[RTcamping]

Well this is interesting.

Brief VIH since age of 16:

1st : 79 Mustang - inline 6, auto
2nd: 89 Pontiac Grand Prix - V-6 5spd
3rd: 82 GMC Sierra Classic - 305 V8, 2X4 3spd w/4th granny gear(L)
4th: 99 GMC Sierra LS - 4.3L V6, 4X4 5spd single cab
5th: 93 GMC Suburban K2500 SLE - 7.4L 454, 4X4

I've driven about 420,000 miles so far with all these vehicles in that order. And I spend WAY too much time reading about the automotive industry and have family that works for 1 of the big 3. So for whatever that's all worth, here is my opinion on new vs old:

I think that old cars are better for the people who enjoy working on their own autos and appreciate past style and build characteristics. Yes, they are not going to cost large amounts of money to keep on the road once they're refurbished, good reliable models of the past will perform just as good once again for a small price. And the main thing for me, would be driving a peice of time that is gone. That is an interesting feeling. However, the negative side to all this is safety. cars of the 70's were heavy and fast, the 80's was just weird and not too safe, the 90's safety became a priority and now, I think we're not too far away from fuel cell powered super autos like most can't even imagine. To me this is new. Until we get away from the ancient technology of exploding fossil fuels in chambers creating rotary motion, all we are doing now is building cars too higher safety and performance levels. the technology that is getting us down the road is always the same. Buy some gas and go. We need new stuff. Fuel cell cars don't need brake systems, transmitions and power steering pumps to mention a few, although they may need alot of other stuff. By product of utilizing fule cell power is water. The powerplant operates in silence.

This is new stuff, and really, old vs new is only a matter of opinion and not of value. My 79 mustang was just as reliable as my 99 sierra. The 79 mustang cost me $700 + gas and maint. The 99 sierra cost me my perfectly good 82 GMC on trade in + $16,800 in lease payments + gas and maint + end of lease penalty of $10,800 for 60k addl miles and excessive wear and damage. Drove both vehicles about 120000 miles each. Gmc was a dream in winter, mustang was a dream too(nightmare). Looking back - the OLD & USED 79 mustang was clearly the better value. If the 99 sierra route were an idiot contest, I would've won.

And last week when it came time to get a car, I chose old/was new 11 years ago. the value the value the value

I guess it's all relative to one's income or amount of cash already on hand. I would love a 2004 Nissan Titan, but not for 35k

I'm rambling now

Happy trails