Times change, technology evolves, and cultural trends shift with everything else. Even five years can make a huge difference in people’s lives, the way we live, and in the things that exist in the world.
Technology evolves especially quickly, and we just can’t seem to get enough of it. In the automotive industry, technology is perhaps the largest driver of trends and what is available to the public. Not only has technology made vehicles safer and more efficient, it has inadvertently given rise to other non-technology-related trends as more and more things become available on new automobiles.
Some people like the convenience that all of these changes bring. Others prefer that things should stay the same. Regardless of the side on which you fall, there is no doubt that there are just things in the automotive industry you don’t see anymore. Here are a few of them:
Manual Transmissions:
It wouldn’t surprise me in the least to find out that some new driver somewhere has never seen or even heard of a manual transmission. This one is obvious, and it may even be that you are tired of all the manual enthusiasts complaining how there aren’t any more left and how cars are boring now. The truth is that automatic transmissions have just become so much more technically better that it’s hard to justify manufacturers’ time and resources into making more.
Naturally-Aspirated Engines:
With greater efficiency, comes more ways to decrease engine size while not sacrificing performance. Turbochargers are a good solution to the smaller engine trend. Not every manufacturer is using them across the board, but most are turning to them – if not using them exclusively – across their lineups to hide the fact that engine size is decreasing. Like the manual transmission faithful, those who love the sound and feel of a naturally-aspirated engine are also feeling the pain.
DIYers:
In the good old days, engines were much simpler with less moving parts and fewer computers doing what they do best. With the rise of computers, fly-by-wire systems, and ridiculously compact engine bays, fewer people are willing and able to work on their own cars. Some mechanics are even refusing to work on certain models because of increased complication in vehicle systems. Of course, some manufacturers also make parts that can’t be changed or fixed without going through them.
Modded Honda Civics:
Partially as a result of the aforementioned item on the list, people are not as interested in modifying their cars as they once were. There will always be a crowd who does this and will continue to do this, but the number of young people modifying cheap, reliable cars has gone down due to increased costs in the automotive industry and the increased complication that comes with newer vehicles. Now, while it is true that there are fewer and fewer late 1990s Civics on the road, the “street scene” in general, spurred on by the Fast and Furious movies, has greatly declined over the past decade, leading to fewer and fewer cheap and easily modifiable vehicles.
Truly Unique Vehicles:
Most people may not think about it too much, but a lot of vehicle designs, while slightly different, are largely the same. Most sedans today have generally the same shape. The same can be said of small hatchbacks, SUVs, and even sports cars. The reason is because physics dictate that there is a preferred vehicle shape that is more conducive to less aerodynamic drag than others. The result is that a keen eye will easily pick up that many vehicles look “the same” nowadays. Some vehicles still stand out as truly distinct – the Jeep Wrangler being one of them – but it is becoming harder and harder to come up with truly distinctive designs when better efficiency is mandated by regulations.
Simple Cars and Trucks:
Another result of the increased technology in vehicles is the lost art of simplicity. Even the simplest new vehicles are packed with more technology than some fully-loaded vehicles of twenty years ago. This is certainly not a bad thing, but it does leave room for less reliability and difficulty adapting for older buyers. Technology, advanced safety, and cool new gadgets can be great, but there is something to be said about a refreshingly simple and analog vehicle.
