When New Cars Get Worse: Why Older Models Often Win
New vs old cars: why previous generations often drive better
When New Cars Get Worse: Why Older Models Often Win
Auto expert Dmitry Novikov on why new cars regress: cost-cutting, tech overload and reliability dips. Civic, Jetta, Eclipse—and why older gens make wiser buys.
2025-11-04T10:28:20+03:00
2025-11-04T10:28:20+03:00
2025-11-04T10:28:20+03:00
New cars don’t automatically trump the old ones — that’s the takeaway auto expert Dmitry Novikov shared in a conversation with 32CARS.RU. He argues that in the chase to cut costs and pack in tech, many brands lose what drivers recognize as a car’s “soul.”Consider the ninth-generation Honda Civic, which proved a step back: cheaper materials and dulled handling sparked widespread frustration among owners. A similar story unfolded with the sixth-generation Volkswagen Jetta, where independent suspension was dropped to save money and the interior became more basic. Even the once-iconic Mitsubishi Eclipse returned as a crossover, leaving its sporting temperament behind.Novikov points to three main culprits: shaving costs on materials, favoring comfort over driver involvement, and leaning too heavily on electronics. Modern turbo engines and complex control systems, he adds, have also taken a toll on reliability. According to J.D. Power, today’s three-year-old cars suffer more issues than those of a decade ago.His advice is simple: don’t rush into first-year models, where teething problems most often surface. In many cases, the previous generation proves sturdier, better balanced, and more rewarding from behind the wheel. In short, in the car world, new doesn’t always mean better — a conclusion that hardly surprises seasoned enthusiasts.
new vs old cars, model updates, cost-cutting, reliability decline, turbo engines, Honda Civic 9th gen, Volkswagen Jetta 6th gen, Mitsubishi Eclipse, JD Power, avoid first-year models
2025
Michael Powers
news
New vs old cars: why previous generations often drive better
Auto expert Dmitry Novikov on why new cars regress: cost-cutting, tech overload and reliability dips. Civic, Jetta, Eclipse—and why older gens make wiser buys.
Michael Powers, Editor
New cars don’t automatically trump the old ones — that’s the takeaway auto expert Dmitry Novikov shared in a conversation with 32CARS.RU. He argues that in the chase to cut costs and pack in tech, many brands lose what drivers recognize as a car’s “soul.”
Consider the ninth-generation Honda Civic, which proved a step back: cheaper materials and dulled handling sparked widespread frustration among owners. A similar story unfolded with the sixth-generation Volkswagen Jetta, where independent suspension was dropped to save money and the interior became more basic. Even the once-iconic Mitsubishi Eclipse returned as a crossover, leaving its sporting temperament behind.
Novikov points to three main culprits: shaving costs on materials, favoring comfort over driver involvement, and leaning too heavily on electronics. Modern turbo engines and complex control systems, he adds, have also taken a toll on reliability. According to J.D. Power, today’s three-year-old cars suffer more issues than those of a decade ago.
His advice is simple: don’t rush into first-year models, where teething problems most often surface. In many cases, the previous generation proves sturdier, better balanced, and more rewarding from behind the wheel. In short, in the car world, new doesn’t always mean better — a conclusion that hardly surprises seasoned enthusiasts.
