I own a 2007 Honda Accord with close to 170k miles. The car has been a trooper, but it’s showing signs of upcoming wear-and-tear maintenance beyond regular fluid changes. I’ve been tempted to get the 2020 Accord, but the more I read up on it, the less I desire to embrace a newer car.
Just as you, I began my experience behind the wheel with vehicles that were mostly bare, with physical buttons, and a single-DIN radio. My brain finds it foreign to operate a newer vehicle with a push-button parking brake, push button transmission shifter, and “infotainment” systems that I cannot rip out and replace with a regular after-market radio because of all the integrated functions tied to it.
I’m also used to changing my own oil, and quite frankly I’m not sure the newer vehicles are backyard mechanic-friendly to this basic extent.
To quote from some movie I saw before: You’re a constant in a sea of variables. Older vehicles will eventually start draining your wallet from the upkeep no matter what. If you’re foolish to drive American, then you’re keenly well aware of this reality.
I keep receipts and a running journal for every part replaced and every visit to the mechanic. My rule of thumb is: The moment that the amounts spent on out-of-wallet maintenance exceed the current, going monthly payment for a newer version of the same car, that is when I put a For Sale sign and start hunting for a newer one.
But to your point; I agree. Today’s cars don’t make life easier or better, but rather they distract and enable stupid behavior behind the wheel more than ever.