If you want to see everything I hate about modern cars all in one model, then watch this video about the 2025 Alfetta from Alfa Romeo.
Is it beautiful? Oh hell, yes. Yes, its hybrid engine is blisteringly fast and powerful: 400-500hp (!!!???) that very few people on the planet can handle anyway Yes, it has all the scoops and wings and stuff that are absolutely necessary on, say, a Le Mans sports car or F1 car; but on a regular road car? Not so much.
And yes, it has all the AI (!!!!) -driven features for “infotainment” that all the cool kids seem to want these days. (When did cars become all about entertainment — as though driving a super-quick sports car is not entertainment enough? And who needs the “info” part of that equation when whatever they put out as “new” is generally speaking about two years behind the technology to be found on your smartphone?)
And remember: I fucking love love LOVE Alfa Romeo cars, so I’m hardly an unbiased audience here.
My problem, as with so much in today’s world, is that I prefer simpler things when the trend is increasingly towards the evermore-complex. And absolutely every “feature” mentioned in the video sets my teeth on edge.
Of course, with all that complexity comes price. The Alfetta’s going to cost over $140k, which means that it’s going to be unaffordable to just about anyone who’s not also looking at a second-hand Ferrari or Lambo, or a new Maserati GT. Honestly? (and this is the first time I’ve ever said this) I think the Chevy Corvette is a better deal, at just over half the price and pretty much the same performance, but without — at the moment — all the silly electronic geegaws.
Pass. With the utmost regret.
The more expensive it is, the more complicated it will be, and that translates into more things to go wrong or break, and thus more expense to maintain.
It’s a ruthless circle/cycle with your wallet being the biggest victim.
I’ve never owned a vehicle with a “screen”, hell, I’ve never even had a “key fob” and I believe most modern vehicles have as standard equipment far more stuff than I require.
Seems to me that screen nonsense would pull your eyes off the road and that’s probably not a good thing.
The key fob is my biggest complaint – I’m had one completely wear out (around 6 year mark) and another that’s starting to go bad. You can’t just run down to the hardware store and get a copy of your key, you have to go to the dealership and spend BIG money to get a new fob and have it programmed. And now the wife’s fob is causing issues (at the 8 year mark) and she’s worried that she’ll get somewhere and not be able to get home again.
I drove the same 1960’s vehicle for 30+ years, never had any problem with the keys. Never.
“the more expensive it is, The more complicated it will be”
that can be applied to women as well
the more electronics in a car or truck, the more it turns me off. heat, AC, connection for my phone so I can use podcasts and playlists of music, AM/FM radio are about all I want for electronics. I’ll even forgo the incredibly useful backup camera and cruise control
The Chevy Corvette has been one of the least expensive sport cars since they put a V8 in it. There were some Lotus Elise’s that were in the Corvette price range for a few years but a current Lotus has gotten quite pricey. The Porsche Cayman and Boxster are in the Corvette price range in their base models but it is rare to find a base model Cayman or Boxster.
…which is why Porsche have ended production of the Boxster, and soon the Cayman as well, may their little Teutonic testicles rot and fall off.
The video producer should be flogged. When the narrator is talking about the front of the car, the video is panning across the interior. When the narrator talks about the interior, the video is panning across the back end of the car. Ugh.
how about drawn and quartered by four sports cars while the narration is about fuzzy little bunny rabbits?
How about four Ferguson-Massey tractors, don’t want to damage the overly expensive carbon-fibre details on those sportscar bumpers.
I’ve sworn off Jaguar more than a couple of times, but one of my poker buddies has a 2019 F-Type with a 3.0 liter P380 6 cylinder for sale. Under 8K miles, black as sin and a steal (so he tells me) at $42K. I’d offer him $40K in cash, but I’m scared he’d take it.
It’s like dating a hot chick–you know you’re going to have a good time, but it’s gonna cost you. In the end, you’ll just have to cut her loose because you’re just too old for that nonsense. Sigh…