For fuck sucks, I know it's for the wrong reasons, but I somewhat agree with john here. I've only owned cars from the early 2000s. While I appreciate power steering and the like, I despise stuff like remoteless key entry. I'm also a fucking weirdo so...
kind of for the wrong reasons yeah...Jojn was talking about "removing the meaningfulness of the driving experience"
(I 'm not a fan of some of the convenience features...my 2019 has a mechanical key..though now they are chipped so you just can't get one cut)
but John's talking a whole different beast -- owning cars from the 50-60-70-80-90s has quite a bit of "friction"
bias ply tires, dashes used to be metal, drum brakes all around, no airbags, lap belts, dangerous steering columns, no crumple zoning sometimes gas tanks outboard of frame members (or other cagingin) recirculating ball steering with massive play, suspension designs with massive problems
the list goes on and that just safety related
but consider this, odometers used to only have 5 digits -- past 100K was "bonus time" in the "good ole days"
adjusting carbs, distributor timing, setting manual chok, starter solenoids sticking in the heat, body cancer (ie rust)
yeah all great "friction" that made driving sooo much more enjoyable.
I actually like the simplicity and workability of some of it, but don't let it fool you -- you also kind of HAD to work on them.
and wrenching is NOT driving.
and then you always smell slightly of gas and oil ("man's perfume" back in the day)
and when someone borrowed you're well used car you'd have to give them the preflight "jiggle the key and you might have to flip the headlight switch a couple of times to get it to work, keep the revs up at a stop, put a pen in to hold the secondaries open during start"
john owns TOYS, he even said it himself - he drives mainly for pleasure
- he's not a working person that has to get around and a car is a tool
-he's not a race driver where the car is equipment
he doesn't genuinely appreciate cars. Yes, there can be a charm to cars of any age (I guaran-fucking-tee John has never driven a manual advance, and I seriously doubt he's driven anything without synchros) but that charm is recognition of
warts and all . Each era (and design) has its own flavor, character, limitations and performance envelopes to contend with.
and even the "driving experience" isn't just one thing
With only one common feature...whatever John's newest toy Frank just bought him is...that's the best
