Nostalgia and our old cars - more reliable?

I recently responded to a topic on another forum on how old cars are more reliable than modern cars...

Look, we’re old car guys—it’s practically in our DNA to trumpet the passion and insist that vintage steel beats modern plastic every day of the week. But before we get too carried away in that nostalgic rabbit hole, let’s acknowledge a simple reality: virtually all of us rely on a RELIABLE modern car for daily life.

Sure, there are exceptions. I know a handful of us drive our vintage cars every single day, (My daily is 45 years old) but we are very much the minority, even within our own community. The overwhelming majority of classic car guys drive something modern Monday through Friday—or, at the very least, their spouses do. Let's face it: we want modern reliability, freezing cold A/C, and automatic transmissions when we’re just running errands.

Our old cars can be incredibly persnickety; (Just ask my mechanic) it just goes with the territory. Even when we do get them out for club tours, cruise nights, or regional outings, it’s a rare, deliberate occasion. In fact, our classic insurance policies mandate it. If you look at specialty insurance carriers, their entire business model is built on strict usage limits because they know these cars are meant for occasional pleasure, not the daily commute.

I personally don't need the grocery list of features standard on most modern (ie reliable) cars: AC,AT, PB, PW, PDL, Bluetooth, hot and cold running dog polisher, etc. My old VW van has none of these. Heck, I dont even have functioning radio. It's slow. it's noisy, the gas gage doesnt work. By most people's definition it's a POS. But, I'm happy to not have the grocery list. But I also know I (we) are in the minority.

The Data to Back It Up

---Hagerty's official policy guidelines state that a classic car cannot be a daily driver. To qualify for their insurance, every driver in the household must have a regular, modern vehicle for daily use, and the classic must be stored in a secure garage.

---3,000-Mile Reality: According to data from the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) and historic vehicle surveys, the average classic car is driven fewer than 1,000 to 1,500 miles per year.

---Occasional Use Stat: A major survey by the Historic Vehicle Association (HVA) found that over 85% of classic vehicle owners list "exhibitions, club events, and occasional pleasure driving" as the sole use of the vehicle, with fewer than 2% reporting any form of regular commuter utility.

https://www.hagerty.com/insurance/classic-car-insurance/does-my-vehicle-qualify
https://sites.sema.org/market-research/

Jul 10, 2026

Reply to PeterGar62…

Replies (15)

· 1w

Old cars are fun. I like them because they drive and feel like old cars.
New cars are downright incredible. Almost no maintenance and handle tons of abuse. Safer too.
My 1996 Ford still had it's factory exhaust in 2018 when I sold it to a friend.
When was the last time you heard of someone having to do rings and valves in a modern engine? New cars go to the scrap yard with the original head gaskets still in place.

· 1w

This is very timely. I just sent a 14 year old vehicle off to the salvage yard this morning because New England winters claimed the frame. In 130,000 miles, that engine needed nothing but oil changes, 2 air filters, a serpentine belt, and a set of spark plugs. The spark plugs were even unnecessary because they came out in like new condition at 100k. It only cost me an average of $500/year for maintenance, most of which was tires and brakes, which every vehicle on the road needs. Less reliable than old cars? Yeah, right.

· 1w

Peter, I specifically bought a 2014 F150 last fall with 60k miles because if you look at most reliability ratings that was the highest rated Ford of the last 15 years. It was the year before the all aluminum truck that was followed by the 10R80 transmission that was hugely problematic, followed by the Covid years where reliability went in the toilet.

So I'm in agreement but for me "old" is that 2010-2014 era.

· 1w

Part of the problem is the level of technology and complexity in new cars. Just so many more things that can break. My understanding is that the gold standard for reliability Toyota has been not up to their standards of 20 years ago. Don't have a source for that.

· 1w

Check out this list. A lot of Hybrids which makes sense give the level of complexity.
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/10-least-reliable-cars-a2967595976/

· 6d

I always thought a Hybrid was a good idea but clearly I didn't think it through. My Georgia Tech buddy and I had a conversation a few years ago and he pointed out that a Hybrid is a tremendously bad idea. The complexity is off the charts. All the equipment for a gas car, mixed with all the equipment for an electric car mixed with a control system that allows them to work together.

· 6d

I’m of the opinion that the only vehicle that should have both gas and electric motors is a bass boat.

· 6d

😂

I still want one of these. There are like 4 in the world so doubtful I'm getting one.

1 / 2

· 6d

There is one of those in the Henry Ford.

· 5d

Yes there is!

This reply has been deleted

· 4d

I've noticed KIA's on the road a lot recently. They have a unique design (not saying good or bad, just unique). To see 2 on the least reliable list makes me wonder... how did they get so popular? Price?

Also, it didnt go unnoticed that the GMC Arcadia is the worst. Ironic, my ex-wise recently purchased a Chevrolet Traverse (same vehicle, different label). Her #1 criteria was always realiability.

· 1w

The one "new" piece of technology in the northeast I feel I need is Waze. The traffic is too congested, there is occasional construction, police and now speed cameras. I have meetings across the state and check it (even though I know where I am going) in order to know if I will actually make it on time - BUT I can use it on my phone if necessary.

· 6d

The problem with Waze as well as as Google Maps or Apple Maps is that when everybody is using them it defeats the purpose of avoiding the traffic. The side routes get overwhelmed by everybody else.

I tried using Waze, went back to Google Maps and then settled on Apple Maps just because its easier to use.

· 6d

AJ I was actually thinking about that. Probably Waze creates some sort of equilibirum at some point like fluid trying to seek it's own level. It's probably why I see so many cars on back routes.

· 5d

Way back when I was a youngster I took a simulation course that did traffic flow. I think I passed barely. Those are my credentials to say that I agree. Equilibrium will be reached and probably all roads will be full of traffic.