Originally Posted by Railrust
To be honest, I think we just left the sweet spot...
It seemed like just yesterday everyone had timing belts figured out...fuel injection was practically flawless...oil change intervals were going longer (and you weren't hearing about oil consumption as much)...
Late 90s to late 2000s vehicles were mostly pretty good across the board, and there's a case for some even newer with old tech. But I'm still 10000% against CVTs (and cylinder deactivation), 1000% against direct injection, 100% against 7+ speed transmissions, 10% against turbos, and 1% against VVT in that order. I can tolerate timing belts, electric steering, *a few* minor electronics, etc.
Yes I sound like I'm old and stubborn. But I'm not even 30. I just have seen cars and trucks of old and their problems, and seen modern vehicles and know some of their woes. It seems history is somewhat repeating itself. We're going back to short oil changes (with better oil than we've ever had) due to lousy fuel delivery systems. We're going back to major repairs early in a car's life due to overcomplicated tech (thanks EPA). We're paying more for repairs on single crucial parts than entire cars would cost 40 years ago.
Hyundai is one of the last to build it right IMO (in the case of my '16 Elantra). Last to the party on DI, last on turbos, last on CVTs, last on the excessive tech. Look at the problems that Honda, one of the highest regarded manufacturers, is having right now with major things. Look at the 1.5L motor. They're using CVTs. They're overloading cars with too much tech (tablets, touchscreens, etc) that will be outdated, broken, or useless in 5-10 years...
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. But the EPA says otherwise. I'm all for progress, but lately there's more risk than benefit. Based on how insane the used car market and how slow new car sales have been, I'd say I'm not the only one thinking like this..