I've owned vehicles of vintage 1919 to 2014.
I'd vote the best in the '50's. The very early
were too simplistic and the newest are way
too complicated. My 2014 has about 28
on board computers.

The 283 Vettes are my favorite.

 

I'd guess that the answer to this is a "personal thing". For ME, it boils down to what the computer(s) contribute to the experience.

IMO cars started getting better w/the advent of computers...even crude early ones. Looking at Corvettes, the first EFI 'Vette (the CFI) increased power, torque, drivability and emissions. Seems like a win-win-win, there. Detriments? Not many IMO. The system is not much more complicated (if at all) than the carb/vacuum controlled system prior to it.

Later engine computers have only allowed for increased engine power, lower emissions, and better drivability. Not bad, IMO.


For ME, the "turning point" is the advent of the BCM, Active Handling, Electronic throttles and other invasive, non configurable controls that dilute or take away from the experience.

Cars with slow, lethargic throttles (e-throttles), cars that lock you in, shut down power, activate the brakes w/o your input, won't let you perform maneuvers, etc....that is where technology has gone too far.

When then driving controls are removed from the driver, and/or when the experience begins to feel artificial...that is where I loose interest. In the Corvette world, that point is in the mid 2000's. The C6 is "not it", for me.
90's 'Vettes provide great advantages of computers, but still provide an honest, straight forward driving experience. If I could change any computer related thing about my '92, these would be them:
1. Program, the BCM/CCM so that RAP remains on, when the passenger door is opened.
2. Program the ASR to default to OFF on start up, a press of the button would be required to turn the system ON.

 

I'll take EFI any time. I was so glad to finally get away from carburetors...

 

Todays cars have too many dependencies on the cars computer.
The C4 is a good balance of technologies

 

EFI is the way to go in my opinion. I used to buy a new carb once a year or once ever other year on a built trans am I had or rebuild it. Never ending hassle. I was picky and knew as soon as the carb was on its way down hill. Carbs are fickle as it gets. Heat soaking, choke messing up, float sticking, the list goes on.

I couldn't got back to a carb on a daily driver now. Weekend toy sure. Daily? NOT.

I remember when the first tbi motors came out. I was one of the mechanics throwing wrenches and cussing gm's stupidity. Hard to believe how much I love em now.

 

Electronic tuning of a fuel injected engine is a great improvement in performance, driveability, emissions, and fuel mileage.

I agree with Tom400CFI that I don't like the "Invasive" controls.

In addition, I don't like many of the extra computer controls. As the cars get older they are going to be a nightmare (or expensive) to keep running. For example on the early C5's the EBCM computer is no longer available and it is epoxy potted so it can not even be repaired. The steering wheel position sensor is no longer available either. With the newer generations there is even more dependence on computer systems that I expect will cause them to be unrepairable as they age.

For me, the C4 is pretty close to the right balance and the C5's are a little too much computer control, but borderline acceptable. The C6 and up are too much.

 

I still believe in the "kiss principle" (that tells you how old i am :-0)
efi is great as is electronic ignition, but as you go beyond that the maintainability goes down imhi. I have three c4's and, with the exception of oil leaks, virtually all my problems have been electrical/computer related. I have had to put two new computers in my '96 in less than three years. These electronic gadgets are already becoming hard to find.

I also would rather control my car myself without computer assistance. I want my '57 chevy back :-)

 

OBD1 is about all Id ever want at most (TBI) in a car
They are simple, "dumb" and super reliable...cheap to fix also
If I could id buy a carbd car as my DD.

02 truck is costing me a fortune to keep running, most of it electronics, codes every time I turn around. Fuel pump, 600. Driveshaft, 500 water pump, 300+ etc etc now needs wheel bearings, oops gotta buy the whole hub assy at $400 per wheel

They can keep their "new" cars no thanks no way ever.
I can fix my 67 in minutes with a simple tool kit and cheap parts found at any auto pts store, gladly take the hit on mpg. Carbs have come a long way since the 70s there is some nice stuff out set it once forget it.

 

A local gardener/landscape guy uses nothing but 67 Chevy PickUps as his debris haulers.
Gets em running, no smog, keeps a few parts to service all of them.


Hey Ron!

 

I agree the new technologies are over the top but understand they are driven by government (mostly fuel economy and emissions, which is all ECM/PCM), SAFETY-SRS/ABS,TC,SC is ALL Mandatory, market compeition, and market demands.

Would you buy a stripped down power nothing Corvette? The folks buying new ones do not want that. That and the competition has all the power and electronic nannies. So guess what the Corvette has to as well.

Don't like it, don't buy a newer Corvette.
Its NOT going away or going to get easier or cheaper to work on.

I'll say this after the C5Z06 I have no interest in owning a newer Corvette. The C5Z's are complex enough to be modernish and simple enough to last a long time and get parts far. The C7 with its amazing electronic rear diff.....yeah clutch packs for my Dana 44 cost like $70. What happens when the C7 needs a new diff....couple thousand bucks....yeah the newer cars are going to be disposable or be garage ornaments.

 

That's exactly right. Evidence of that is later model, luxury European cars....look at their resale values. You can buy 4-5 year old, $100,000.00+ European luxury cars for $30-$50,000.00! Why? B/c the repair bills for those cars are unreal.

A Friend of mine has a BMW X5. I think it's on '04 or so. Trans went out on it. The bill? $13,000.00!!! And this is a GM 5L65e transmission! UFB!

REpair bills like that one, drive down resale dramatically. and you end up w/disposable appliances...instead of cool cars people love and continue to love.

 

Steve
Yeah mine used to be some kind of debris hauler or figure 8 demo car at one time lol.

Hows that Z16? One vette I never got but dig....all the electronics intimidated me some. Wanting a ride !

 

For me theres always a point I wont go past on the newer cars. I love fuel injection and gadgets but theres a point it goes to far. I own 2 bmw's and both are the models before bmw went nuts. For 3 series bmw's its up to 2005.

Anything after that I don't care for. Why?

No dipstick to check the oil. This is going to far electronically. Heck they don't even have a real electronic measuring device. The dealer even has to remove all the oil to determine how much oil it needs. How stupid can a company get?

So yeah they can go to far but you couldn't pay me to go back to a carb on a daily driver. To old and picky to put up with that again. Luckily I can do my on programming on all my cars so the electronics don't bother me and diagnosing stuff is a breeze for the most part. Only issue Ive had electronically in years is a battery drain on my 87.

 

You aint kiddin! Sure is tempting, do like some of the 8 series bimmers but would never own one

My girlfriend owns a 2000 E320 which is kind of the cheapie Benz. Straight 6 bulletproof..even with 200k.

Had a trans (which turned out to be electrical big suprise) estimate of $4-4500 to rebuild it. Would randomly stick in 1st gear. Car is worth 3k on a real good day
Too many solenoids, switches, etc many of them dealer only pieces. A Chevy piece might cost $40, one on hers could cost as much as $500. Wont sell it either just a matter of time $$

Most reliable cars I ever had was an 87 TBI Chevy van, Acura RL and the 70s/80s era 20 and 22r toyota p/u. Have had 3 late model trucks all brand new and they have all been major problem$. Love the 80s era EFI, works and its simple

Have read engineers state most new cars are only designed to be super reliable for36k mi.....and in the junkyard by 100k I believe it

Heck even my old 69 RS/SS ran for yrs and yrs being abused, never even had the valve covers off it, never had to fix a thing;entire car was original unrestored untouched/stock Cant beat a Qjet and an HEI

Now when everything is working right EFI is awesome. When it goes, better be good with codes, electrical, diag etc. My Silverado is killing me....code after code after code it never end$$$. Its only 13 yrs old impeccably maintained mechanically and honestly although it looks awesome its pretty much used up.

So dont be surprised if even a low mile C4 gives you some issues here and there