Automotive Landscape Best Point is now?

[GTBrandon]

I would say it's more of a half and half for better and for worse. In one way, it's crazy that we have so many electronic parameters on cars that a simple tune can add 100hp, we can change our suspension with the click of a button, and do it all with a heated steering wheel for the winter.

But all of this comes at a price, and it brings up a video I shared in the chat a week ago. It means that the DIY'er is being pushed out by IT restrictions that can't be overcome with a standard toolbox. You need a coder just to change a battery, will be locked out of your car for tinkering with things yourself, and it can all be tracked by a dealership or manufacturer being used against you if anything ever happens (which most would argue is probably fair).

Also, I have only seen the weight of most cars go up in the last 10 years, not the other way around. We had this discussion in the chat a few weeks ago, how modern cars have so much power only because they all weigh so much that it's almost necessary. Nowadays people are disappointed in a newer car with less than 300hp because all their cars weigh 3500+lbs.

I'm happy for all the new technologies and advancements in the cars we have today, I think it's great that consumers can have these things at their fingertips for now an extremely cheap price. (This brings up debate on whether the luxury Lexus/Acura's are worth it anymore with base model Toyotas and Hondas having the same tech that only used to be seen in higher end vehicles). But there's also a reason why more and more enthusiasts are looking for older cars when it comes to performance and fun to drive weekend cars as opposed to newer cars of the same brand/class.