61 years of "progress". In 1962 every component identifiable, easy to access and could be worked on by anyone with basic mechanical skills. Fast forward to 2023 and with the exception of the battery and a/c compressor nothing looks familiar.

 

My 1980 F100 with 300cid straight six cylinder was the last vehicle I could work on without needing a computer and team of engineers for tec support.

 

It depends on what is "better". The new tech engine stuff is harder to understand, and to repair (at least in some ways), but is more likely to run within specs under changing conditions. And with modern engine design, will make more power for a give amount of weight and fuel. The old stuff will always be cooler, especially to a certain type of motor-head. I count myself in that group, but I don't miss owning any vehicles with carburetors (French for a device that pretends to mix air and fuel but really is designed to drive people crazy and occasionally catch on fire).

 

Nice old Ford Truck is that a 300 6?

 

While I can tune up a carb, use a timing light and dwell/tach, set points, know what a distributor wrench is, and can use an engine analyzer, at this stage in my life I don’t want to.

Fuel injection = better

Electronic ignition = better

Disc brakes 4 way = better

Anti-lock brakes = better

Radial tires = better

LED Headlights = better

Airbags and other safety features = better

Electronic engine controls and emissions crap = not better

I am as old school as it gets, I was kick start only, with a carb, suicide throttle, drum brakes, mechanical front brake, chain drive primary and rear sprocket, solid lifters and magneto on my old Panhead until 2005.

But when I came home with that road king, I took that Panhead around the block and immediately decided to sell it and never looked back.

I am not one of that parade of old guys who would come up to me when I was filling the old Pan with gas and say ‘Ah never shoulda sold my old Harley…’

I couldn’t sell that thing fast enough and never regretted it.

Me and that old gal had a lot of fun, but I was a young man and had the energy to do all the crap that needed to be done just to light that thing off and play Easy Rider.

 

Yes it’s better.

 

While home mechanics are basically out of business, I think that overall cars/engines are far better now.

• Our old flat-head Fords were ready for a rebuild at 40 to 60k miles. Now any piece of Oriental junk can go at least 200k miles.
• Those same V8 engines struggled to get 100hp. Now any 4cyl can exceed that.
• Routine maintenance such as "tuneups" and lubrication are mostly a thing of the past.
• Rustproofing and paint are far better.

While it is true that back in the day many of us used to do most of our own maintenance, that facts are that much less maintenance is required and cars last a lot longer without needing it.

 

New is better and more practical but it's boring. I would like to have an old truck with a manual trans and inline 6 for an around town daily driver but I need a bigger garage.

 

I think it depends and it also varies based on what your needs are and what eras you're comparing.

I am still driving my 2004 F-150 and have an '07 Mustang GT. I am looking to add another truck to my fleet to become my daily driver and recently have considered being much more open-minded than I thought I would be.

If I found another 11th or 12th gen that was a one owner with no accidents for a good price that had the specs I was looking for, I will purchase it.

When you stay debt-free, can work on things yourself, and don't need the latest and greatest... You have a lot of options and way more money in the bank.

I just see massive payments or huge amounts of money tied up in newer vehicles. And while that's okay for some, just not my preference. No judgment on my end or offense intended towards anybody of any kind.

Things are a lot more expensive when modules and newer powertrain parts seem to fail. Parts on my older mid-2000s Fords are a lot cheaper and they've been incredibly reliable for me. I think the safety is still very impressive for mid-2000s and newer, but there are absolutely advantages to many of the 2010s era vehicles. (More refinements, six-speed or greater transmissions, significantly more horsepower and better fuel mileage)

I think lately it's become the law of diminishing returns where there's just way too much tech for my preference. And quality seems to be a major issue across all manufacturers.

 

My new truck stays outside and the garage is reserved for the old stuff.