Your $100K New Car Is Just As Disposable As a $100 Android Phone
What's wrong with modern cars?
My Medium friends can read this story over there as well.
In the golden age of automotive manufacturing (which to me was in the 90s), cars were built to last, crafted with high-quality or at least durable, long-lasting materials, and designed with simplicity in mind.
Fast-forward to today, and the situation has drastically changed. Like absurdly!
Modern vehicles, no matter how luxurious or high-tech, are more disposable than ever.
Owning a $100,000 luxury car in 2025 is like owning a $100 Android phone — they work for a short while, problems arise, and then you can basically throw them away. And we do. A lot! Even though they’re crazy expensive.
Here’s why today’s new cars are no longer built to stand the test of time. They’re just throw-away toys.
The Price Paradox
One of the issues with modern cars is their astronomical cost.
The average price of a new car in Western countries like the USA, UK, or Germany is around 40 grand (in the respective currency). In some, it’s pushing 50K.
For higher-end models, from luxury cars to SUVs to trucks like the Ford F-150 prices can easily climb to $100,000 and higher for mid-tier trims.
And we’re not even talking about the “true luxury” brands here, obviously.
Despite the hefty price tags, these vehicles often feel insubstantial. The materials used are cheaper, the designs focus on disposability, and the reliance on electronic components means breakdowns are frequent and costly.
It’s absurd to think that spending six figures on a vehicle doesn’t guarantee reliability.
While older cars from the 90s were built to last decades (and in many cases do), modern vehicles frequently start falling apart in less than 10 years.
Too Much Tech, Too Many Problems
Modern cars are full of technology to make them safer, even though the sheer size of modern cars makes them less safe.
From advanced driver-assistance systems to massive touchscreen displays, tech is everywhere to “assist” you… as long as it works.
While these features sound great on paper, they create a host of issues in practice. Complex electronics are prone to failure. Especially cheaply-build (or quickly added) tech.
What’s worse, repairing these systems is almost impossible without specialized tools and software.
It’s not uncommon to see “small” fixes cost thousands of dollars.
By contrast, older vehicles from the 90s or even 2000s, are often straightforward in their design. Repairs typically involve replacing individual parts, which are usually much cheaper.
These cars may not have Bluetooth connectivity or adaptive cruise control, but they don’t leave you stranded with a $5,000 repair bill for a faulty infotainment system.
Love movies?
Get my Notion template, Moviebuff, 50% off today. It’s the perfect template to track what you watch. Movies, TV shows, documentaries, and more. And it looks cool as well 😉
The Death of DIY Repairs
Once upon a time, cars were a joy for enthusiasts who loved tinkering and learning the mechanics of their machines. I’d love to get into this.
But can you still today?
Even seasoned mechanics hesitate to work on modern vehicles. Specialized software, proprietary parts, and a lack of repairability make new cars a nightmare to service.
For example, performing a simple brake replacement on a modern luxury car can cost upwards of $4,000. Meanwhile, the same job on a classic car like the 1993 Ford F-150 or the 1988 Mercedes 260E might cost as little as $400. Which is still a lot, but manageable.
This disparity highlights how inaccessible modern vehicles have become for everyday owners and hobbyists.
Owning a car shouldn’t require an advanced degree in software engineering. Yet with the influx of computerized systems, even replacing a battery or resetting an error code requires a trip to the dealership.
This dependence on manufacturers ensures that fixing your car is expensive and time-consuming — if it’s even possible.
Just like a phone.
Insurance Costs Skyrocket
New cars don’t just cost more to buy; they also cost a fortune to insure, in many cases.
Older cars, on the other hand, are often significantly cheaper to insure. This affordability is one of the reasons why many young car enthusiasts prefer vehicles from the 1980s, 1990s, or 2000s.
Insuring an old Mercedes or BMW (both “luxury” car brands, mind you) might cost as little as $100 per month for full coverage, even with an appraised value. The difference can quickly add up to thousands of dollars in savings over the life of the car.
The reduced insurance costs, combined with cheaper repairs, make classic cars a practical choice for budget-conscious drivers.
Built to Last vs. Built to Replace
Older cars were designed with longevity in mind. Not all of them, of course. But the trend was there.
Hondas or Toyotas of the 90s were some of the most reliable, overengineered cars ever made. And that’s still reflected in their used car prices today. Those are great cars.
They didn’t rely on fragile plastic components or unrepairable electronic modules. Instead, they were constructed with durable materials and straightforward engineering. Not luxury! But long-lasting stuff.
Modern vehicles are increasingly sent to the junkyard after just one major failure. A single catastrophic issue in a modern car — like a blown transmission or a failed hybrid battery — can cost more to repair than the car is worth.
Just like a phone.
This trend isn’t sustainable, either financially or environmentally.
The Cool Factor of Classics
There’s no denying the charm of a classic car.
Older vehicles have a style and character that modern cars simply lack. They stand out in a sea of cookie-cutter SUVs and sedans, turning heads and sparking conversations wherever they go.
Classic cars also feel special to drive. Without layers of electronic assistance, you’re connected to the road in a way that modern vehicles can’t replicate. They may lack heated steering wheels or adaptive suspension, but they more than make up for it with pure driving pleasure.
A Sustainable Choice
In an era where sustainability is a growing concern, owning and maintaining an older car is often a more environmentally friendly choice than buying a new one.
Even if emissions are not as good. Although many are actually not too bad, since cars were smaller, engines had less power, and weight was less.
Manufacturing a new vehicle requires vast amounts of resources, and scrapping an old one contributes to waste. By keeping older cars on the road, owners are reducing their environmental footprint while enjoying a more engaging driving experience.
It’s like vintage shopping for clothes.
Old Is Gold
Throw-away cars for $40K+ on average.
That’s the world we’re living in. I get it with $100 phones. But 40K+…
Modern vehicles are regularly overpriced and underwhelming in terms of longevity. They’ve traded durability for convenience, leaving owners with cars that are difficult to repair, expensive to insure, and prone to failure.
Your $100,000 new car may come with all the bells and whistles, but don’t be surprised if it ends up in the junkyard sooner than your $8,000 classic car.
Might be the smarter investment — and a whole lot more fun.