-
I think this is an interesting question. I'm not sure if I answered it already.
I did that with the Superb and I think the answer depends on what your definition of "better" is.
Before the 850R I had an E39 estate (another forum car) and they both were very highly specced so had a lot of features some cheap brand-new cars today don't even have. So in terms of some features, I don't think my 2016 Skoda is miles better than a car from 1997.
However stuff I didn't have, like Android Auto built into the infotainment system, radar cruise control, electronically adjustable suspension from the screen, high performing but robust automatic transmission (6sp DSG), they all make my life easier, and therefore better (imo).
On top of that, all of those features cost less (when factoring in inflation) than they did when the cars were new.
I think the sale price of my 2016 Superb when new was slightly less than the 850R, not factoring in inflation. Just think about that. Nearly 20 years difference and the £ cost is about the same. What you can get in terms of performance and features while also maintaining reliability is multiple times "better" than you could get 20+ years ago.
If you're looking for charm, charisma, and to a lesser extent looks (which is subjective) then older cars are "better".
If you read car reviews of years ago of hot versions of luxury cars, they use words like cosseted, comfortable, quiet, powerful, creamy, and adjustable. These are all things you can get in abundance for a much lower relative cost then you could in years gone by.
I'm not sure what my conclusion is but I like both, old shit cars and new cars.
NurseHolliday-
Height adjustable seats, dimmer on the cluster, electric mirrors, adjustable headlights (often auto now), lumbar support etc. All things that 20 years ago were pretty much options on anything from the middle up, and no chance on a more basic car.
These days its not really planned obsolesce (IMO), more that no one really owns their cars, they are leased out for profit until such point as they are disposed of by the lease agency and then us plebs can buy them, or often leased again using a 3rd part down the line. Until they are about 8-11 years old, and an ABS/Airbag light comes on, and you spend £2k trying to fix it, still can't fix it and end up scrapping it.
The common guy doesn't really care, just wants a car that looks good (SUV/bigger than the neighbours maybe), easy to drive, does the most possible to prevent crashing due to not being a great driver and costs what its estimated to cost for the intended duration of their use/ownership. Beyond that, its just some second hand lump that gets sold down the east end on another lease until end of life (which won't be more than 10 or 12 years).
Had so many folk borrow my car (25 year old 300k mile diesel estate car) to do tip runs, bike weekend runs or when theirs is broken and they all say the same 'wow that drives well, not even for an old car, for any car, feels like your actually driving a vehicle and not playing playstation', and at the same time everything thats mean't to work does work, heated seats, dual zone, central locking, erm, electric windows? Thats about all the kit it has lol.
BrickMan
Has anyone ever bought the newest best car they've ever had and realised that the shit cars that came before it were actually better? I think I like old shit cars better than new cars ...