You’ve probably heard car lovers espouse their love of vintage vehicles. But the question is, are they really better?
Believe it or not, the debate between old vs. new cars can get pretty fierce. Some say that new cars aren’t as fun to drive because they lack soul. Others say that old cars can’t compete with the features of new cars. But which side is correct?
In truth, both sides of the arguments are sort of right. That said, as beautiful as vintage cars are, I wouldn’t recommend one as a practical choice for most drivers. Let’s discuss the reasons why.
Before we get too far into the trenches, let’s discuss why vintage cars are great. First of all, vintage cars are gorgeous. Usually, the shapes, sizes, and colors are unlike cars made today. Even people who grew up in the 90s or the 2000s can appreciate how amazing they look when well preserved. If you’ve never been to a vintage car show before, trust me, you don’t know what you’re missing.
Vintage cars are also great if you fancy yourself a do-it-yourself guy or gal. Modern cars have a ton of advanced features, which means the tech under the hood can be overwhelming to fix, especially without access to the right computer software. Meanwhile, older cars have no such problem. Only the key nuts and bolts that make the car run are included, so keeping your vehicle out of the repair shop is easier than it sounds in some ways. Sure, you still need to know what makes a car run, but at least you don’t have to be a computer technician as well.
This may make vintage cars sound amazing. And they are, without a doubt! But here’s the thing: vintage cars simply can’t compete with the features offered in new cars. You might be thinking we’re talking about amenities like smartphone integration, climate controls, and surround sound speakers. But we’re talking about substantial features that improve safety and prevent accidents.
Yes, new cars are way safer than they’ve ever been. A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that cars made prior to 1984 have twice as many fatal accidents compared to cars produced after 2013. In fact, more than half the recorded accidents in older vehicles resulted in a fatal injury. While any car accident can be deadly, newer cars are saving more lives than ever. Even cars from 10 years ago resulted in 5%-10% more fatal accidents than new cars.
Honestly, we could sit here all day talking about the new and cool features that are in modern cars. But even if those features didn’t exist, I’d still recommend new cars over vintage cars based on the improved safety alone. If you want a trophy car that looks great in your garage and can hit the road on special occasions, then a vintage car will serve you well. But for anyone shopping for a car they’ll use daily, I’d absolutely recommend a modern car. It just isn’t worth the risk to choose anything else.
