re: Do newer vehicles have better features that are worth paying for?

In my experience buying cars that are fully loaded and the highest trim available is well worth it in the long run. Never regretted it once.

My wife got an Atlas last fall and I drove it over to the summer lake house. I set the cruise and drove across MO with only my thumb on the wheel when I wasn't turning. It even adapted to stop and go traffic. It feels like a self-driving car with a limiter (pressure on the wheel). Game changer for 2+ hour trips. About 2 months in the front panel went dark at times but an OTA update a week later fixed it.

Everything else is just more belts and whistles that will cost even more to fix. We drove an EV in Denver and it felt disposable. Quiet ride but acceleration felt limited and you got the impression that you were screwed if one piece of wiring broke.

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You're better off not worrying about that because you're not gonna buy a SnapOn diagnostic tool for 7000 and even if you did you're not gonna pay for that specific manufactures software program which will be thousands as well.

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We are in a new age of excellent inexpensive scan tools (under $500) with speed and capability near that of the SnapOn Apollo/Solus. Many offer free updates as well. You may need things like ISTA for certain cars like BMW but the days of needing a multi-thosand dollar Snapon or Bosch scan tool are officially gone.

It really depends on the person.

I have a 2021 VW Golf that I got after driving a 2014 VW Golf for 7 years.

The only advancements I like
1) voice commands work better for GPS
2) reverse camera

The one I don't like is losing the 8 CD changer in the old Golf

I don’t need beeping sensors but I do love the cameras. My truck only has a backup camera and I’d never want to go back to the days of not having that.

agree and really wish Toyota or similarly reliable company would make a very basic small struck, simple reliable engine, no electric seats or windows or screens. simple, reliable, lightweight. it would sell like crazy. modern reliability with no junk.

They have soo many options, you forget to use them. My lower back has been hurting for two days and this post reminded me my car has seat massage feature that works great. I’m going for a drive.

My 2019 Honda has everything from Apple Car Play to every camera and safety feature. I’m not sure 2019 is that old? Plus it’s paid off, lol

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Yeah, until you back into something solid. My wife backed her new Subaru Forester into the side of another vehicle. Barely hurt the other vehicle but the rear window of the Subaru cracked, the panel in front of the rear bumper jumped out of its groove. We snapped it back in, but as you mentioned. there are various bells and whistles, cameras and such, that are out of order.
Its drivable but we are waiting on the Insurance company to schedule their maintenance.

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You bought one that didn't have a backup proximity sensor warning?

And just as importantly i'd never buy a car without rear backup cross traffic sensors. Almost zero worries about backing into someone one you can't see coming at you from behind while backing out a parking space.