Summary of "Why NEW Cars S*CK!"

Summary of Key Points from "Why NEW Cars S*CK!"

Main Features and Issues Highlighted:

Modern cars are increasingly perceived as boring and lacking emotional connection.
Older cars (late 90s to early 2000s) offered raw, tactile driving experiences with noticeable mechanical feedback.
New cars often feature high horsepower and numerous driving modes but lack passion and engagement.
Strict EU regulations heavily influence modern car design worldwide, emphasizing emissions, noise reduction, and safety.
Examples of regulation impact:
- OPF (auto particle filters) reduce exhaust noise and emotional driving feel.
- Speed limit assist systems increasingly restrict driver freedom, potentially leading to automatic braking in the future.
Cost-cutting measures lead to platform sharing across brands, reducing uniqueness and character in cars.
- Example: BMW C4 and Toyota Supra MK5 share platforms and feel very similar.
Interiors of modern cars often feel cheap and uniform compared to the unique, high-quality materials and designs of older models (e.g., E34 M5, MK4 Supra).
Manufacturers compensate for lack of engagement by increasing power and technology, focusing on lap times and straight-line speed rather than driver enjoyment.
Example: New C63 AMG criticized for being fast but emotionally hollow, overly reliant on electronics and launch control, lacking traditional AMG spirit.
Modern cars are likened to "smartphones on wheels," overloaded with screens, menus, artificial sounds, and electronic assists that detract from driving pleasure.
Analog controls and instrument clusters of old cars are praised for timelessness and driver focus.
Modern car interiors and controls are homogenized across brands, reducing distinctiveness.
Despite improvements in reliability, safety, and speed, modern cars lack the emotional thrill and connection that older cars provided.
Enthusiasts feel manufacturers prioritize regulations, cost, and speed over fun and engagement.
The enthusiast market is small, so manufacturers focus on broader audiences, often ignoring driver-focused fun.
Some positive notes: after poor reception of the C63 AMG, Mercedes returned to V8 engines in recent AMG models, showing responsiveness to feedback.

Pros of Modern Cars:

High performance and speed.
Improved safety features.
Reliability and advanced technology.
Comfortable and capable daily drivers.

Cons of Modern Cars:

Lack of emotional engagement and raw driving feel.
Over-regulation leading to restricted driver freedom.
Homogenized design and interiors.
Excessive reliance on electronics and driver aids.
Loss of unique character and personality.
Complex and distracting infotainment systems.

User Experience:

Driving modern cars often feels like managing technology rather than engaging with a machine.
Enthusiasts miss the tactile, analog experience and the unique character of older cars.
Modern cars can be fast but not necessarily fun or rewarding to drive.

Comparisons:

New BMW C4 vs. Toyota Supra MK5: Similar feel due to shared platform.
Old E34 M5 and MK4 Supra interiors vs. new M5 G99: Old cars had unique, high-quality interiors; new cars feel cheap and generic.
New C63 AMG vs. older AMG models: New model is faster but lacks emotional connection and driving engagement.

Overall Verdict:

Modern cars excel in performance, safety, and technology but fail to deliver the emotional connection and fun that defined older cars. Regulations, cost-cutting, and tech overload have diluted the driving experience, making many new cars feel like sterile, homogenized machines rather than engaging vehicles. Enthusiasts crave fun and emotion over mere speed and gadgets. While some manufacturers are responding to feedback, the trend toward “boring” cars continues. The best way to encourage change is to support cars that prioritize driving enjoyment.

Different Speaker/Contributor Views:

Primary speaker laments loss of emotion and rawness in modern cars.
C63 AMG is used as a case study illustrating the broader issues.
Reference to feedback-driven changes at Mercedes AMG shows some industry responsiveness.
General consensus that enthusiasts want fun, engagement, and uniqueness over raw power or tech features.