# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2026, 1:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/61 "2026-03-16T01:27:06Z")
> [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > and the industry has answered with throw away vehicles Then how are cars lasting longer now then they ever have? Cars were ‘thrown away’ at about 100k miles in the ‘60s, now it easily 200k, often 300k. And the average car age has been increasing every year, wouldn’t happen if cars were being thrown out more now than before. ---
**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 16, 2026, 1:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/62 "2026-03-16T01:55:22Z")
Throw away means it is not overhauled at end of life. I think there were some vehicles that could do 300k miles even back then. The Ford 4.9L inline 6 is from the 60s and it is a 300k mile engine. Back then people did sometimes overhaul engines at 100k miles. There are a number today that don’t make it to 200k due to some expensive to fix problem. It’s also age not miles. How many make it to 30 years even with low miles? ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2026, 2:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/63 "2026-03-16T02:29:45Z")
This show increasing vehicle life, which wouldn’t be happening if you were correct ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/c/7/c779aa427501cb820a7ac3e6ddfd4217219b4813.png) ---
**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 16, 2026, 2:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/64 "2026-03-16T02:50:44Z")
There you go again, posting factual information, Texases. Don’t you know that this thread only exists for the posting of opinions that grow from imagined fears, and that have no basis in reality? Get with the program, man! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2026, 4:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/65 "2026-03-16T16:18:44Z")
> [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > meant the screw in rod that goes behind a plastic pop out Simple solution, install your tow bar and don’t remove it. No need to screw anything into the bumper. Then go to s sporting goods store and get a moose head or bass tail hitch ball cover. ---
**Author:** ![asemaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@asemaster](https://community.cartalk.com/u/asemaster)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2026, 4:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/66 "2026-03-16T16:31:42Z")
> [@Purebred](#): > > Simple solution, install your tow bar and don’t remove it. No need to screw anything into the bumper. He’s not talking about a hitch. He means the towing hook which is needed when you call a tow truck. It’s an eyelet that screws in to the bumper after removing the plastic access cover and allows the tow truck to winch your car onto the flatbed. There is often no access to anywhere to attach a winch hook. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/c/b/cbfa4e0a90eee88de145ad401d43862bc60bab1d.png) ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/6/6/6653319aece2f054587428a89c8d5289b1bfd126.jpeg) Why anyone would object to an easy safe place to attach a winch hook is beyond me. ---
**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 16, 2026, 6:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/67 "2026-03-16T18:01:01Z")
> [@asemaster](#): > > Why anyone would object to an easy safe place to attach a winch hook is beyond me. The same reason so many of the public prefer wider lower profile tires … Appearances! ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 12:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/68 "2026-03-17T12:13:49Z")
Ah! The wording in the original post sounded like he wanted to tow a trailer. Now, just how often does Wonderful have his cars towed! In sixty years have had two cars towed, broken rear axle on my ‘49 Studebaker convertible, failed fuel pump on a 92 Taurus. As far as that eye bolt, is there an industry standard or is one supplied in the glovebox? ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 12:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/69 "2026-03-17T12:16:20Z")
Really? ![IMG_3359](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/b/1bf224c8a28f3c05b69c3cdca2d0bd10fe8fb05c.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 2:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/70 "2026-03-17T14:09:10Z")
> [@ChrisTheTireWhisperer](#): > > Appearances! A vehicles appearance and low-profile tires are all part of the design. Cars are either designed with low-profile tires or not. I’ve found that adding low-profile tires to a vehicle that wasn’t designed with them don’t look right. I’ve seen SUVs and pickups with low-profile tires and it looks idiotic. And non-low-profile tires on a vehicle that’s designed to have them also looks equally idiotic. I’m sure there are some exceptions. ---
**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 17, 2026, 3:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/71 "2026-03-17T15:23:45Z")
> [@texases](#): > > This show increasing vehicle life, which wouldn’t be happening if you were correct That graph showing 13.6 years old being average includes vehicles that I describe. It means half of the vehicles are more than 13.6 years old, or pre 2013 vehicles. Half of the cars could be brand new, and half could be 27 years old. Half could be 0 to 10 years old, and half could be 13.6 to 23.6 years old. There needs to be more breakdown. But this discussion isn’t about how long cars are lasting, it’s more about the cost to keep it on the road. > [@Purebred](#): > > Now, just how often does Wonderful have his cars towed! Actually almost never. The use has mostly been being stuck in snow and being pulled out, pulling another vehicle that is stuck, and using the car to uproot a tree. ---
**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 17, 2026, 3:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/72 "2026-03-17T15:52:17Z")
I see the photo you posted, but your point went over my head. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 3:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/73 "2026-03-17T15:58:32Z")
> [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > But this discussion isn’t about how long cars are lasting, it’s more about the cost to keep it on the road. I await your facts to support your opinions. My experience? My cars have been cheap to maintain and repair, with the repairs that were needed (front suspension arms, engine fans, broken door latch, power steering hose) totally unrelated to the advances in technology you seem to think will bankrupt car owners. ---
**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 17, 2026, 4:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/74 "2026-03-17T16:01:16Z")
> [@texases](#): > > My cars have been cheap to maintain and repair, So what cars do you have? ---
**Author:** ![PhilipHowells63](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ad7895/32.png) [@PhilipHowells63](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PhilipHowells63)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 10:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/75 "2026-03-17T22:00:14Z")
You are not going to find them. What use is an external timing belt? ---
**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 17, 2026, 10:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/76 "2026-03-17T22:49:02Z")
> [@PhilipHowells63](#): > > What use is an external timing belt? Easier to replace. Rubber doesn’t get degraded by oil and rubber doesn’t contaminate the oil pickup screen. They have used timing chains in the past for a reason. ---
**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 18, 2026, 12:58am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/77 "2026-03-18T00:58:21Z")
> [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > The use has mostly been being stuck in snow and being pulled out, pulling another vehicle that is stuck, and using the car to uproot a tree. The benefit of having a tow/recovery eyelet is you don’t have to get down in the mud or snow to look for a secure location for the hook/cable. But use of the recovery eyelet is not a requirement. Most Lexus vehicles have one in the spare tire well and tow truck drivers seldom use them; they use traditional winch methods. When a customer is complaining about how long a service call is taking, who wants to empty the customers trunk to get access to the recovery eyelet bracket. > [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > and using the car to uproot a tree Since you oppose having a recovery eyelet secured directly to the frame rail, have you have been using the shipping tiedown brackets to pull down tress? ---
**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 18, 2026, 2:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/78 "2026-03-18T02:55:43Z")
> [@Nevada\_545](#): > > Since you oppose having a recovery eyelet secured directly to the frame rail, have you have been using the shipping tiedown brackets to pull down tress? Yes! The car is fully equipped with 4 of them. A second rope tied to the pull strap and then to a cinder block or another tree is used restrain a broken pull strap or chain. Trying to get a plastic access open in the winter ice and screwing in an eyelet instead of reaching under for 5 seconds to attach hook seems like a lot more work. Actually for me it takes more than 5 seconds because I have one of those big yellow tow straps, and then a steel piece that is a circle and has an opening on one side that closes with a bolt and I use that to hook the tow strap to the car. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2026, 5:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/79 "2026-03-18T05:07:54Z")
> [@MikeInNH](#): > > I’m sure there are some exceptions. Like our 2017 Acadia limited 21" wheels without low profile tires? ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2026, 7:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326/80 "2026-03-18T07:44:23Z")
I use the recovery eye for pulling trees. The car is too low to be crawling around underneath. ![pro-DIxj2mGP](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/a/3/a30471f47660a3d2758933e7c7afe15fa152dbc0.jpeg) [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326.md?page=3) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-new-cars-have-older-features-and-reliability-without-the-newer-complexities-and-styles/205326.md?page=5)