Jay Leno on How Driving Changed in 2020—and How It Will Change Even More

[Richard Cranium]

Here's a recent car article by Jay Leno....



https://www.wsj.com/articles/jay-le...t=n1sfk9zonabu8lh&reflink=article_email_share



I still like my gas cars, however, younger people don't have the romance of cars as we did back in the "old days". They love technology and we loathe it. Think back on how many car songs there were in the 60's & early 70's. Not so any more. Let's face it, we, and our cars are all dinosaurs.

 

[F4R/T]

I do agree , most of the kids today only know computers. Hand them an erector set, tinker toys or Lincoln logs and most wont play with them. Sad when they can push buttons but can’t do / won’t do anything else, not too many hunt game either or fish.. They maybe sharp on the screen but there is more to it than that to survive. We are dinosaurs just like our cars unfortunately only a small portion really appreciate the history...

 

[moparedtn]

Here's a recent car article by Jay Leno....
https://www.wsj.com/articles/jay-le...t=n1sfk9zonabu8lh&reflink=article_email_share
I still like my gas cars, however, younger people don't have the romance of cars as we did back in the "old days". They love technology and we loathe it. Think back on how many car songs there were in the 60's & early 70's. Not so any more. Let's face it, we, and our cars are all dinosaurs.

I agree...to an extent.
I also disagree, to probably more of an extent.

I'm sitting here as I write this, utilizing a simple box on my desktop that connects to the freaking WORLD.
I have a mobile device laying on the desk next to me that I tote all over the place that is capable of the same,
for hours on end before needing recharging...I don't use it much, but it's there if I need it, help being just a
call away.
My VERY modest plastic house on the ridge is electronically climate controlled; it's all manner of wired,
connected, piped in to all the modern conveniences and there's a bazillion channels of programming to watch
on either of the giant screen TV's in the house if I want - or they can connect direct to the net, too.

All my vehicles, save for Fred, are totally computer controlled and need little in the way of tuning or repair -
and are MORE dependable and consistent than the old school rides of the past.

Although we're out here in rural USA, we're only a handful of miles from any service or store that has pretty
much whatever our little hearts desire - or we can simply punch it up on the net 24 hours a day and get it
brought to our lazy butts if we like.

Nah, I've no doubt embraced technology to an extent - not to the extent of accepting electric cars, though.
Even when they have figured out better battery technology and the distribution/charging networks, I probably
either won't be here anymore or if I still am, I won't accept one anyways - I don't like the whole premise of
them, both viscerally and pragmatically in the least.
So yeah, that's where I earn my "dinosaur" merit badge.

 

[Darter6]

I've been calling myself a caveman for years. I still have a flip phone. Can't even answer my Wife's smart phone no matter how many times she has tried to teach me.I'm lucky I can do this.Not sure if I'm just stupid(that's what word was used before political correction) or just don't want to learn.
Anyway Jay's a cool guy and I agree with his thoughts.
If I'm lucky I'll be dead before the government shows up at my door to take my old cars from me.But it's coming !

 

[68BabyBlue]

Back in 1979, in the wake of the Iran mess, gas hit a buck a gallon. Back then electric wasn't on the horizon, but 4 banger econo-boxes were. I went with the trend, retired my 1970 GTX to weekend only status, and bought a Mazda four banger pickup for my daily driver. Volkswagen Rabbits followed in the '80s. Gas got cheap again in the '90s, and I reveled in being able to turn the clock back, driving a 1962 Imperial as a daily driver from 1992 to 1996, and a 1966 model from 1996 to 2000. Went back to four banger crap boxes after my corporate job blew up in the wake of some bad technology bets by the CEO. I've hated technology ever since.

I wish Jay wasn't right but I think he is, especially about the pricing issues. If it electric becomes cheaper and reliable, the next generation will use it. As a retired attorney, I just can't see totally autonomous cars making it in our sue happy society. Jay's predication on the future of our gas powered dinosaurs is slightly more palatable. Hopefully I'll be gone well before the time when there's no gas for the GTX.

 

[Hey-O]

Most millennials these days only like old money, as long as it Looks new.

 

[BAFRAID]

I told my wife when I retire and kids are out of the house I want to cruise the country in a small RV pulling an enclosed trailer with my 69 Bee. Go to all the car shows!! She said, can a Tesla pull a trailer? I said, I have no idea but if you want to use a Tesla to pull Ill ride back in the trailer with my Bee reving the engine as we drive so it actually sounds like we are moving.
I agree, the way our kids think and see the world is WAY DIFFERENT than the way we (I’m 47) remember the world being. Sometimes I forget all they know is an electronic world. We are a unique generation. We experienced a pre electronic world and were transitioned Into a world where everything is done for us. I prefer the prior. The sad part is in today’s world hard work does not equal personal satisfaction and survival. Well maybe personal satisfaction but you can definitely survive and do absolutely nothing for society thanks to our big brother government. I prefer a tribe where each member has a job and that job ensures the tribes survival.

 

[chargervert]

The next generation has no interest or attachment to our classic cars. They are not interested in them or our way of life at all,infact they will be happier when us and our cars are long gone,until they realize we are no longer here to pay the bills for them! We just lost 4 years of how much longer our cars had,the incoming politicians are going to be gunning for our cars,and will legislate the use of them out of existance. We are not getting a pass this time,they are not interested in preserving the history of them,they want to cancel us and our cars,they cancel anything they don't agree with,and that means us! Think back to Obama's cash for clunkers program,when perfectly good engines had to be destroyed so the "gross polluters" would never run again. I'm not going to sugarcoat it,this is happening,they are coming for our cars,it's just a matter of when,not if!

 

[F4R/T]

I’ll second you bafraid on I miss the pre electronic days.. simpler more reliable in many more ways and more serviceable too.

I also will agree our cars and history are on the chopping blocks about to get crushed and destroyed.... sad libtards can’t pour piss out of a boot if the instructions were written on it... but they know it better...

 

[BAFRAID]

You know, I believe all of the Road Warrior and Mad Max films, even the modern one, had ZERO new cars!!! All classics turned into hell making hot rods!!!! How would that look if we all came rumbling into Washington to fight for our right to........

 

[F4R/T]

They would freak out... AOC .. well her mouth can’t get any bigger so I guess it would still be bigger than her..

 

[chargervert]

They want to "feel" like they are helping the planet,while the places they mine the materials for their "zero" emisson cars are becoming superfund clean up sites! They cut down acres of oxygen producing trees to put up solar panel farms. In my state they put up charging stations that are powered by diesel generators! Their new electric cars never erase the carbon footprint made by producing them,they bought Al Gores the sky is falling BS hook line and sinker,and sink they shall!

 

[yella71]

How ironic we sit here bitching about new age tec on new age tec. Back in the 80s everyone complained that the next generation doesnt want to play with cars. Its all BS....we are and always have been in the minority as far as culture, by that I mean car culture. Theres lots of young kids playing with cars, I witnessed it first hand this summer at a few cruse's I went to with my son and his friends. They are in their 20s. There were a **** load of cars at them, they may run hondas and v dubs and any other brand you can think of but they are out there .not many kids can afford 50 grand for a hot rod...thats what everyone wants for a 69 road runner right? so quit yer bitchin and dont worry about the politicians they dont give a **** about our cars they just want to get richer....

 

[318willrun]

I just posted this thread on FABO. I think there is still a lot of interest, at least that's what I'm seeing
I'm encouraged, and it's a bit refreshing | For A Bodies Only Mopar Forum

 

[Richard Cranium]

Let's not turn this anymore political than it already is please.

 

[funknut]

'Classic car' doesn't mean the same thing it did 25 years ago. There's still a very healthy automotive aftermarket industry that grows every year, so I'm not sure I agree with the perception that there aren't many 'car guys' anymore.

For the most part, we're nostalgic for cars that were around when we were young. For people in their 30s, they're connecting with cars from the 80s and 90s. The same way that this group doesn't generally seek out cars from the 30s and 40s.

When I went to cars & coffee events, 60s and older cars were somewhat of a rarity. Lots of really cool cars from all different times.

 

[black64]

I retired from Chrysler in 2003 as a Senior manage in Electrical Engineering we had electrical vehicle development and those vehicles were fast but nobody there really wanted to develope them. We pushed for a hemi charger 2dr but got a hemi charger 4dr. Then the challenger came out later on. Yeah all are high tech but they are factory muscle and faster then ever before and I can see these also getting phased out by some government fed regulations just like the insurance companies and emissions killed our muscle cars back in the seventies. I guess what I'm saying is the new generation of hot rodders has more to work with then we had but they are doing it none the less. We are seeing the modern engines showing up in our old cars because they are readily available in some form everywhere. I'm guilty I drive a 2018 charger as my daily driver but love my 63 dodge and my 40 ford with 392 hemi all naturally aspirated for my cruising pleasure and working on. I just hope there is enough common sense left out there they don't screw it up.

 

[alfaitalia]

Forgetting the logistics of electric cars in your massive country or our love of old cars....and as much as I won't EVER buy an electric one. Clean, far less moving parts, simple low maintenance....I can see the appeal to folks who want transport and are not "car people". Most folks who are anti them (even though they have no plans to buy one....so what do they care) have not driven one....I've driven a few now .....If you can get a drive in a dual motor Tesla S do it. Comfortable, easy to drive.....with completely brutal performance! Not for me....but I could never honestly say to a potential buyer that they are horrible and not to buy one. All they need to do is sort out their questionable reliability soft ware wise (not the motor control...that seems solid...but all the toys and gimmicks) and I really could not fault it. Funny though how the S is such a good looking car but the X and the 3 are so ugly...not sure what happened there!

 

[SteveSS]

I'm the father of two Millenials. They both love muscle cars. My son belongs to a local car club that has mostly new cars. BMWs, Hondas, and some Saturn Redlines (go figure.) He drives the '71 green Challenger. The other young people love to work on and modify their newish cars and they are fast. When we go to the drags the Mustangs, Camaros, Chargers, and Challengers are insanely fast and most are modified. We are living in a great muscle car age and the young people buying the cars America has to offer deserve the credit for it.

Watch Cleetus McFarland. Boosted Boyz, Cars Across Texas, and many more.

 

[Budnicks]

I pretty much agree wholeheartedly with Jay & RC

some of the younger crowd like old gas/oil burning dinosaurs
most could care less, it's the instant gratification generation
IMO what I've seen they want all the bells & whistles,
all optioned out & not some old car
turn the key & drive,, not work or restore them

yes there's the few minority & exceptions to that rule too

IMO it's far less the norm today, to be an older car enthusiast
then back in mine, RC's & Jays even earlier day
HS class of 77' baby

almost everyone wanted or had a muscle or pony car
or a 4x4 truck or Jeep

seemingly much of the youth today, just think of cars/trucks
as merely transportation or a lifestyle statement to drive a
Tesla, POS Volt or Prius etc., look at me I'm saving the planet
(mommy & daddy bought them)
clueless cause & effect

that's my take on it, I've seen it 1st hand

the Jap or foreign crap boxes are all the rage in some groups too
at least, it mechanical in nature, along with computer upgrades etc.

every generation is different
I see trucks & jeep going gangbusters,
resto-mods are selling like (or better) then OE restored cars used too
I doubt it's menials into them either,
some maybe but IMO it's not most
I think it's far 'more rare' to have them like the older cars,
especially carburated, none computer control stuff or manual trans

is it good or bad, that's for you personally to decide
you don't have to agree with what I think, it's my view not yours