# What new cars have older features and reliability without the newer complexities and styles? **URL:** \ **Category:** Buying/Selling\ **Created:** [March 13, 2026, 8:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326 "2026-03-13T20:10:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 3:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/21 "2026-03-14T15:02:46Z")
Suzuki Cerelos had it in 1988. The NSX in 1990 and the EV1 in 1995. It was new technology. It must be engineered into the car because it takes up more space than a hydraulic rack and some cars did not have the space. Other got a motor assisted steering column instead of an assisted rack. And finally, power electronics have come quite a way since 1990. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 3:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/22 "2026-03-14T15:11:05Z")
> [@Mustangman](#): > > As far as overboosted steering… Clearly you have never driven a 1960s Chrysler Imperial, Lincoln Continental or Buick Park Avenue. I still recall riding in my uncle’s brand-new 1957 DeSoto Fireflite. In order to demonstrate the “superiority” of its power steering, he tore a thread from the hem of his pants, tied that thread to the steering wheel, and proceeded to steer the car–at expressway speeds–with the thread. Being a child at the time, I was impressed, but after uncle departed for home, my father explained to me how our lives had been endangered by my show-off uncle’s demonstration. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 5:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/23 "2026-03-14T17:34:56Z")
> [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > The usual, low profile means bumpy ride ■■■■■■■■. Wife’s 07 Lexus and her new 2024 Crown have low profile tires and the ride is NOT bumpy one bit. I can only assume you’ve never driven a vehicle with low profile tire. > [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > Have you compared the cost of repairing either system if there was a failure? When one doesn’t fail the cost is ZERO. > [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > After 25 years of once a week use and 40,000 miles, which of those vehicles would require more maintenance to keep it going? I think old vehicle store better but wear out faster. Newer vehicles have more age related issues regardless of the mileage The older vehicle - BY FAR. > [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > Newer vehicles have more age related issues regardless of the mileage. ■■■■■■■■. State your source. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 6:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/24 "2026-03-14T18:50:04Z")
> [@MikeInNH](#): > > Wife’s 07 Lexus and her new 2024 Crown have low profile tires and the ride is NOT bumpy one bit. +1 My Lexus NX 450h+ has “50 series” tires, and the ride is best described as _luxurious_, even though it also has excellent handling. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 8:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/25 "2026-03-14T20:22:16Z")
It’s safe to say nobody’s currently building and selling street-legal vehicles in the USA that meet @TheWonderful90s ‘s “eccentric” requirements And like @VOLVO-V70 said . . . I’m not going to bother doing his homework for him Imo, most street-legal vehicles actually meeting his requirements would probably be pretty old, fairly fuel-INEFFICIENT and definitely far LESS than any new vehicle for sale here I honestly think he’s just musing, knowing that only old vehicles and those that aren’t street-legal meet his requirements In short, he knows he can’t get satisfaction and I don’t know why he started this discussion ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 8:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/26 "2026-03-14T20:27:37Z")
> [@VDCdriver](#): > > My Lexus NX 450h+ has “50 series” tires, and the ride is best described as _luxurious_, even though it also has excellent handling. The key lies in choosing the right recommended cold tire pressure combined with appropriate spring rate springs. Usually a lower spring rate with lower profile tires to overcome the lack of shock dampening sidewall. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 9:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/27 "2026-03-14T21:07:13Z")
Our 58 and 61 Chevy wagons had manual steering but our merc had power. Either one was ok but one finger was all that was needed to turn the wheel. In modern times, our cars with power steering were hard compared with our newer acura with electric. More like the old days. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 9:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/28 "2026-03-14T21:11:34Z")
Our neighbor was a very fussy shopper. When he bought his 63 bel wire, h3 found out the springs in the impala were better. He made them put impala springs on his new car. That raised the rear end so that he had the only raked 63 Chevy in town. He was quite proud of himself but how he figured th3 proper tire pressure is unknown. Never talked about it and dead now. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/christhetirewhisperer/32/34798_2.png) [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ChrisTheTireWhisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 9:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/29 "2026-03-14T21:12:58Z")
> [@bing](#): > > Either one was ok but one finger was all that was needed to turn the wheel. Even the one with manual steering? Sounds like a cultural thing: Americans like steering they can ‘blow on’, Europeans (and Asians presumably) prefer steering with at least some weight and feedback, even on higher-end models. This Yankee leans more toward the latter. ---
**Author:** ![wolyrobb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wolyrobb/32/45497_2.png) [@wolyrobb](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolyrobb)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 10:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/30 "2026-03-14T22:03:56Z")
A couple if the Basa Pro arv’s are eps equipped. Dad wishes he’d bought his Yamaha Kodiak 450 with it but supply was tight at the time. More of a workout but he didn’t want an uncertain wait. Still gets put to work on the property. Towing a field mower and the utility trailer full of yard debris. ---
**Author:** ![wolyrobb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wolyrobb/32/45497_2.png) [@wolyrobb](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolyrobb)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2026, 10:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/31 "2026-03-14T22:43:37Z")
Our 2010 Prius is on 15” wheels and I’ve suggested a new radio woth backup camera as an upgrade. Only needed $130 with labor to replace the original low beam headlight bulbs. Enough stuff to move aside to just have our trusted shop do the work on short notice. $40 for the bulbs plus labor. Only needed 12v batteries,tires &tpms, and routine maintenance in 16.5yrs. She did another 400mi trip this week only filling the tank and checking tire pressure. Dealer didn’t know if the bumper had to come off to change the bulbs wanting her to stop by.Not bothering particularly if the quote was going to be double the indy mechanic like the last t8me ---
**Author:** ![TheWonderful90s](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thewonderful90s/32/29584_2.png) [@TheWonderful90s](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TheWonderful90s)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 12:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/32 "2026-03-15T00:42:02Z")
I didn’t know that hydraulic power steering was a thing of the past for all passenger vehicles! ---
**Author:** ![wolyrobb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wolyrobb/32/45497_2.png) [@wolyrobb](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolyrobb)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 2:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/33 "2026-03-15T02:18:59Z")
Lotus being the exception for steering feel. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 3:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/34 "2026-03-15T03:00:36Z")
You didn’t know because . . . as your user name makes painfully obvious . . . you’re hopelessly stuck in the 1990s ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 3:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/35 "2026-03-15T03:24:29Z")
> [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > The thing I wonder is why do we get EPS now? There was nothing stopping EPS from existing in 1995. Sensors and motors and simple computers were all available then. Is it the 4% better fuel economy that matters now but didn’t then? Fuel economy standards increased efficiency by 5% each year from 2012 to 2021. This was a political action, not a practical one. A 2020 revision reduced the annual increase in efficiency to 1.5% each year. With current fuel economy requirements, the majority of new cars must be hybrid or electric. How can you operate a hydraulic power steering pump while the engine is off or nonexistent? > [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > Ford Explorer from 2008 or so has the shift lock override under a pop out cover. You have to find the manual and look up how to access it and all that. Millions of cars from the 1990’s and 2000’s have a shift lever interlock button under a cover in the shift lever housing, nothing new. The real difficulty is with electronic shift levers (no cable). > [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > Power steering is usually just a pump or bad seals when it fails, and it doesn’t fail suddenly. I have replaced many leaking power steering hoses and rack and pinion assemblies, they last half as long as the pump. Electric power steering is much more reliable. ---
**Author:** ![asemaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@asemaster](https://community.cartalk.com/u/asemaster)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 3:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/36 "2026-03-15T03:37:51Z")
> [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > No digital anti theft system that requires modules to talk to each other Kia just had to pay a lot of money because their cars didn’t have that feature. You think they’re going to remove it for you? ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/9/e/9e0ee4f811f6bcf339d537e6e0b265cad44aeb86.png) > [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > I didn’t know that hydraulic power steering was a thing of the past for all passenger vehicles! Spend some time working on cars for a living and you will see why electric is better. Hydraulic power steering is bulky, heavy, messy, and has many failure points. Also can’t have it on a hybrid vehicle. > [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > No internal timing belt If by that you mean the rubber oil pump drive belt that’s inside the oil pan, I’m not a fan of that either. > [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > No airbag sensors right up front behind the bumper cover with no solid protection where a deer hit can deploy the airbags. The sensors don’t deploy the airbags, the Airbag Control Module decides when it’s appropriate to deploy which airbags based on information from many sensors around the car. SRS systems are required on cars just like seat belts are. So good luck with that. Why don’t you move to Mexico and buy a VW Beetle? They made them there into the 2000’s: ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/2/6/26ef8d707c22adffb3f261fb164f072e1c243796.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![TheWonderful90s](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thewonderful90s/32/29584_2.png) [@TheWonderful90s](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TheWonderful90s)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 4:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/37 "2026-03-15T04:26:17Z")
> [@asemaster](#): > > Kia just had to pay a lot of money because their cars didn’t have that feature. That’s Kia propaganda. They didn’t put even basic tamper proof fasteners on their ignition cylinders that even restroom stalls have. Toyota has to have the key to disassemble. Ford Fusion has special screws with heads that break off. So a single screw driver and needle nose pliers can remove it and operate the switch in seconds. > [@asemaster](#): > > Hydraulic power steering is bulky, heavy, messy, and has many failure points. I believe you. But Toyota has make a system that has worked reliably for over 2 decades. The Ford Fusions had massive failures of an expensive non serviceable part, the EPS, but they warrantied it. > [@asemaster](#): > > If by that you mean the rubber oil pump drive belt that’s inside the oil pan, That too but the “wet belt” for timing on the Ecoboost. Rubber fragments can clog the oil pickup. > [@asemaster](#): > > The sensors don’t deploy the airbags, It’s mostly a problem on Fords and Subarus. Other companies have better designed airbag systems. Even if the airbags don’t deploy, it’s another part that has to be replaced after a minor accident. > [@asemaster](#): > > Why don’t you move to Mexico and buy a VW Beetle? They made them there into the 2000’s: Actually a good idea. You can buy Suzuki cars there too. More freedom to buy what you want. I could ride a donkey t.o! No tariffs either. The Peso has actually done well against the USD. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 4:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/38 "2026-03-15T04:55:58Z")
> [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > More freedom to buy what you want… No tariffs either. Mexico’s import tariffs for non-NAFTA/USMCA qualifying goods range from 5% to 50%. Why would Mexico be any different than the rest of the world? ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 12:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/39 "2026-03-15T12:39:47Z")
2023 and older Toyota Tacoma’s all use hydraulic power steering, all 2024 and newer Toyota Tacoma’s use electric power steering… ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 12:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/40 "2026-03-15T12:56:40Z")
I have a tight spot in the garage for it and that’s where it is really helpful. Even moving it around without starting the engine, the EPS is super helpful. Since I got it, I bought a used Boss hydraulic V plow that is pretty heavy and if it was manual steering, I think that would be super tough to steer. Awesome your Dad gets a lot of use out of his. I end up using my lawn tractor most often because even though I can disengage 4 wheel, the rear axle is still locked. Tight radius turns tend to tear up the lawn. Similar to your Dad’s situation, I couldn’t get the open rear with the other features I wanted but at the time I thought it wouldn’t be as big a deal as it is for lawn work. So it’s more of a recreation or work in the woods deal. I would like to get a set of tracks but those cost almost as much as the ATV did at the time… [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326.md?page=1) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326.md?page=3)