I really feel that’s where we are in the automotive industry. The days of simplicity, and having 100% control over the vehicle you drive is gone.
I was recently with out cable for several days and was going through all my old Motor Trends ( there was nothing else to do) from the early 90. After looking trough several and i couldn’t help but realize, I long for the days of simpler cars. There were some pretty bad-ass rides in those days.
Sure, the interiors sucked, the creature comforts were at a minimum and the driving experience was far from maximized. But those cars had personality, good or bad, they had it. They didn’t all look like melted jelly beans and come equipped exactly the same. You were in control of the cars. If you fucked up, you shit yourself trying to drift it across 3 lanes of traffic on the 290 because you lifted on the on ramp. But you could have fun in them. Oh yeah and every car didn’t weigh 6348750394785 lbs
After reading Mike’s (and others; see dod) post in the review thread about the Exploder, I couldnt help but recall the last time i forgot to turn off the TC in the Z28 only to get pissed off. Cars pretty much drive themselves these days. Good luck trying to tune one yourself. Cars’ shapes are no longer art, designed to please the eye. They are 100% functionally dependent on aerodynamic behavior.
It seem (to me anyway) that with the increasing complexity of the electronic control of today’s vehicles that they are losing their soles. A car is no longer something to Lust over and find its individuality that matches your desires. They are all becoming so cookie-cutter and dull, nothing more than transportation to coddle us while we drive to work.
I’ll keep my 10yo Z28 and all its flaws. Its not the prettiest. Far from the nicest interior and that live axle rides like shit. But on a crisp spring night, it sure is fun to drive. And damn it!.. its me.
i don’t know…i disagree with about 1/2 of your mini-rant. I just think you’re stuck in the 90’s. The car designs have been far more “outside the box” in the 2000’s then most any other decade.
Certain models just seem to shit up the automotive industry… i.e. Monte Carlo.
I have owned many cars but there was nothing quite like the visceral feel of my 1972 911. Infact there has been much controversy in the evolution of the 911 over the years. 911 enthusiasts complain every time a new one comes out because it isn’t like the old one but they are almost always faster.
I thought my 951 was like magic when I drove it because it was so much more refined. I eventually bought an Evo and modded it which was a bit scary because even though I knew it handled well it never felt “glue to the road” like a 951 does.
But yeah, the old 911 was the scariest and that is why we drive fast, correct?
The older the car the cheaper and easier it is to mod for performance.I havnt really seen any newer cars that put any real good #s down at the track stock.So even if the new ones are say 425 horse there still not putting the times down that older cars did.Handling now thats another story.But driving the old car to the track say nyirp and but would really suck with some 4.11s and no overdrive.I have owned nothing but 60s and early 70s mopars but when i bought my first grand national i was hooked.I can put down decent track times and cruise worry free.So i get why the newer cars are cool to mod also.
I think some companies are getting carried away with it. See the latest M5/M3 with their 18 setting traction control/stability systems and “power” buttons. When did on/off become insufficient? Or maybe, On, Race, Off.
And if my car makes 500 HP I shouldn’t have to go into a menu system to get it because by default I only get 400 HP. All cars already have that switch and it’s controlled by my right foot.
