How many people actually adore brand-new automobiles?

[NightHawk47]

Two brand-new vehicles—my Audi A6 Avant and a BMW 3 series—have passed through my hands since 2015. Both vehicles have served me well and never failed me.

Still, I've always thought of them as mere implements. To be honest, I wouldn't say I love them more than an electric drill. Somehow, I just can't seem to relate to them. Perhaps it's because, in comparison to older vehicles, the ride is too lifeless. I am uncertain.

My Clio Williams 2 is the bee's knees. I always feel happy when I'm driving it.

Is there a contemporary vehicle out there that can do the same? Is it my fault for purchasing an outdated model, or is it a universal problem with contemporary automobiles?

[SilentSpanner]

It's unfortunate that cars nowadays are being manufactured with the same level of interchangeability and forgetfulness as appliances or other white goods; I've mentioned this to friends before.

The vehicles with the most personality are the ones that I remember most fondly from my fleet of cars. I remember my Nova and Rover 200; I guess you just don't care as much about cars now as you used to.

Every one of VAG's vehicles feels almost identical to the next, and the company's recent efforts to fully digitise its lineups and push toward electric vehicles have been disastrous. At work, we have a Tiguan that drives like a T-roc, golf, or polo; it has lost all of its "character."

A Jimny or Land Cruiser would be my top picks for a "new" or "recent" vehicle to purchase, maintain, and develop an emotional connection to. Just different models of analogue cars from a bygone era that didn't have computers. Naturally, that is only my personal viewpoint.

[NightHawk47]

Oh! My gorgeous Giulia and 159 are the worst cars ever to own.

[NightHawk47]

The Guilia has always been one of my favourite car types.

Is the occasional breakdown necessary for you to truly appreciate a car?

My original Mk1 Clio was fantastic. Almost as much time as I spent driving it was spent pushing it and cursing at it. It was once my only option for spending the nite when I became stranded. Even so, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[SilentSpanner]

My answer would be "yes," but only if it serves to commemorate the time you spent with it. Because it served its purpose and was otherwise unremarkable, I am at a loss to describe the Kia I once owned.

However, despite the head gasket, battery problems (I crawled into my boot more than once to open the driver's door), and a leaky sunroof, I still have fond memories of my Rover.

[NotePapa]

Blue Mg ZR 180 was my favourite. It was a retirement crisis, but it was a little bit of a boy racer car! A police officer once questioned my ownership of the vehicle, stating that it appeared to be too old. Easy enough to mess around with for the average person, everything ran smoothly, but you couldn't help but worry about the head gasket every time you were out. Instead of being "in your face" with electronic safety features, the 2019 Golf GTI 7.5 strikes a nice balance with them (and heated seats!!). In contrast, later VWs are like walking into a TV showroom. Sadly, it appears that the latest Audis are also heading in that direction. I believe the 2023 A3 strikes a nice mix between technology and safety once again.

DanPow, despite her reliability issues, my daughter loves Alphas and is on her third Gloria. She refuses to give it up.

[NightHawk47]

Yes, I do value my Audi's air conditioning, heated seats, and superior safety features in comparison to my previous vehicles.

Aside from the autonomous braking system that detects collisions. Well, that's disappointing. Any time it has continued, it has been for no apparent reason. I was fortunate that no one was following when the emergency brake went off...

Driving on the opposite side of the road is something I have to get used to for a while, so lane detection is only useful when I'm in Europe.

[RicketyRick]

I have driven 58 years, and every car I've owned has been a used one. But that's another story if, as I assume, you're referring to contemporary automobiles.

I value the conveniences found in contemporary automobiles, such as air conditioning, heating, steering wheel and seat adjustments, cruise control, dependability, etc. Next, there are the safety and performance considerations, such as improved braking, tires, power steering, fuel efficiency, and crash resistance. Those considerations are commendable in and of themselves, but they dilute the uniqueness of each model. Even though some of the features were a real pain in the rear, I really enjoy the nostalgic, quirky, and character-filled aspects of older vehicles. A Mk1 Ford Consul's vacuum wipers come to mind; when the throttle was fully open, the car would move at a snail's pace, in stark contrast to its hinged quarter lights, which provided powerful face ventilation. The Mark 2 Zephyr that whisked me across Europe and fooled gas station attendants everywhere with its concealed filler cap—it was cleverly concealed behind the hinged rear number plate. The Granada Cosworth that rivalled a Golf GTI on a challenging hill climb. Before I could afford garage services, all of them were entertaining but laborious to maintain running. Looking back, I see no use in returning to my younger self; I have better things to do with my time here than spend it squished under a dirty car.

[BeardAndBeans]

 now your talking, best one I ever had was a 1983 TI Green Cloverleaf which I acquired in 1988 with 46k on the clock, that went to the south of France twice and Yorkshire several times as well as numerous trips to the coast, the previous owner had Koni shocks fitted and it went round corners like it was on rails the fortunate thing about this era was the numbers in my local scrap yard from whence I acquired a set of nearly new set of Dellorto 40IDFS and a Scorpion exhaust manifold, quick trip down the local rolling road and I had won an extra 15hp it flew, spark plugs about £12 a set for the proper Lodge item and the proper Selenium oil and filter about £20, inboard discs which if set up properly would stop on a sixpence no power steering and as much feedback as you could ever want through the steering wheel, we were on holiday in Cornwall when the rear pads started squeaking because they were low, no problem, drove to the nearest car spares place and bought a new fitting kit with pads for £40 and changed the lot in forty mins outside the holiday let, simple engineering and easy to fix, no electronic callipers, no diagnostic port, Bosch electronic ignition which I only changed the spark plug leads a couple of times with the distributor cap, no ESP that was down to me to keep it on the tarmac, it finally succumbed to the metal maggot, so I bought a Sprint Coverleaf which did not handle as well, if they bought this out again minus the rot I would buy one today.