy Sedan Deville)
I'm old enough to have owned and driven a bunch of what are now considered "classic" cars. I took auto shop in high school and learned about fixing cars and learned more as I went, which came in handy. I have literally done everything from brake jobs to rebuilding carburetors to full engine swaps on both cars and motorcycles. It used to be fun for me. That said, I hate working on newer cars. There's usually a big plastic air plenum that has to be removed to get at anything in the engine, and there is so much less room under the hood than there used to be that it's hard to work there, especially on a transverse-mounted V6. Plus, now with half a dozen or more computers in the car managing things, you really can't diagnose much of anything without a laptop and $5000 worth of dealer diagnostic software. Today's cars are designed to make it difficult for the home mechanic to do anything more than very basic routine maintenance; changing an air filter or spark plugs is about the limit. Even changing brake pads is difficult with modern ABS brakes. I think the last brake job I did was on our 1999 Honda Odyssey minivan, and we haven't owned it in ten years. Even changing the over-the-spark plug coils in my wife's Honda Fit is a chore, you literally have to remove the wiper motors and the shelf that they mount to in order to get to the back of the engine where the plugs are. It's not built for the home mechanic, and I'm getting too old to get into the odd positions required to do some of these jobs, so I shell out big $$$ to the pros. Take the VW Karmann Ghia in the video. The engine is so simple, air-cooled so no radiator, liquid coolant or coolant passages, and one person can drop the engine out of the car in about 30 minutes with nothing more than a pair of jackstands, a floor jack and a metric socket set. Once out of the car you can take the cylinder heads and cylinders off with the same tools, maybe add a metric wrench set. Dead simple. Try that with a modern car.
I only drive manual transmission. I am 100% engaged in driving. I can't hold a cellphone, I can't be sipping late, I can't be puting make up (😂). Therefore I do not need technology ( lane departure, radar braking etc) to save me from technology ( aka, texting, etc). Paradox is, we need tech to save us from tech and is a zero sum game.,
I've always heard people say bs about "automatic being safer cuz distraction", yet i've always seen people drive worse when they have 1000 different driving aids because they just don't care about driving. It's even worse with "self driving".
One thing I’d like to point out about that 2009 vs 1959 crash video. The 59 Chevy had GM’s X frame. Arguably the worst design for an offset collision of that era. I’m not saying a standard ladder chassis would have won, but it wouldn’t have been quite as dramatic visually. Then again, I suspect that is precisely what they were going for. I’d love to see a similar test between a 1974 and a 2024. The 2024 would protect its occupants better, but the video wouldn’t be nearly as impressive. G-forces don’t show up on camera.
Also with the amount of rust dust that puffed out makes me think that the older car was clapped tf out and they prettied it up for the test. Plus I'd bet there was no engine or drivetrain in the older car either
@@mrcody1924 I can’t find them at the moment, but they’re are pictures of the car on a flatbed trailer after it was wrecked. There appeared to be an in-line six cylinder in it. Apparently, they bought the car from some guy who had restored it, and he was not very happy with what they did to it. No word on how thorough the restoration was. I doubt they actively sabotaged the car but I’m sure the choice of cars and angle of impact was no accident.
Don't believe crash tests - you do know they are sponsored by insurance companies, trying to sell you newer, larger and more expensive to insure cars right? There's no way a plastic blob can break a steel car the way that Malibu did - unless it has additional rollbars under the plastic bumper. You see the fact is, the NCAP gets a car selected (and specially prepared) by the manufacturer himself - NCAP doesn't get to pick a random car from the assembly line :D
I bought an 86 Rx7 half a year ago and I thought I knew so much about how they worked. Its an extremely eye opening experience now that I started tinkering on my dads beaten up 69 Ranchero and seeing how scared I am to touch anything, how simple it was back then and yet i still feel comepletely unqualified to touch anything. It definitely gives you a new perspective on anything you drive when you start to know how to actually fix it.
17:16 My 1983 Mercedes 300SD has a sticker on the front of the valve cover that tells what the values are for both hot or cold valve adjustments. It has a 500k kilometer badge. I hope to get her to a million before I quit running, lol!
I just don’t like how they try to be a futuristic tech showcase instead of a car. That and older cars are usually more reliable and imo don’t look ugly compared to new cars.
I'm just glad I was early enough to get to experience my own Charger (1972 with a swapped hot '69 383). One of my absolute favorite memories was when a brand new 2006 Hemi Charger with four teenagers in it pulled up beside me at a red light with them all laughing. The driver called across to me, "Hey, is that a Hemi?" Fate smiled on me. The light turned green right then and I said "Nope," and gapped the holy hell out of them. Seriously, it was like two or three semis of a gap. They slowed way down before the next red light so they wouldn't have to pull up beside me lol. If fate smiles on me more, maybe I'll get the wiring harness and interior redone this year after the electrical fire that stopped it. Of course, I didn't always win. There was a Trans-Am that picked its front wheels up so I could see them over my fender when it hit third and walked away. My buddy who was riding with me said, "Damn, that guy did his homework," to which I replied, "I wish I could afford that kinda homework." 🤣🤣
Yeha, but the vast majority of the population does not want that; they want something that easily gets them from A to B & is comfortable to sit in while doing so
I really enjoyed this video. When I started working on cars my motto was, "If I can take it apart, I can put it back together." and it worked for all of my early vehicles. You're right, I was not a mechanic, or what we used to call, a motorhead, I was just a typical teenager with a car and no money. So if it broke, I had to fix it myself, usually with parts from the "U Wrench It" junk yard. Which meant I had to take tools with me so I could remove the needed part once I found a car that had what I needed. Ahhh those were the days.
My first truck is my 90 ford f150, my dads old rig he got at 17 and used it from his volunteer firefighter days, to being a paramedic which it died taking him to the job I revived it and now I’m restoring it, it’s been through my whole life and I love it more than anything, the most reliable vehicle I’ve ever driven
My father has a 1950 Dodge B-2-C that we've been working on. It sat for about 18 years before I took an interest and expressed that I wanted to work on it. We put in a new battery, sanded the points, changed the plugs, squirted gas down the carb, and it fired right off. Soon after, I managed to drive it backwards a few feet out of the rut it was in. I didn't really know how to drive stick at the time (however I know the principals behind it), but I sure learned the feeling of driving a manual. It's not road worthy yet, but driving it around the yard is so fun. Hopefully by the time I graduate college, I can drive that Dodge out of the parking lot like a cool kid 😂
man, when you were talking about the steps needed to start your classic cars, it brought back good old memories. I remember one vehicle had it's thermostat brake on me. It wasn't a big deal, and after that when I'd go starting the car up I got into the habit of not leaving until the water temp/pressure gage got to that spot where you could feel or watch exactly when the thermostat opened. My Christine car growing up was a 79 Ford Ranchero. It had it's ups/downs, but by the end of the day it got me from a to b, easy to work on/fix yourself, and just a joy to ride around in.
I technically drive a classic car. I don't really think of it as one but when I was asked if I wanted to put antique plates on my '96 Buick Century I was like damn, I guess it is. It's just before they rounded them out, actually really funny to see the commercial clips in this video. People have started complimenting my church shuttle, and I can only assume they are mistaking it for a regal or something cause it's a very generic car. I personally love it, I just dropped like 5k on repairs for it just to make sure everything was brought up to par, which didn't quite work but progress for sure. It is one of the most comfortable cars I've ever sat in, I love the bench seats be it for when I have a date riding with me, or if I'm taking a nap during a road trip. It feels faster than it is, the suspension is crazy, it's still an automatic instead of manual, which is convenient, has a tape deck and powered windows but you still have to use a separate key for the door and the ignition. It is a car that has a good balance of outdated and modern features. Love that stupid land boat.
Being a motorist is very rewarding in many ways. I fell in love with my 1983 280zx in 2023. I grew up tinkering with my dad. It does get challenging. Sometimes, it feels like one thing after the other. But finding it within yourself to overcome those challenges one by one, learning something new every day and really internalizing the entire machine; it builds character.
I Still drive my 1953 Hudson hornet I’ve owned for almost twenty years. The same goes for my father he still drives his Chevy el camino ss. He owned it for the past 30 years. One of the best things about old cars is the frame they are made out of a very strong metal compared to today’s vehicles
Your not blinded by nostalgia. I feel the same way, esp when it comes to how people view "reliability" ill take being able to fix my 80's diesel rabbit over a modern vehicle any day of the week
I remember when most people did their maintenance like oil changes, checking on anti freeze, and replacing burnt out bulb for lights on car mostly on Saturdays. Most people carried oil and tools in there cars so they could do road side repairs on their cars if something happens. It was easy to replace brakes, shock absorbers, clutches if you had the right tools. Tune up we easy too with a timing light, feeler gauges, and a dwell meter. I actually miss those days, since working on your own car did save you money.
I love that this video has described my weekend his week. Replacing a worn distributor on my 42 year old car and setting up the timing and the choke and the feeling of pride when it actually starts and going for a drive in the first sun of the year. Having an old car is definitely a headache but it definitely makes you slow down and think how things work and problem solve. Repairing it on the side of the road or in a car park can be thrilling
As the owner of an early 2000s car. I feel that I have found the sweet spot between reliability and simplicity. I have experienced vintage cars and plenty of brand new ones. I definitely believe that driving an older car which usually has better visibility will make most people better drivers. However, I have experienced a few modern cars that somehow manage to give me the feel that old cars give, which makes me very happy.
A newer car that feels like a classic for me here in Europe is the Suzuki Jimny Automatic. I've just driven one and it could end up being my next car. The 2014 model is the sweet spot. Not too old, so parts and warranty and everything is still a given. But so cozy and comfy all around. You hear every sound as well. It has a lot of character.
@@FuckGoogle502 I don't think there is one. Albeit I'm in the UK, but I have worked in a fast fit garage and as an airport valet parker, so I've driven a few hundred modern cars, The most notable ones that came in that I remember were a 2002 F150, 2004 Lexus GS430 and my own 1996 Jag X300 3.6. Almost everything after the 90's feels the same and is bland as hell. That includes £100k+ Porsches and Land/Rangerovers.
I love this video, i may only be 18 but ive been around old vehicles my whole life and gthe lack of craftsmanship on everything nowadays is just painful, my grandpa used to work for fisher body and he was unhappy about the craftsmanship going downhill even back in the 80s, but even houses, my parents house was built cheaply and i constantly see shit that wasnt done well and would never have been an issue on an older home where somebody gave even half a crap about it, this is such a boomery rant but tldr, i actually hate how crappy everything is made
Also, yeah on the houses. I was in a band for a while and there was this really nice couple who's son was into the local bands and they would let us have shows in their basement. Once time, a big ol' dude tripped in the mosh pit and went through the flimsy wall. I looked at it and went, "Why would this wall be made of 1x2s?" not knowing that they were in earshot. They went ballistic. Apparently that house had been marketed as "overbuilt" and they paid more than average for the area because of the "ruggedness." Yeah, they got boned by that contractor. (We did fix the wall for them.)
The oldest car I drove regularly was a 1969 Dodge pickup truck without power anything, including brakes or steering. The newest car I drive regularly is a 2023 VW electric SUV with all the latest technology. Honestly, I much prefer driving the newer vehicle. The old Dodge is still in the family and I could probably get it if I wanted to, since it's hardly ever driven. I don't want it at all.
This video has inspired me to tackle the project of fixing 2 old cars on my family's property; both are from before the 70's. I have always been scared to work on them because any car that I have worked on before turned into a chaotic mess. But this video has showed me with less research and tools you can get more done without needing an expert or a mechanic. I have my grandpappy (this man should have been a engineer) knows anything to do with cars and I will have him guide me the whole way, thanks.
i started working as an automotive electrician 18 years ago. in my opinion a good car is one that does NOT have a body control module. im okay with ONLY the engine being somewhat controlled by the ecu (i dont see anything wrong with my throttle cable)
I've been learning to tune OBD1 Chevys and I'm convinced carbs are the way to go. One normal screwdriver, a jet screwdriver, dizzy wrench and maybe different counterweights and it's done lol Edit: Well, I forgot and a vacuum gauge. Running like crap because of the extreme weather? Five minutes and it's dialed. Two and it's drivable.
@@FuckGoogle502 while you and i might be able to tune up a classic car, if a relative was looking for something simple i wouldnt be able to ask them to do the same. "big kids lego" is so much fun tho
@@FuckGoogle502 Anything pre-OBDII is trash-tier injection imo. The whole point of fuel injection is to account for various issues with driving conditions with the sensors.
Owning an old car means you have to become involved with the vehicle. You tend to form a relationship with it. Today most cars are just appliances. My wife and I, however, LOVE our 2022 Mustang!
i got a 1976 el camino as my first car and although it often has its issues i honestly think it was a great experience for me .Because i had driven enough before getting my license that the extra challenges imposed by it being old was not really that much of a problem. So it just made me enjoy the driving experience and really get better at driving because i was much more excited to drive and it really helped teach me more about watching for issues and keeping up with the maintenance. Another thing thats not really thought much about is that an old car is definitely harder to drive than a new car so when i would drive other cars it was just fine for me and i could easily adapt where my friends would have a lot more difficulties with it.
I’m 14 and my dream car that I want to drive while still in high school is a 1957 Bel Air. I have always found older cars so much more appealing than newer cars, and I think the Bel Air is the perfect embodiment of, “designed with thought and love,”
I recently bought a 2000 Porsche Boxster S. I got it for $5k and the understanding that the only way I can justify the ownership costs is if I do all the maintenance myself. I've never owned a project car before, and you can bet a $5,000 24 year old Porsche with 160,000 miles on the clock will need some work. I've had a bit of a love/hate relationship with some of the projects I've tackled, but every time I take a drive I remember all the work I've done to keep it on the road and it fills me with pride and joy. Go buy a project car, get your hands dirty, then enjoy the drive!
I have a 50s truck and i drive it all the time. Sure ive broken doen a few times but i can always get it going again with little effort. What ive noticed about classics is you can limp them home but new cars need a tow truck.
Calling old cars better or worse is not really applicable. If you're driving 30 miles to work every day, an Alfa or MG from the 70s is gonna be a terrible choice. But if you're just cruising the Blue Ridge or Pacific Coast Highway for a weekend trip, a 2024 Elantra ain't it.
I've driven and/or owned a number of cars over my 12 years of driving and I can say without a doubt that the older they are the more I enjoy driving them. I find myself constantly confused in new cars as to how it works and what it does automatically that I no longer need to account for. The joke here is I used to be a programmer full time. Now I drive a 1990 XJ and I love every moment of it. Not to mention I love working on it.
I can say confidently after driving 200+ cars so far, old cars are better. And I'm 33. If you are about driving, older cars are better. If you are a traveller or passenger type, take the train, don't drive a car.
I really wish it weren't the case. I hope that in 15-20 years, the newer cars now will be as easy to maintain as older cars from the 2000s and 1990s. Really worried that as time goes on it will be harder and more expensive to find and keep old cars running.
@pdubsyyyy The biggest problem I have with that is that eventually the supply of used cars will dry up because people will keep scrapping them for rust, people will keep cutting up shells to modify and race and engine swap, etc. Plenty of cars that used to have great aftermarket support are now tossed to the wayside and models that have enjoyed a dedicated fanbase are rising in price. It's cheaper to replace the engine on a K20 or K24 swapped Honda S2000 than it is to replace the original engine... that's rather sad when you think about it.
Was very nice listening to you. As an old cars collector, i cant agree more: about the sync between the man and the machine, the stimulation with driving an old vehicle, and the distracted driving caused by various reasons: 1. blind trust on the vehicle in case of an accident 2. Zero to very little connection between the driver and the car 3. Cellphones...
Old cars have the best safety equipment - more window area. When you can see almost 360 around you, you prevent the accident from happening at all. And if some EV monster that weighs 3 tons decides to run you over, in your normal sized retro car, who's fault is it gonna be? Nowadays they're trying to blame the poor person, who can't afford a modern SUV.
So true, Bart! In so many ways, older cars and houses were better... and usually much more affordable relative to income. I especially liked what you pointed out about not needing backup cameras. I recently bought my first car that had a backup camera. I like it BUT I hate the fact that I can turn my head in most directions and not see anything. Backup cameras are not improvements or helps in these poorly designed cars; they're necessities. Cars also used to have a lot of individuality, thus allowing the driver to pick a car that expressed his or her personality within budgetary considerations. Nowadays, everything looks pretty much alike. All of this is the result of an attack by corporations and government on consumers. Pleasing the customer is no longer a consideration.
Whenever I told my dad I started admiring older cars, I was told it was a good thing and he told me about how it's easier to maintain and how far more unique they are. He even told me that people are going to find classic cars are still better 100 years from now, I can say the same thing with CRT's. I have a Mitsubishi TV from '86 and it feels like brand new, not showing a single bit of age while we originally had a Roku from 2019 that broke after 2 years.
Great topic, I drive a 74 MGB that I've had for 25 years. To me it's a hobby and the car has been fully sorted for 20 years. Like you describe, mine was a rust free barn find example I found in Central California but it was stored for many years by the time I towed it home with a U-haul car carrier I rented. Long story short the first five years were challenging, I got it running and driving in a couple of days but replaced every piece of rubber on the car at least once. I cheated when it came to the electrical systems and installed an electronic 95 amp alternator replacing the 34 Amp unit, I replaced the 25D distributor with an electronic version of the same and did the same with the starter. Every part that needed replacement was replaced with a new part after having rebuilt some parts three times over. The major components are numbers matching and it starts first time every time and has done so for years now. The MGB has fantastic parts availability rivaling many new cars. The car is extremely reliable and starts every time and i hardly get to work on it any more. Mine has overdrive and is freeway capable and has windows that even roll up! I worked on these cars working at a neighborhood foreign car repair shop while going to college. I've had many cars and I always have at least one car that connects me to my history and I've even had some that predate me as well. Sitting behind the wheel of any of these classics is like going back in time like when we drove with our parents on weekends when we were kids just taking rides on old country roads. I still wave at the cows...
I'm 29 and got a 1979 MGB LE roadster about 5 months ago, I've been slowly fixing her up over the winter and she is running good now. These cars are so much fun.
@@tigermedz Good choice; the MGB is the quintessential expression of a true old fashioned sports car. No new car can replicate the MGB feel. With few exceptions it's the end of an era. Usually guys your age don't get the old fashioned sports car and you are going to love it. They do everything well but nothing great. They were quick in their day but not a muscle car. They handle well and have a good driving feel but it's not a 911, they stop great but not like a Ferrari. The top takes 15 minutes to put up and it keeps you dry in the rain, sorta. It's worth the effort don't give up. Drive it every chance you get and don't let it go unfixed for a minute longer than necessary. It should always be ready to go for a ride, if you're like me it lifts your spirits. Fix it as you go. If it looks ratty, drive it anyway, if it looks great drive it, if it breaks, fix it then drive it some more. BTW this philosophy goes for any classic car. Have FUN
@@hummiesatmv that's good advice! Mine is a garage queen according to my mechanic, but I drive it whenever the weather permits. In 5 months I've got new tires, put in a new ignition switch, spark plugs, new fuse box, battery, had someone teach me to adjust the rear brakes, and then I've changed out some worn interior bits. I'm loving it so far! And people my age don't even know what these are usually.
Great video! I totally agree with the 80’s-90’s suggestion, I own a 1991 Toyota MR2 and it’s such a fun car that is almost bare bones with the spec I have. No power steering, no abs or traction control, manual, pedals controlled by wires, you name it. Truly it’s the experience of just being connected to the road without so many assists or notifications yelling at you on a screen in new cars. The instant response from the wheel and knowing that whatever amount of input I put is what I’m getting is unmatched. Awesome video!
A word on safety. While this does not make up for the lack of safety in classics, when you drive an old car you HAVE to pay attention. They do not allow inattentiveness and texting and autopiloting like modern cars. They also force you to check that your car is in good working order. Moreover, everyone around you is paying so much more attention and being so much more courteous and careful because they SEE you and are watching out for you in particular. I never get cut off or endangered in my car even in the 4th worst driving city in the union, but when driving my family's vehicles I'm nearly wrecked by people multiple times every time I go out. Nobody wants to wreck a classic, whether you're in it or around it. Insurance on classics is low because classic car drivers don't get into wrecks at nearly the same rates as new car drivers. So while classics are absolutely comparatively unsafe in a wreck, the likely-hood of a wreck is reduced.
I started driving at 16 years old in 1979. My first car was a 1969 dodge Dart Coupe. It had a 318 ci v8 making 230 hp standard 4 wheel drum brakes standard steering and power nothing... It weighed 1800 lbs. It was way too quick for a new driver. You had to measure stopping distance in football fields. In 1979 a 7 second 0 to 60 was pretty damn fast. It was by almost every measure a horrible car, but it was glorious. It was the best car I ever owned. I still miss it. Sadly I was young, poor, and stupid, and I beat the ever loving snot out of it, but I learned a lot. I had to. Although I can't afford vintage cars I do own 3 vintage motorcycles. A 1979 Suzuki GT 750, a 1966 BSA lightning, and a 1979 Harley-Davidson FL which like my first car was given to me by my father. I really enjoy your videos. I understand the passion and the underlying message. Owning one of these old girls is really rewarding, but go into it with your eyes wide open. You need to develop a few very easy to pick up skills. It is, in my opinion, totally worth it. My friend who also owns a shovel head Harley sums it up like this "this thing is a horrible machine, but damn it's pretty"
This reminds me of a funny thing that happened to my dad a couple years ago. He was looking to buy a new car and he met this old Mexican guy who was trying to sell a 1974 Dodge Dart which just so happened to be my dad's first car. It looked really nice and my dad couldn't wait to buy it, but then the nostalgia goggles immediately came off once it was time to test drive it lol. It took about 20 minutes of fiddling around just to get the thing started and once it was running it felt horrible to drive around and whenever it turned, the front wheels would be grinding on something. Needless to say he didn't end up buying the Dart, but he did buy the guy's 2000 Camry which only had about 70k miles and ran great.
has a 19 year old i love my 1941 chevy. The car is simple, fun to drive, and a lot of the parts are built tuff. I wil say for some reason ill never really know ive always liked the older cars even though they are less safe. American cars from the 1930s to the mid 1950s are my favourites. Nice video you gave honest truth!
You described old cars perfectly, I agree on pretty much all points. I have a 1988 Pontiac Firebird over here in Europe, she steals the show everywhere, she never let me or my dad down, she has problems and its a damn project car at the end of the day. I wouldn't trade that car for anything. Old cars are irreplaceable
I can reach through my 1965's engine bay and touch the ground with both hands, in new cars I can't reach anything below the surface because it's covered with facades. I can fix almost every problem with that car myself, and if I can't its because I need a car lift or pneumatics or something, on new cars I can barely get in to change the oil. Driving a classic turns the slog and boredom of driving into an activity that I look forward to. I can feel everything and every problem and I know when something isn't right, on a new car I can't tell anything without paying someone to plug it into a $10,000 computer. I saved and scraped in high school to buy a classic knowing nothing about mechanics, because I can't stand how modern cars look. Every day I walk out to my Falcon and feel so much pride because I maintain and drive a piece of living artwork that makes people happy. However, this still isn't what keeps me dedicated to it when I'm stranded, or when I'm frustrated, or when I'm broke. What keeps me around is the feeling of my engine rumbling, the smell of my exhaust, the feeling of the controls in my hands, and the living breathing connection to this machine that I have like nobody else ever will. When I get behind the wheel of a new car I feel uncomfortable, lacking, and dejected. There is nothing behind them. I will leave this car to whoever is left after I'm gone. No matter if it is totaled, rusted, destroyed, or burned, I will never give up on it.
A restomod can also be a great example of a combination of old and new like you can have all the old school looks and feel while having some modern performance and efficiency as well.
I remember back in the mid 2000s when my assistant scoutmaster asked if I could change the oil on his Audi. I looked at it and the skid plate was secured by Security Torx screws, which were at the time, new to me. I had Torx, but not the "security" version with the hold in the center of the bits. I told him, "I guess they want more of your money."
@@michaelbenardo5695 ...huh? I don't follow. Are you referring to the restomod comment? In which case, I agree. Don't sully classic cars with computer BS.
I understand exactly what you’re talking about. My daily driver was a plug-in hybrid when I got my 1979 MGB. It wasn’t technically a barn find, but it sat in my grandma’s garage for 27 years. Once I got it running and took it for its first drive across town, my thought was “Driving this car is a lot of work.” Still love it though!
I owe it to a family member for finding my first and current car, a mk4 golf (automatic) There's so much high quality stuff packed in one small 4 door car it's wild. Changing the oil?, easy to spot and remove, changing the engine belt?, no issue you can do it solo via a youtube tutorial. A car and a engine made to not screw over the customer and mechanics, hats off to the designers.
Speaking as a mechanic at a dealership. The 90s is absolutely the maintenance sweet spot. They have simple electronics that replaced complicated and finicky mechanical systems, but they still have a lot of simpler mechanical systems.
The GM TBI 350 might low key be the best engine ever made. lol
It could be the same, but manufacturers declared war on repair and customizers. So much precious engineering wasted just to steal ownership from the owners, it is insane.
@@anthonyrowland9072 personally my favorite v8 is the BMW S65. Over 100hp per liter. Amazing sound from the cross plane crank.
@@kaveric_76144v 4.6 mod motor with an xpipe...
@@anthonyrowland90722 valve gang. 175k miles now. Still my daily 🦅
I’m 20 years old and have grown up in the garage working on everything from the 30’s to brand new. It’s extremely apparent that nothing built today is meant to last. People have this weird idea that newer is better but at some point something will break and honestly we see more brand new commuter cars than 20 year old Chevy work trucks. Unless gas prices become unbearably high, as long as you can still get parts I don’t plan on buying anything newer than 2010 in MY lifetime
Im 18 and ive seen nothing but the same , i got my 2000 passat and shes not built perfectly, but built damn better than the garbage new cars my parents keep buying
Lol same here I prefer older cars being able to work on them at home but would update to a modern Toyota hybrid when they've depreciated though with how expensive gas is in my country.
People said the same thing in 2010, and 2000, and 1990 and so on. I bet they said that going back a century and they'll be saying it for another century. At the height of the 1975-1985 malaise era there really were a lot of lousily built cars being sold but now many look back at them fondly. In fact I had a fully optioned 1979 TransAm I owned in 1980 that I still wish I had but that's my selective memory of a single car. The past often looks rosier than it actually was.
@@ddavidson5 True, but much of that feeling is the constant cost cutting and plastic replacing metal. It makes the car seem chintzy and trashy. Also, the traditional American car was intended to be easily repaired and infinitely rebuildable, even if few did. Today's cars are not, and seem disposable whether the owner likes it or not.
@@ddavidson5 But those poorly built 70s - 80s cars could be rebuilt and the problems fixed. Today's cars can't. Plus, they are cramped, ugly, rough riding, noisy, and uncomfortable.
New cars try as hard as they can to NOT be a car.
Drove my sister's 2017 Subaru Crosstrek, and it's like driving an office or living room.
Today's "cars" are designed to be Transportation Appliances rather than automobiles. That's why they are almost impossible to fix. If something fails, it is intended that you simply dispose of it, just like an old ice box or something.
Isn’t that how they describe older cars though? It’s like a living room on wheels?
But they still felt like MACHINES.
@@slapshotjack9806no like you’re sitting on a lounge. In other words it’s a lot more comfy (springed seats) not that it’s as soulless and boring as an office
@@tacticalcentral3856 no it’s a car not a house
One of the best and most applicable takes ive heard is that the 90s was such a technological sweet spot because we had enough tech to make our lives better but not too much that it changes how we live.
You had no carburettors in 90s. Efi is turning point between new and old cars imo. Had 2002 lada with solex carb and shittiest ignition possible. Barely made 40-50hp out of 74hp engine myself by google
My newer car can just start in -40c just by turning the key
@@dren4kTo be fair, you're using one of the shittiest cars in the entire world as your example. My 2003 F-150 is profoundly easy to work on, and it performs objectively better than most of the carbed F-150s that came before it.
If I weren't a know-nothing know-it-all with zero funding or experience, I'd want to start up a new company to make a PROPER light pickup truck in the US, without the extreme AI fetish modern tech is going for. It would obviously take advantage of improvements like baked in GPS, modern outlets, etc. But it would try to preserve the tactile feedback and maintainability of older machines
@@MrAngusyoungistheman this shittiest example is just cheapest drift missile shitbox available in the whole world
Yes, but 90s cars take 50% more fuel vs younger cars.
Old cars were designed, new cars are engineered.
Old cars were pieces of art, new cars are appliances.
Have you seen the 1969 Pontiac judge? In orange with pinstripe, so beautiful
@@ericortega1745 of course in familiar with the judge, i grew up in a 73 lemans gto in the same orange, with a twin carb 427 and a 3 speed sequential gearbox
You could not of said it any better!~
Old cars are tanks, new cars are thrown away!~
The VW Beetle, Honda Civic, and Mercedes Benz 300D are a piece of art and an engineering marvel.
@@Justin-yt7pi I've got the privilege of refurbishing a 63 ragtop bug, and I can confirm. There is a fantastic elegance to just how simple, sturdy, and consistent everything is. And even though it sat in abog for 15 years, EVERYTHING just threads in and out like butter
When a mechanical system has problems. You have warning signs. You can fix it. When electronics go bad. They just quit. No warning. And it usually takes expensive equipment to diagnose the problem. Then you have to replace an expensive electronic part. And sometimes that new part is faulty. Especially today
This is a really important point. I drive a ‘77 GMC K25 (3/4 ton). I can hear little squeaks, pops, and gawd know what else. But I can find the issues, and deal with them. Usually cheaply. I can tell if it is idling rough and needs the plugs cleaned (don’t even have to replace them). And I will never be stranded by some damn throttle position sensor or some crap like that. Old rigs are not for everyone, but they sure are great if you’re an enthusiast.
That's really not true, electrical systems have warning signs too. If a wire is burned up, it doesn't immediately go out. The resistance skyrockets and your electrical thingimabob starts working intermittently. Then you know you have a problem with out it being completely broken.
@@firstNamelastName-ho6lv it depends, they can do both. The worst is when you just have enough resistance somewhere that your whole car just doesn't work. That's why I avoid electronics.
Another thing with electronics is they can make everything proprietary and closed source, and then electronically pair the parts to each other so if you replace it the car will either limit it's own functionality or just outright brick itself. You can't have nearly that much control mechanically so they try to replace everything they can with computers.
not to mention you can SEE what broke, on the new ones some times things break and you will never know.
I drive a 1990's era car and the main reasons I enjoy it is because you have more control over how it drives, they are simpler, you hear more of the car's internal actions and they have better visibility. Not to mention look cooler.
Today's are all in the Japanoid mold - aerodynamics over looks, always function over form, even if the result is ugly, computers all over the car, impossible to fix.
I feel claustrophobic in my parents new car which is bigger then my 90s car
same here.my 90s car (4 door acura) is fairly small but it feels extremely roomy and open.
As someone who owns a '98 Pontiac Firebird Formula, I concur with this statement.
I sold my 2018 Dodge Charger back to the dealership when I had the chance to own a pristine 1999 Lincoln Town Car. I'm not saying the charger was a bad car, quite the contrary, but I knew the hidden value that the Lincoln had to offer. It is a Panther body-on-frame platform with Fords Modular 4.6l V8. The heart and spine of the car will live forever when properly maintained. The skin can always be unbolted and replaced. They made a ton of these cars so parts are readily available.
Just this past weekend I spent 12 hours on good Friday replacing the ball joints, tie rods, and swaybar links in my driveway. It was 60deg and sunny the entire day and it was one of the most hard working yet relaxed days I've had in a long time. The satisfaction of eliminating a noise you've heard and felt that makes you cringe for so long is indescribable. I don't know if I would have been as comfortable trying this on a new car.
Or how about brakes? These days you need a special tool to depress the calipers. On my 90's/early 00's cars all I needed was a c-clamp and the old brake pad. It's jazz like that that puts me off owning new cars for longer than 10 years. I don't know if I will be able to work on them without buying more special tools and struggling to learn proprietary procedures actively being hid from the public so we can't do it ourselves.
As someone who drives a car from the 1950s and loves old things, I do agree that old things were much better made. That said, we have traded the quality of old things for technology. My 1951 car is built extremely well of the finest of materials, but it doesn't go, and it doesn't stop, and the technology of the flathead six is laughably antiquated. It is also the case that in spite of the better materials old cars didn't actually last longer than new ones, they rusted away, and their engines were worn out after 50000 miles, this is because of an improvement over time in the technology of engines, better lubricants and metallurgy enabled engines and so on to last much, much longer than a 1950s car would ever last.
To add to something else you said about car reliability, yes it is obviously true that new cars are "more reliable" but that isn't really the whole story. As someone who has been daily driving cars more than 50 years old for a decade, it isn't nearly as bad as you might think. I've never been stranded, and I haven't really had many issues that were difficult to repair. Old cars are easy to fix.
As someone who works on modern vehicles for a living, they break down plenty, and they break down in ways that are much more expensive and complicated to diagnose and repair, because the complexity is miles ahead of anything made 50 years ago. Everything in that damn vehicle from the power windows to the braking system is a computer on a CAN bus network, and god help you if it has so much as a rubbed wire somewhere. Goodbye car, and you ain't fixing that on the side of the road with a hammer.
I'm 17, so I guess the nostalgia doesn't really exist for me yet, but the main car I drive is a 1990 nissan. When I drive my moms new audi suv it doesnt even feel like I'm driving and I feel like I'm a worse driver just by driving that car. I can barely see in front of me and I feel like I have no control over the vehicle. My car is the sweet spot where I can do all my maintenance on it very easily and I also have the reliability of a 90s nissan and its overall been a blast to drive and work on and maintain and I couldnt be happier
nah I get that though my car is much newer. I hate how numb the steering feel in regular cars is. It drives me mad.
Your emotions aren't wrong here, you're not wrong. I'm an older Gen Z, (02, I turn 23 next April.) I love my 99 Camry! One of the best and simplest cars I've encountered.
@@JD-fx9ly nice! I hope you get tons more mileage out of it.
Same I drive my dads 1994 Chevy astro van and it just feels great
“New cars make you feel comfortable,old cars make you feel alive”
New cars can't even do comfort as well as older ones. No modern car rides like a Ford Crown Vic, which wasn't even an expensive car. Older Mercedes, Acuras, BMWs - all rode better than their modern counterparts, because they had tires with actual sidewall.
No comfort in new models
@@johnmurdoch8534 sure there is, if ya pay for it!~
Lol 80 decibels at highway speed SUCKS
They make you feel alive since they're not as safe?
Modern cars = Rev hang = more clutch wear.
Old cars with cable throttle > Modern cars with electronic throttle.
I do the math's lol.
My 98 Sentra has a cable throttle
Where do you even get a modern manual anymore? lol
@@fortheloveofnoise My '98 Olds does too. That's not "modern" anymore.
Subaru WRX?@@FuckGoogle502
No, you are right. We demand appliances now. I bought the newest old car I could and then updated it 10 years. 1994 BMW e30 wagon swapped with a modern 24v inline 6, new suspension, brakes, cooling, steering and a lot of wiring. All together 1/3 the cost of a Tesla model 3, and will last three times longer. Really fun to drive.
You do your sweet wagon a disservice by contrasting it with a Tesla. They don't deserve to be in the same ballpark lol
is the 24v inline 6 a more reliable BMW ones? Like B58 which is more than enough for the old E30, and more stout than some old S engines
@@baoquoc3710 no the m20b25 12valve engines are just as bulletproof, just has less power and runs ona belt insteed of a chain. You know that the M20 Engine is the million mile engine....im sure you can youtube it
Those inline 6 of bmw are made to last forever. I had an e46 328i. Everything on this car broke except the engine. One day even the chassis broke at the mounting point of the rear axle. The engine was still running like new with 300'000km on it. And i have to say that i changed oil all 50000km (you should do it earlier). Also the cooler broke about 3 times and the engine was running without enough cooling. But the engine survived and was running quiet and smooth like it came out the factory. And i floored this car constantly. The only thing i always did was not going over 2500rpm until the oil reached a temperature of 90°c
Agreed. Maintain cars and they run forever
Old SAABs had built-in rolller cages, night displays and had interiors and windshields inspired by fighter jets, providing great visibility and putting all the important stuff within view and reach of the driver to decrease distractions.
Old Mercedes had rear lights designed to not get too covered in dirt to not fill their function.
Old Volvos were built like tanks from Swedish steel and with engine blocks made out of cast iron to increase durability. They also came with the first modern seat belts, seat warmers, crumple zones and airbags.
All that asside, many of these old wonders of machinery came with beautiful interiors in leather, wood, metal and chrome which is much more beautiful that the cheap looking plastic of modern cars.
The practical features and durability from 70's-90's German and Swedish cars, the design language of 50's-60's American and British sports and muscle cars and the fuel economy of a modern diesel engine combined would be the ultimate car design in my opinion, and I believe it would be a vehicle most would enjoy owning
A lot of older RWD volvos were actually made from brittish steel. It was the best steel at the time, though.
Back when the engineers were masters of their own fate...
Some cars from the 60/70 have dashboards that look like pinball machines it's a literal work of art to look at. Old cars also have more special features like a Mercedes that put on your seatbelt for you or special ways to hide your headlight or your tank cap(not always good ones but al least they were trying somthing new). Most new cars look and feel the same as other brands it's like one brand makes one and they all just make a new body around it. It's boring
@@jellevh8460 Boring is right. I call them "jellybean cars." I remember helping a girl late at night who was driving a Mercedes. She got an oil-low indicator light, and we spent 10 minutes in the half-dark trying to find a dipstick. It didn't have one but admiring this 6-foot-tall blonde girl's long legs as she bent over the engine compartment in a mini-dress looking for it is still one of my best memories. --Old (but not blind) Guy
@@GoldenGrenadier Judas Priest had an album called British Steel. Just an FYI.
Ehhh, most people don't *want* the experience of driving a car. They want to go from A to B. The first thing my girlfriend said when she drove a newer car is "Wow! It doesn't even feel like you're driving!" That was the biggest advantage to her.
I’m like that, looking to go from A to B, but it’s more of a utilitarian mindset. I don’t enjoy the experience of driving any more that I like walking from A to B. I have a goal in mind when I set out and that’s what I’m focusing on.
I’ll go out on walks for my own enjoyment, yes; but in that case, that’s the explicit reason I went out on the walk to begin with. My car is separate from that, I don’t associate it with fun I use it for the utility. A tool, nothing more. I wonder what you think about this mindset?
Unfortunately that means most people are wrong 👌
@@capybara-c4g Isn't life all about enjoying the little things? I think it's very important and many people tend to forget it nowadays.
@@justinrockholt7055 I think it's a reasonable mindset - cars became a standard in may places in the world and therefore it's not associated anymore with pleasure or luxury but instead just as a work tool.
I don't want it either. I LOVE how fuel injection took away the "experience" of carbureted cars refusing to start in the cold and damp. But I also want a car that is easy to repair, which cars made in the last 20 years definitely are not. I think the golden age of minimum ownership cost of cars was between fuel injection in the 1980s and about 2005.
Viewer from the 3rd World here. I am an electrical contractor in my country, so I'm in houses and apartment buildings since they start to be built, up until they are furnished. And while there's a lot more of tech now (from heating floors and security systems, to microcontrollers everywhere, even WiFi-controlled lighting and plant watering), the core of most houses are still made the old-school way: Mortar, bricks, rebar-reinforced concrete beams and columns, ceramic tiles, plaster ceilings... All still made by an army of specialized people; from masons to electricians, carpenters to plumbers, painters, gardeners and the plaster guys. Yes, it's still like that because the workforce is cheaper than the tech and equipment for the dry construction used today... But gladly it is, because things come out better and stronger, it employs lots of people, and specially gives young people (like me) the chance to learn a lot of stuff, either by looking and asking the other guys, and by doing your own job (i.e my job as electrician implies lots of digging, preparing and using mortar, a plethora of tools, and even some demolishing too 😂)
Yes, the cardboard house epidemic is mainly North American. Here in Europe we also make all building out if reinforce concrete skeleton closed up with non-structural brick walls. But you would be mistaken if you think this new reinforced concrete stuff will last as much as old houses do. A lot of new buildings have a flat roof (because it is cheaper to make it that way) and they end up leaking. Then the reinforcement rust from the inside out, and everything cracks and crumbles surprisingly fast.
We truly exchange quality for lower labor in new buildings, and use lesser quality materials as well.
Brasil?
@@gabrielv.4358 it's high-inflation neighbour, Argentina
@@DrBernon You have no idea what you're talking about if you think American houses are made of "cardboard". Stick-framed construction with a concrete foundation, interior gypsum wall panelling, exterior structural sheathing and exterior brick facades is one of the cheapest, most efficient, most flexible, and fastest methods of home construction, with decent fire resistance (today; old wood houses were bad in this regard) and long-lasting durability, and that is exactly how many US and Canadian homes are built.
The primary reason stick-framed houses are often rebuilt isn't because they are intrinsically poor quality, but because their very nature _allows_ them to be easily rebuilt or modified cheaply and easily. There is absolutely no reason to overbuild our houses to last 200 years. We don't do it for major infrastructure like bridges; why would we do it for houses?
If southern Europe had access to cheap wood like Canada and the US has, you can bet your bottom dollar that houses would be built the same way.
@@eduardotrillaud696 Argentina is a First World country.
I have a house from the 1950s and a model t from 1927. It always strikes me how tough all stuff is. Like drilling a hole in a modern house or car takes seconds but drilling into my oak floor or my model t takes effort.
wait YOU'R DRILLING INTO THE MODEL T? dear god Please let this be for maintenance reasons-
Your analogy for old houses is very nice. You mentioned that there are good and bad craftsmen from every industry, and you also mentioned something like there is no test like time... Well, this is how it goes... Old houses that were made by good craftsmen have withstood the test of time, while the ones made by bad craftsmen have already rotten away. So yes, you do get the quality ones if they are still standing 100 years after they are built. I actually get the same jive with some thrift shops for clothes. Many new clothes tend to fade in color very quickly, however, in thrift shops, we can see which clothing brands have not faded or warped despite longtime use, so I can be pretty sure of their quality.
I lived in budget house built in year 1911 for factory workers. It is still built with quality and standing today despite no renovarion ever done. It just have different features, like small apartaments with isles in walls to torn down when apartment expansion is required. And no ornate decorations. But there was no enshitificarion on any kind.
The house I live in right now was built in 1926 and has held up incredibly well against the worst of mother nature and continues to march onwards through time. Despite being near 100 years old it has outlasted many modern structures by a large margin.
@@alexanderwhite8320 I am happy that you live in a quality home that does not need extensive and expensive maintenance. I hope you dont mind, but like this video says, old cars are like old homes. Your home doesnt have extensive features that can break down easily. It is just like old cars which dont have fancy electronics or computers that break down easily too.
@@TheSilverShadow17 I am happy for you. I think I personally would like to live in a house like that if given a chance.
@@dr.charlesedwardflorendobr3952 It isn't much for a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house, but it's more than enough to do the job.
i honestly belive the sweetspot are 80s 90s cars.
they are old enough to still feel like youre driving, they mostly give you the emotions, they are still easily fixable by yourself, they dont have too many electrical systems that are dependand on each other or connected to each other
and they are still good to live with today.
you want a fun little car? get a mk1 miata.
you want a reliable but nimble and practical daily? get a 94' accord wagon manual.
you want a big cool off roader? get Cherokee, a Landcruiser or a Patrol.
you want a big luxury cruiser? get an LS400.
in the 90s, computer engineering was still in its infancy. manufacturers couldnt calculate accurately enough how long thier things would last. how long thier parts would last. so the rather over engineered them still.
coming closer to the 00's these things changed. you can still find some 90s tech remnants in early 00's cars but you will have more and more electric steering and throttle systems, vsc, abs systems and so on.
long story short, peak car engineering for the normal consumer was in the 90s in my humble opinion
DUDE, I saw a Mk1 Miata at the gas station today with a big block Chevy and an enormous Holley sticking out where the hood should be. If I hadn't been late for work, I woulda stopped and asked about it. Edit: Oh and a giant fuel tank strapped to the trunk Mad-Max style. I almost didn't notice the engine because of the fuel tank lol
Also, the fact that lots of Honda tuners change the OBD2 cars back to OBD1 tells you a lot. Me and a buddy are looking at doing this with, plus turboing a '98 Accord.
This exactly. That's the reason why my daily is a '99 Toyota Corolla wagon. It is still driven by cable, as is the shifting. It isn't fast at all, but it does feel like it is because of all the sounds it makes. Its exterior is pretty banged up, so I don't habe to worry about scratching it. At the same time it has a bigger boot than a modern wagon that is way bigger in size. Everything that goes wrong, I can fix myself. That's a win in my book.
When I don't have to get from A to B, but I want to experience driving, I take my '88 Toyota MR2. This thing is amazing in what it does.
I daily a 95' LS400, a wonderful car to drive around and cruise. Even sorta fun sometimes if you push it!
the 90s crown vics are so nice
The reason modern electronics in cars are hard to fix is because the corporations want them to be harder to fix because it gets them more money
Personally, I 100% believe we could have every single 'modern nice-ity' w/o all the difficulty in repair and 'disconnection' from the driver.
Technology advanced. The implementation of it, rolled backwards.
There has always been bad cars, as well as bad houses, bad tools, clothes and basically every kind of product.
Stuff gets old when it is good, when it is loved and appreciated by it's owner(s)
So, all old cars weren't better than new cars, but the good ones survived to be appreciated by many generations of owners, or by a single owner who loved and cared for it for many years.
Old Italian cars were known to be absolutely shite in terms of reliability (but fun)
19 year old here, I bought a 1996 Buick LeSabre Custom for $2,000. It looks like a hooptie and drives like one but after putting over $2,000 in repairs and I'm also gonna replace the engine air filter soon. She drives really nice now, still have to fix the a/c when i can because I live in Las Vegas but man shes super comfy to drive, feel like im on a cloud. Did i forget to mention it has one of gms most reliable engines they ever made the 3.8 V6? Marilyn just keeps going!
Another great old car is the Ford Panther Platform (Ford Crownvic, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car) with the 4.6L SOHC 2V Modular V8 in it.
Hell yeah dude, the 3800 is a tank, as long as you've gotten rid of the plastic intake. I've got a 3100 in a '95 Olds Cutlass Supreme that I have literally tailgated Impreza WRXs with down our country roads. That thing was a quiet beast until Mom forgot to turn on the cooling fans and blew it up. (The ECM would never turn on the fans by itself, which is why I got the car for cheap with a blown head gasket. I finally replaced the ECM when it crapped all the way out, but left the manual fans cause they were cool.) Still got it, but gotta fix it lol
@@FuckGoogle502 Hell yeah, please fix your whip. There aren't a lot of those cars on the road anymore with that kind of style and euphoria!
My best friend has a 2001 Buick LeSabre. It’s pretty ugly outside, but inside it’s pristine. It feels like you’re driving your couch down the road. They’re worth fixing
@@Wjacobloftis I agree, I always wanted a full size sedan and I got one
My first car was a 1966 Ford Thunderbird, which I bought in 2017 and rebuilt the engine in 2020 since a previous owner had rebuilt it wrong and it was running on 7 cylinders. To be fair it also had over 100k miles by that point. Most reliable car I've ever owned. I don't buy the whole schtick of "old cars are less reliable," as that old beast of a Ford still got me everywhere I needed to go without fail even when running poorly. And the thing is, old cars get an unfairly bad reputation due to external factors - for one thing, the quality of oil and pump gas used to be much lower, so in the old days things wore out faster. But some engines with architecture dating back to the 1960s and built as late as the 90s, such as the legendary Ford 300 straight six, are known as among the most reliable engines ever made, because the last ones were made when the oil and gas got good enough for them to really last.
The other part of it is that most owners don't drive their classic cars enough. Classics were built to be daily driven, that was what was expected of them when they were new and nothing in that regard has changed. If you leave them sitting too long, gas will evaporate out of the carburetor, oil will drain out of the high places in the engine, things meant to stay wet will dry out, and when you go to start it again it'll be fussy and troublesome BECAUSE you let it sit too long.
Now, I drove my 1966 Thunderbird almost every day, both before and after the rebuild, so it rarely sat for long. The thing ran like a clock. Once I sorted it out and fixed all the previous owners' mistakes, it started quickly every morning, warmed up quickly, and drove anywhere anytime with no fuss. After all, if it ran perfectly fine yesterday, what's so different about the next day? Nothing! So it just runs and runs. No reason it couldn't run, no computer telling it it can't, nothing it can really do to hurt itself. Heck, this is a carbureted engine and it still runs fine year-round. Unreliable my foot.
And chances are it'll be more than 100,000 miles before it needs a rebuild again, because there's modern oil in there now, so things like bearings will likely have a much longer lifespan. The whole thing is built like a tank and it's all metal, no modern plastic parts that only last a certain number of heat cycles before breaking. All you really have to replace is spark plugs, oil, belts, occasionally points in the distributor, and not much else. It just works.
I've unfortunately however also been in a crash in this car. A truck slammed on the brakes in front of me, I stopped without hitting him, but the driver behind me was distracted and did not stop. Got hit at 30 mph in a car with no crumple zones or headrests. Some will tell you old cars are better in a crash because they don't crumple, and that's partly true - my car was a lot less damaged than the car that hit me, and I even drove it home after the accident, with all lights still working and it even still tracking perfectly straight - but that meant most of the force of the crash went to my neck instead of being dissipated in crumple zones or a headrest. So yeah, bit of whiplash. But that's all healed by now and I intend to fix the bodywork and drive it again :)
The one area I will say classic cars don't hold a candle to modern cars is where fuel economy is concerned. My old 'bird gets 16 mpg highway, 14 city, and that's on non-ethanol gas. It gets like 10-12 mpg on ethanol fuel so it's more than worth the extra cost to put non-ethanol in it, plus it runs a lot better on that (old cars aren't designed to run on corn, they don't like it), but still it ain't exactly the cheapest thing to run. But when the V8 chugs along at 35 mph while practically idling, the car feels so relaxed and carefree that you kinda stop caring how much fuel it consumes. Old cars really are like nothing else. Don't fear the challenge of daily driving a classic car, it's well worth it.
Driving 70 ford high boy and 77 town car….computer never goes out….
Agreed, I have a 1996 Ford F150 with a 5.0L (302) Windsor V8 with 211,000 miles on it and still going strong 💪. The only things I replaced on my truck was the starter, the rear fuel pump, and the power steering megunisum but other than that mostly was just simple maintenance, took out the transmission fluid just to get rid of the shuttering it was making and it hasn't had a problem ever since.
Back here in the east where the snow flies you might see more of the old steel but not after November 1st cuz that's usually when everyone puts their old cars and trucks away and drives their newer stuff!!!.
My first car was a 1962 Thunderbird hardtop. He drove that car forever till I had a wife and kids. I know have a 1966 Thunderbird convertible. I love that car. Everything you say about it is true I haven’t hit anybody and nobody’s hit me, I don’t drive it in the winter. I live in New Hampshire but I go out to the barn at least once a month fire it up but it warm up and drive it out into the yard and put it back in and when I’m going down the road I’m watching the dashboard as much as I’m watching the traffic. Because of that I once actually turned around and went home and got my BMW and finished my trip. I also have a 1966 GTO four-speed with a 400 inch Pontiac engine that car is really fun to drive and you have to drive it nothing is automatic. Do you really feel connected to the road in a in a mid 60s car. Motor on dude.
@@CJColvin I have a 93 with the same engine. Just had an old time mechanic very familiar with that timeframe. Take the top off that motor and make it like new. Did away with all the extemporaneous tubing in extra stuff enough to fill the 20 gallon garbage can. Now it runs like an old time 351. I love that truck. I’m in New Hampshire so I’ve had it oil under coated every year. This year I had a small sections spots Actually of rust repaired. I have to say I really loved your story I have a 1966 Ford Thunderbird, convertible and a 1966 Pontiac GTO hardtop drive in those old rigs is nothing like driving anything in the 2000s good luck to you brother.
As far aesthetics go, in contrary, the regulations for headlight shapes specifically used to be more strict but eventually loosened up more and more. You may have noticed how prior to the 70's all car headlights were round but in the 70's so many of them were square, that's because only round headlights were allowed for decades so of course when square suddenly became an option everyone switched to the new style. Nowadays we have all kinds of shapes, some are even quite bizarre.
I run a Jeep with square headlights and used to get ribbed by other Jeep owners because, they said, "A real Jeep has round headlights." So widespread was this criticism that Jeep (Chrysler) reintroduced the round headlights with the TJ model (mine's a YJ). Nowadays, my 1991 square-headlighted YJ is a classic, and everyone admires ... the square headlights. 🙂
Came here to say just this! The regulations around bumpers, headlights etc was strict but different. Today, it’s a lot of other things and many more things.
But, one example! The pop-up headlights were by and large only invented because of headlight regulations. When thinner slim headlights were allowed, the pop-up’s disappeared almost entirely.
European cars from the 80s had to have US spec headlights, and the bumpers of cars such as the 911 from the 70s was hideous in the US.
Let’s not talk about emissions regulations during the 70s and 80s when it was not uncommon to see a 5-7 liter V8 with a lot less than 200 bhp. The Camaro of early 80s had roughly 140 bhp in its 5 liter V8! The Cadillac 500 V8 had more than 400 bhp until emissions regulations came about and then it mustered a 180-190 bhp.
All products in every industry are designed to be disposable cash grabs these days.
I’m 20 and I just bought a ‘63 cadillac coupe deville. It’s a beautiful car and needs some exterior work, as well as a bit of interior work and engine work.
The car is running already, but it was sitting for 6 years before I bought it, so I need to touch up on the transmission a bit, and I need to check out everything else to look for corrosion and make sure it’s all good, but I’m so excited to work on this car. I was originally planning on eventually doing an LS swap on the car before I bought it, but now that I have the car, I just want to keep it the way it is.
I think the issue is that all of the "consumer friendly" veneers of today have made the common man forget that a car is a machine. An industrial grade heavy duty machine. To be reminded of that and remain in tune with the mechanics of your car is a very spiritual experience that I doubt many would understand.
Yea
They also tend to forget how luxurious and dangerous driving is as an activity.
I have my two Chevy's. 1979 Monte Carlo and 1989 G20 Van. Both very reliable. Everything is simple and can be repaired yourself. I've owned them for 34 and 22 years. Greetings from Germany.
Awesome! As a Chrysler diehard who converted to Chevy just because our Chevy truck drastically outlived all our various Mopars ('95 Chevy Cheyenne K2500 that's still my daily with 305k miles on the clock now, plus my bands old '78 G20 touring van that lasted until I decided to completely revamp it), I love hearing of Chevys in Europe.
bought my first car this past October, 1984 Nissan Z31. It has everything that I want from a car, its fun, comfortable, and enjoyable to drive. It was also affordable to buy and insure, plus it is great on gas! (post oil crisis mileage for the win) The electronic and vacuum systems are modern enough to feel familiar to me, but are simple enough that I can repair, maintain, or modify them to my liking. With some research, there is plenty of information and resources available to help me maintain it, and a whole community of people in the same boat as me willing to share their findings and experiences. Through the work I've done for it I've learned much of what I know about cars to date, and I'm grateful for that. Sure, maybe if i had gone with a newer car I wouldn't have had to restore it for three months after purchasing, which would have saved some headaches for sure, but I feel this car is an expression of myself and being able to experience it each day adds a little fulfilment to my life.
I have an ‘86 Z31. Sure the only compliments I get are from old dudes but the car is so sophisticated yet simple to work on. The repairs keep my life a little more entertaining too
Shitty ass whip
As somebody who’s first car was an 85 you made a rough choice and should probably find a more reliable modern car.
If you can afford to miss work I get it, your young and can deal with that but a 80s Datsun/nissan is not a the definition of reliability my brother.
Cool, not reliable. Not anymore at least.
Z31 power 💪
I have an 86 turbo with 75k it's my favorite car I've ever owned i had 84 NA before. I'm sad to say z31s are a terrible daily driver.
My dad was a builder in the 1970’s. Even then he put so many nice things into them, and didn’t build cookie cutter houses. One thing I specifically remember was my brother in law, who was an excellent trim carpenter, explaining why when he installed crown moldings, he always glued the mitered corners. As a home shifts, he said those moldings would stay tight. The other memorable thing was that all the trim was stained and then covered with 5 coats of lacquer. It was more craftsmanship.
Similarly, I’m of the opinion that the older automobiles were more of a craft. They certainly had better looks certainly had better personalities that differentiated themselves, and they certainly were exciting as the model years would change. Of course they rusted they didn’t have the same reliability that I’m sure we see today, and other issues, but I’d still rather drive my 1978 Thunderbird or my 1976 Lincoln mark four versus my wife’s 2024 Nissan rogue. excellent videos. I am a recently new subscriber and I am excited to watch more of your videos.
No I agree 100%. Since only a year ago I bought my first stick shift as my DD, learned how to drive stick on it and if everyone drove stick in a year 2000 car there would be less accidents for sure, because you’re with the stickshift you are always engaged with both hands.
Also imo makes for a funner driving experience
That'll never happen in the US.. 😂😂
Manual is better overall imo... plus I don't have to dish out 3k-5k+ for auto trans.
It can be broken down to the manual trans, clutch, flywheel, etc..
And I will agree that people will be more engaged with their driving since you have to constantly shift.
Right. The sweet spot for vehicles is 96 to 2006. This trend is everywhere. How long does a new washer last? New fridge?
I'd say '76, if it was maintained and cared for. Same with my fridges, freezers, washer and drier.
I totally agree. When my parents helped me buy my 99 Ranger new they told me if I defaulted they were done. That got me scared and motivated and when I got rid of it in 2021 it had 418K.
We had to buy a new dryer, it's 2 years old and already has issues blowing hot air. It's a dryer, that can't blow hot air.
@@FuckGoogle502 76 is during the malaise era, definitely avoid anything made by GM at the time.
@@jasong428 i have a 96 ranger 2.3. 324 000 still a good work truck
I took 2 years of auto mechanics in high school because it was a good skill to have and lots of fun. That knowledge saved me a lot of money, too. There are very few things I feel comfortable doing myself on modern cars, which is one reason I don’t have one. Repair & parts replacement of electronic components is very costly.
This summer I aim to learn auto shop stuff. I think it'll go very well with my degree of mechanical engineering. Hopefully I can also save my family some money with oil changes too haha
Learned to drive on my dad's 72 CJ5, I can tell you the is no driving experience more pure than an old Jeep. Thin military style tires, hard suspension, mechanical steering with a massive steering wheel, everything open around you, 2.6l straight 6 on a 3 speed box, pedals are perfect for heal and toe. You hear every noise, you feel every bump, you smell every smell.
MDJuan makes reproduction Willys Jeeps. I want, but might go Battery Electric Transmission.
They were better before their Stellantis times
1975 and 1980 U 50 owner here (Brazilian C 5 with 2.4 Ford engine 4 cylinder) I couldn't agree more! my GF's Jeep (the 1980) has a "cage" and her windshield is up and she has half doors. Mine is lacking all that. Windshield down, no doors. Smile from ear to ear
@@roelandpeeters931 hehe meu 72 Ford ainda era o 6 canecos, adoro esse motor.
O seu tem alguma coisa escrita na tampa traseira? Li que 72 foi o último ano que tinha escrito FORD na tampa
@@arthurbretas2003 Lo siento, no hablo Portugues. Pero no, no tiene nada escrito atras
There's a lot of bias in the house example cause your referent consists of old houses that survived to this day. Making them a terrible sample size from all old houses.
My first vehicle was an 84 manual s10. I miss it so much
I’m 22 and i own a 1979 porsche 924 and i agree with everything you say about the driving experience,it’s a lot more involved than today and if you actually like driving that’s the thing that make us cherish these old cars
I love Porsches! I just bought a 2002 Boxster.
@@tornadohunter1054 funny thing is bought a second porsche a 1999 boxster hahaha
The 90s were the height of American cars with the GM 3.8 V6 and the Ford 4.6 V8 which are still running strong today.
I go out of my way (and sometimes pay out of pocket) to convince people to fix their GM 3800s and 3100s instead of replacing them. They're such unsung heroes. My old 3100 has kept a few Impreza WRXs on their toes.
@@FuckGoogle502same goes for the 2.8l/3.1l
Not to mention how many old Chevy and ford trucks from the late 80’s are still on the road as salted up winter beaters with 300k+ miles. The video guys stupid for thinking a modern pickup would last that long
The 90's also saw the introduction of the LS V8's from GM
I've got an 08 Ford F-150 with the 4.6 L Triton. Great engine.
Anything with AC, power steering and non vinyl seat is good for me. Growing up as a kid in the 60s and living in Australia I still remember wearing shorts in summer with temps over 38c (100f) with vinyl seats and no AC.
There were many poorly built older homes.
Depends on what "older" means to you.
/giggles in desert dweller/ Lol yeah I bet that was hell.
@PEHWR.I can tell you’ve never lived in the desert. 😂😂😂
My thighs were burning just reading this.
Love my 78 caddilac, cruises 75 like a dream. The feeling is best when all 4 barrels are making the big block rumble. And here's something crazy, it averages 19 and 20 on the highway
What’s it at rpm wise on highway? Even malaise era engines were torque misters
@Balrog-tf3bg its usually running at 1600 to 2000, it tops off at 4000 to 4500 rpm
@ that’s what I love about American v8s and v6, all about the low end grunt
After having a '92 Firedbird, '01 Bonneville, '02 Grand Prix, '97 Ecoline, and '01 Explorer, i have decided that i will always get vehicles from the 90's to very early 00's for the rest of my life. I love being able to actually work on my car. Say what you will about Explorers, but there hasnt been a single problem ive had yet that i couldnt fix, and there are so many of them at pick'n'pull that often i can find parts very cheap. On top of that, the aesthetic of 90's models were great, and the features were awesome. CD/cassette combo for life!!!
I just picked up a 2009 mercury Gran Marquis...and I absolutely love it! 70,000 original miles..and runs like a top. I'm 60 years old and have had the privilege of owning quite a few vehicles in my time....but mercury is lovely to drive...it just makes me smile...oh, and there's nothing like a V8...peace, brother... really enjoy your channel 👍
I drive a 1999 Town Car and love it to death. It's only got 105000 miles and probably could last another 20 years in my care.
Agreed 👍 gotta love the almighty 4.6L SOHC 2V Modular V8 in the Ford Panther Platform.
Very good cars! Long lived the Panther platform R.I.P the last body on frame legendary car
@@Raw_Dawgs6409 the intake maniford is about to crack if it hasen't already. fyi,
When I was 16, I wanted a Crown Vic. I'm 41 now & I'd love to find one for my "midlife crisis" purchase. I told me wife that she's getting off easy. I could spend my "midlife crisis" on a Dodge Challenger or something.
I own a 1955 Ford Customline. My great grandfather bought it brand new in 1955. Those cars were made to last! You really can’t beat the experience of driving an older vehicle
This video almost made me cry. I will keep my '99 Corolla forever. Thank you for this fantastic masterpiece of a video. This is one of those videos that feel truly important. You are not blinded by nostalgia. My Corolla is modern, yet very simple and old school. It is like a car that feels 10 years older than it actually is. In a very good way. I have driven different cars, mostly from the 2005 to the 2015 era, but my old Corolla with the 86 hp 1.3 engine, puts the biggest smile on my face. You are so much more THERE when driving. It becomes an extension of my body. You can feel and hear so much more, yet it is comfy silent. I could rant on, but you do not get to experience the "true drivers feel" in a modern car where everything is muffled and faded. More people should see the value in old cars. Modern vehicles feels like you are driving high on some comfy substance with your nervous aunt yelling at you.
I have a 2000 Buick century. I get a similar feel in it. It's slow... but so reliable and comfy. I hope it runs right into the next century C:
@@amyramos4886 Yes, they got their charm those old cars. Keep it rustfree, proper maintenance and normal driving, and it should last forever :-) I'm crazy, so I'm going to repair rust on the Corolla for a lot of money. It will cost x2-3 of what the car is worth in money. But it is worth it to me
@@amyramos4886 saw some pictures of your model, and it looks really nice. I like that era's simple but clean design. Hope you manage to keep it going forever:D
@09simid Thanks 😊 👍 It is pretty simple, but I like that about it.
I just spoiled myself and put a new stereo in my early 2000's Australian Civic. What bloody moron invented a stereo deck without a volume knob? Less than a month in and I want to take a hammer to my new radio with its stupid touchscreen, and go back to the old one. What are we doing giving drivers TV Screens in their Cars? I reckon inside 10 years we're going to be looking at todays cars as our real loony stage.
Survivorship bias, old houses seem better built because they are the ones that survived poorly made houses built at the same time didn’t last as long. It is the same reason you don’t see many Pintos or Gremlins on the road, they were crappy cars.
Seems like a lot of this video can be sumbed up as, "old cars were better because the were more clunky, more of a hassle and less user friendly". As a technology developes and gets more refined it becomes easier to use and better for the majority of people. I'm sorry but it just seems like nostalgia of a bygone era. If we flipped it around and had modern day cars before and they were replaced by the older cars now, we would call it what it is, a downgrade.
Nostalgia in its peak
I used to have a car with a carburettor, no power steering and even no power brakes. I was still listening to podcast when I drove.
Same here.
Yea its called the radio
63 belair... original.. rough drive but made my arms stronger. 😂😂
Loved driving it though.
I really enjoyed this episode. I drive a 79 F250 as my daily driver and a 87 Buick Grand National when the weather allows. I agree you’re definitely paying far more attention to an older vehicle, trying to listen and diagnose every noise or vibration. However the satisfaction you get when driving an older vehicle that you have kept running and maintained can never be duplicated in a new car. Thanks for the content, very interesting!
Speaking of old houses, go back further in time and the materials become thicker. Also all the framing was knot-free vertical grain fir made from old trees that have long-since become unavailable. Cars of old were made from the highest quality materials as well, materials that are now unavailable in mass. The peak in quality being about 1910ish. Technology peaking in the 1960's.
True ....model T vanadium ..
Brazilian here and I definitely plan to get a 1994-1996 Caprice someday
Just got back from a 3020 mile trip (turning over 200k in the process) in my 91 Caprice LTZ. It has been a great car for my old age.
Mid 80's to mid 90's caprice are my favorite!
Gas guzzler but reliable af! Plus easy fix.
I had a 91 caprice... until my kids dad sold it behind my back (and my 84 caddy Sedan Deville)
I'm old enough to have owned and driven a bunch of what are now considered "classic" cars. I took auto shop in high school and learned about fixing cars and learned more as I went, which came in handy. I have literally done everything from brake jobs to rebuilding carburetors to full engine swaps on both cars and motorcycles. It used to be fun for me. That said, I hate working on newer cars. There's usually a big plastic air plenum that has to be removed to get at anything in the engine, and there is so much less room under the hood than there used to be that it's hard to work there, especially on a transverse-mounted V6. Plus, now with half a dozen or more computers in the car managing things, you really can't diagnose much of anything without a laptop and $5000 worth of dealer diagnostic software. Today's cars are designed to make it difficult for the home mechanic to do anything more than very basic routine maintenance; changing an air filter or spark plugs is about the limit. Even changing brake pads is difficult with modern ABS brakes. I think the last brake job I did was on our 1999 Honda Odyssey minivan, and we haven't owned it in ten years. Even changing the over-the-spark plug coils in my wife's Honda Fit is a chore, you literally have to remove the wiper motors and the shelf that they mount to in order to get to the back of the engine where the plugs are. It's not built for the home mechanic, and I'm getting too old to get into the odd positions required to do some of these jobs, so I shell out big $$$ to the pros. Take the VW Karmann Ghia in the video. The engine is so simple, air-cooled so no radiator, liquid coolant or coolant passages, and one person can drop the engine out of the car in about 30 minutes with nothing more than a pair of jackstands, a floor jack and a metric socket set. Once out of the car you can take the cylinder heads and cylinders off with the same tools, maybe add a metric wrench set. Dead simple. Try that with a modern car.
I still drive my 1991 Jeep that I bought in 1997 as 2nd owner. It has just over 380k miles. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
I only drive manual transmission. I am 100% engaged in driving. I can't hold a cellphone, I can't be sipping late, I can't be puting make up (😂). Therefore I do not need technology ( lane departure, radar braking etc) to save me from technology ( aka, texting, etc). Paradox is, we need tech to save us from tech and is a zero sum game.,
I've always heard people say bs about "automatic being safer cuz distraction", yet i've always seen people drive worse when they have 1000 different driving aids because they just don't care about driving.
It's even worse with "self driving".
@@Giuliana-w1fAmen
One thing I’d like to point out about that 2009 vs 1959 crash video. The 59 Chevy had GM’s X frame. Arguably the worst design for an offset collision of that era.
I’m not saying a standard ladder chassis would have won, but it wouldn’t have been quite as dramatic visually.
Then again, I suspect that is precisely what they were going for.
I’d love to see a similar test between a 1974 and a 2024. The 2024 would protect its occupants better, but the video wouldn’t be nearly as impressive. G-forces don’t show up on camera.
Also with the amount of rust dust that puffed out makes me think that the older car was clapped tf out and they prettied it up for the test. Plus I'd bet there was no engine or drivetrain in the older car either
@@mrcody1924 I can’t find them at the moment, but they’re are pictures of the car on a flatbed trailer after it was wrecked. There appeared to be an in-line six cylinder in it. Apparently, they bought the car from some guy who had restored it, and he was not very happy with what they did to it. No word on how thorough the restoration was.
I doubt they actively sabotaged the car but I’m sure the choice of cars and angle of impact was no accident.
Don't believe crash tests - you do know they are sponsored by insurance companies, trying to sell you newer, larger and more expensive to insure cars right? There's no way a plastic blob can break a steel car the way that Malibu did - unless it has additional rollbars under the plastic bumper. You see the fact is, the NCAP gets a car selected (and specially prepared) by the manufacturer himself - NCAP doesn't get to pick a random car from the assembly line :D
Ted's?
@@nathangamble125 Ted= test. Autocorrect is awfully auto but not so correct.
I bought an 86 Rx7 half a year ago and I thought I knew so much about how they worked. Its an extremely eye opening experience now that I started tinkering on my dads beaten up 69 Ranchero and seeing how scared I am to touch anything, how simple it was back then and yet i still feel comepletely unqualified to touch anything. It definitely gives you a new perspective on anything you drive when you start to know how to actually fix it.
17:16 My 1983 Mercedes 300SD has a sticker on the front of the valve cover that tells what the values are for both hot or cold valve adjustments. It has a 500k kilometer badge. I hope to get her to a million before I quit running, lol!
I just don’t like how they try to be a futuristic tech showcase instead of a car. That and older cars are usually more reliable and imo don’t look ugly compared to new cars.
I am SO GLAD I grew up in the era of "musclecars." We'll never see their like again.
I'm just glad I was early enough to get to experience my own Charger (1972 with a swapped hot '69 383). One of my absolute favorite memories was when a brand new 2006 Hemi Charger with four teenagers in it pulled up beside me at a red light with them all laughing. The driver called across to me, "Hey, is that a Hemi?" Fate smiled on me. The light turned green right then and I said "Nope," and gapped the holy hell out of them. Seriously, it was like two or three semis of a gap. They slowed way down before the next red light so they wouldn't have to pull up beside me lol. If fate smiles on me more, maybe I'll get the wiring harness and interior redone this year after the electrical fire that stopped it.
Of course, I didn't always win. There was a Trans-Am that picked its front wheels up so I could see them over my fender when it hit third and walked away. My buddy who was riding with me said, "Damn, that guy did his homework," to which I replied, "I wish I could afford that kinda homework." 🤣🤣
I’m the opposite 😂😂 I always wanted to grew up in that but didn’t have the chance. And finding a good cared muscle is impossible nowadays
Unless someone starts a company and builds cars like old cars
@@yipperdipper3189 Which I'll gladly do, right after my next lottery win.
MUST BE NICE
Driving an old car, you’re operating a machine.
Driving a new car today, you're playing with a computer...😂😁😆
Yeha, but the vast majority of the population does not want that; they want something that easily gets them from A to B & is comfortable to sit in while doing so
@@Sithhythen they don't need cars they need public transport
I really enjoyed this video. When I started working on cars my motto was, "If I can take it apart, I can put it back together." and it worked for all of my early vehicles. You're right, I was not a mechanic, or what we used to call, a motorhead, I was just a typical teenager with a car and no money. So if it broke, I had to fix it myself, usually with parts from the "U Wrench It" junk yard. Which meant I had to take tools with me so I could remove the needed part once I found a car that had what I needed. Ahhh those were the days.
My first truck is my 90 ford f150, my dads old rig he got at 17 and used it from his volunteer firefighter days, to being a paramedic which it died taking him to the job I revived it and now I’m restoring it, it’s been through my whole life and I love it more than anything, the most reliable vehicle I’ve ever driven
The way you describe old cars is perfect
well done, i like my modern car, i view it as an appliance for transportation. i have had a number of old ones, and i love them more.
My father has a 1950 Dodge B-2-C that we've been working on. It sat for about 18 years before I took an interest and expressed that I wanted to work on it. We put in a new battery, sanded the points, changed the plugs, squirted gas down the carb, and it fired right off. Soon after, I managed to drive it backwards a few feet out of the rut it was in. I didn't really know how to drive stick at the time (however I know the principals behind it), but I sure learned the feeling of driving a manual. It's not road worthy yet, but driving it around the yard is so fun. Hopefully by the time I graduate college, I can drive that Dodge out of the parking lot like a cool kid 😂
man, when you were talking about the steps needed to start your classic cars, it brought back good old memories. I remember one vehicle had it's thermostat brake on me. It wasn't a big deal, and after that when I'd go starting the car up I got into the habit of not leaving until the water temp/pressure gage got to that spot where you could feel or watch exactly when the thermostat opened. My Christine car growing up was a 79 Ford Ranchero. It had it's ups/downs, but by the end of the day it got me from a to b, easy to work on/fix yourself, and just a joy to ride around in.
I technically drive a classic car. I don't really think of it as one but when I was asked if I wanted to put antique plates on my '96 Buick Century I was like damn, I guess it is. It's just before they rounded them out, actually really funny to see the commercial clips in this video. People have started complimenting my church shuttle, and I can only assume they are mistaking it for a regal or something cause it's a very generic car. I personally love it, I just dropped like 5k on repairs for it just to make sure everything was brought up to par, which didn't quite work but progress for sure. It is one of the most comfortable cars I've ever sat in, I love the bench seats be it for when I have a date riding with me, or if I'm taking a nap during a road trip. It feels faster than it is, the suspension is crazy, it's still an automatic instead of manual, which is convenient, has a tape deck and powered windows but you still have to use a separate key for the door and the ignition. It is a car that has a good balance of outdated and modern features. Love that stupid land boat.
Being a motorist is very rewarding in many ways. I fell in love with my 1983 280zx in 2023. I grew up tinkering with my dad. It does get challenging. Sometimes, it feels like one thing after the other. But finding it within yourself to overcome those challenges one by one, learning something new every day and really internalizing the entire machine; it builds character.
A 280ZX would be a dream to me.
I Still drive my 1953 Hudson hornet I’ve owned for almost twenty years. The same goes for my father he still drives his Chevy el camino ss. He owned it for the past 30 years. One of the best things about old cars is the frame they are made out of a very strong metal compared to today’s vehicles
Your not blinded by nostalgia. I feel the same way, esp when it comes to how people view "reliability" ill take being able to fix my 80's diesel rabbit over a modern vehicle any day of the week
My 2012 elantra still going strong. 280,000 miles and my girl Gwenivere has still got it
I remember when most people did their maintenance like oil changes, checking on anti freeze, and replacing burnt out bulb for lights on car mostly on Saturdays. Most people carried oil and tools in there cars so they could do road side repairs on their cars if something happens. It was easy to replace brakes, shock absorbers, clutches if you had the right tools. Tune up we easy too with a timing light, feeler gauges, and a dwell meter. I actually miss those days, since working on your own car did save you money.
I love that this video has described my weekend his week. Replacing a worn distributor on my 42 year old car and setting up the timing and the choke and the feeling of pride when it actually starts and going for a drive in the first sun of the year. Having an old car is definitely a headache but it definitely makes you slow down and think how things work and problem solve. Repairing it on the side of the road or in a car park can be thrilling
Yeah. People on these days have turned to be lazy with their cars and rather buy expensive repair than repair car themself
As the owner of an early 2000s car. I feel that I have found the sweet spot between reliability and simplicity. I have experienced vintage cars and plenty of brand new ones. I definitely believe that driving an older car which usually has better visibility will make most people better drivers. However, I have experienced a few modern cars that somehow manage to give me the feel that old cars give, which makes me very happy.
Which ones? I'm still searching for a modern car that gives me the same joy as the old muscle car boats.
@@FuckGoogle502any late 90’s early 00’s muscle car ie. GTO Camaro Mustang vette etc
A newer car that feels like a classic for me here in Europe is the Suzuki Jimny Automatic. I've just driven one and it could end up being my next car. The 2014 model is the sweet spot. Not too old, so parts and warranty and everything is still a given. But so cozy and comfy all around. You hear every sound as well. It has a lot of character.
@@FuckGoogle502 I don't think there is one. Albeit I'm in the UK, but I have worked in a fast fit garage and as an airport valet parker, so I've driven a few hundred modern cars, The most notable ones that came in that I remember were a 2002 F150, 2004 Lexus GS430 and my own 1996 Jag X300 3.6. Almost everything after the 90's feels the same and is bland as hell. That includes £100k+ Porsches and Land/Rangerovers.
I love this video, i may only be 18 but ive been around old vehicles my whole life and gthe lack of craftsmanship on everything nowadays is just painful, my grandpa used to work for fisher body and he was unhappy about the craftsmanship going downhill even back in the 80s, but even houses, my parents house was built cheaply and i constantly see shit that wasnt done well and would never have been an issue on an older home where somebody gave even half a crap about it, this is such a boomery rant but tldr, i actually hate how crappy everything is made
Exactly! Nobody cares about quality anymore they just care about how many of them they can make.
Hell yeah Fisher Body was the shit back in the day. Dad's old Caddy was done by them.
Also, yeah on the houses. I was in a band for a while and there was this really nice couple who's son was into the local bands and they would let us have shows in their basement. Once time, a big ol' dude tripped in the mosh pit and went through the flimsy wall. I looked at it and went, "Why would this wall be made of 1x2s?" not knowing that they were in earshot. They went ballistic. Apparently that house had been marketed as "overbuilt" and they paid more than average for the area because of the "ruggedness." Yeah, they got boned by that contractor. (We did fix the wall for them.)
The oldest car I drove regularly was a 1969 Dodge pickup truck without power anything, including brakes or steering. The newest car I drive regularly is a 2023 VW electric SUV with all the latest technology. Honestly, I much prefer driving the newer vehicle. The old Dodge is still in the family and I could probably get it if I wanted to, since it's hardly ever driven. I don't want it at all.
This video has inspired me to tackle the project of fixing 2 old cars on my family's property; both are from before the 70's. I have always been scared to work on them because any car that I have worked on before turned into a chaotic mess. But this video has showed me with less research and tools you can get more done without needing an expert or a mechanic. I have my grandpappy (this man should have been a engineer) knows anything to do with cars and I will have him guide me the whole way, thanks.
I bought a 1975 Oldsmobile delta 88 when I was 16, I’ve owned the car for 2 years and love it over my daily driver (2018 Chevy Colorado)
Why isn't the Olds your daily? lol I get it, mileage and parts cost, but MAN I would wanna drive it every day.
i started working as an automotive electrician 18 years ago. in my opinion a good car is one that does NOT have a body control module. im okay with ONLY the engine being somewhat controlled by the ecu (i dont see anything wrong with my throttle cable)
I've been learning to tune OBD1 Chevys and I'm convinced carbs are the way to go. One normal screwdriver, a jet screwdriver, dizzy wrench and maybe different counterweights and it's done lol Edit: Well, I forgot and a vacuum gauge. Running like crap because of the extreme weather? Five minutes and it's dialed. Two and it's drivable.
@@FuckGoogle502 while you and i might be able to tune up a classic car, if a relative was looking for something simple i wouldnt be able to ask them to do the same. "big kids lego" is so much fun tho
@@FuckGoogle502 Anything pre-OBDII is trash-tier injection imo. The whole point of fuel injection is to account for various issues with driving conditions with the sensors.
Owning an old car means you have to become involved with the vehicle. You tend to form a relationship with it. Today most cars are just appliances. My wife and I, however, LOVE our 2022 Mustang!
i got a 1976 el camino as my first car and although it often has its issues i honestly think it was a great experience for me .Because i had driven enough before getting my license that the extra challenges imposed by it being old was not really that much of a problem. So it just made me enjoy the driving experience and really get better at driving because i was much more excited to drive and it really helped teach me more about watching for issues and keeping up with the maintenance. Another thing thats not really thought much about is that an old car is definitely harder to drive than a new car so when i would drive other cars it was just fine for me and i could easily adapt where my friends would have a lot more difficulties with it.
Right on... I daily a 68 Dodge Dart...
Cheers from Orange County California 🇺🇸
I’m 14 and my dream car that I want to drive while still in high school is a 1957 Bel Air. I have always found older cars so much more appealing than newer cars, and I think the Bel Air is the perfect embodiment of, “designed with thought and love,”
I recently bought a 2000 Porsche Boxster S. I got it for $5k and the understanding that the only way I can justify the ownership costs is if I do all the maintenance myself. I've never owned a project car before, and you can bet a $5,000 24 year old Porsche with 160,000 miles on the clock will need some work.
I've had a bit of a love/hate relationship with some of the projects I've tackled, but every time I take a drive I remember all the work I've done to keep it on the road and it fills me with pride and joy.
Go buy a project car, get your hands dirty, then enjoy the drive!
I have a 50s truck and i drive it all the time. Sure ive broken doen a few times but i can always get it going again with little effort. What ive noticed about classics is you can limp them home but new cars need a tow truck.
There is nothing I want more than a 1969 Mustang Boss 302.
The sound alone is incredible.
Also, I’m 21.
Calling old cars better or worse is not really applicable. If you're driving 30 miles to work every day, an Alfa or MG from the 70s is gonna be a terrible choice. But if you're just cruising the Blue Ridge or Pacific Coast Highway for a weekend trip, a 2024 Elantra ain't it.
I've driven and/or owned a number of cars over my 12 years of driving and I can say without a doubt that the older they are the more I enjoy driving them. I find myself constantly confused in new cars as to how it works and what it does automatically that I no longer need to account for. The joke here is I used to be a programmer full time. Now I drive a 1990 XJ and I love every moment of it. Not to mention I love working on it.
I can say confidently after driving 200+ cars so far, old cars are better. And I'm 33. If you are about driving, older cars are better. If you are a traveller or passenger type, take the train, don't drive a car.
I really wish it weren't the case. I hope that in 15-20 years, the newer cars now will be as easy to maintain as older cars from the 2000s and 1990s. Really worried that as time goes on it will be harder and more expensive to find and keep old cars running.
@pdubsyyyy The biggest problem I have with that is that eventually the supply of used cars will dry up because people will keep scrapping them for rust, people will keep cutting up shells to modify and race and engine swap, etc. Plenty of cars that used to have great aftermarket support are now tossed to the wayside and models that have enjoyed a dedicated fanbase are rising in price.
It's cheaper to replace the engine on a K20 or K24 swapped Honda S2000 than it is to replace the original engine... that's rather sad when you think about it.
Was very nice listening to you.
As an old cars collector, i cant agree more: about the sync between the man and the machine, the stimulation with driving an old vehicle, and the distracted driving caused by various reasons:
1. blind trust on the vehicle in case of an accident
2. Zero to very little connection between the driver and the car
3. Cellphones...
The TPS arguing with you about how fast 30% throttle is supposed to be...
God, I hate Mom's Mazda Tribute (Ford Escape).
Old cars have the best safety equipment - more window area. When you can see almost 360 around you, you prevent the accident from happening at all. And if some EV monster that weighs 3 tons decides to run you over, in your normal sized retro car, who's fault is it gonna be? Nowadays they're trying to blame the poor person, who can't afford a modern SUV.
So true, Bart! In so many ways, older cars and houses were better... and usually much more affordable relative to income. I especially liked what you pointed out about not needing backup cameras. I recently bought my first car that had a backup camera. I like it BUT I hate the fact that I can turn my head in most directions and not see anything. Backup cameras are not improvements or helps in these poorly designed cars; they're necessities. Cars also used to have a lot of individuality, thus allowing the driver to pick a car that expressed his or her personality within budgetary considerations. Nowadays, everything looks pretty much alike. All of this is the result of an attack by corporations and government on consumers. Pleasing the customer is no longer a consideration.
Agreed 100%
I drive a 1998 Subaru legacy wagon, it only has 100 000 miles on it, runs like a champ with an EJ22.
Whenever I told my dad I started admiring older cars, I was told it was a good thing and he told me about how it's easier to maintain and how far more unique they are. He even told me that people are going to find classic cars are still better 100 years from now, I can say the same thing with CRT's. I have a Mitsubishi TV from '86 and it feels like brand new, not showing a single bit of age while we originally had a Roku from 2019 that broke after 2 years.
Great topic, I drive a 74 MGB that I've had for 25 years. To me it's a hobby and the car has been fully sorted for 20 years. Like you describe, mine was a rust free barn find example I found in Central California but it was stored for many years by the time I towed it home with a U-haul car carrier I rented. Long story short the first five years were challenging, I got it running and driving in a couple of days but replaced every piece of rubber on the car at least once. I cheated when it came to the electrical systems and installed an electronic 95 amp alternator replacing the 34 Amp unit, I replaced the 25D distributor with an electronic version of the same and did the same with the starter. Every part that needed replacement was replaced with a new part after having rebuilt some parts three times over. The major components are numbers matching and it starts first time every time and has done so for years now. The MGB has fantastic parts availability rivaling many new cars. The car is extremely reliable and starts every time and i hardly get to work on it any more. Mine has overdrive and is freeway capable and has windows that even roll up! I worked on these cars working at a neighborhood foreign car repair shop while going to college. I've had many cars and I always have at least one car that connects me to my history and I've even had some that predate me as well. Sitting behind the wheel of any of these classics is like going back in time like when we drove with our parents on weekends when we were kids just taking rides on old country roads. I still wave at the cows...
I'm 29 and got a 1979 MGB LE roadster about 5 months ago, I've been slowly fixing her up over the winter and she is running good now. These cars are so much fun.
@@tigermedz Good choice; the MGB is the quintessential expression of a true old fashioned sports car. No new car can replicate the MGB feel. With few exceptions it's the end of an era. Usually guys your age don't get the old fashioned sports car and you are going to love it. They do everything well but nothing great. They were quick in their day but not a muscle car. They handle well and have a good driving feel but it's not a 911, they stop great but not like a Ferrari. The top takes 15 minutes to put up and it keeps you dry in the rain, sorta. It's worth the effort don't give up. Drive it every chance you get and don't let it go unfixed for a minute longer than necessary. It should always be ready to go for a ride, if you're like me it lifts your spirits. Fix it as you go. If it looks ratty, drive it anyway, if it looks great drive it, if it breaks, fix it then drive it some more. BTW this philosophy goes for any classic car. Have FUN
@@hummiesatmv that's good advice! Mine is a garage queen according to my mechanic, but I drive it whenever the weather permits. In 5 months I've got new tires, put in a new ignition switch, spark plugs, new fuse box, battery, had someone teach me to adjust the rear brakes, and then I've changed out some worn interior bits. I'm loving it so far! And people my age don't even know what these are usually.
You're not near Roanoke, are you? There's a dude I've seen driving his for about as long. He has a few of them though, not sure of the years.
@@FuckGoogle502 no I'm not from that area. But if you can find a good runner that's rust free, do it!
Great video! I totally agree with the 80’s-90’s suggestion, I own a 1991 Toyota MR2 and it’s such a fun car that is almost bare bones with the spec I have. No power steering, no abs or traction control, manual, pedals controlled by wires, you name it.
Truly it’s the experience of just being connected to the road without so many assists or notifications yelling at you on a screen in new cars. The instant response from the wheel and knowing that whatever amount of input I put is what I’m getting is unmatched. Awesome video!
A word on safety. While this does not make up for the lack of safety in classics, when you drive an old car you HAVE to pay attention. They do not allow inattentiveness and texting and autopiloting like modern cars. They also force you to check that your car is in good working order. Moreover, everyone around you is paying so much more attention and being so much more courteous and careful because they SEE you and are watching out for you in particular. I never get cut off or endangered in my car even in the 4th worst driving city in the union, but when driving my family's vehicles I'm nearly wrecked by people multiple times every time I go out. Nobody wants to wreck a classic, whether you're in it or around it. Insurance on classics is low because classic car drivers don't get into wrecks at nearly the same rates as new car drivers. So while classics are absolutely comparatively unsafe in a wreck, the likely-hood of a wreck is reduced.
I make up for the lessened safety with paying real attention and not gping 75 on the highway
@@TeaMollie11 Exactly
I used to drive a hearse around and was given lots of space by other drivers. It was great.
Ins. Co. Know classics are pampered & not daily drivers, so few miles, risk of wreck= cheap ins.
Modren cars still don't allow that look at the ones who have died in Tesla cars. People will learn the hard way.
I started driving at 16 years old in 1979. My first car was a 1969 dodge Dart Coupe. It had a 318 ci v8 making 230 hp standard 4 wheel drum brakes standard steering and power nothing... It weighed 1800 lbs. It was way too quick for a new driver. You had to measure stopping distance in football fields. In 1979 a 7 second 0 to 60 was pretty damn fast. It was by almost every measure a horrible car, but it was glorious. It was the best car I ever owned. I still miss it. Sadly I was young, poor, and stupid, and I beat the ever loving snot out of it, but I learned a lot. I had to. Although I can't afford vintage cars I do own 3 vintage motorcycles. A 1979 Suzuki GT 750, a 1966 BSA lightning, and a 1979 Harley-Davidson FL which like my first car was given to me by my father. I really enjoy your videos. I understand the passion and the underlying message. Owning one of these old girls is really rewarding, but go into it with your eyes wide open. You need to develop a few very easy to pick up skills. It is, in my opinion, totally worth it. My friend who also owns a shovel head Harley sums it up like this "this thing is a horrible machine, but damn it's pretty"
This reminds me of a funny thing that happened to my dad a couple years ago. He was looking to buy a new car and he met this old Mexican guy who was trying to sell a 1974 Dodge Dart which just so happened to be my dad's first car. It looked really nice and my dad couldn't wait to buy it, but then the nostalgia goggles immediately came off once it was time to test drive it lol. It took about 20 minutes of fiddling around just to get the thing started and once it was running it felt horrible to drive around and whenever it turned, the front wheels would be grinding on something. Needless to say he didn't end up buying the Dart, but he did buy the guy's 2000 Camry which only had about 70k miles and ran great.
has a 19 year old i love my 1941 chevy. The car is simple, fun to drive, and a lot of the parts are built tuff. I wil say for some reason ill never really know ive always liked the older cars even though they are less safe. American cars from the 1930s to the mid 1950s are my favourites. Nice video you gave honest truth!
You described old cars perfectly, I agree on pretty much all points. I have a 1988 Pontiac Firebird over here in Europe, she steals the show everywhere, she never let me or my dad down, she has problems and its a damn project car at the end of the day. I wouldn't trade that car for anything. Old cars are irreplaceable
I can reach through my 1965's engine bay and touch the ground with both hands, in new cars I can't reach anything below the surface because it's covered with facades. I can fix almost every problem with that car myself, and if I can't its because I need a car lift or pneumatics or something, on new cars I can barely get in to change the oil. Driving a classic turns the slog and boredom of driving into an activity that I look forward to. I can feel everything and every problem and I know when something isn't right, on a new car I can't tell anything without paying someone to plug it into a $10,000 computer.
I saved and scraped in high school to buy a classic knowing nothing about mechanics, because I can't stand how modern cars look. Every day I walk out to my Falcon and feel so much pride because I maintain and drive a piece of living artwork that makes people happy. However, this still isn't what keeps me dedicated to it when I'm stranded, or when I'm frustrated, or when I'm broke. What keeps me around is the feeling of my engine rumbling, the smell of my exhaust, the feeling of the controls in my hands, and the living breathing connection to this machine that I have like nobody else ever will. When I get behind the wheel of a new car I feel uncomfortable, lacking, and dejected. There is nothing behind them. I will leave this car to whoever is left after I'm gone. No matter if it is totaled, rusted, destroyed, or burned, I will never give up on it.
A restomod can also be a great example of a combination of old and new like you can have all the old school looks and feel while having some modern performance and efficiency as well.
But then you have to deal with unfixable computers and have destroyed a classic car.
@@michaelbenardo5695 are you talking to me? I have no idea what you’re referencing that I said.
I remember back in the mid 2000s when my assistant scoutmaster asked if I could change the oil on his Audi. I looked at it and the skid plate was secured by Security Torx screws, which were at the time, new to me. I had Torx, but not the "security" version with the hold in the center of the bits. I told him, "I guess they want more of your money."
@@michaelbenardo5695 ...huh? I don't follow. Are you referring to the restomod comment? In which case, I agree. Don't sully classic cars with computer BS.
I understand exactly what you’re talking about. My daily driver was a plug-in hybrid when I got my 1979 MGB. It wasn’t technically a barn find, but it sat in my grandma’s garage for 27 years. Once I got it running and took it for its first drive across town, my thought was “Driving this car is a lot of work.” Still love it though!
Aye I got a 79 MGB as well! I love driving it haha😂
This is so true and the fact that people don't realize it makes me sad
I owe it to a family member for finding my first and current car, a mk4 golf (automatic)
There's so much high quality stuff packed in one small 4 door car it's wild.
Changing the oil?, easy to spot and remove, changing the engine belt?, no issue you can do it solo via a youtube tutorial.
A car and a engine made to not screw over the customer and mechanics, hats off to the designers.