Old Cars - Can You Ever Go Home

[celsdogg]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

And God forbid, what happens if an E30 comes my way?

Every time I drive my E30 I unintentionally get the biggest grin on my face.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by celsdogg

Every time I drive my E30 I unintentionally get the biggest grin on my face.

I understand. I owned one since new from 1988 to 2006. Sold it at 256,000 when I bought my E90.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Last weekend I went to Charlotte to check on what I thought was a gem of a find from my automotive youth. A car from the early 1970s and a model that I owned as a young man, even as late as 1989. This 51-year-old example was supposed to be just 37,000 miles used, bought by a older man from the original owner and put away in storage somewhere around 1996. The intent was for the old man to do some repairs and drive it. Health kept him from those plans. Anyway, the car ended up on Autotrader Classics. I found it. It was within 300 miles driving distance, so I made a weekend roadtrip of it to check the car out.

It drove like an absolute pig. Having lots of seat time in this particular model of automobile, I found it unbelievable that back in the day I found it light and dynamic to drive, and reasonably powered. The car in Charlotte drove completely unlike as I remembered.

But this is not the first time I've looked at an apparently fine, preserved example of a car from my younger days and found it drove like a pig, completely different than I remember. It's happened with a 1985 Fiero 2M4 and a 1976 BMW 2002.

So, the question to the group; has anyone else experienced this same phenomenon? Or have I just had the bad luck of finding two poor examples of old cars from my youth that actually did drive well back in the day? Is this just a function of driving mostly BMWs for the past 35 years and being calibrated to Bavaria's finest?

And God forbid, what happens if an E30 comes my way?

I currently have an E30 and an E65. To be fair, my E30 is far from stock but with all of the BMWs I've owned, and there's been a few, I have yet to own one that made me think "this thing drives better than the red car...". The only car that I'd say came close was an E82 128i M Sport I had. I once had an F30 alongside the E30, that car was thirty years newer but comparatively felt like a freaking Buick and was quickly dispatched. I think the key is finding a good example.

[KevinGS]

Originally Posted by ///MPhatic

For me it was all about ergonomics. After sitting in so many modern cars where things just fall into hand and are easy to see/use, driving the old cars with huge steering wheels, bouncy seats, glare on everything, and just terrible response (not to mention slow), I just couldn't bring myself to like the experience. I was sad over it for about 3 minutes, then I remembered I had a Lotus Exige sitting at home.

My first car was an '84 RX-7, then I had an '86 MR-2, both of which I sorely miss, but I'm tiny, so those cars fit me perfectly.

I had a 1985 Mazda RX7 for like a year, and I loved that car. And I ain't a small dude, but I fit. It would still be a fun car to own and toss around today, just not for a long drive.

I also had a 1990 Nissan 300ZX Turbo, another car I loved, and drove it until it died at 400,000+ miles, with its original engine and turbos.

I currently have a 2013 M3 convertible with the small, high-revving V8 (bought in 2017 with 35,000 miles), and I will also keep this car and drive it for a longgg time. It already has 150,000 miles. It came with just enough tech that I don't long for anything when driving it. And it feels analog, like it's from a different generation of BMWs (and it is). I really like it. It's basically my daily driver. And it simply feels raw, yet still refined.

I'm saving for a GT3, and a 991.1 or 991.2 would be fine. I've been in both, and in similar fashion, they feel analog, yet refined. And the 997 feels even more raw than the 991s.

I like new car tech, efficiency and performance...but for pure driving joy, in many cases I prefer cars from a few generations past where cars were designed for the enthusiasts to feel more immersed in the art of driving.

[Donatello.]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Some of this is because American cars were very, very floaty back in the day.

My friend's 63 Impala is king of the float & body roll LOL

[Donatello.]

Originally Posted by eliphil

I’m as nostalgic as the next guy but evolution is hard to beat. My brother had a 69 vette 4 speed manual I only drove a few times before we sold it. Years later I drove my friends and it was great but just to heavy on the handling. I had a Buick reatta years ago and at the time i thought it was so modern and stylish now it seems antiquated. If I were to go retro it would be a late 60s or early 70s muscle car w 4 seats and a stick like a chevelle but I am very happy w my two modern fast cars .

I would love to do a 66 Chevelle, but I'd have to put an LS in it, upgrade the suspension & brakes too & also stereo. Yes, a lot of $

[eliphil]

That’s some car collection u have a Hellcat and a Miata. Ying and tang

[Donatello.]

Originally Posted by eliphil

That’s some car collection u have a Hellcat and a Miata. Ying and tang

Best of both worlds.

[eliphil]

If your ever in tristate area w the hellcat let me know we can compare to my z06

[10"]

Originally Posted by Our03z4

I have an 84 Dodge Omni GLH, thing feels so fun to drive...until I get into my newer cars and remember how far we've come. Only vehicle I truly feel haven't gotten better was my 01 F350 that I bought at 16yrs old. I have a 2019 now and recently rode in my nephews 03, made me really miss that truck. Felt so much more planted on the road and the seats were much more comfortable.

Oh man I always LOVED those Omni GLH!!! I grew up in Detroit and saw a lot of them around—all the Chrysler employees would get them. Amazing car! Post a pic!

I bought a Sentra SE-R in 1993 and it had a similar spirit to the GLH and other “hot” small cars of the 80s and 90s.

[ShapeShifter]

Bought mine new in Michigan, the spring of 88. The OEM wheels are in storage. Still have the original brochure. We both made the move from SE Michigan to SW Arkansas the spring of 2013. Neither of us are as young as we use to be, but we both are still getting along. Although parts are getting a bit hard to find for one of us.

[tranquility]

Ya, I'm w some of the guys here, I understand the beauty of certain old cars, but there's no way it can perform as well as a modern sportscar, so it doesn't matter if it's a Miura or F355, gorgeous but they will definitely disappoint as technology just advances over time. Some aspect of cars is art but to me I will always treat them more as mechanical as they are machines and that's why I don't get caught in that mindset of wanting old.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by tranquility

Ya, I'm w some of the guys here, I understand the beauty of certain old cars, but there's no way it can perform as well as a modern sportscar, so it doesn't matter if it's a Miura or F355, gorgeous but they will definitely disappoint as technology just advances over time. Some aspect of cars is art but to me I will always treat them more as mechanical as they are machines and that's why I don't get caught in that mindset of wanting old.

Counterpoint.

My fleet spans late 90s to 2021. I have 2 vehicles with problems right now that are in the shop or need to be. Well, 3 but the 92 is my.fault and I should have fixed it a year ago. But the 2 I was talking about are my 2 newest, a 2019 that's in for a transmission rebuild (under warranty) after going in for a camshaft phaser replacement (under warranty), and my 2021 that's going to go in for a "chassis control" issue that's gonna be who knows what.

My 09 and 2012 vehicles never have any problems. The 09 has had a good bit of upkeep during my ownership to be fair, but it doesn't let me down. The 2012 is a low mile Corvette and it's not hardly had any issues ever. It's a tank but it doesn't get driven a ton due to it being slightly less practical.

All this to say, peak reliability for vehicles was the early to late 00s. After that point emissions and efficiency controls forced automakers into designs that were not as robust, and not as reliable. They also are modern enough to have overall decent safety, features, and drivability. I can understand sticking to that era, and frankly, right now I would go trade my 2021 X5 in for the right vehicle from the mid to late 00s.

[tranquility]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

Counterpoint.

My fleet spans late 90s to 2021. I have 2 vehicles with problems right now that are in the shop or need to be. Well, 3 but the 92 is my.fault and I should have fixed it a year ago. But the 2 I was talking about are my 2 newest, a 2019 that's in for a transmission rebuild (under warranty) after going in for a camshaft phaser replacement (under warranty), and my 2021 that's going to go in for a "chassis control" issue that's gonna be who knows what.

My 09 and 2012 vehicles never have any problems. The 09 has had a good bit of upkeep during my ownership to be fair, but it doesn't let me down. The 2012 is a low mile Corvette and it's not hardly had any issues ever. It's a tank but it doesn't get driven a ton due to it being slightly less practical.

All this to say, peak reliability for vehicles was the early to late 00s. After that point emissions and efficiency controls forced automakers into designs that were not as robust, and not as reliable. They also are modern enough to have overall decent safety, features, and drivability. I can understand sticking to that era, and frankly, right now I would go trade my 2021 X5 in for the right vehicle from the mid to late 00s.

There's no counterpoint though as I'm just referring to performance. The saying "they don't make them like they used to" sometimes applies. I can imagine the myriad of prbs now that cars seem more like computers. I used to have electrical gremlins but they have stopped ages ago (knock wood) and they are nothing compared to these moving ipads, so I shudder to think of vehicles now w way more complicated electronics.

[eliphil]

I have to find and post a picture of my approx 1992 Buick reatta. First car with a touch screen.

[baege]

Originally Posted by Our03z4

I have an 84 Dodge Omni GLH, thing feels so fun to drive...until I get into my newer cars and remember how far we've come. Only vehicle I truly feel haven't gotten better was my 01 F350 that I bought at 16yrs old. I have a 2019 now and recently rode in my nephews 03, made me really miss that truck. Felt so much more planted on the road and the seats were much more comfortable.

the GLH was my gateway into performance cars. I had a GOLD 1985 non-turbo.

At the time I was rockn a 1979 Corolla SR5, and the first time I slammed the pedal and felt the torque of that H.O. 2.2 in the GLH I was hooked.

have craved NA and torque ever since!

but on the OP's topic, I have tried to go back a few times to e86 coupes, but they just felt "old" compared to my ride at the time, a 2018 m240i

heck even a 2012 R8 V10 felt kinda old and worn compared to my 2020 M2 Comp

stuff wears out so newer cars generally feel better

which is why it stinks that there are almost no new non turbo manual cars out there!

[Donatello.]

Originally Posted by baege

the GLH was my gateway into performance cars. I had a GOLD 1985 non-turbo.

At the time I was rockn a 1979 Corolla SR5, and the first time I slammed the pedal and felt the torque of that H.O. 2.2 in the GLH I was hooked.

have craved NA and torque ever since!

but on the OP's topic, I have tried to go back a few times to e86 coupes, but they just felt "old" compared to my ride at the time, a 2018 m240i

heck even a 2012 R8 V10 felt kinda old and worn compared to my 2020 M2 Comp

stuff wears out so newer cars generally feel better

which is why it stinks that there are almost no new non turbo manual cars out there!

R8 V10 felt old vs a M2?

[GolfCoyote]

Rose colored glasses.
I miss my old Neon SRT-4, I remember that thing just taking all the abuse stupid 18 year old me would throw at it. I still kind of want one for the nostalgia of it all, but I'm sure I'd be sorely disappointed in it now lol

[Donatello.]

Originally Posted by GolfCoyote

Rose colored glasses.
I miss my old Neon SRT-4, I remember that thing just taking all the abuse stupid 18 year old me would throw at it. I still kind of want one for the nostalgia of it all, but I'm sure I'd be sorely disappointed in it now lol

I did buy back a car I owned for 5+ years and loved back in the day. I bought it back. A 2006 Mazdaspeed6. I owned a MS6 prior that I bought new, a 2007 MS6.

Anyway, I did a bunch of work to this 2006 and it was my daily for most of the 5+ years I had it. Eventually sold it then about a year later, bought it back from the guy I sold it to. At that time, I owned three other cars.

Fast forward, it did not get driven much and I sold it. To this day, I do have thoughts of wishing I kept it, but nothing that I lose sleep over.

The guy I sold it to made it much faster. I tried to buy it back again, but he wanted LOL money so I passed.

I moved on as far as the car world and it is what it is. Would I own another MS6? Yes, but not going to overpay for anything.

Sometimes, just like dating relationships, a car comes along at the right time for us, but we're not meant to love it forever. We will always have the positive memories.

[GolfCoyote]

Originally Posted by Donatello.

I did buy back a car I owned for 5+ years and loved back in the day. I bought it back. A 2006 Mazdaspeed6. I owned a MS6 prior that I bought new, a 2007 MS6.

Anyway, I did a bunch of work to this 2006 and it was my daily for most of the 5+ years I had it. Eventually sold it then about a year later, bought it back from the guy I sold it to. At that time, I owned three other cars.

Fast forward, it did not get driven much and I sold it.

The guy I sold it to made it much faster. I tried to buy it back again, but he wanted LOL money so I passed.

I moved on as far as the car world and it is what it is. Would I own another MS6? Yes, but not going to overpay for anything.

Sometimes, just like dating relationships, a car comes along at the right time for us, but we're not meant to love it forever. We will always have the positive memories.

I had a Mazdaspeed6 with a GT3076 turbo on it, great car. The epitome of sleeper, no one knew what it was.

[Donatello.]

Originally Posted by GolfCoyote

I had a Mazdaspeed6 with a GT3076 turbo on it, great car. The epitome of sleeper, no one knew what it was.

100%.

Haven't seen one on C&B or BAT in a minute. Last one was a low mile, but rough, red one that went for lol wtf money. I was hoping I could pick it up

[INTMD8]

I think there is a ton of variance in older cars so yes the experience is highly dependent on the individual car.

I love driving my older cars and very much prefer them to newer stuff.