The complexity of modern cars amazes me. I can't believe owners demand all these features as much as the manufacturers feel they need to offer them to keep one step ahead of the competition. It is a viscious circle that seems to have reached terminal velocity. I find the gadgetry of a modern day quite a distraction!

It is very hard to imagine owning a modern day car as a worthwhile car in 10-15 years time.

With my '89 W124 CE I am amazed at how this car not only cost a fortune at the time (the same if not more than the current day equivalent) but also represented the pinnacle of luxury and sophistication. About the most sophisticated thing on it is ABS brakes (OK - the seatbelt extenders are trick). The value is where you want it in the design, quality of the parts and assembly.

I presume the buyers were not dissatisfied or did not feel ripped off as they did not know any different.

In fact, compared to a modern day car it is virtually prehistoric but it matters not for the quality and feel of the ride nor my piece of mind knowing that most things can be fixed with a spanner and screwdriver. There is no tiptronic, not even Sport or Economy mode, no adjustable steering wheel, no ASR, no ESP or any other anagram of other exotic features all reliant on computer communications. It does have a really good Cruise Control though!

Not that I get to use them too much on my daily 25 minute commute each way. Most important feature is the stereo.

It even has one of those old fashioned stereos that just plugs into a generic slot and is not part of the entire integrated dash / steering wheel assembly as is the current norm. I really don't mind leaning over to turn the volume up or changing the channel.

It seems as though most cars today are bought on finance and flipped within increasingly length warranty periods the focus is on bang for the buck and who cares about what the future holds.

Who actually wants or needs all this stuff?

Might have the W124 for some time to come or wait until they offer taxi version of modern day cars.