Blast from the past: the things we miss most about driving old-school

Remember when you used to wind down the window manually when cruising down the motorway? Using paper maps to find your destination? Or even stopping at that Little Chef restaurant to take a well-earned break?

Well, these car memories are on many people’s minds as well as your own. In fact, 71% of Brits are nostalgic for car-related experiences, new research by Aviva finds. And their survey of 4,000 people found that Brits miss several experiences while out on the road.

So, are you ready to reminisce about your past driving life, before cars became more modern and high-tech? We’ve got you covered.

Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

What are drivers missing, or would rather never see again?

From highest to lowest, the top 10 nostalgic car experiences include:

1. Listening to music on cassettes or CD players (28%)
2. Times shared driving with family members or friends who have since passed away (18%)
3. Popularity of road trips (18%)
4. Family sing-alongs or games during long trips (18%).
5. Road trips without GPS and relying on paper maps (16%)
6. Winding down the window (15%)
7. Getting lost trying to find a destination, before GPS (14%)
8. Writing down directions before a trip (13%)
9. Visiting roadside diners (12%)
10. Asking people for directions (11%)

There are also some items some people say should just stay in the past. For instance, 38% of Brits surveyed said they’d happily never see a fluffy dice ever again. And as for fuzzy steering wheel covers? 35% say thanks, but no thanks.

But not everyone has said goodbye to these now unpopular car items. Despite being a trend that many of the older generation will remember, beaded seat covers are still a hit for younger drivers. In fact, one in eight (12%) car owners aged 34 years or under still have these in their car.

But don’t let nostalgic keepsakes distract you

Younger millennials and older people in Generation Z are also quite fond of the fluffy dice, with one in 10 (10%) still displaying these on their front windscreen.

But with great nostalgia comes great risk. The Highway Code states that drivers should have a clear view of the road with no obstructions, and that they should avoid any potential distractions.

So, to make sure you’re not distracted, we’d advise that you remove your fluffy dice, or anything hanging from your rear-view mirror for that matter, and store it in the glovebox. But if you wish to show it off with pride, consider displaying it in other locations of the car that are out of your sight when driving.

These distractions also extend to changing CDs or cassettes. Though most cars will now have different means of playing music, such as through Bluetooth, the temptation to change songs can become a distraction. Whether your car still has a CD/cassette player or you’re playing music through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, always prepare your driving playlist before you set off.

Can you add a CD or cassette player into a modern day car?

Yes, you can add a CD or cassette play to a newer car. To do this, you need a portable USB or Bluetooth CD player connected to the car’s auxiliary or USB input. Alternatively, you could install an aftermarket head unit with a CD player if you want a more integrated system.

For cassette players, you can find an aftermarket cassette deck to swap into new cars, though this is less common. There’s also the option to use a cassette adapter if your car already has a working tape-player.

Can you put old tech into a brand-new car?

Yes, you can put old technology into a brand-new car, such as retrofitting older mechanical components. However, it’s generally easier to install new technology into an older car, not the other way around.

While physically placing old tech into a new car is possible, it often needs a significant amount of modification. That’s because it would need to be compatible with the new car’s integrated system, which means it’s at risk of not functioning correctly or safely.

We’d recommend that you save yourself the hassle and money and perhaps invest in an older car with this sort of tech instead.

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

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