A Mechanic Explains: What Modern Cars Lack Compared to 10-Year-Old Vehicles

sturti / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Commitment to Our Readers

GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.

20 Years
Helping You Live Richer

Reviewed
by Experts

Trusted by
Millions of Readers

Newer doesn’t always mean better when it comes to cars.

To help buyers understand what they’re getting — or not getting anymore — for their money, Chris Pyle, an auto expert with JustAnswer, explained what drivers have quietly lost as vehicles have gotten more advanced.

Smoker’s Windows Disappeared

Trucks used to have small vent windows in the front doors that opened independently. Pyle said these were “a perk for those who like the breeze of the outside air compared to running the AC.”

These windows let you get fresh air without blasting the full window down or cranking the air conditioning. They gave drivers control over airflow that modern vehicles don’t replicate. Now it’s either AC on full or windows down.

Spare Tires Got Replaced With Fix-a-Flat

Many new cars don’t come with spare tires anymore, Pyle explained. “Instead, there is a can of Fix-a-Flat and an air compressor,” he said.

This creates real problems when you get a flat. Fix-a-Flat only works on certain types of punctures and won’t help with blowouts or sidewall damage. You’re stuck calling a tow truck instead of changing the tire yourself and continuing your trip.

The reasoning is weight and fuel economy. Removing the spare tire and jack saves manufacturers a few pounds and helps them hit EPA targets. But it transfers the cost and inconvenience to drivers when something goes wrong.

Trunks Got Smaller and Less Capable

Older four-door sedans had massive trunks that could handle serious cargo, Pyle said. “The car had a full frame and a big engine, which was strong enough to haul a moderate-sized trailer,” he explained.

Modern sedans and crossovers sacrifice trunk space for aerodynamics and passenger room. They also lack the structural capability to tow anything substantial. A 10-year-old sedan could pull a small trailer for a weekend trip. Most newer sedans can’t tow at all or have severely limited capacity.

The full-frame construction Pyle mentioned made older cars tougher. They could handle rough roads and heavy loads without the chassis flexing. Unibody construction in modern vehicles is lighter and more fuel-efficient but less robust for hauling.

Basic Vehicles Don’t Exist Anymore

“It is nearly impossible to find a lower trim level vehicle without all the extras on it,” Pyle said.

This pushes up the cost of ownership significantly. If you just need reliable transportation without touchscreens, lane-keeping assist or premium sound systems, you’re out of luck. Manufacturers bundle features into packages that force you to pay for things you don’t want to get the one thing you do.

A basic truck used to mean manual windows, vinyl seats and an AM/FM radio. Now the base model comes loaded with technology that adds thousands to the sticker price and creates more parts that can break and cost money to fix.

What This Means for Buyers

Pyle’s points highlight a shift in priorities. Modern cars optimize for fuel economy, safety regulations and profit margins rather than practicality and affordability. Drivers lose features that made vehicles more versatile and easier to own long term.

The trade-off isn’t always worth it — especially for those with tighter finances. Better gas mileage doesn’t help when you can’t change a flat tire yourself or afford the payment on a truck loaded with features you’ll never use.

Share This Article: