What is it about modern cars that makes them less appealing

[megatron]

The topic of modern cars being less appealing than older cars from just a decade or so ago. The general consensus is that modern cars have alot less appeal then even the most mundane of classic. Im not faulting there are some fantastic pieces of automotive design and engineering, but for most of us a well presented old triumph still has more appeal.
So what is it about modern cars that make them less appealing? And do you think that when they are a few decades old they will have the same following as the classics of today?

[davepoth]

It doesn't take much. Look on the first page of GG, you'll see a thread about the end of pop up headlights. That's due to mandatory pedestrian safety regulations. That's also why the front of cars now looks a lot like a pillow. Older cars were allowed to be pointy at the front.

[Egg Chaser]

davepoth said:

due to mandatory pedestrian safety regulations.

This.

[Hell27]

davepoth said:

It doesn't take much. Look on the first page of GG, you'll see a thread about the end of pop up headlights. That's due to mandatory pedestrian safety regulations. That's also why the front of cars now looks a lot like a pillow. Older cars were allowed to be pointy at the front.

Also, look at some of the cars in this thread:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Rammy76]

davepoth said:

It doesn't take much. Look on the first page of GG, you'll see a thread about the end of pop up headlights. That's due to mandatory pedestrian safety regulations. That's also why the front of cars now looks a lot like a pillow. Older cars were allowed to be pointy at the front.

Pretty much what he said. They all now carry too much weight and feel more "numb" to drive, especially with the copious amounts of electronics involved IMO.

[lordlee]

Yep the safety regs really compromise the design ethic of the car these days. The price of safety I guess.

[carmonk]

Aesthetics is one thing, fking nannying is my pet hate. I just saw an ad on TV for some fking stbucket that boasted a 'fatigue detector'. A what detector? A fking fatigue what? fk off! Next thing'll be a probe up your arse and down your cock end to warn you when you're 75% ready for a whizz. These modern cars, bristling with pointless gadgets and two dozen airbags so that every bump cost £10K is what I really hate, and it probably shows.

Edited by carmonk on Tuesday 25th January 00:10

[pinchmeimdreamin]

I dont know what you mean

[boredofmyoldname]

Too much safety, too many computers taking over decisions and removing the need to learn or hone skills, too much added weight both because of safety and toys the marketting men have said we need. Nobody dies without electric windows, air con, sat nav, or electronic memory seats.

The nannying of cars seems to be linked to much less driver skill, which in turn will add to the proof that speed kills because eventually people will be too stupid to know what to do in an emergency.

[davepoth]

Rammy76 said:

davepoth said:

It doesn't take much. Look on the first page of GG, you'll see a thread about the end of pop up headlights. That's due to mandatory pedestrian safety regulations. That's also why the front of cars now looks a lot like a pillow. Older cars were allowed to be pointy at the front.

Pretty much what he said. They all now carry too much weight and feel more "numb" to drive, especially with the copious amounts of electronics involved IMO.

The numbness has a lot to do with front axle location in relation to the front of the car. It's quite normal to have a foot of car hanging off the front, even on something "sporty" like the Ferrari 458.

[Mr Dave]

They are getting too good.

You have two cars. One a Mark 2 Escort RS2000, it often wont start, the roof lining is hanging down, seats are knackered, the engine burns oil, the gearbox is like stirring a spoon in porridge, the steering trails the arms out of you and in a crash you are dead. The radio is useless and can only play tapes badly. When it is right its just so good, the faults make the car.

Now if the other car is a modern Mondeo diesel. It starts on the button every time, the seats dont sag and mould to you and stay perfectly solid and the leather doesnt mark, its faster than the Capri, the gearbox is tight and good to use, The engine is quiet and smooth and pulls all through most of the rev band evenly and smoothly. The steering is assisted and the ratio and weighting is perfectly set up, the tyres grip and the ESP makes sure that if the tyres slip you still wont crash and the Ipod connectivity and bluetooth is fantastic.

The Mondeo will be faster and is a better car in every respect but its not. Its a bit duller and there is no "character".

Horses for courses and all that. Modern cars arent worse, theyre too much better.

Same was said about all the cars people on here will lament when they were new.

Saying that, there are plenty of cars now that stand above the dross and really are a lot more appealing and we only really remember the cars that did stand out. Even if they did stand out for personal reasons.

[Google [bot]]

Mr Dave said:

there is no "character".

I think this is the key. However, perceived "character" can be borne of both failings in some aspects, which does sound somewhat illogical, and nostalgia, which whilst somewhat illogical, is something we can all relate to. A new car is never going to be able to invoke a feeling of nostalgia. These same conversations were going on 10 and 20 years ago and long before I'm sure.

[Leicesterdave]

pinchmeimdreamin said:

I dont know what you mean

Hilarious

[Harji]

Dull crossovers (VAG group), engine sharing, platform sharing,lack of innovation, lack of dare, unwilling to race to promote it, too many gadgets, most main manufacturers playing it safe.

That's why I like my RX8, Mazda are brave enough to try something new and for once built the car around the engine.

Edited by Harji on Tuesday 25th January 06:15

[edo]

megatron said:

for most of us a well presented old triumph still has more appeal.

Speak for yourself.

[sawman]

mainly its all the safety stuff, once the specs' for this have been tapped into the CAD the die it set , then with the thick A pillars that obscure the view, big slabby dash containing all the electronic gubbins.....


Mind you, marinas, avengers and cortinas were all a bit similar too

[jbi]

a steady dilution until nothing varies from an accepted "mainstream" too much.

[Patrick Bateman]

I hope everyone doesn't view st quality as 'character'.

[Baked_bean]

In general i don't think they are less appealing, its just there are currently more modern cars that old cars about so old cars partly win on a rarity factor. In all car generations there is some generic st and some lovely cars. Its only really the decent stuff that we remember, but we have plenty of decent 'average' cars about now anyways.

This is coming from someone who loves older cars.

[powwerr]

Choice.

Cars are simply white goods these days.