What's ONE Thing That Vintage Vehicles Have That You Want BACK In Today's Modern Rides?

I like real gauges.

I like very basic climate control knobs (which could be redundant to screen options).

Simple interiors that are not the modern Sci Fi nightmares.

My time in the Telluride is coming to an end and so I'm looking at what I can borrow for a couple months. As modern interiors go, the Telluride was pretty down to earth.

Agree. And the Genesis G70 has a very useful and quality design. Neither are over-designed interiors.

I can usually get the keys to nearly anything in reason. I looked at a Farteon premium R-Line at $49K and was really glad that I'm not directly involved in the franchise although VW is back in the automotive group.

There is no point in a Palisade because it's a Telluride with different styling.

Getting an Aviator would be impossible given the demand.

I could have an XT6 for the asking. They are on the lot and no one is even kicking the tires.

The universal thing is older vehicles were serviceable by the average Joe/Jane in their garage without the need of exotic tools, parts were readily available and universal, would fit not only multiple models and model years but also across brands.

Which is why they are also so lucrative to flip.

A spare tire

Two things - knobs and switches

I want more than one thing
Knobs, switches, buttons - no looking to adjust things
Steering feel - todays cars handle and stick better than ever but lack a lot of steering feel. I am starting to think it is not only due to the steering rack, power assist, electric assist etc... but the tires. The tires are just too big and stiff to give good feel.
Manual option in most vehicles.
Side pipes

Agree about steering feel. Weight is also a culprit.
I also miss the individual character of older cars. With regulations, technology and market research automakers are less willing to take risks. This is why I like the Stinger. A well executed risk.

A feeling of one with a machine and that I am in control. With so many modern cars you have to drive triple the speed limit before you even begin to think you are controlling it vs all the nanny computer controls.

The visceral nature of vintage cars, the mechanical feel as the car itself warms up and all the parts begin to work together in a rewarding symphony of whirling cam chains, down droughts Weber induction coupled with the ripping canvas howl of an Ansa exhaust. Topped off with the clack, clack sound as you move the gear lever through the metal gates, heal toeing with the blip of the throttle, making the car sing without driver aids that mask the lack of driver skill required to drive modern cars.

In 2000 I drove a real Maserati Ghibli SS back from Monterey to the East Coast never even turned on the radio.

A real Manual transmission (stick and clutch)

The shapes. Look at a lot of the cars from the 50/60s, it was a design aesthetic. Now everything ultimately has similar features because of safety regulations (I'm thinking of the flat nose on a lot of cars now)

In addition to the Spare Tire - which can be a problem for some of these cars that have different size tires front to back - I still prefer Naturally aspirated Engines over Turbos.

ANd a real Ferrari V-12 - naturally aspirated - over all others.

individual styling. I know its difficult with modern rules to safety. But every brand had its own different look and that was ok.