Y’all wanted everything from car-mounted coffee machines to windshields that open but the top five choices were big favorites
November 25, 2023 at 10:04
The rapid advance of technology has brought about substantial transformations in the automotive industry, causing the extinction of several beloved old-school features. However, the absence of these features doesn’t necessarily mean that modern cars are better off without them.
We posed the question to our readers: “What Old Car Features Need To Be Brought Back?” The flood of responses was nothing short of remarkable, with over 80 comments pouring in, brimming with nostalgia and ideas. Now, let’s dive into the top five features that stole the spotlight.
5. Vent Windows That Open
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Multiple people commented about windows that open up to one degree or another. One of you wanted floor vents that open and another even suggested we go back to the days of windshields that would open upwards like the VW Bus.
More: Toyota Takes Crown Back to Its Roots With JDM Sedan
As SCBeachBum points out in his fifth-place comment, safety standards are likely the reason these don’t exist anymore. Get used to it too. It’s not the last time that we’ll mention safety removing a common feature in the name of progress.
4. More Wagon Bodies, Please
Not a feature per se, but as a surprise to probably none of you, enthusiasts would prefer automakers to build more wagons. They’re arguably more practical than SUVs, they certainly drive better than SUVs, and they typically offer better fuel economy. You lot aren’t satisfied with the current available options.
High-priced RS6s and E 63 S’ aren’t cutting it. “I just want the plain vanilla station wagon,” says OliverTwist. Yeah, we can’t disagree. That would be a great thing to see today but a lot would have to change.
3. Manual Handbrakes
This is one that makes sense on a whole lot of levels. Electric handbrakes aren’t particularly innovative or incredible when we break them down. They take what was a simple physical device and add an electric system that surely costs more to fix when it breaks.
2. Cheaper Cars
Technically, price is a feature, and ‘DB’ had a host of things he wanted, but at the very top, we find “MSRP only four digits long.” While that seems impossible in the USA, it’s not like most of us wouldn’t love to see it happen. Even if the average price of a new car came down by 15% or so, it would likely make a huge difference for most car buyers.
1. Spare Tire
There’s no chance that I would’ve ever guessed that spare tire was going to be choice number one here. Nevertheless, it scored 13 upvotes and not a single downvote which helped it to win by a single vote. Having to deal with run-flats or fix a flat is no fun and certainly not the same as having a true spare tire that can keep you on the road when you most need it.