Are old cars really better than new cars?

Used and old cars are seeing a resurgence of interest as new car sales dip, but do we really want to drive older cars?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB_kgkWUKZg

The never-ending question for any car buyer is used vs new. However, whether older cars are better than newer cars is getting more discussion as the average fleet age of cars across countries get older. Some beleive this is because old cars are so good that they can last longer than ever while others say new cars are over-engineered and filled with technology they didn't ask for. The truth likely lives somewhere in between with cars of 10 years ago built so well they can last longer than almost anything before them, but at the same time technology in cars is making new ones feel closer to an iPhone than a Model T.

Are old cars actually better though? This is where you can split cars into three segments, the first is features, the second is driving experience, the third is price.

Starting with the last one, a used car is hard to argue against when it comes to value, after five years depreciation has usually taken a toll, meaning you can buy a car with plenty of life left for less than half price. However there is an accepted risk, especially without a warranty as mileage increases and the impact of first owner's maintenance shows itself on longevity. This all is stacking up against new cars, which would always be more expensive to buy but with warranty cover and the advantage of time on their side would make thier argument on overall runnning costs. The trouble here is that new car price increases have made that an even greater task for the latest showroom metal. I think we can give round one to the used market, but with a caveat. As used car demand remains strong, five-year-old and ten-year-old cars are more expensive than they have ever been as a percentage of their new car price, so while they are going to be cheaper, they aren't the bargain they once were.

Looking at features, new cars arrive to the battle with a list of technology so long that some people will not even be know they exist, especially those not reading The Miles Driven. Older cars aren't exactly shy of features, however, since 2020 we have seen a large increase in mandatory specification and features in both safety and comfort. Here, it would be nearly impossible to argue against new cars, but the question for many will be, do they actually need, or even want, some of the latest technology.

So we move to our final round, and the drive. This is where things get interesting. Noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) is where the most obvious advances have been made in the last five and ten years of car manufacturing. However, it wasn't like a car of ten years ago rode like a horse-drawn carriage. This is where both side will have their charms, but for overall comfort, new cars have made improvements anyone would notice from behind the wheel. Acceleration has also become more urgent, with low-torque delivery on all engine types, but older cars fight back a bit here. For those that enjoy actually driving a car, instant power isn't necessarily that enjoyable, and, in fact, building power and speed is where both driver skill and enjoyment meet. This is where car enthusiasts split from the general public, and it also changes the result. For enthusiasts, those cars of ten years ago, unladen with all the latest technology and offering a closer feeling to the road, will take the win. For those just wanting to buy their everyday car, or who have little interest in carving up corners and sharpening their driving skills, new cars have answered many desires.

Note from Miles - Driving both new and used cars makes me realise just how good cars have become but also how disconnected from the road people appear to want to be. I get that desire, and for 90% of the time it makes sense, the trouble is, when in poor conditions you want a better feel for the road beneath you, even at a cost to NVH.