What’s More Fun to Drive? New or Classic?

Sensation or Serenity? Why Brilliant New Cars Don’t Excite Like an 80s BMW

So, I was coming back from a media launch drive of a brand new, shiny, tech-laden, plug-in hybrid family SUV, boasting an impressive list of features longer than the Pan-American Highway. Yet, I couldn’t help but ponder that whilst it was undeniably brilliant, my pituitary gland remained decidedly indifferent. Despite having over 300bhp under my right foot, where were the coursing endorphins and the dopamine hit? Oh wait, I’ve found them…

I found them the moment I climbed back into my 1989 BMW 325i (E30), fired up that silky straight-six, slotted into gear, and engaged the clutch. It took all of three gear changes to be reminded again why I’ve been obsessed with cars and driving since before I even have any memories from my childhood. The sun was out, the windows were down, the sunroof was open, and here in the old Bimmer, the world suddenly made sense again.

“Despite having over 300bhp under my right foot, where were the coursing endorphins and the dopamine hit? Oh wait, I’ve found them…“

Now, don’t get me wrong, modern cars are marvels of engineering. They’re safer, more comfortable, and packed with enough gadgets to make the Starship Enterprise jealous.  It would get you wherever you wanted to go more efficiently, safely, and in such supreme comfort that you’d emerge as fresh as a fresh mint. 

Meanwhile, the same journey in the old E30 would see me keeping a close watch on temperature and listening out for odd noises just in case; the car would gulp down fuel at a rate of about 25mpg; the meagre original speakers would be fighting a losing battle against the drone of road-roar and wind noise; and I’d fall out at the end stretching my clutch leg, reloading my gear lever arm ala Henry Cavill in Mission Impossible, and in need of a strong coffee… but – and it’s a big but – I’d be smiling! 

And five minutes later I’ll be looking longingly back at it, already excitedly anticipating the return journey. Sure enough, as it was today, getting back into the E30 would be like putting on my favourite leather jacket. You know the one. It’s got character. It smells a bit. And it just fits.

“Getting back into the E30 would be like putting on my favourite leather jacket. You know the one. It’s got character. It smells a bit. And it just fits.”

There’s an additional bonus too – and this one’s not even more for me, but for others! Early this morning, navigating the dreary M25 commute, it was apparent yet again, as it often is when I’m out and about in it, it wasn’t just me who appreciates the old-school charm. Even in the cut-and-thrust of the merciless motorway, a couple of drivers slowed to wave an enthusiastic thumbs-up. 

One passenger in a Ford, simply couldn’t stop staring and grinning in awe. He was properly fixated, beaming like he’d just seen a long-lost dear old friend. The 1980s 3 Series brings joy to everyone who sees it. There’s something about an old car that sparks nostalgia, admiration, and even a bit of envy in passers-by.

Remember, I’m talking about what was a junior-level executive saloon back in its day. Not even a sports or supercar. Not even an E30 M3. Would this happen in the latest anonymobile? About the only emotion you’d elicit is maybe a fist formed into a cylinder waving up and down and you won’t need to be a lip-reader to decipher what the person might be saying. And they won’t be referring to the unique type of rotary engines usually only found in Mazdas either!

“The 1980s 3 Series brings joy to everyone who sees it. There’s something about an old car that sparks nostalgia, admiration, and even a bit of envy in passers-by.”

Behind the wheel, I just smile and wave back, high on hubris, smug grin activated, and just still loving driving the E30. You feel the car. You hear it. It’s got a proper manual gearbox, none of this single-ratio or CVT nonsense. You’re not a passenger in a semi-autonomous automobile. You “The Driver”. You’re in charge. You’re making the decisions. You’re making the mistakes. You’re learning from them. Do you drop a gear for that bend or leave it? It’s all you. And you know what? It’s exhilarating!

Modern cars are out to make motoring as effortless as possible. Arguably that’s a good thing. But they’ve taken the feel away (active suspension, electric power steering or drive-by-wire, sound deadening etc); minimised thinking and looking effort thanks to cameras, lidars, radars, bings, bongs and vibrations (not always the good kind); silenced the sounds, eradicated the scents and even removed shift perceptions. Even old automatics could be fun – the… wait for it… wait for it… kickdown! The frantic snap of a crude paddle-shift slamming in the ratios… all gone. Now they’re just buttons. Seamless, spiceless, snapless buttons. You could be operating a Playstation rather than a car. 

“You’re not a passenger in a semi-autonomous automobile. You’re ‘The Driver.’ You’re in charge. You’re making the decisions. You’re making the mistakes. You’re learning from them.”

C’mon… am I wrong? Driving is surely about feeling connected to the car, right? It’s about inspired and fired up, it’s about the visceral joy of manhandling a mighty machine. 

So, here’s the question I’m throwing out to all of you. Are modern cars too flawless to be fun? Have we lost the things that made driving delicious in the pursuit of perfection? Or am I just a grumpy old man clinging to the ’80s glory days? 

Let’s have it out in the comments. Is driving about sensation or serenity? Let me know what you think because I’m not ready to surrender to the silence just yet.

And if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll take the E30 around the block again.

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