I hear ya there Rat. What I loved was my stock 45HP VW beetle that got 36MPG on 1940's technology. Better yet was our early 80's VW Diesel Rabbit that averaged 52MPG on the highway. Sure, it sounded like a coffee can full of marbles when it was cold, but no turbo, no engine managment super do-whatchit, just plain old fashioned get up and go.

1956 GMC 370 dump " 'Tater "
1970 VW Volksrod "the Black Bomber"
2007 Chevy Avalanche
2020 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk,
2005 Harley Davidson FLHTCUI

I dig all cars, old and new, whether they were hammered out of American iron, German steel, or Japanese tin cans. Being unable to appreciate them all is missing out on a world of great things.
But thats just MY opinion! :P