According to You: New Technology You Like

Asking the Hagerty Community about new technology could have gone the wrong way, as we clearly skew to older vehicles with a more universal appeal. Modern technology is just that, a new idea aimed at addressing a problem for intenders and outsiders alike. These ideas work in theory and pass muster in many an American zip code, but do they stand the test of time?

Such a query was the underlying yet driving force behind last’s week According To You question. While I still believe that all technology over time is misused, it’s clear that some new items in “newer” vehicles are worth having. Perhaps even worth desiring, and motivating to want in your next vehicle. So let’s see what we came up with!

LED lights

DUB6: Are LEDs considered new tech? I certainly can see LED taillights and brake lights much better (especially in daylight) with my tired old eyes than the old 1157s used to provide.

TG: I would tend to agree with LEDs—except in the headlight application. They just don’t look right.

Sajeev Mehta: that’s because more people need to put LEDs (H4 sized) in Hella E-code headlights. But I am not using this forum to go down that wormhole, again.

Ray: I have improved my 61 year old car with the following: LED headlights, LED brake/turn signal lights, LED parking lights , electronic turn signal flasher, fully electronic ignition. These are all safety related items that can be easily reversed for originality. I also see a need for a back up side view camera. Do not see a real need for disc brakes. Drum for street use are very adequate. Track use I would upgrade. I have mixed feelings about fuel injection. Carburetors work fine if you or someone you know has the skill set to set them up and maintain them. The problem with this and a lot of old school equipment is that the expertise is disappearing. This opens up the door for more new technology, whether it’s better or not. My car has been at the dealership for three weeks with a no start issue. No where to plug their computer into. Its not a repair issue, its a project. I have to admit that OBD is a good new technology.

Bluetooth Transmitters

Jeepcj5: I really like the cheap bluetooth cigarette lighter FM transmitters. I don’t know how new they are, but I only found out about them in the last couple of years. Now any of my old beaters can play music from my phone as long as they have a cigarette lighter and an FM radio. For the ones that don’t, and don’t even have an FM radio, I use a bluetooth speaker.

Heated and Cooled Components

hyperv6: The best thing I like is the heated steering wheel. I hate gloves so they are great.

Sajeev Mehta: Good point. That reminds me how much I love air conditioned seats in the summertime, especially since it gets in the high 90s a lot earlier than it used to before A/C seats were common place. Not a big deal with cloth seats, but absolutely mandatory with leather thrones where I live.

Joe: Heads up display and ventilated seats.

Cameras/Blind Spot sensors

PerpetuallyUnimpressed: Blind spot monitors and backup cameras (I’m one of these blasted millennials, so ABS, traction control, and fuel injection are all a given.) Having those two is like having extra eyes without having the intrusion of “driver assistance” features.

02 original owner: Agree 100%. Every time I back my 2007 Frontier with a cap, I worry there’s something back there I can’t see with my mirrors. Same with blind spot warning: despite having all 3 mirrors adjusted properly, there are still hiding spots, especially for small, low cars and motorcycles.

Loren: When my wife died in 2020 I inherited her 2014 Honda Minivan. I swore years ago I would never own a foreign car! But my son in law said this Honda van was made in Ohio. The Ford Fusions you like are made in Mexico! It is a nice van, rides nice, handles nice, at 248 hp. It moves nice. I love the reverse camera, I leave it on when driving so I have my blind spot in view.

Powertrain Advancements

audiobycarmine: Not much for me, but engine design and fuel-delivery systems are certainly far better. Today’s efficiency and power outputs continue to amaze.

hyperv6: I also love direct injection as this was the key to unleash great power in N/A and Turbo engines. It has pushed up compression and boost levels.

Screens (In Moderation!)

kevin: I love a screen for navigation and display. No other functions.

Ross: As for NEW technology, it has to be CarPlay. First thing I want on a rental car.

Marilyn: I like the GPS systems, plus I love cruise control.

USB Ports

TG: My newest is a ’12, so I am not exactly a subject matter expert on new technology. As far as those I’m familiar with, heated seats and LEDs are definitely on the list, but the greatest is the ability to plug USB thumb drives into radios.

I despise broadcast radios for 2 key reasons: They only play three genres, and only the most popular songs in those genres, and 40% of the content is commercials or DJs talking. (I don’t have stats for that 40%, but I would bet a dozen donuts that’s not far off from the real number.)

I plug my thumb drive in and play MY music with no interruptions!

Grab Bag

Peter: Fuel injection, ABS, stability control, auto up/down power window switches, torque vectoring, regenerative braking on EVs (when blended well with physical brakes), and (if we ever get it in the USA) matrix LED headlights.

Marc: The first thing that comes to mind is the hardware/software bridge that enables Carplay and Android Auto. I can’t imagine a daily driver without those any more. Second is modern engine technologies. Direct injection, software, modern turbo-charged engines, etc. Third is the engineering that goes into modern car unibody structures.

I don’t love the increase in mass but cars are both hugely strong and stiff which benefits safety, handling and the solid feeling of cars today. I’m not a fan of modern car complexity and feature creep. Cars have become far too expensive and heavy as a result.

Push-To-Start

Prof+X: I like the push button start, but my 1940 Cadillac has that too.

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