FINALLY, somebody that feels the same as i do! yes, working on the newer stuff pays the bills, but the connection is not there for me. I will be driving something old, with personalty dripping off of it, as long as i'm able...
yeah im the same way. been a mechanic for many years and seen how poor constructed and over engineered these newer cars are, my daily driver isnt exactly ancient but its a 1990 ive had for 7 years with no problems, honestly i dont see the difference between it and a 2 year old car both run and drive and will get me where im going
Couldn't agree more. New are cars are nice, safe and reliable, but driving an old car is a more visceral experience. The noises the car makes, the way the doors sound when you close them, the smell of fuel, the little quarter glass windows that you can direct airflow at you are all things that make driving an old car fun. It's also nice driving something that you aren't going to see on the road, or very unlikely.
Great video. I have a 1992 Chevy 4x4 pickup I bought back in 1995. I dated my wife in it, took my son to his first day of school in it. He even drove it for a while in high school. I've owned several newer cars/trucks and my old Chevy would set on the back burner for a while. I was even tempted to sell it a few times but couldn't bring myself to part with it. Many times, my newer ride wouldn't start or have a flat or whatever and my old faithful Chevy would fire up and get me where I needed to go. Love that old truck!
Eric, you mirror my sentiments exactly. Old cars don't make me car sick. Some modern cars make me feel car sick because of the harsh materials they use. I drive four old Chrysler K-Cars from the 1980s. all with various quirks and issues. I love them all.
Older cars have character and are more worthy of respect, as they’ve proved that they can endure a long life. Also due to all the fun memories that the owner knows have been had in the car, the becomes like a true and trusted companion! I like how you compare the car to a horse!!!👌🏼 Two types of car or horse owners, IMO. The ones that love and care and have a relationship with them and the others who don’t much care and have no heartfelt love for them. Just using them as a means to an end!
I drive a 1991 mercury grand marquis, and where it is not that old I absolutely love that car. I actually do not feel safe in newer cars. When I drive my mercury I feel at one with the vehicle. In my opinion older cars are more stylish than new cars and the repairs are much more basic and straight forward. The Mercury being an absolute "tank" (larger than most Cadillacs) you have be cautious in the way you drive and be more alert because just a low speed impact will total a newer model car / truck.
My employer has a 78 Chevy K-10 with a 350 small block in it that his dad restored years ago. When his mom passed away earlier this year, he got the truck and we are in the process of fixing it up (it hasn't run in about 5 years). So far it runs like a dream and will spin tires around corners. Just hearing it rumble brings me joy. Definitely one of my favorite vehicles ever to drive.
First off, a special thanks to you Eric for keeping all of us amateurs moving. Your channel and those like it, are what makes this possible for me. Coming from someone who has owned both old and new; old can be a pain in the ass, but so can car payments (not to mention insurance) for all the "new car" coddling. I'm currently driving an '86 Chevy truck as a daily driver, and in the process of building a '65 Cadillac to take its place. There is no reason not to enjoy these classics every single day. Thanks again Eric.
+Joe Williston In 1968, you could buy a Triumph 2000 with petrol injection... Those are certainly old! Fuel injection is a lot older than people seem to think.
Joe Williston Bosch were sticking their D-Jetronic electronic fuel injection on cars as early as the late '60s, and it was quickly adopted on higher end cars through the 70s. By the 80s it was fairly standard, with only lower end cars using carbs still. As a young'un, I consider '80s cars to be 'classic', but 70s cars certainly are. I would consider the advent of OBD1 in the early 90s to be the tipping point, that's when things started to become interlinked and complex and beyond what you can achieve with a Haynes Manual, a good toolkit and a simple multimeter. After that, you needed a computer, and that takes the fun out of it for me. Then again, when the '90s dawned, I was only 4, so I consider anything older than I can remember to be 'old'. That said, 1990 is now 25 years ago, which is scary.
+Joe Williston I'd say the analog feel was actually the result of having a throttle cable. You TOLD the car how much throttle to use, and whether it was a carburetor or fuel injection, all it could do was carry out your command. Now that cars don't have a throttle cable, when you hit the throttle you're just giving suggestions to a computer.
The main reason I followed your channel, is because of your 2nd gen integra videos to be honest, I love my integra and (accidentally) got stuck with picking something older for insurances purposes. I've had to replace everything from the radiator back to the fuel pump (no joke), most of the major components and trying to figure out what's what being new into working on my own car, you've helped me a lot, and have helped me realize that there's a lot I still have to learn, I'm pushing 30 now, and being younger I was spoiled with much newer cars, completely missing what I feel I should have experienced 10+ years ago, it feels like a necessary phase in maturing as a man. Thank you Eric
Hey Eric, I loved this video. I know exactly what you mean when you are describing the feeling you get when driving a classic car or car of that vintage. I myself drive one of the last Honda's ever made before fuel injection and computer controlled emissions became standard. I actually drove to Bufalo ,N.Y. to meet a guy at the Canadian border to buy a 1986 Honda CRX, that actually had a manual choke that you have to pull out to get her to start up. No emission junk or cats, and everything is mechanical, and had no onboard computer crap. No A.C. no power steering, just as basic as you can get but only had 47,000 "kilometers" on it! I gotta tell you man, it beats the hell outta driving a cookie cutter safety bubble. Older cars do indeed have soul, and you can feel it every time you get behind the wheel
You have put into words exactly what I've felt about vintage equipment and vehicles. I would prefer to drive a 70's Ford truck over anything comparable that is contemporary. New vehicles just don't hit me in the feels.
As the proud owner of a '79 Caprice 2-door and and '84 Fiero, I agree with you on all those points. The sounds the Caprice makes are no different than those on the '68 Impala 4-door hardtop I grew up with and learned to drive on. They were both fine winter cars; at one point when they were newer, they were what I drove in the winter. But I choose not to take them out in snowy weather now. They've earned a rest.
I love driving my 3rd gen 89 Accords. Went from brand new stuff that was great to drive to something that I enjoy driving. And can easily fix. And you are spot on......old cars make you actually have to pay attention and drive. Built before we had forced dumbing down for our "safety"
My first couple of cars had no power steering, no power brakes, etc. There was this one road that had a downgrade for about 5 miles, all the way home. So I'd often shut off the engine and coast all that way. Well, I got myself a modern '80's car and did the same thing one day. I was startled by the sudden loss of control. I nearly crashed because I could hardly steer or brake. Modern cars make my life more comfortable, but also uneasy.
I drive a 79 F150 every day and I can relate to everything you said. I'm only 19 and it's the first vehicle I've owned and I knew it was different just from looking under the hood. No fancy crap with covers and wires running all over. Just blunt and to the point - perfectly bare-bones. I bought it about 6 months ago and since then it's top speed has gone up by 15 mph and gas mileage has gone up too. Now that the engine has pretty much been saved I can finally start saving to restore the interior and body. I figure in about a year it's going to be as good as new. I love that old girl.
Does my 1999 Ford Crown Victoria count as an "old car"? All I know for sure is that it provides a more comfortable driving experience than my parents Corolla. I like to think, when I drove into my high school lot , it was a "premium" car. A more luxury car than the honda civics and ford focuses. Something that had a bit more presence with its smooth V8 and rear wheel drive. That and it sounds classier to say "I drive a Crown Victoria". Mostly nonsense, but the ride difference is true, so much more comfortable.
In a way, it was. The chassis on those panther cars dated from the late 70s. I had an 02 Town Car. The steering was overboosted, numb, and had a lot of play. Suspension wallowed on the freeway and you had to pay attention! There was body roll, sweet, sweet body roll around a sharp corner. More torque than you knew what to do with. The ride was pillow-soft. Brakes that you prayed you would stop, and in some cases, weren't even anti-lock. It was like driving a car from the 1960s or 1970s with a relatively modern, EFI engine. Even with all of its faults and the "old man" image, I loved that car. I would still have mine if it wasn't t-boned by some idiot in a Mazda.
My daily driver is a 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix with the supercharged 3800 V6, Borla exhaust, paddle shifters, heated leather seats, automatic climate control, a touchscreen head unit, and any other option you may want. I love driving the car. That being said, I don't necessarily feel a connection to it. I learned to drive in a '99 Ram 1500 which lasted 265,000 miles over 10 years before the salted roads finally destroyed the frame. My first car was an 01 Ram 2500 V10, base trim. Vinyl floor and seats, manual windows and locks. Rarely broke double digits in gas mileage. But I had a connection to both of those vehicles. I don't feel connected to the Grand Prix- it's just a really fast, cool sounding thing on wheels. The trucks, which were actually not much older, were far less computerized and just felt more like an actual entity to me. I felt like they were alive. The Pontiac just responds to my inputs and gets me from A to B (with a smile on my face nonetheless), I just don't feel like it's anything more than a tool.
I used to drive a 93 Camry back in the day and now I drive a 2000 Camry and it brought back a lot of memories. These cars were built so well and everything is so mechanical, simple, cheap and reliable. It has power seats and windows, ice cold A/C, radio sounds good, remote car starter is all I could ever ask for lol
You hit the nail on the head man. Everything the manual controls, the smells, the feeling. My 73' mustang has a manual choke, no cup holders, and an exhaust leak that lets the smell into the car. My dad wants me to put a carb with an electric choke and to fix the exhaust leak, but at the end of the day it's what makes the car what it is. Oh but I have AC.
I had the luck of finding a ‘79 T’bird a year ago at an Estate sale. Low miles and garage kept. I bought it for $3800.00. It is 95% perfect. It was like a time capsule. Cans of Castrol GTX in the trunk, other odds and ends you don’t see anymore. When I drove the car home which was about 3 hours I was amazed at the ride and ease of driving. It handled in curves much better than I expected. I have been used to driving Honda’s and such. When I wanted to pass someone going at about 60 miles an hour, I could give it gas and force the 3 speed to drop in second and run up to 90 with ease before changing back to third. After getting home and doing a little research I found out the rear axle ratio is 2:47. I love the gear. This was a true Interstate car, fuel mileage is descent too. Inside the car has just what I need or want, no clutter. You can see out in all directions really well. I have learned that while we have gained a lot since ‘79, I see what we lost. None of the windows leak air, I find this bothersome even on almost new cars now. Everything is built to be thrown away now. So sad. I drive this car every day now. I found when I commute to work, I don’t feel beat to death from sitting in traffic like I did with newer cars. I don’t know why. Maybe because there is not much to distract me in the car. When you open the hood, everything is easy to get to. I have become a part of this car, or the other way around. While this car does use more fuel, I don’t need to get a loan when there is an occasional breakdown. Most repairs I can do at home.
Hi :) I fully agree with your sayings about new cars 'treating you as a child' :) because that's exactly what they do. however It could be a lot worse already if the manufacturers thought that the drivers of the world would be ready for these "helping driving hands".. My first car was an very old and rusted out Renault 4 which I bought for less then a 150 dollars. It was ugly, made a lot of noise, wouldn't fire back up again if you shut it off, but like you said, I fell in love with it :) And funny enough It brought me from Holland to the south of France ever month for a year or more! With this old car I drove more than 70 000 km in that period of time. I even talked to her, sometimes plainly begging that she would run and not leave me stranded somewhere in the middle of the night : and when she sometimes did, I'd could always fix her with a hammer or a screwdriver. So yes. these cars have a soul if you let yourself listen to it.. ;)
I can totally relate to this commentary. My favorite vehicle to drive was my step father's 1967 Dodge W300, equipped with a 225 slant six, a New Process 435 four speed transmission, a New Process 205 Transfer case and Spicer 70 axles front and rear. It had a manual choke with a fast idle step in it, first gear was synchronized (and usually not needed), and was loud and ornery! About the closest it came to any luxury was a hydraulic clutch, without which it would have been next to impossible to disengage it without tree trunk sized legs. I loved it. :) I could literally feel every step of every process this truck made as it moved down the road or trail and was probably the most fun of any vehicle I've ever driven. I miss that truck.
I have a 88 civic lx and it truly makes me feel like I'm planted/connected to the road, which I love. With newer vehicles, it feels like you're floating and it doesn't give you that piece of mind feel, almost like you're not driving in some way. My civic only has 92 hp but it feels more dynamic/mechanical than a 2008 toyota. Love your videos dude.
I have a 1987 ford escort wagon and although its starting to get into the more modern tech. i completely get what he was saying about being isolated in new cars. I feel the engine (small as it may be) and feel that 3 speed shift. Notice when its cold and wonder "oh lord i fixed the dash light what will fill its place". They aren't tools but more like people with personality.
My experience on older vehicles is a 1975 steyr army truck during my service time. Loved the exhaust smell in the cab, the sting in the eyes, the every day check for fluids and even the valve and head gasket job. So easy to work on it, access through the cab floor, straight 6 atmospheric diesel! 6.5lt 130 ps 4x4 truck. I wish i could get one for civilian use...
I have a 1996 Toyota Camry that's been in my family since it was new. I basically grew up in the back seat of this car. It has scrapes scratches and dings but it still looks great and runs perfectly. I drive it every day and enjoy every second of it. Over 20 years its only had four small replacement parts purely due to being run off the road once and is now due for a new timing belt. Just about every part is completely original and none show any signs of giving up yet. Its very responsive to my input as the driver and its great fun to drive.
My sister bought new a '94 Tercel, which I now drive. It's bare bones, no A/C, no power steering, 2 door manual crank windows, stick shift. It runs like a dream (120K) and it's my daily driver. You're right, we do have an ESP type connection :), though not as tight as I have with my dog! BTW, love your videos, and I've learned a lot about cars from your instructional channel. Thanks for making and posting them.
I bought a 2008 Jeep Compass, and after $600 of work into it, the transmission went. Well now, I have a 80 Chevy C10 with a slipping transmission and she has never failed me, I could drive it to California from here in Atlanta if I wanted to.
My dad had one of the new Mini Coopers for a while. The electronic throttle started acting up (it just refused to open sometimes, the dealer couldn't figure it out) and so he sold it. Now he's got a flogged-out '67 TR4A that rattles, squeaks, and shot flames out the air cleaners once, and he loves it.
I agree with ETCG. I've got a 1981 vehicle. As such, it's almost as old as I am. And some of the technology is carried over from the 1970s, even though it has disc brakes. It has no power steering. The interior is pieces of vinyl, metal, carpet, and leather, not molded plastic. The gauges are all mechanical and lit from above. The sound inside is "car" - road noise, engine noise. The thing doesn't "start," it "roars to life." (The cabin is actually so loud that it's impossible to use a cell phone. I call that a safety feature.) When I get into my daily driver, it's so quiet by comparison - it's like I'm being protected from the "machine-ness" of the machine. There's something more raw and more primal about sitting at the wheel of a machine like that - a machine that doesn't pretend to be something else. I know it's a "death trap" because it doesn't have ABS or airbags, and it could break down at any minute because of its age, but it's more exciting, and I feel like I'm more "on my toes" when I'm in that old car. That's my experience, anyway, for all that it's worth - not much, I'm sure.
Drive my '88 Lincoln Town Car with the 302 each and every day, I'm 20 years old. Driven it 18k miles in 8 months no major problems to speak of (oil changes every 3-5k). Newer cars don't got soul, I'd never drive something newer. Whenever I have to it's like a piece of me is missing. Someday would love a 70's Lincoln Continental Town Car.........Sure my '86 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham left me on the side of the road with a thrown pushrod but at least I was on the side of the road in style!! Never going to own a generic plastic 4 banger modern shit box!!!
I graduated high school in '93. My first car when I was 18 was an '83 Olds Cutlass with a v6 that my father gave to me. Probably worth all of $800 at the time, but it lasted me the next two years until I saved up and got a '93 Z28. My insurance then went from $55 a month to $245. Good times.
I love my 92 vic. When I put it in park or turn the a/c on, I can hear those same vacuums engage and its awesome! My lights go on and off intermittently, my indoor lights, cig lighter or front windows dont work, but I still love her. Something about those old school cars, man...
I've got a 1989 ford Sierra cosworth, it's a 2.0l 4 cylinder turbo charged 4 door saloon. Been modifying it for a good few years now. I drive a 2015 Nissan note as a daily driver. Using the Nissan everyday makes getting into the ford so much motor special :-)
My daily driver that I've owned for the past 6 years, is a 1978 Chevy Impala. She's no trailer queen, but she gets the job done, and I love everything about her. My favorite part about these older cars, is the fact that you can constantly smell the gas in the cabin, and sometimes you can smell some oil.
You guys talking about 80s and 90s as old cars blows my mind ! To me 50s 60s and 70s are old cars. Before all the electronic crap and sensors and pollution control junk. Back when fixing a car was finding and replacing worn out or broken parts not plugging in scanners to find faulty electronic junk. Back when you did not get stranded because of a over priced hard to get at bad electric fuel pump(thanks GM).
Amen, Brother. I like what you said about GM fuel pumps. It seems to me that if a late model GM comes into my dealer with an SES light, I should just replace the fuel pump & Evap controls, then ship it. That will solve 99.9% of my SES lights.
I understand completely. I drive a 1987 Nissan 300zx z31 turbo and I love my car. Almost everyone around me wants me to get rid of it and buy a new car but I can't get myself to do it. I feel everything like you said and my car does have a soul. When I first got the car I didn't really appreciate it but after about a week it really grew on me. It has broken down time and time again but I've always been able fixed the problem. It's almost like I grow closer to my car with every repair.
I share those same feelings. But I grew up fixing those vehicles, and my skill set has aged with my fading eyesight. Now I'm trying to stay relevant so that I can fix newer vehicles, which is an escalating challenge. Too bad that many new vehicles come with such a long warranty, since it reduces amateur repair contributions here on RUclips.
I believe this is being done on purpose. It's pretty clear manufacturers are doing everything in their power to make DIY repairs as difficult & frustrating as possible. They seem to want everyone to be completely dependent on someone else for repairs ($$$). The systems on these newer vehicles are designed to suck every last dollar out of everyone's wallet - especially if you live in heavy handed states like MA, NY, NJ, or CA. I'll never buy a new vehicle again. I'll continue fixing & driving old junks. More cost effective.
SS Smithsonite I'm in an Auto class in college w/ access to alldata (info system with exploded diagrams and service procedures and such). My winter car- '01 Pontiac Bonneville has a 3800 V6 (I know not THAT old) that looks A LOT simpler compared to my 3.6l V6 in my '13. Camaro (Manual transmission). It looks like doing anything on the new engine besides a water pump would be quite a project. Over-engineering is great isn't it?
my oldest car is a 89 bmw and I love that car. all my cars are old but I have driven newer cars. I enjoy driving them but they are no fun to drive. I could have one to take me to work and back but when I go out for a fun drive I love my 94 honda accord with the h22a engine and manual transmission. man ! talking about this makes me feel like going for a ride around my island.
I love all the old stuff. I had a 76 Eldorado about ten years ago. Total PILE of a car in all truth but, loved to drive it. Hood was 5 yards long and it had broken motor mounts. The guy I got it from had a chain on each side from the exhaust manifolds to the frame with a turnbuckle in the middle of each chain. When you felt the engine clunk you just got out and tightened the chains up a little. You couldn't let them get too loose or the inner C/V joints would come apart.
You really hit the nail on the head, Eric. I've been a Chevy guy all my life, and probably always will be...the old ones, anyway. You can drive a half-ton truck made in 1974, one made in 1984, and one in 1994, and they have very similar characteristics. You can tell how fast you're going just by the feel in the seat and floorboard. The steering lets you know in no uncertain terms the nature of the road you're driving on. And stepping on the gas a bit too much can give you a satisfying bounce. Aside from incremental changes in ignition and fuel delivery, they're almost all mechanically identical. But take one made in 2004, or a 2014 model. I had the (mis?)fortune to drive a 2012 model for a 3-hour trip up in east Texas. It had the Vortec 5.3L V8, six-speed automatic, butt warmers for the seats, and all the trimmings. It felt more like I was riding in an airplane than driving a truck. There was no more kick when I hit the gas a little too hard, and the steering felt the same whether the truck was moving or sitting still. Plus the seats were too hard and made my back hurt. Never had that problem before. And what on earth happened to the head room? It seems like vehicles are being designed for short people who don't know how to drive. The only thing missing from that truck was a Knight-2000 AI to do the driving for me.
I love the sound of Jimmy (name we affectionately gave to our 80's model Ford F250) that old 460 brings back memories of my Dad's truck. Like a time portal to the early 80's. In fact, when we first drove it home we flicked on the radio and Cyndi Lauper was singing. Hilarious!
Yes driving an older vehicle is being as one with your ride. My first car was a 1951 Chevrolet fleetline. It was a junker ! I am so glad Learned a lot working on it. Either you learn or you walk. You learn to appreciate what you have when you can afford something a little better.
I went back to 1996 Town Car, lead sled, just for something different. Found it stored, probably for many months. 19 year old car with 61k. Rotten tires, power windows not working, moon roof not working, needing ball joints, tie rod ends. Fixed all that, and now my wife and I prefer to drive it around locally or long distance over our 14 Terrain. Love it.
feel you Bro, back in 2002 my dad bought a 71 Torino original 302 ci for $175, slapped a new distributor and it ran great. we only drove it whenever our dailies broke, it was super reliable. eventually he got rid of it, till this day we regret ever selling it...it'd be awesome to have it again and daily it
This is cool. I had a 78 as my 1st car. I was as rough as any teenager can be. After 2 wrecks, countless scratches and dents I finally learned how to take care of my vehicle. Leaked every fluid and I learned to change and check all of these. To get pretty comfortable under the hood. Also learned the different sounds and vibrations and the like. Made me feel a connection to the car that has helped me with every one since. I can usually spot problems earlier as I have learned to actually listen to the car. The next vehicle was a 78 dodge ram with the 6 cylinder and 3 on the tree. Great truck to teach about gear shifting probs. Used a tire wrench to pop the knuckles out if they jammed. Can't do that on a new car I bet
I have my 89 Jeep CJ, and I LOVE IT! It's my first and only vehicle, which i bought when i was 18 back in 1998. I drive it daily, and take it offroad almost every weekend and in the holidays. I work on it myself, and it is mostly the reason i became a mechanic. Older vehicles are the best! I totally agree with all that you said in the video.
Bought my 1982 Thunderbird when I was 16. Black w/dark red interior. Still have it 22 years later. Thought I'd only have a few years, but just fell in love with it and kept it. Like the fairmont, it shares the Fox platform as the Mustang.
I feel exactly the same way Eric, first car I ever drove and owned was a 45 series Landcruiser ute or the 'Sporty 40' I used to call it with it's clunky old diesel. I loved it because it kept you in touch with your driving and the vehicle, absolutely no aides whatsoever - all it had was a speedo, temp, fuel gauges and a four on the floor. No power steering, no stereo, drum brakes all round, leaf springs all round - which my kidneys never recovered from ;) and for safety? pffffft I was lucky to get a seatbelt, really made it interesting to drive at times. On the flip side, I'd then climb into my folk's Honda with all its modern conveniences and would just be blown away by how boring it was to drive. Everything was easy and done for you, no challenge. I had to give the old girl up but if I had my time again, I wouldn't have it any other way. Oh what a feeling!
I own a 1984 W123 300TD. I originally bought the car primarily because I wanted a station wagon with a diesel engine that would be tolerant of biofuels. Since I've owned it, I've grown to appreciate a lot of things about cars from the 70s and 80s. Here are some of the top ones for me: 1) Serviceability (& price of parts!). Less computerized gadgets make it easier to DIY, which saves money and makes me feel accomplished. Also, parts for older cars are often surprisingly cheap when compared to newer ones. 2) As you mentioned, feel. I feel connected to the road. It doesn't feel like driving a spaceship. 3) Visibility. This is a big thing for me, especially as a tall guy. Every time I've had a rental car or had to to drive someone else's, it's felt to me like I'm driving a bunker! The small narrow windows and giant A/B/C/D pillars absolutely kill my view of the road. This isn't safe at all! 4) Styling. People's heads turn when they see my car. I also get a lot of "I had one of those! I loved that car!". New cars (even cool ones) don't generate that kind of excitement. 5) Simplicity. Less gadgets means less to go wrong.
89 Olds Cutlass Ciera I was 17 (in 2000) and it was my first car. My uncle gave it to me cause he didn't want to go through the repairs to make it pass emissions and safety. That thing was soo nice. Tinted windows, power everything (including seats, mirrors), front bench seats, 2.8L V6.
I had a 92 Nissan Maxima, considered somewhat old. It was my first car and if I knew how to care for it better it would still be with me today. I remember installing an aftermarket stereo and cruising down the highway while bumping it. It was like a natural psychedelic experience. I will always miss those days.
I'm 41 and I still drive the same 1968 chevy pickup that I got at 12 years old. It was my grandpas' and then my dads', and my son drove it to school yesterday. Talk about memories! As far as luxuries, it has none. Straight 6 ,carburetor, points, three speed on the column, manual steering, manual drum brakes all the way around. You don't just sit behind the wheel and let this truck do everything for you. You have to actually drive it.
My dad's 1965 Chevy C10 was my daily driver for about 2 years and oh man. It's such a beautiful old girl. 292 Straight 6 with 100,000 original miles, 4 on the floor with granny gear, 4.10 rear end, 2 wheel drive. It's below the base model but man the connection I have with that old girl, when she's running off I know exactly what's wrong and it's always my fault, that thing never wrongs me. When it's 50 degrees F outside and it's raining, I make it a point to go on a drive just because I know the engine likes that temp and pressure the best. It's incredibly reliable, too. Cold start at -10F is not its favorite thing but it will do it for you if you ask nicely. And that crawler gear, even though the engine is old and tired, that coupled with the lower rear end allows me to pull ANYTHING if I have the traction. And that engine is so simple and beautiful. The sound is great, too. The muffler was falling apart so we just chopped it off. My blood boils every time I hear that thing start. I know I may be the only one here in love with a 65 C10 but I just thought I'd share the same sentiments you did that you do create a connection more easily with old cars. It's a beautiful thing to me.
First 2 cars I properly drove were a '68 VW bug, and a '91 VW rabbit diesel. The beetle was a hoot to drive, since it was slow, and leaned like a truck. The rabbit, though, has a special place in my heart. The ONLY electrical thing on this car was the one speaker it had. It ran rough, pissed boiling water on your clutch foot, and had a top speed of 65 MPH. it was the most rewarding car I ever drove, though. me and 4 buddies, careening down steep south European roads in it are some of the best memories I have!
Older cars are much easier to fix. You have access to cheap second-hand parts through clubs where you can upgrade the car's spec. You have great satisfaction in completing long runs and your world slows down as speed isn't an issue. As well, after owning a car for a long number of years, you can tell immediately if something is amiss. Unlike modern cars, if something goes wrong, you can likely fix it.
This video is perfect. Couldn't have been said any better. I drive an old 1984 Toyota 4x4. I love driving my truck. Its slow, yeah, but this doesn't mean that it doesn't put a smile on my face. I feel every little thing working and I love the reactions I get from people in my area (Wealthy people) No one understands this but me and thats why it makes me happy to drive my yota.
You can give older cars names, like Oliver. New cars never really struck me as deserving names. I named my '77 camaro Lucy (she's red) and my '90 silverado Darlene. Yeah, '90 isn't that old, but old enough to be historic now. Plus it's a lot like the fairmont: basic, manual windows/locks, simple electronics, first generation EFI, etc., but it's 4x4 and a 5spd so it's fun. Old cars rule, you can keep your dinner roll-shaped electric shaver cars and all their masturbatory gadgets.
Know exactly what you mean man. I love driving my 86 Ford LTD Crown Victoria LX. Not a lot of them are on the road any more which makes it that much more special to drive. Older cars are definitely lookers :D.
I have an '82 GMC 3/4-ton pickup. I don't drive it much, but it's fun to drive when I need to use it. It feels like people get out of my way when I drive that big, heavy tank. Also, I like being able to sit in the engine compartment to work on it. My first car was a tiny '78 Honda Civic hatchback, which was followed by an '83 Honda Accord 4-door. My daily driver is a '92 Acura Legend that drives great and has no squeaks or rattles. It was one of my dream cars when I bought it used 19 years ago. I'm hoping to get many more years out of it.
Last year I bought my first vehicle. It turned out to be an old truck that a friend of my family had just sitting in his yard. Body was in good shape, but it didn't have a carb, so we had to use the guy's carb from his Buick to get it home. A 1969 Jeep Gladiator. I love the thing, put 1000 dollars into it and I have a decent truck. I definitely get that feeling of a "soul" from her. I have come to rather appreciate driving because of all the little things, stuff like you have to bump the throttle when coming to a stop, or you have to finagle the throttle a certain way when switching gears, or the fact that my reverse gear is in the 5th gear spot. Fun to drive, and proud to own.
I have not driven anything older than 1990 myself, but the way my dad talks about his old cars - the classic Mini Cooper, volkswagen bug, old Holden cars (Australian), old ford falcons; it's just like cars were in a whole different world from nowadays.
My first stick car was a 1988 Civic CX hatchback, no power options whatsoever. No powersteering, no A/C, I loved it. Had a built frankenstein motor in there with a 5spd transmission, the car was crazy fast. 263whp with 177lbs of torque. Probably the best car I had.
I'm 20 and I've never owned a car after 83. all my cars have been carb'd and they've taught me a lot about interacting with your car. while, I wish I enjoyed the luxuries of efi, like stated in the video, old cars have a sense of character in them that I prefer.
Personally I am good to about 2008 for vehicles. Anything newer and all the traction control, backup cameras and crap is no good to me. At work I drive a 98 Chevy k2500 I LOVE that thing. Regular cab, crank windows, bench seat, no abs, no air bags, manual mirrors, all it has is a radio and AC. Turn the key and it starts no fuss. Just a good reliable truck that does everything I need it to do and it still tows pretty well for only having 255hp. If it wasn't for needed to reliably commute and not having as much time as I would like to tinker and fix an older vehicle I would definitely own something older than the 2004 vehicle I currently own.
Umm.. No office job here but I commute to college in a pickup or my Explorer (until I sell the Explorer just got the pickup) ... Why not? I mean yea the pickup is a bit of a hassle to park but I mean other than that it's no different than driving a car really. Heck, my 05 Silverado gets like 15 city 18-19 highway, not even much worse than a 10 year old car which I would own if it wasn't for owning that so it's only a bit more in gas... Plus gas is so cheap now it's not even a big deal. The k2500 I drive is my bosses truck that I use at work... To haul mowers, parts, tools, supplies.. You name it. Then come time for the weekends and the trailer gets hooked up, the bed gets filled, and work gets done.
I can't see myself ever owning a newer vehicle. I'm with eric, I like the connection to the road. I like opening the hood for routine maintenance and not having one sensor fail and the whole vehicle shuts off. I drive a stock 1991 and a 1984 Ford ranger that has manual steering and a 306ci Windsor with C4 auto. Both are completely different in looks, how it feels and there uses, and I love them both.
1997 Jeep Cherokee. It's been in my family since 1999 (I took it over when I got my liscense) and it's exactly as you said, I feel a connection with the Jeep. It has some electronics (ecu and emissions) but nothing else like driving aids. Other than those two things, it's mostly mechanical. When I'm driving it I just feel great and "communicate" with it as you said. My mom has a new car with all the goodies, and I love driving my jeep so much more than her new loaded car.
I have a 2003 Chevy Astro all wheel drive that I am fixing from the ground up starting with tires all the way up and I love it more than any new car could ever make me feel I wish that I had some help with it but hey one thing at a time right
I agree with you I never had a car or truck pass 1992 for myself I got my girl a 2005 Ford 2006 and do you know her car has been in the shop more then mine (Honda Accord :) I love older cars always have always will
Hey Eric thanks for the cool vids! From what you were talking about in loosing connection to the road and the feel of a new car is like being in a bubble more then a vehicle, I have a love for old cars mainly because of that.., one for instance that I love to drive and picked up earlier last year is a 1988 Pontiac Trans Am GTA with T-Tops 5.7L V8 and tons of power, the car turns more heads then any new car on the streets now and I LOVE that feeling! I also own a 1990 Mustang GT 5 speed manual and a 1995 Ford Thunderbird Super Coupe with all that same great feeling.., and my dream car is a 1968 Oldsmobile Cutlus Supreme 442 with the optional W30 package!
My everyday driving car is a 1988 Plymouth Reliant K. I have owned it for close to two years now, it currently has 146,000 miles on it. It is economical on gas, easy to maintenance, and is great in snowy weather. The only real issue it had was a leaking power steering pump (factory original) that had to be replaced a couple of months after I had bought it. Other than that what a great machine for everyday driving purposes. Adequate engine power, comfortable ride, and cheap running cost.
I drive a '95 Chevy c1500, while my father owns a '94 version. One year and a big difference in components. The engine is the same, but mine has more electronic stuff. The 94 runs great, better than new even, while my 95 has PMS 24/7.
I recently bought a car of the same model as my first car. 1986 Audi 80 CC. Exactly the same smell, the same feel, the same joy and of course, the same problems. It was a very emotional 8 hour trip back from where I bought it. As soon as I get the money, I will stuff it with a 5 cylinder 20v turbo, new gearbox and new suspension.
My first car was a six-banger ´76 nova that´s been with me since '83. That said, I understand and share your feelings on those old cars. Sometimes, my "Millenium Falcon" (as baptized by a friend) comes along when leaving town. Needs some restoration by now due to rust, and still puts a smile on my face.
Dad owned and drove an '83 S-15 Jimmy. I bought one that came up for sale. Same year, different interior. As soon as I opened the door, it smelt the same as my dads. Total trip.
I observed exactly what you're describing when I replaced a 2004 Honda Element with a 2008 Honda Element. the changes that were made we're not easily visible and individually may not have been that significant but the combination substantially changed the character of the vehicle. Where the 2004 felt like a moderately heavy vehicle that was somewhat nimble and provided a decent amount of road feel and feedback to the driver, the 2008 feels like a heavily padded lead brick. Variable assist electronic drive by wire steering and stability control changed the handling, the newer engine may have more horsepower but is no more responsive, and the weight of the vehicle was increased 100 pounds, and the front seats redesign Incorporated more padding. Collectively these changes are less than 5% of the vehicle but completely changed its character
My first functional car, when I was a kid, was a '78 Fairmont Future with a 302. Had some pretty good times in that ol' thing. She had a lot more potential than I ever thought to try, too.
I know exactly how you feel. I have a 1983 Datsun 280zx turbo. I love how I can feel the road and it feels like real driving. You are more connected with the car and road when you don't have all the electronics assisting you.
I have 3 older vehicles, a '97 Ford escort with a 5spd, an '88 Ford escort, and a '66 VW Beetle. I've never owned anything with power windows. or power seats (though both my fords have power mirrors) I consider anything made before '95 as really "older" I grew up with 80s cars so they have a certain charm for me. the old VWs definitely have a distinctive smell to them.
I live in an area where we get snow, sometimes i have the habit of pumping my brakes even though i have ABS. Not that i really need to stop quickly either but you know... i don't drive an older vehicle because at this point i don't have the space or money for that but what i would like to do is to rebuild a 1967 Chevy Impala. Ever since Supernatural came out, i always wanted one of those cars and instead of just buying one i'd like to rebuild one, you know save an older car from being crushed kind of deal.
The first car I bought after driving hand-me-down cars was a 1991 Honda CRX Si, all stock besides a VTEC engine swap. No power steering, air conditioning, traction and stability control, or even airbags lol. I loved how it drove, so simple and pure without any of the features newer cars have which I feel withdraws the driver from the driving experience. It never let me down once and when a part needed replacing it was cheap and easy to fix. I recently decided to sell it (sold it for a decent profit) and commute via bicycle. But as soon as I decide to own a car again I'm definitely buying another older car and keeping it driving in the 21st century.
I love driving older vehicles. So much more simple, and so much more soul. When I drive my 1984 VW Rabbit diesel, I do just that, I drive it. There is nothing else driving it. It makes you more aware; you feel the road through the tired rack and pinion, you know how fast you're going by the way your seat vibrates, and its stuff like that that just give the car so much more personality. Like my VW, you get in, pull out the cold start knob, wait for the glowplugs to cycle, start it, wait for it to fire on all cylinders, slowly push in the cold start, rev it at high idle for a minute (two if its below 32), then drive away. Modern cars do all of that for you, and its just not the same. It just makes me smile
It's not just cars that you get a feeling for when they're old, it's anything mechanical. Eric touched on this in this and his modification video where you get to know what's wrong just by the sound it starts to make, or where it might drip a bit of oil. I've got a 1975 Can-Am motorcycle that I play with and it's great. It's all mechanical and carbed, is a 2 stroke and even has drum brakes. I feel hear and see everything that it's telling me and it's the greatest fun that I've ever had, not to mention the compliments like I'm sure the lot of you get with your old machines. They eventually turn into something that is completely timeless.
I just bought a 1986 Ford F250 with the 6.9l diesel and 85,700 miles that had been sitting for 2 years. There are a few odds and ends to take care of, but I love that thing and my 5 year old son can't stop talking about Daddy's truck. :)
Hi Eric first things first I am a big fan of your videos!! Being a rookie tech I love watching your videos to learn new things and also to brush up on some stuff that I learned in school!! I'm a big fan of the new car! I am a big ford guy myself having a 2012 fusion sport and a 99 escort. Although my escort is only a 99 I can relate with you on the feeling of driving somewhat older vehicles. I do all of the work on it myself and it's true how you start to appreciate some of the basic principles of mechanics. It also makes you appreciate the modern vehicles as well to see where they derived from. Can't wait to see the new 2014 season Eric keep up the good work and stay dirty!!
Love your video's Eric! I have a 78 Ford Granada I'm working on restoring and have been watching to get a better understanding what I'm doing. Next week I get to change entire front steering and suspension. Good luck on your build!
1987 Toyota Starlet. Added sound insulation to doors, rear quarter and the hatch, and a improved "small stereo". Manual choke, no A/C, no abs, airbags etc etc. As a 'young' person (from 1990): at first I was very concerned about the lack of these going from a 99 Suzuki Swift 12 years back in time. I am having a more direct connection to this car, and it is less of a beater and more of an old friend. It leave much to be desired as far as cornering goes, but this can be rectified by a anti-roll bar (sway bar) and maybe some (front) strut tower bracing.
I am driving a 92 Volvo 850 w/ 210k miles on it. It is boxy and out of fashion but it drives better than my 2011 V70. Everything starts to fall apart (especially plastics) but repairing it is fairly simple and inexpensive. These older cars were made by engineers; modern cars are made by marketeers.
![Noob To Max With DRAGON REWORK In Blox Fruits [FULL MOVIE]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LnBMOinoOvA/mqdefault.jpg)
FINALLY, somebody that feels the same as i do! yes, working on the newer stuff pays the bills, but the connection is not there for me. I will be driving something old, with personalty dripping off of it, as long as i'm able...
Me too. Thanks for the comment.
My rule of thumb is, if it ain't old enough to drink I don't want anything to do with it :)
probably a good rule in a number of areas of life...
Jordan Even haha
yeah im the same way. been a mechanic for many years and seen how poor constructed and over engineered these newer cars are, my daily driver isnt exactly ancient but its a 1990 ive had for 7 years with no problems, honestly i dont see the difference between it and a 2 year old car both run and drive and will get me where im going
As long as there are old cars, I will be driving one.
Couldn't agree more. New are cars are nice, safe and reliable, but driving an old car is a more visceral experience. The noises the car makes, the way the doors sound when you close them, the smell of fuel, the little quarter glass windows that you can direct airflow at you are all things that make driving an old car fun. It's also nice driving something that you aren't going to see on the road, or very unlikely.
Great video. I have a 1992 Chevy 4x4 pickup I bought back in 1995. I dated my wife in it, took my son to his first day of school in it. He even drove it for a while in high school. I've owned several newer cars/trucks and my old Chevy would set on the back burner for a while. I was even tempted to sell it a few times but couldn't bring myself to part with it. Many times, my newer ride wouldn't start or have a flat or whatever and my old faithful Chevy would fire up and get me where I needed to go. Love that old truck!
Eric, you mirror my sentiments exactly. Old cars don't make me car sick. Some modern cars make me feel car sick because of the harsh materials they use. I drive four old Chrysler K-Cars from the 1980s. all with various quirks and issues. I love them all.
Older cars have character and are more worthy of respect, as they’ve proved that they can endure a long life. Also due to all the fun memories that the owner knows have been had in the car, the becomes like a true and trusted companion!
I like how you compare the car to a horse!!!👌🏼
Two types of car or horse owners, IMO. The ones that love and care and have a relationship with them and the others who don’t much care and have no heartfelt love for them. Just using them as a means to an end!
I drive a 1991 mercury grand marquis, and where it is not that old I absolutely love that car. I actually do not feel safe in newer cars. When I drive my mercury I feel at one with the vehicle. In my opinion older cars are more stylish than new cars and the repairs are much more basic and straight forward. The Mercury being an absolute "tank" (larger than most Cadillacs) you have be cautious in the way you drive and be more alert because just a low speed impact will total a newer model car / truck.
My employer has a 78 Chevy K-10 with a 350 small block in it that his dad restored years ago. When his mom passed away earlier this year, he got the truck and we are in the process of fixing it up (it hasn't run in about 5 years). So far it runs like a dream and will spin tires around corners. Just hearing it rumble brings me joy. Definitely one of my favorite vehicles ever to drive.
First off, a special thanks to you Eric for keeping all of us amateurs moving. Your channel and those like it, are what makes this possible for me.
Coming from someone who has owned both old and new; old can be a pain in the ass, but so can car payments (not to mention insurance) for all the "new car" coddling. I'm currently driving an '86 Chevy truck as a daily driver, and in the process of building a '65 Cadillac to take its place.
There is no reason not to enjoy these classics every single day.
Thanks again Eric.
My words exactly, my daily driver is a 1964 Ford Falcon Rancheo and I love it.
It has a 3.3L inline/C4 auto trans and runs like a top.
I loved my 79 Ford Granada it's was a great driving car. I see what you mean about being connected to the car.
just bought an 85 Accord about a month ago, and I love it!
I draw the cut off for an "Old Car" as a car that is carbureted. That is what gives the car that analogue feel
+Joe Williston In 1968, you could buy a Triumph 2000 with petrol injection... Those are certainly old!
Fuel injection is a lot older than people seem to think.
+Foxtrot Oscar I subsequently refined that to cars that do not have "Electronic" fuel injection.
Joe Williston Bosch were sticking their D-Jetronic electronic fuel injection on cars as early as the late '60s, and it was quickly adopted on higher end cars through the 70s. By the 80s it was fairly standard, with only lower end cars using carbs still.
As a young'un, I consider '80s cars to be 'classic', but 70s cars certainly are.
I would consider the advent of OBD1 in the early 90s to be the tipping point, that's when things started to become interlinked and complex and beyond what you can achieve with a Haynes Manual, a good toolkit and a simple multimeter.
After that, you needed a computer, and that takes the fun out of it for me.
Then again, when the '90s dawned, I was only 4, so I consider anything older than I can remember to be 'old'.
That said, 1990 is now 25 years ago, which is scary.
+Foxtrot Oscar 26 :)
+Joe Williston I'd say the analog feel was actually the result of having a throttle cable. You TOLD the car how much throttle to use, and whether it was a carburetor or fuel injection, all it could do was carry out your command. Now that cars don't have a throttle cable, when you hit the throttle you're just giving suggestions to a computer.
The main reason I followed your channel, is because of your 2nd gen integra videos to be honest, I love my integra and (accidentally) got stuck with picking something older for insurances purposes.
I've had to replace everything from the radiator back to the fuel pump (no joke), most of the major components and trying to figure out what's what being new into working on my own car, you've helped me a lot, and have helped me realize that there's a lot I still have to learn, I'm pushing 30 now, and being younger I was spoiled with much newer cars, completely missing what I feel I should have experienced 10+ years ago, it feels like a necessary phase in maturing as a man. Thank you Eric
Hey Eric, I loved this video. I know exactly what you mean when you are describing the feeling you get when driving a classic car or car of that vintage. I myself drive one of the last Honda's ever made before fuel injection and computer controlled emissions became standard. I actually drove to Bufalo ,N.Y. to meet a guy at the Canadian border to buy a 1986 Honda CRX, that actually had a manual choke that you have to pull out to get her to start up. No emission junk or cats, and everything is mechanical, and had no onboard computer crap. No A.C. no power steering, just as basic as you can get but only had 47,000 "kilometers" on it! I gotta tell you man, it beats the hell outta driving a cookie cutter safety bubble. Older cars do indeed have soul, and you can feel it every time you get behind the wheel
You have put into words exactly what I've felt about vintage equipment and vehicles. I would prefer to drive a 70's Ford truck over anything comparable that is contemporary. New vehicles just don't hit me in the feels.
As the proud owner of a '79 Caprice 2-door and and '84 Fiero, I agree with you on all those points. The sounds the Caprice makes are no different than those on the '68 Impala 4-door hardtop I grew up with and learned to drive on. They were both fine winter cars; at one point when they were newer, they were what I drove in the winter. But I choose not to take them out in snowy weather now. They've earned a rest.
I love driving my 3rd gen 89 Accords. Went from brand new stuff that was great to drive to something that I enjoy driving. And can easily fix. And you are spot on......old cars make you actually have to pay attention and drive. Built before we had forced dumbing down for our "safety"
i feel you im 21 and had a 86 Chevrolet caprice and new cars drives nothing like the older ones i miss it. I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING YOU SAID.
My first couple of cars had no power steering, no power brakes, etc. There was this one road that had a downgrade for about 5 miles, all the way home. So I'd often shut off the engine and coast all that way. Well, I got myself a modern '80's car and did the same thing one day. I was startled by the sudden loss of control. I nearly crashed because I could hardly steer or brake. Modern cars make my life more comfortable, but also uneasy.
I drive a 79 F150 every day and I can relate to everything you said. I'm only 19 and it's the first vehicle I've owned and I knew it was different just from looking under the hood. No fancy crap with covers and wires running all over. Just blunt and to the point - perfectly bare-bones. I bought it about 6 months ago and since then it's top speed has gone up by 15 mph and gas mileage has gone up too. Now that the engine has pretty much been saved I can finally start saving to restore the interior and body. I figure in about a year it's going to be as good as new. I love that old girl.
Does my 1999 Ford Crown Victoria count as an "old car"? All I know for sure is that it provides a more comfortable driving experience than my parents Corolla. I like to think, when I drove into my high school lot , it was a "premium" car. A more luxury car than the honda civics and ford focuses. Something that had a bit more presence with its smooth V8 and rear wheel drive. That and it sounds classier to say "I drive a Crown Victoria". Mostly nonsense, but the ride difference is true, so much more comfortable.
In a way, it was. The chassis on those panther cars dated from the late 70s. I had an 02 Town Car. The steering was overboosted, numb, and had a lot of play. Suspension wallowed on the freeway and you had to pay attention! There was body roll, sweet, sweet body roll around a sharp corner. More torque than you knew what to do with. The ride was pillow-soft. Brakes that you prayed you would stop, and in some cases, weren't even anti-lock. It was like driving a car from the 1960s or 1970s with a relatively modern, EFI engine. Even with all of its faults and the "old man" image, I loved that car. I would still have mine if it wasn't t-boned by some idiot in a Mazda.
My daily driver is a 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix with the supercharged 3800 V6, Borla exhaust, paddle shifters, heated leather seats, automatic climate control, a touchscreen head unit, and any other option you may want. I love driving the car. That being said, I don't necessarily feel a connection to it. I learned to drive in a '99 Ram 1500 which lasted 265,000 miles over 10 years before the salted roads finally destroyed the frame. My first car was an 01 Ram 2500 V10, base trim. Vinyl floor and seats, manual windows and locks. Rarely broke double digits in gas mileage. But I had a connection to both of those vehicles. I don't feel connected to the Grand Prix- it's just a really fast, cool sounding thing on wheels. The trucks, which were actually not much older, were far less computerized and just felt more like an actual entity to me. I felt like they were alive. The Pontiac just responds to my inputs and gets me from A to B (with a smile on my face nonetheless), I just don't feel like it's anything more than a tool.
I used to drive a 93 Camry back in the day and now I drive a 2000 Camry and it brought back a lot of memories. These cars were built so well and everything is so mechanical, simple, cheap and reliable. It has power seats and windows, ice cold A/C, radio sounds good, remote car starter is all I could ever ask for lol
You hit the nail on the head man. Everything the manual controls, the smells, the feeling. My 73' mustang has a manual choke, no cup holders, and an exhaust leak that lets the smell into the car. My dad wants me to put a carb with an electric choke and to fix the exhaust leak, but at the end of the day it's what makes the car what it is. Oh but I have AC.
I had the luck of finding a ‘79 T’bird a year ago at an Estate sale. Low miles and garage kept. I bought it for $3800.00. It is 95% perfect. It was like a time capsule. Cans of Castrol GTX in the trunk, other odds and ends you don’t see anymore. When I drove the car home which was about 3 hours I was amazed at the ride and ease of driving. It handled in curves much better than I expected. I have been used to driving Honda’s and such. When I wanted to pass someone going at about 60 miles an hour, I could give it gas and force the 3 speed to drop in second and run up to 90 with ease before changing back to third. After getting home and doing a little research I found out the rear axle ratio is 2:47. I love the gear. This was a true Interstate car, fuel mileage is descent too. Inside the car has just what I need or want, no clutter. You can see out in all directions really well. I have learned that while we have gained a lot since ‘79, I see what we lost. None of the windows leak air, I find this bothersome even on almost new cars now. Everything is built to be thrown away now. So sad. I drive this car every day now. I found when I commute to work, I don’t feel beat to death from sitting in traffic like I did with newer cars. I don’t know why. Maybe because there is not much to distract me in the car. When you open the hood, everything is easy to get to. I have become a part of this car, or the other way around. While this car does use more fuel, I don’t need to get a loan when there is an occasional breakdown. Most repairs I can do at home.
Hi :) I fully agree with your sayings about new cars 'treating you as a child' :) because that's exactly what they do. however It could be a lot worse already if the manufacturers thought that the drivers of the world would be ready for these "helping driving hands"..
My first car was an very old and rusted out Renault 4 which I bought for less then a 150 dollars. It was ugly, made a lot of noise, wouldn't fire back up again if you shut it off, but like you said, I fell in love with it :) And funny enough It brought me from Holland to the south of France ever month for a year or more! With this old car I drove more than 70 000 km in that period of time. I even talked to her, sometimes plainly begging that she would run and not leave me stranded somewhere in the middle of the night : and when she sometimes did, I'd could always fix her with a hammer or a screwdriver. So yes. these cars have a soul if you let yourself listen to it.. ;)
I can totally relate to this commentary. My favorite vehicle to drive was my step father's 1967 Dodge W300, equipped with a 225 slant six, a New Process 435 four speed transmission, a New Process 205 Transfer case and Spicer 70 axles front and rear. It had a manual choke with a fast idle step in it, first gear was synchronized (and usually not needed), and was loud and ornery! About the closest it came to any luxury was a hydraulic clutch, without which it would have been next to impossible to disengage it without tree trunk sized legs. I loved it. :) I could literally feel every step of every process this truck made as it moved down the road or trail and was probably the most fun of any vehicle I've ever driven. I miss that truck.
I have a 88 civic lx and it truly makes me feel like I'm planted/connected to the road, which I love. With newer vehicles, it feels like you're floating and it doesn't give you that piece of mind feel, almost like you're not driving in some way. My civic only has 92 hp but it feels more dynamic/mechanical than a 2008 toyota.
Love your videos dude.
I have a 1987 ford escort wagon and although its starting to get into the more modern tech. i completely get what he was saying about being isolated in new cars. I feel the engine (small as it may be) and feel that 3 speed shift. Notice when its cold and wonder "oh lord i fixed the dash light what will fill its place". They aren't tools but more like people with personality.
My experience on older vehicles is a 1975 steyr army truck during my service time. Loved the exhaust smell in the cab, the sting in the eyes, the every day check for fluids and even the valve and head gasket job. So easy to work on it, access through the cab floor, straight 6 atmospheric diesel! 6.5lt 130 ps 4x4 truck. I wish i could get one for civilian use...
You hit the nail on the head ! Exactly why I love driving my daily driver 1965 Chevrolet Impala SS 4-speed. It's my time machine !
I have a 1996 Toyota Camry that's been in my family since it was new. I basically grew up in the back seat of this car. It has scrapes scratches and dings but it still looks great and runs perfectly. I drive it every day and enjoy every second of it. Over 20 years its only had four small replacement parts purely due to being run off the road once and is now due for a new timing belt. Just about every part is completely original and none show any signs of giving up yet. Its very responsive to my input as the driver and its great fun to drive.
My sister bought new a '94 Tercel, which I now drive. It's bare bones, no A/C, no power steering, 2 door manual crank windows, stick shift. It runs like a dream (120K) and it's my daily driver. You're right, we do have an ESP type connection :), though not as tight as I have with my dog! BTW, love your videos, and I've learned a lot about cars from your instructional channel. Thanks for making and posting them.
I bought a 2008 Jeep Compass, and after $600 of work into it, the transmission went.
Well now, I have a 80 Chevy C10 with a slipping transmission and she has never failed me, I could drive it to California from here in Atlanta if I wanted to.
My dad had one of the new Mini Coopers for a while. The electronic throttle started acting up (it just refused to open sometimes, the dealer couldn't figure it out) and so he sold it. Now he's got a flogged-out '67 TR4A that rattles, squeaks, and shot flames out the air cleaners once, and he loves it.
I agree with ETCG. I've got a 1981 vehicle. As such, it's almost as old as I am. And some of the technology is carried over from the 1970s, even though it has disc brakes. It has no power steering. The interior is pieces of vinyl, metal, carpet, and leather, not molded plastic. The gauges are all mechanical and lit from above. The sound inside is "car" - road noise, engine noise. The thing doesn't "start," it "roars to life." (The cabin is actually so loud that it's impossible to use a cell phone. I call that a safety feature.) When I get into my daily driver, it's so quiet by comparison - it's like I'm being protected from the "machine-ness" of the machine. There's something more raw and more primal about sitting at the wheel of a machine like that - a machine that doesn't pretend to be something else. I know it's a "death trap" because it doesn't have ABS or airbags, and it could break down at any minute because of its age, but it's more exciting, and I feel like I'm more "on my toes" when I'm in that old car. That's my experience, anyway, for all that it's worth - not much, I'm sure.
Drive my '88 Lincoln Town Car with the 302 each and every day, I'm 20 years old. Driven it 18k miles in 8 months no major problems to speak of (oil changes every 3-5k). Newer cars don't got soul, I'd never drive something newer. Whenever I have to it's like a piece of me is missing. Someday would love a 70's Lincoln Continental Town Car.........Sure my '86 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham left me on the side of the road with a thrown pushrod but at least I was on the side of the road in style!! Never going to own a generic plastic 4 banger modern shit box!!!
I graduated high school in '93. My first car when I was 18 was an '83 Olds Cutlass with a v6 that my father gave to me. Probably worth all of $800 at the time, but it lasted me the next two years until I saved up and got a '93 Z28. My insurance then went from $55 a month to $245. Good times.
I love my 92 vic. When I put it in park or turn the a/c on, I can hear those same vacuums engage and its awesome! My lights go on and off intermittently, my indoor lights, cig lighter or front windows dont work, but I still love her. Something about those old school cars, man...
Many of the reasons you listed for old cars are the reasons why I enjoy old motorcycles.Good comments on the mindset of today's motorist.
I've got a 1989 ford Sierra cosworth, it's a 2.0l 4 cylinder turbo charged 4 door saloon. Been modifying it for a good few years now. I drive a 2015 Nissan note as a daily driver. Using the Nissan everyday makes getting into the ford so much motor special :-)
My daily driver that I've owned for the past 6 years, is a 1978 Chevy Impala. She's no trailer queen, but she gets the job done, and I love everything about her. My favorite part about these older cars, is the fact that you can constantly smell the gas in the cabin, and sometimes you can smell some oil.
You guys talking about 80s and 90s as old cars blows my mind ! To me 50s 60s and 70s are old cars. Before all the electronic crap and sensors and pollution control junk. Back when fixing a car was finding and replacing worn out or broken parts not plugging in scanners to find faulty electronic junk. Back when you did not get stranded because of a over priced hard to get at bad electric fuel pump(thanks GM).
Amen, Brother. I like what you said about GM fuel pumps. It seems to me that if a late model GM comes into my dealer with an SES light, I should just replace the fuel pump & Evap controls, then ship it. That will solve 99.9% of my SES lights.
I understand completely. I drive a 1987 Nissan 300zx z31 turbo and I love my car. Almost everyone around me wants me to get rid of it and buy a new car but I can't get myself to do it. I feel everything like you said and my car does have a soul. When I first got the car I didn't really appreciate it but after about a week it really grew on me. It has broken down time and time again but I've always been able fixed the problem. It's almost like I grow closer to my car with every repair.
I share those same feelings. But I grew up fixing those vehicles, and my skill set has aged with my fading eyesight. Now I'm trying to stay relevant so that I can fix newer vehicles, which is an escalating challenge. Too bad that many new vehicles come with such a long warranty, since it reduces amateur repair contributions here on RUclips.
I believe this is being done on purpose. It's pretty clear manufacturers are doing everything in their power to make DIY repairs as difficult & frustrating as possible. They seem to want everyone to be completely dependent on someone else for repairs ($$$). The systems on these newer vehicles are designed to suck every last dollar out of everyone's wallet - especially if you live in heavy handed states like MA, NY, NJ, or CA. I'll never buy a new vehicle again. I'll continue fixing & driving old junks. More cost effective.
SS Smithsonite
I'm in an Auto class in college w/ access to alldata (info system with exploded diagrams and service procedures and such). My winter car- '01 Pontiac Bonneville has a 3800 V6 (I know not THAT old) that looks A LOT simpler compared to my 3.6l V6 in my '13. Camaro (Manual transmission). It looks like doing anything on the new engine besides a water pump would be quite a project. Over-engineering is great isn't it?
*****
From NY state and they're 'salty' there too !
my oldest car is a 89 bmw and I love that car. all my cars are old but I have driven newer cars. I enjoy driving them but they are no fun to drive. I could have one to take me to work and back but when I go out for a fun drive I love my 94 honda accord with the h22a engine and manual transmission. man ! talking about this makes me feel like going for a ride around my island.
I love all the old stuff. I had a 76 Eldorado about ten years ago. Total PILE of a car in all truth but, loved to drive it. Hood was 5 yards long and it had broken motor mounts. The guy I got it from had a chain on each side from the exhaust manifolds to the frame with a turnbuckle in the middle of each chain. When you felt the engine clunk you just got out and tightened the chains up a little. You couldn't let them get too loose or the inner C/V joints would come apart.
You really hit the nail on the head, Eric. I've been a Chevy guy all my life, and probably always will be...the old ones, anyway. You can drive a half-ton truck made in 1974, one made in 1984, and one in 1994, and they have very similar characteristics. You can tell how fast you're going just by the feel in the seat and floorboard. The steering lets you know in no uncertain terms the nature of the road you're driving on. And stepping on the gas a bit too much can give you a satisfying bounce. Aside from incremental changes in ignition and fuel delivery, they're almost all mechanically identical.
But take one made in 2004, or a 2014 model. I had the (mis?)fortune to drive a 2012 model for a 3-hour trip up in east Texas. It had the Vortec 5.3L V8, six-speed automatic, butt warmers for the seats, and all the trimmings. It felt more like I was riding in an airplane than driving a truck. There was no more kick when I hit the gas a little too hard, and the steering felt the same whether the truck was moving or sitting still. Plus the seats were too hard and made my back hurt. Never had that problem before. And what on earth happened to the head room? It seems like vehicles are being designed for short people who don't know how to drive. The only thing missing from that truck was a Knight-2000 AI to do the driving for me.
I love the sound of Jimmy (name we affectionately gave to our 80's model Ford F250) that old 460 brings back memories of my Dad's truck. Like a time portal to the early 80's. In fact, when we first drove it home we flicked on the radio and Cyndi Lauper was singing. Hilarious!
Yes driving an older vehicle is being as one with your ride. My first car was a 1951 Chevrolet fleetline. It was a junker ! I am so glad Learned a lot working on it. Either you learn or you walk. You learn
to appreciate what you have when you can afford something a little better.
I went back to 1996 Town Car, lead sled, just for something different. Found it stored, probably for many months. 19 year old car with 61k. Rotten tires, power windows not working, moon roof not working, needing ball joints, tie rod ends. Fixed all that, and now my wife and I prefer to drive it around locally or long distance over our 14 Terrain. Love it.
feel you Bro, back in 2002 my dad bought a 71 Torino original 302 ci for $175, slapped a new distributor and it ran great. we only drove it whenever our dailies broke, it was super reliable. eventually he got rid of it, till this day we regret ever selling it...it'd be awesome to have it again and daily it
This is cool. I had a 78 as my 1st car. I was as rough as any teenager can be. After 2 wrecks, countless scratches and dents I finally learned how to take care of my vehicle. Leaked every fluid and I learned to change and check all of these. To get pretty comfortable under the hood. Also learned the different sounds and vibrations and the like. Made me feel a connection to the car that has helped me with every one since. I can usually spot problems earlier as I have learned to actually listen to the car. The next vehicle was a 78 dodge ram with the 6 cylinder and 3 on the tree. Great truck to teach about gear shifting probs. Used a tire wrench to pop the knuckles out if they jammed. Can't do that on a new car I bet
I have my 89 Jeep CJ, and I LOVE IT! It's my first and only vehicle, which i bought when i was 18 back in 1998. I drive it daily, and take it offroad almost every weekend and in the holidays. I work on it myself, and it is mostly the reason i became a mechanic.
Older vehicles are the best! I totally agree with all that you said in the video.
Bought my 1982 Thunderbird when I was 16. Black w/dark red interior. Still have it 22 years later. Thought I'd only have a few years, but just fell in love with it and kept it. Like the fairmont, it shares the Fox platform as the Mustang.
I feel exactly the same way Eric, first car I ever drove and owned was a 45 series Landcruiser ute or the 'Sporty 40' I used to call it with it's clunky old diesel. I loved it because it kept you in touch with your driving and the vehicle, absolutely no aides whatsoever - all it had was a speedo, temp, fuel gauges and a four on the floor. No power steering, no stereo, drum brakes all round, leaf springs all round - which my kidneys never recovered from ;) and for safety? pffffft I was lucky to get a seatbelt, really made it interesting to drive at times. On the flip side, I'd then climb into my folk's Honda with all its modern conveniences and would just be blown away by how boring it was to drive. Everything was easy and done for you, no challenge. I had to give the old girl up but if I had my time again, I wouldn't have it any other way. Oh what a feeling!
I own a 1984 W123 300TD. I originally bought the car primarily because I wanted a station wagon with a diesel engine that would be tolerant of biofuels. Since I've owned it, I've grown to appreciate a lot of things about cars from the 70s and 80s.
Here are some of the top ones for me:
1) Serviceability (& price of parts!). Less computerized gadgets make it easier to DIY, which saves money and makes me feel accomplished. Also, parts for older cars are often surprisingly cheap when compared to newer ones.
2) As you mentioned, feel. I feel connected to the road. It doesn't feel like driving a spaceship.
3) Visibility. This is a big thing for me, especially as a tall guy. Every time I've had a rental car or had to to drive someone else's, it's felt to me like I'm driving a bunker! The small narrow windows and giant A/B/C/D pillars absolutely kill my view of the road. This isn't safe at all!
4) Styling. People's heads turn when they see my car. I also get a lot of "I had one of those! I loved that car!". New cars (even cool ones) don't generate that kind of excitement.
5) Simplicity. Less gadgets means less to go wrong.
89 Olds Cutlass Ciera
I was 17 (in 2000) and it was my first car. My uncle gave it to me cause he didn't want to go through the repairs to make it pass emissions and safety. That thing was soo nice. Tinted windows, power everything (including seats, mirrors), front bench seats, 2.8L V6.
I had a 92 Nissan Maxima, considered somewhat old. It was my first car and if I knew how to care for it better it would still be with me today. I remember installing an aftermarket stereo and cruising down the highway while bumping it. It was like a natural psychedelic experience. I will always miss those days.
I'm 41 and I still drive the same 1968 chevy pickup that I got at 12 years old. It was my grandpas' and then my dads', and my son drove it to school yesterday. Talk about memories! As far as luxuries, it has none. Straight 6 ,carburetor, points, three speed on the column, manual steering, manual drum brakes all the way around. You don't just sit behind the wheel and let this truck do everything for you. You have to actually drive it.
My dad's 1965 Chevy C10 was my daily driver for about 2 years and oh man. It's such a beautiful old girl. 292 Straight 6 with 100,000 original miles, 4 on the floor with granny gear, 4.10 rear end, 2 wheel drive. It's below the base model but man the connection I have with that old girl, when she's running off I know exactly what's wrong and it's always my fault, that thing never wrongs me. When it's 50 degrees F outside and it's raining, I make it a point to go on a drive just because I know the engine likes that temp and pressure the best. It's incredibly reliable, too. Cold start at -10F is not its favorite thing but it will do it for you if you ask nicely. And that crawler gear, even though the engine is old and tired, that coupled with the lower rear end allows me to pull ANYTHING if I have the traction. And that engine is so simple and beautiful. The sound is great, too. The muffler was falling apart so we just chopped it off. My blood boils every time I hear that thing start.
I know I may be the only one here in love with a 65 C10 but I just thought I'd share the same sentiments you did that you do create a connection more easily with old cars. It's a beautiful thing to me.
I agree %100 I love the sound smell and power of an old engine, All the mechanics and everything.
First 2 cars I properly drove were a '68 VW bug, and a '91 VW rabbit diesel. The beetle was a hoot to drive, since it was slow, and leaned like a truck.
The rabbit, though, has a special place in my heart. The ONLY electrical thing on this car was the one speaker it had. It ran rough, pissed boiling water on your clutch foot, and had a top speed of 65 MPH. it was the most rewarding car I ever drove, though. me and 4 buddies, careening down steep south European roads in it are some of the best memories I have!
Older cars are much easier to fix. You have access to cheap second-hand parts through clubs where you can upgrade the car's spec. You have great satisfaction in completing long runs and your world slows down as speed isn't an issue. As well, after owning a car for a long number of years, you can tell immediately if something is amiss. Unlike modern cars, if something goes wrong, you can likely fix it.
This video is perfect. Couldn't have been said any better. I drive an old 1984 Toyota 4x4. I love driving my truck. Its slow, yeah, but this doesn't mean that it doesn't put a smile on my face. I feel every little thing working and I love the reactions I get from people in my area (Wealthy people) No one understands this but me and thats why it makes me happy to drive my yota.
You can give older cars names, like Oliver. New cars never really struck me as deserving names. I named my '77 camaro Lucy (she's red) and my '90 silverado Darlene. Yeah, '90 isn't that old, but old enough to be historic now. Plus it's a lot like the fairmont: basic, manual windows/locks, simple electronics, first generation EFI, etc., but it's 4x4 and a 5spd so it's fun. Old cars rule, you can keep your dinner roll-shaped electric shaver cars and all their masturbatory gadgets.
Know exactly what you mean man. I love driving my 86 Ford LTD Crown Victoria LX. Not a lot of them are on the road any more which makes it that much more special to drive. Older cars are definitely lookers :D.
I think it's more about the attachment you develop to a particular car than about old cars in general.
I have an '82 GMC 3/4-ton pickup. I don't drive it much, but it's fun to drive when I need to use it. It feels like people get out of my way when I drive that big, heavy tank. Also, I like being able to sit in the engine compartment to work on it.
My first car was a tiny '78 Honda Civic hatchback, which was followed by an '83 Honda Accord 4-door. My daily driver is a '92 Acura Legend that drives great and has no squeaks or rattles. It was one of my dream cars when I bought it used 19 years ago. I'm hoping to get many more years out of it.
Last year I bought my first vehicle. It turned out to be an old truck that a friend of my family had just sitting in his yard. Body was in good shape, but it didn't have a carb, so we had to use the guy's carb from his Buick to get it home. A 1969 Jeep Gladiator. I love the thing, put 1000 dollars into it and I have a decent truck. I definitely get that feeling of a "soul" from her. I have come to rather appreciate driving because of all the little things, stuff like you have to bump the throttle when coming to a stop, or you have to finagle the throttle a certain way when switching gears, or the fact that my reverse gear is in the 5th gear spot. Fun to drive, and proud to own.
I have not driven anything older than 1990 myself, but the way my dad talks about his old cars - the classic Mini Cooper, volkswagen bug, old Holden cars (Australian), old ford falcons; it's just like cars were in a whole different world from nowadays.
My first stick car was a 1988 Civic CX hatchback, no power options whatsoever. No powersteering, no A/C, I loved it. Had a built frankenstein motor in there with a 5spd transmission, the car was crazy fast. 263whp with 177lbs of torque. Probably the best car I had.
I'm 20 and I've never owned a car after 83.
all my cars have been carb'd and they've taught me a lot about interacting with your car. while, I wish I enjoyed the luxuries of efi, like stated in the video, old cars have a sense of character in them that I prefer.
Personally I am good to about 2008 for vehicles. Anything newer and all the traction control, backup cameras and crap is no good to me.
At work I drive a 98 Chevy k2500 I LOVE that thing. Regular cab, crank windows, bench seat, no abs, no air bags, manual mirrors, all it has is a radio and AC. Turn the key and it starts no fuss. Just a good reliable truck that does everything I need it to do and it still tows pretty well for only having 255hp. If it wasn't for needed to reliably commute and not having as much time as I would like to tinker and fix an older vehicle I would definitely own something older than the 2004 vehicle I currently own.
I hope you are not commuting to an office job in a pick-up truck.
Umm.. No office job here but I commute to college in a pickup or my Explorer (until I sell the Explorer just got the pickup) ... Why not? I mean yea the pickup is a bit of a hassle to park but I mean other than that it's no different than driving a car really. Heck, my 05 Silverado gets like 15 city 18-19 highway, not even much worse than a 10 year old car which I would own if it wasn't for owning that so it's only a bit more in gas... Plus gas is so cheap now it's not even a big deal.
The k2500 I drive is my bosses truck that I use at work... To haul mowers, parts, tools, supplies.. You name it.
Then come time for the weekends and the trailer gets hooked up, the bed gets filled, and work gets done.
I can't see myself ever owning a newer vehicle. I'm with eric, I like the connection to the road. I like opening the hood for routine maintenance and not having one sensor fail and the whole vehicle shuts off. I drive a stock 1991 and a 1984 Ford ranger that has manual steering and a 306ci Windsor with C4 auto. Both are completely different in looks, how it feels and there uses, and I love them both.
1997 Jeep Cherokee. It's been in my family since 1999 (I took it over when I got my liscense) and it's exactly as you said, I feel a connection with the Jeep. It has some electronics (ecu and emissions) but nothing else like driving aids. Other than those two things, it's mostly mechanical. When I'm driving it I just feel great and "communicate" with it as you said. My mom has a new car with all the goodies, and I love driving my jeep so much more than her new loaded car.
I have a 2003 Chevy Astro all wheel drive that I am fixing from the ground up starting with tires all the way up and I love it more than any new car could ever make me feel I wish that I had some help with it but hey one thing at a time right
I agree with you I never had a car or truck pass 1992 for myself I got my girl a 2005 Ford 2006 and do you know her car has been in the shop more then mine (Honda Accord :) I love older cars always have always will
Hey Eric thanks for the cool vids! From what you were talking about in loosing connection to the road and the feel of a new car is like being in a bubble more then a vehicle, I have a love for old cars mainly because of that.., one for instance that I love to drive and picked up earlier last year is a 1988 Pontiac Trans Am GTA with T-Tops 5.7L V8 and tons of power, the car turns more heads then any new car on the streets now and I LOVE that feeling! I also own a 1990 Mustang GT 5 speed manual and a 1995 Ford Thunderbird Super Coupe with all that same great feeling.., and my dream car is a 1968 Oldsmobile Cutlus Supreme 442 with the optional W30 package!
My everyday driving car is a 1988 Plymouth Reliant K. I have owned it for close to two years now, it currently has 146,000 miles on it. It is economical on gas, easy to maintenance, and is great in snowy weather. The only real issue it had was a leaking power steering pump (factory original) that had to be replaced a couple of months after I had bought it. Other than that what a great machine for everyday driving purposes. Adequate engine power, comfortable ride, and cheap running cost.
I drive a '95 Chevy c1500, while my father owns a '94 version. One year and a big difference in components. The engine is the same, but mine has more electronic stuff. The 94 runs great, better than new even, while my 95 has PMS 24/7.
I recently bought a car of the same model as my first car. 1986 Audi 80 CC.
Exactly the same smell, the same feel, the same joy and of course, the same problems.
It was a very emotional 8 hour trip back from where I bought it.
As soon as I get the money, I will stuff it with a 5 cylinder 20v turbo, new gearbox and new suspension.
My first car was a six-banger ´76 nova that´s been with me since '83. That said, I understand and share your feelings on those old cars. Sometimes, my "Millenium Falcon" (as baptized by a friend) comes along when leaving town. Needs some restoration by now due to rust, and still puts a smile on my face.
Dad owned and drove an '83 S-15 Jimmy. I bought one that came up for sale. Same year, different interior. As soon as I opened the door, it smelt the same as my dads. Total trip.
I observed exactly what you're describing when I replaced a 2004 Honda Element with a 2008 Honda Element. the changes that were made we're not easily visible and individually may not have been that significant but the combination substantially changed the character of the vehicle.
Where the 2004 felt like a moderately heavy vehicle that was somewhat nimble and provided a decent amount of road feel and feedback to the driver, the 2008 feels like a heavily padded lead brick. Variable assist electronic drive by wire steering and stability control changed the handling, the newer engine may have more horsepower but is no more responsive, and the weight of the vehicle was increased 100 pounds, and the front seats redesign Incorporated more padding. Collectively these changes are less than 5% of the vehicle but completely changed its character
My first functional car, when I was a kid, was a '78 Fairmont Future with a 302. Had some pretty good times in that ol' thing. She had a lot more potential than I ever thought to try, too.
I know exactly how you feel. I have a 1983 Datsun 280zx turbo. I love how I can feel the road and it feels like real driving. You are more connected with the car and road when you don't have all the electronics assisting you.
I have 3 older vehicles, a '97 Ford escort with a 5spd, an '88 Ford escort, and a '66 VW Beetle. I've never owned anything with power windows. or power seats (though both my fords have power mirrors) I consider anything made before '95 as really "older" I grew up with 80s cars so they have a certain charm for me. the old VWs definitely have a distinctive smell to them.
I live in an area where we get snow, sometimes i have the habit of pumping my brakes even though i have ABS. Not that i really need to stop quickly either but you know... i don't drive an older vehicle because at this point i don't have the space or money for that but what i would like to do is to rebuild a 1967 Chevy Impala. Ever since Supernatural came out, i always wanted one of those cars and instead of just buying one i'd like to rebuild one, you know save an older car from being crushed kind of deal.
The first car I bought after driving hand-me-down cars was a 1991 Honda CRX Si, all stock besides a VTEC engine swap. No power steering, air conditioning, traction and stability control, or even airbags lol. I loved how it drove, so simple and pure without any of the features newer cars have which I feel withdraws the driver from the driving experience. It never let me down once and when a part needed replacing it was cheap and easy to fix. I recently decided to sell it (sold it for a decent profit) and commute via bicycle. But as soon as I decide to own a car again I'm definitely buying another older car and keeping it driving in the 21st century.
I love driving older vehicles. So much more simple, and so much more soul. When I drive my 1984 VW Rabbit diesel, I do just that, I drive it. There is nothing else driving it. It makes you more aware; you feel the road through the tired rack and pinion, you know how fast you're going by the way your seat vibrates, and its stuff like that that just give the car so much more personality. Like my VW, you get in, pull out the cold start knob, wait for the glowplugs to cycle, start it, wait for it to fire on all cylinders, slowly push in the cold start, rev it at high idle for a minute (two if its below 32), then drive away. Modern cars do all of that for you, and its just not the same. It just makes me smile
It's not just cars that you get a feeling for when they're old, it's anything mechanical. Eric touched on this in this and his modification video where you get to know what's wrong just by the sound it starts to make, or where it might drip a bit of oil. I've got a 1975 Can-Am motorcycle that I play with and it's great. It's all mechanical and carbed, is a 2 stroke and even has drum brakes. I feel hear and see everything that it's telling me and it's the greatest fun that I've ever had, not to mention the compliments like I'm sure the lot of you get with your old machines. They eventually turn into something that is completely timeless.
I just bought a 1986 Ford F250 with the 6.9l diesel and 85,700 miles that had been sitting for 2 years. There are a few odds and ends to take care of, but I love that thing and my 5 year old son can't stop talking about Daddy's truck. :)
Hi Eric first things first I am a big fan of your videos!! Being a rookie tech I love watching your videos to learn new things and also to brush up on some stuff that I learned in school!! I'm a big fan of the new car! I am a big ford guy myself having a 2012 fusion sport and a 99 escort. Although my escort is only a 99 I can relate with you on the feeling of driving somewhat older vehicles. I do all of the work on it myself and it's true how you start to appreciate some of the basic principles of mechanics. It also makes you appreciate the modern vehicles as well to see where they derived from. Can't wait to see the new 2014 season Eric keep up the good work and stay dirty!!
Love your video's Eric! I have a 78 Ford Granada I'm working on restoring and have been watching to get a better understanding what I'm doing. Next week I get to change entire front steering and suspension. Good luck on your build!
1987 Toyota Starlet. Added sound insulation to doors, rear quarter and the hatch, and a improved "small stereo". Manual choke, no A/C, no abs, airbags etc etc. As a 'young' person (from 1990): at first I was very concerned about the lack of these going from a 99 Suzuki Swift 12 years back in time. I am having a more direct connection to this car, and it is less of a beater and more of an old friend. It leave much to be desired as far as cornering goes, but this can be rectified by a anti-roll bar (sway bar) and maybe some (front) strut tower bracing.
I am driving a 92 Volvo 850 w/ 210k miles on it. It is boxy and out of fashion but it drives better than my 2011 V70. Everything starts to fall apart (especially plastics) but repairing it is fairly simple and inexpensive. These older cars were made by engineers; modern cars are made by marketeers.
I love my Opel Vectra 92, 392 000km. It's definitely getting old and tired but the engine starts perfectly and it has never let me down, ever.
touches me down in my man parts lol
perhaps. Maybe it's his way of crying out for help. He is in an abusive relationship with a vehicle.