8th Nov 2023, 10:37
Guess that person likes all the modern technology and nonsense on cars. I think basic analog cars are a lost art, and drivers have suffered as a result. People don’t even look over their shoulders anymore when backing up or switching lanes. They expect a warning or maintenance light will illuminate for everything, and there’s no need to own responsibility yourself to ensure your car is in proper working order. The art of working on your car yourself and also not being stuck with a $400 repair even when something very minor goes wrong is also lost. Guessing 99% of drivers couldn’t even change an air filter themselves anymore, let alone something “hard” such as wiper blades (sarcasm).
8th Nov 2023, 20:29
Probably what was meant was that if you compare a car from the 70's to today we've come a long way. As someone who also owns a classic car there is absolutely no way I would want to get into an accident in it. Back then there was very little in the way of safety when it came to protecting the occupants. No crumple zones, not enough sufficient protection around the interior cabin spaces, no anti-lock brakes, and pretty nasty handling. Yes - these old cars are charming, but let's not fool ourselves. They are far from being safe, especially when more than half of the country now drives massive, full sized trucks.
8th Nov 2023, 21:28
Modern car design doesn't help either. I used to think parking sensors were a frivolity, until I couldn't back up a modern smallish sedan without the risk of hitting what was behind me, because I couldn't actually see or estimate the length of the car anymore, with the rear window being really small and the boot lid so high. Looking over your shoulders reveals almost nothing, with the high waistline and very thick pillars. I used to be able to parallel park a '70s S-class LWB Mercedes just by looking back, because I could see the rear nearside edge. As for the air filter - many of them are now a pain in the neck to get to. Not just a wing nut or a single top bolt to undo.
9th Nov 2023, 00:23
I agree, but the old vs new debate ignites on here once in a while. It usually ends (after about 100 comments or the thread getting locked) with everyone agreeing to disagree, or both sides realizing there are pros and cons about equal on both sides of the argument :)
10th Nov 2023, 14:17
The reason its hard to see out of modern cars was mentioned above. Modern safety requirements means there needs to be more protection from the sides and that means the level of the windows has gotten way, way higher.
That said... and I say this as a curmudgeonly person... if you get familiar with these modern safety features that do work. We bought a 2023 Subaru a little over a year and a half ago. It features a backup camera, front and rear sensors and an accident avoidance system. It also detects signs, the cars in front and back, lines on the roads and has automatically adjusting 4WD. At first I did not trust any of those things. Now I find them pretty useful. The car prevented us from having an accident a few months ago. Someone pulled out immediately in front of us and the car reacted instantly, slamming on the brakes. I didn't even realize what had happened until it was over. Had it been me controlling the car we would have hit the other car.
12th Nov 2023, 22:40
Safety technology for sure has come a long way. It had to seeing how the population has tremendously grown over the years, making freeways and main roads more congested.
Your Subaru is still relatively brand new. The test of time (5 - 10 years) will only tell how reliable and how long those safety features will last if you plan on keeping it that long.
2nd Nov 2023, 19:32
They don’t build them like this anymore and that’s a good thing.