Pros and Cons: Old and New Cars

Over the past year or two, I've seen many a discussion over the merits of old and new cars. They can sometimes be a little heated, and sometimes not so heated, but it had me thinking about the various highs and horrors of either path to automotive ownership.

Before going any further, I just want to define what I'm considering old and new here. Old will be pretty much anything you buy used from a private seller. This rules out any certified pre-owned stuff, and covers everything from carburetion to fuel-injection, since any era of used car can have issues over the years. New will be anything that comes straight off the lot, never ending up in the hands of anyone else except for dealer test drives.

Photo: http://www.4starsigns.com/

So let's start off with older cars. The first and most prominent advantage is starting price. This is the big thing that is so attractive to car buyers and is what many used and old car proponents will go to first in a debate whether to buy new or old. Admittedly, it's a very, VERY strong argument. Ever wanted to be driving a German luxury sedan? You can do so for less than a stripped out Hyundai Accent. Really, the options are near limitless on what kind of car you can get for the money, depending on how old you want to go, and what kind of condition you want. Many a sports car, luxury car, or premium SUV can be had for drastically lower costs than a similar new vehicle if you don't mind the car being around five years old or so.

So the up front price is really low, is there a catch? Well, there might be. If you've ever owned a car or known someone that has owned a car, you know problems do come up. They can be anything from simple wear items like needing new tires or it's due for a timing belt change, or it can be something more serious or unexpected. Maybe the car was abused and neglected (owner went 20,000 miles between oil changes or something) and there are serious engine problems. Being thorough about your test drive, having the prospective car inspected by a mechanic, and doing anything you can to research potential problems are all things that you can do to help avoid many of these possible problems, but it's still possible to miss something or have something go wrong that was already fine. For instance, the stereo amplifier in my brother's Mini Cooper just recently decided to die, rendering any attempt to listen to music hopeless until the amp is replaced, or a boombox is added to the interior.

Photo: http://www.kevingerard.com/1986Porsche928Red.htm

Following up on things that go wrong, if/when something does go wrong, depending on the car and its age, it may be hard to find and/or expensive. That $5k Porsche 928 seemed like an awesome idea right? Yeah, a great idea until you found out the torque tube needed replaced. How does a $2000-$3000 repair bill sound? Now of course this is a somewhat pricey example and some cars don't carry such high repair bills, but it is something to bear in mind when looking for a car.

There are of course other things like not having the latest in gadgetry (lately I've been jealous of iPod integration in newer cars) or not being as quiet or refined, or just being in rough shape all around. Despite all this, an older car can be pretty great.

When you avoid the really bad cars and find yourself just the right car at just the right price, life can be cool. If it's in good shape, has a good reliability history, and has all the right features without paying through the nose, few things can compare. Plus, saving that money can go to other things that you like or want to do, whether it's with your car, or other activities.

Moving on to new cars, there are quite a few things that they do have an advantage when compared with used cars, but buying new still isn't a magic bullet.

One of the big ways new cars are wonderful is that you're the only one to have used it. Only in the double digit mileage range, a new car has never been in the hands of anyone else except for brief test drives and whoever delivered it. Everything is clean, everything is shiny, and everything works. Not a single thing is wrong with it. It's a car as perfect as freshly fallen snow. And that new car smell! Although that new car smell is apparently various plastics outgassing into the interior, it smells so incredibly good; intoxicating might be a little too perfect a word....

Photo: www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/11071047

And not having anything wrong with the car is pretty great too. Think about it, you would be able to drive off in a car, and the only thing you have to worry about is taking it easy driving it during the break-in period. That's it. Nothing is going to break, nothing is going to fail, it's all good. Just cruise and enjoy yourself until your first oil change. Sure there's the chance that you might hit something and damage something, or there might be a recall for fiery death, but there's no chance of shoddy repairs or neglectful owners from the past. Just the proper specs and assembly from the factory. And even in the event of some  problems or recalls, there's a warranty to help out.

So a new car sounds perfect right? Well, no still not perfect. First thing is the up front cost. Unlike a used car, a new car is going to cost you. For $15k, all you're really going to be able to afford on the new market is a subcompact like a Honda Fit, a Ford Fiesta, a Mazda2, et al. Not that any of those cars are bad mind you, it's just that they aren't necessarily... aspirational automobiles. For the same $15k, you could pick up say, a Honda S2000 (9000 rpm redline, rear wheel drive, convertible top, superb handling) and have a much more impressive car.

The warranty isn't perfect either. It only lasts for so long, and it doesn't necessarily cover everything that could happen to your car, just certain things. Plus, if you want to go in and modify your car, just know that the nice long warranty you had just packed it's bags and ran away. Oh and we shouldn't forget depreciation. The second you sign your papers and leave the lot, you just lost a few grand, and it's not going to stop.

But, if you're willing to deal with some of these things, the comfort and reassurance of having a fresh car with no issues can be very nice. Plus having the latest in amenities and refinements mean that you have a very modern and comfortable car to cruise around in.

Basically, with cars, old or new, it's pick your poison/pleasure. There simply is no magic bullet. You're going to lose out somewhere, and you're going to win out somewhere. The important thing here is, you can prioritize, and through these options, you can max out your priorities and minimize your compromise. You're looking for a sports car on a budget and you don't mind fixing a few niggles or issues? The used market is ready for you. You need a family hauler with the latest in technology and can't worry about it breaking down? There's a slew of new cars waiting for you. Old and new cars are both great, and despite their setbacks, you can rest assured that there's one (or two, or three, or more) out there for you.

Cars and Car People: Can't We All Just Get Along?

The car world is one of wide variety and deep passion. It's a fascinating world, and there's always something going on somewhere, and it never seems to stop shifting and evolving. It's one of the things that keeps me interested and curious about the various goings on in this world. The passion runs deep too, sometimes too deep I would venture to say. I've noticed that some people tend to get so entrenched in their respective vehicular niche that they are at least indifferent to other car groups, and actively criticize and hate other groups. This is something that needs to change.

Before going any further, I want to say that having a favored niche is perfectly all right and in a number of ways is beneficial to the greater automotive community. Without people focusing on a certain style, region, make, or model of vehicle, we wouldn't have the passionate and ever changing environment that is needed to keep the culture, the industry, and the excitement alive.

However, there is clear distinction between healthy enthusiasm, and harmful closed-mindedness. The latter is something I see far too much of. I find many people of every automotive background--muscle cars, tuner cars, factory correct vintage cars, and far more--and in every group there are people that can't seem to accept other styles and cultures as legitimate in their existence. I find restoration guys that cringe at anything modified. I find muscle guys that hate anything foreign or low displacement. I find tuner guys that think domestics can't do anything other than go in a straight line. It comes from all sides and while a little gentle joking is fine, it all too often is a result of genuine hate for that group's favorite car or style.

This really is a shame. The automotive is too big, too varied, too exciting to restrict oneself to one area of the automobile. I personally have a fondness for tuner cars and imports, but that doesn't mean that's the only thing I'm interested in. I love seeing exotics, pre-war cars, muscle cars, heck I even get a kick out of bad cars like Yugos. It's all great to see. I feel that people that can't appreciate other types of cars are missing out on so much!

And for the skeptics, appreciate doesn't mean that you like it. There's a reason that there are so many kinds of cars out there. It's because there are so many different people with different tastes, but none is less legitimate than the other, or done with less passion and love.

To appreciate the work, the passion, and the strengths of different people and automobiles is something that is so important to enjoying cars to their fullest. It's also important in building the enthusiast community. If we can learn to appreciate and accept the diversity the automotive world has, the stronger we will be. It will be more welcoming for the new people, friendlier and more accepting of those already in it, and more enjoyable for everyone.

There are simply too many reasons why learning to enjoy a wider array of cars not do so. For the sake of ourselves and the hobby we all love, let's put aside our prejudices and embrace the diversity the car world has to offer.

This lack of respect isn't really that of individual to individual, it's a lack of respect to all the niche groups and variations on the car hobby that exist in this world. People on the outside might not realize this, but "car guy" is a really broad term. When you break down the automotive world, you discover that there are probably hundreds, maybe thousands, of different car cultures all within the vehicular globe. You have people that are interested in specific makes, models, styles, regions, the list goes on.

These groups are often fairly tight-knit, even when they span across the country through online forums. They usually take time to help each other in fixing problems, finding parts, and just spending time with each other or participating in car related events. But these specific groups rarely spend much time with each other, and can sometimes borderline hate people of different car scenes.

It is at this point that I should say that everyone naturally has their own likes and dislikes of different scenes, and the occasional, playful bantering between traditionally opposite ideas on cars. I will readily admit that my personal preferences have always been toward Japanese imports, often modified, and an example of something that I'm not crazy about would be donks. I and some of my friends also have some playful banter back and forth about our preferred cars. This is all fine, and can even be fun when not taken too far. But what I'm talking about is the stereotyping, ignorance, and disrespect shown to car culture that people don't care for.

Being a modified import guy on a campus that consists of primarily domestic people and beyond factory perfect vintage automobiles puts me in a very small minority. And I have heard no shortage of disrespectful things said about Japanese cars and modified cars. Broadening the genre a little further, and modified cars get plenty of disrespect as well. It's understandable that a place that is focused on restoration will not be terribly excited about modifying cars, but modification shouldn't be viewed as evil or disrespectful to automobiles and automobile culture.

Some people might say, "Well, if you don't like the stuff that is focused on and is the majority, you should go somewhere else." I've actually heard something similar to this before. But here's the thing, I have nothing against proper restoration, old cars, or domestic cars. I like them too! Why can't there be at least some acknowledgement that modified, Japanese, and other auto cultures are legitimate and interesting too?

I also don't want anyone to take this as targeting the vintage restoration crowd. I know plenty of people from my preferred car fanbases that also don't have a lot of respect for others. I know that it's a long running rivalry between import and domestic people that rarely sees any mixing or respect. And that's silly too. Cars of all regions, eras, and levels of modification are all great and they all deserve recognition. No group is any better or worse than another.

I want to see a world where you can have a pristine Bugatti Type 57 parked next to a twin-turbo 20b RX-7, a rat rod with a Cummins diesel, a 70s Monte Carlo jacked up on 30" wheels, a new Lamborghini Aventador, a murdered out Escalade, a bosozoku Corolla TE72, and many, many, many more. And then, all the owners of all of those cars would be interested in everything that showed up.

You see, the car world is too big, too varied, and too exciting to limit oneself to one area of cardom. By no means should one avoid specializing, if it weren't for specialists we wouldn't have such fascinating cars. But get out there and see what else there is. Lowriders, tuner cars, muscle cars, hot rods, rat rods, trail trucks, and more all are brilliant and all are done with the same passion for the automobile that everyone has. Even if you don't like something, take the time to at least appreciate the unique piece that that person created and loves as much as the things you like.

A Couple of Reflections and Musings

Hey everyone, sorry for the long hiatus again in publishing. I have a somewhat more focused and lengthier post in the pipeline that should be up soon, but in the meantime, I just wanted to share some of my thoughts that have accumulated over the past week and after test driving two new cars: the Subaru Impreza, and the Mazda2. Full disclosure, both vehicles I was impressed with, even though that might not come across clearly for one of them.

 

No, they're not competitors, but oh well. (Photos: Edmunds)

First up: gauges. Specifically, this is about gauges that are useful and disappearing, and gauges that are not useful and cropping up more. The Impreza actually represents both of these recent trends.

Look out! Useless gauge in the lower right! (Photo: Subaru)

Let's start positive. What this instrument panel does have going for it is that it is very simple and easy to read. It is a bit odd that the information display in the middle lights up in a sort of ice-blue color while the dials light up red, it nevertheless is easy to read. It has what seem to be all the normal gauges, but with the gas gauge in the info display. But what's this? There's a funny little +/- gauge with the letters M-P-G next to it. What does it do?

As it so happens, the MPG gauge is about the most useless and gimmicky gauge I've ever seen in a car. Basically, when the needle points to the plus, it means you're getting good mileage and when it points to the minus, you're getting bad mileage. And since there are no numbers to accompany those signs, all it is is an extremely rough estimate of mileage. As I watched it bounce back and forth during the test drive, it seemed to more effectively say how hard I pushed on the gas pedal. More throttle and the needle goes to minus. Less throttle, the needle goes to plus. And I don't know, but I think most people can glean this information from how close their foot is to the firewall.

Hmm... Simple, but seems to missing something... (Photo: The Car Connection)

Now that we've gotten past the addition of a useless gauge, let's get to the matter of the lack of a useful gauge. Both the Impreza and the Mazda2 seem to be missing a gauge that, to my recollection, was a pretty standard feature. Nowadays, the temperature gauge has disappeared in favor of an indicator light that simply goes off when the engine reaches normal operating temperature. While this probably makes sense in that the average driver probably never looks at a temperature gauge, and modern cars don't overheat too often, it still seems to be a nice thing to have.

Moving on to my next main point: cheap doesn't have to be miserable. I'll be perfectly honest, the Mazda2 doesn't seem to offer a lot on the surface. The interior is pretty basic, not many infotainment options, and it lacks premium materials. It only makes 100hp, and less than 100 lb-ft of torque. If you want an automatic, it only has four speeds. It sounds like a 1990s economy car. And that's not a compliment.

No, I wasn't driving this 2. It sometimes felt like it though. (Photo: Car & Driver)

With that in mind, the Mazda2 has no business being as brilliantly fun as it is. As it turns out, the spartan interior and features list hides a car that has it's priorities right where a serious driver wants them.

While it's down on power, the 2 has enormous strength in handling, steering, and shifting. Through a twisty road, I experienced how excellent it all felt together. The 2 holds the road very nicely and corners with little body roll. The steering is quick, precise, and well weighted. The shifter has that satisfyingly flick-able feel. In fact, it felt a little like a Miata or Mini. It's very small size also made it easy to take tight roads with the utmost confidence.

I feel like there are a lot of cars that could take a lesson or two from the 2. A focus on driving quality over gadgetry would be the top one. I know it's a losing battle these days, but I still think that there's a real need to make cars that are enjoyable to drive as opposed to tech-laden transportation boxes. I don't have much against technology, I would argue that it has made cars better in many ways, but when I would take a Mazda2 over something like a fully loaded Camry, that has to tell you that there's more to cars than having the most equipment.

Anyway, I think this post running long for one that wasn't supposed to go too long. And once again, I apologize for the long delays in posts. If nothing else, this summer should result in substantially more, and I know I'll get at least one more out before then. Thanks everyone!

The Future of the Affordable Sports Car

 The past decade has been a boom and a bust as far as performance cars go. In the 2000s, we saw the rise of the supercar in all its various forms from 250mph+ hypercars like the Veyron Super Sport and SSC Ultimate Aero, to affordable, world beating supercars like the Corvette ZR1, Viper ACR, and Nissan GTR, and more boutique supercars like the Pagani Zonda, and Koenigsegg CC....something or other....

......and the newer Agera R.....

(Photo: Koenigsegg)

At the other end of the spectrum, affordable sporty variations on economy cars blossomed as well, thanks in no small part to the burgeoning sport compact scene. Not only did established marques like the Civic Si and VW GTI continue their prosperity, but new and revitalized brands from Japan, America, and Europe all got in on the growing market.

The Original Hot Hatch: GTI

(Photo: Free-Extras.com)

Apart from the boom though, was a truly unfortunate bust for a segment that eventually seemed all but forgotten; the affordable sports coupe (and in some cases convertible or hatchback coupe). And before anyone happens to say that there are lots of affordable sporty cars, let me clarify again, I know. That's why I mentioned the high performance economy cars. Yes that does include things like the WRX and Evo. They're wonderful cars, I'd love one myself, but they aren't really... sports cars.

In the 90s there was a boom of affordable sports cars. Cars like the MR2, Celica, Prelude, Eclipse, Integra, Miata, and 240SX. Sure some of them might have employed a few bits and pieces from less exciting sources in their respective brands, but they all came in sleek two door wrappers and packed affordable performance to the edges of said wrappers, with a variety of powertrain layouts.

Let us have a moment of silence for the dearly departed

........................................................

(Photos: Edmunds.com)

But by the end of the last decade, nearly all of them disappeared. The only real survivors were the Eclipse and Miata, and only the Miata maintained its relevance and purity. The Eclipse got, well, fat and irrelevant as midsize coupes like the Accord and Altima either matched or exceeded its capabilities. Toyota gave a weak effort with the tC which also fell short of its predecessors, and Honda didn't really have anything at the end save for the Civic Si which as we mentioned earlier, is not quite a sports car, and recently seems to have gotten softer.

It's really unfortunate. These cars have been and still are wildly popular among young people and in the tuner world. The 240SX is a legend in the drifting world with people clamoring to build 

SR20 drift machines and replicas of the Silvia and Sileighty to make their cars more JDM. The Integra is the same in many ways. But most importantly, it's just sad that there aren't any sports cars that have the same traits as these since deceased vehicles: stylish, affordable, economical, and most importantly, fun to drive. Yes a cheap fix can be had with a more practical hot hatch or sedan, but do they really have the class and style of these venerable coupes?

But now, from the automaker that most abandoned its sporting side, comes what I hope will spark a revolution. Toyota (and partner Subaru) has finally graced us with the production version of the long-teased FT86 concept. The production Toyota GT86 and Subaru BRZ (and the US Toyota variant, the Scion FR-S) has finally arrived, not only looking quite close to its concept, but also delivering on everything enthusiasts were pining for. It's rear wheel drive, it's an economical boxer four cylinder, it makes 200hp, it's light weight, and according to reviews, it's very fun to drive. In fact, a Motor Trend author compared it to a Miata coupe. High praise indeed.

The Greddy FR-S: Aftermarket... Before Release

(Photo: Greddy-USA Blog)

It seems quite clear to me that there's been a need for another car like this for some time. Already, the aftermarket is jumping on it. When it debuted here as the Scion FR-S, there was a mildly tuned version by Greddy sitting right next to the standard one. While I wouldn't be surprised if it was partly because Toyota has had time to work with Greddy on some of this as a cross promotion, the fact that this collaboration is already occurring is a very good sign. There's even at least one turbo version built for a major drift team.

The Turbo Scion FR-S Drift Car: Brilliance Abounds

(Photo: Speedhunters)

What I hope for the GT86/BRZ/FR-S triplets is enormous success for a variety of reasons. For one thing, it's about time Toyota actually released a fun vehicle that people can afford. The LFA, while amazing in many ways, is amazing for it's eye-popping price tag as well. The biggest reason though, is because I want this to rub off on all the other automakers that have either abandoned the segment, or simply let it grow stale. I want Honda to roll out cars like the Prelude and Integra/RSX again, or even a turbo or high compression naturally aspirated CR-Z would be a start. I want Mitsubishi to have a light, compact, turbo four Eclipse again, and offer all wheel drive for heaven's sake! Maybe make it Evo powered? And Nissan, you've had success with the GTR and the return of the Z. Let's see the return of the 240SX. Maybe you could even experiment with the Silvia name here. I don't think there would be any trouble with name recognition anymore.

For this idea to rub off on other makers though, will require immense success by the Toyota/Subaru trio. Up to this point, the reasons for the growth of hot hatch style cars and supercars have been many. Hot hatches are cheap to build because the basic car exists and the costs are less than developing a whole new car. Beyond that, they're more practical, and the low cost of development means low risk for the company. Supercars are viable because rich people still have money, and can pay for expensive cars, evident by Rolls-Royce gaining record sales last year.

There are hopeful signs. Honda just released the NSX concept at the Detroit show which will likely be very close to production, and it looks sharp, in more ways than one. If they follow Toyota's path with a supercar followed by a cheap sports car, the future looks bright. And even from the States, there's some signs of future affordable sportiness outside of the typical muscle cars we know and love. Chevrolet released a pair of small sporty coupe concepts. The Code 130R in particular looks to have the potential of being a little rear drive competitor to the Toyota triplets. And though it has received criticism of a not so subtle nature, I say to the naysayers, it's a small sporty coupe that we need more of, even if it's not a glittery 50s concept of yesteryear.

The Chevy Code 130R: American FR-S?

(Photo: Autoblog)

The future of the affordable sports car has a flickering light that given some care and attention, could become a raging inferno. However, that's IF this segment if given that care and attention it needs.  The affordable sports car segment can be a difficult one, but do it right, and it can be highly successful. Just ask Mazda about the Miata.