Do you know someone who bangs on and on about how modern cars or rubbish? Or how about the bloke in the pub who claims that his old Triumph TR-7 is better than anything else on the road? It always interests me when this sort of argument crops up – not least because I think they are wrong but also because nostalgia has a place and you should be aware that is all it is.
Modern cars are wonderful, wonderful creations. They are, almost without a doubt, better than anything else we’ve produced historically. In every area I’m going to look at, you’ll see that not only should you be pleased with your modern car – whether it’s an Aston Martin or a Kia – and you should understand that it is a technological and engineering marvel.
Safety
In years gone by, a crash was bad news. Far worse news than these days, where you’re more likely to be crying over a scratched bumper than you are anything else. Back in 1970, 7,500 people were killed in road accidents. In the year 2000, there were less than 4,000 even though there was more than double the amount of cars on the road.
Granted, anyone killed on HM’s highways is a tragedy, but these days cars are without a doubt much, much safer than previously. Air bags, Safety cells, crumpling single-use bumpers and 3 point safety belts all work hard to help us reach B just the same way as we left A.
Technology
Driving has been made much easier due to a number of new technologies that have been pushed to the forefront of design. These include ABS and traction control – two race-style developments that mean handling a car is easier. It can also help you out in a tight spot and stop an accident happening in the first place.
Modern technologies have also made it possible to set up a car to have impressive dynamics at any given speed – such developments include the F1-inspired paddle shift and double clutch technology to handle lots of power.
Materials
The horrendous ‘plastic dash’ not withstanding in very cheap small cars, generally speaking the materials used these days are more sophisticated. Whether this is the use of lightweight aluminium sub-frames carbon fibre roofs it is clear that modern advances have helped to make a modern vehicle lighter, better handling and prettier.
Exterior
Modern cars aren’t just designed by an engineer – a marketing team also designs them. Whilst for some that might sound like a nightmare, for others it is very clearly a dream come true. The reason for this is that there is literally something out there for everyone – whatever your need, style or choice. Granted there are a lot of bland cars out there, but with everything from the Aston Martin DBS to the Fiat 500 you are certainly spoilt for choice.
A complaint of a certain generation tends to be that new cars have no ‘soul’. Well, whilst your retro-mobile is cool, my BMW M3 offers absolutely wild performance and style in the same package. It also stops me from looking like I’ve reached a mid-life crisis early.
Comfort/Entertainment
These days we’re doing more and more miles in our cars – something which manufacturers are keenly aware of. So much so that many motors are now set up to be an almost home from home, with DVD players, cooled gloveboxes for food, cubbyholes for toys and above all space. None of this would be available in an unmolested oldsmobile and you won’t enjoy the bumpy or too-hard ride in one of those either.
Power/Efficiency
In years gone by, cars were lighter. They were far less safe as well, as we also covered. These days, cars are heavier, but they get much bigger engines. This is fine though, because they emit far fewer gasses on the whole to pollute the planet with. Not only that, but diesels are far more planet-friendly and a lot less noisy too.
Conclusion
It’s clear from the points above that you’ll find a lot more joy out of investing in a modern motor than a true ‘oldie’, even if it’s what you’d call a modern classic. With those in mind, here’s a list of the modern cars that I think we should salute as some of the best of their type:
Ferrari F430, Porsche Boxster, BMW 3-series (saloon), Fiat 500, Lotus Elise, Mazda RX-8, VW Golf.
I’ll look at some of the above in further detail in the near future to let you know just why they are so good.
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