It’s a familiar refrain at car shows, cruise nights, and even in casual conversation: young people just aren’t into cars anymore. For many members of the Baby Boomer generation, the decline of interest in classic cars—particularly those from the 1950s, prewar era, and the golden age of American muscle—feels like proof that the hobby itself is fading. But the reality is far more nuanced. Young people aren’t abandoning car culture. They’re redefining it.
What’s really happening is a shift in generational taste. The cars that defined one generation don’t necessarily resonate with the next. While Boomers may gravitate toward tri-five Chevrolets, big-block muscle cars, and chrome-laden cruisers, younger enthusiasts are drawn to a different set of icons. For many, the entry point into car culture starts with vehicles from the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s—cars that are now becoming “modern classics.” Japanese performance cars, compact imports, turbocharged engines, and lightweight platforms have become the foundation of a new kind of enthusiasm.
So when someone in the Baby Boomer generation says, “young people aren’t into cars,” what they really mean is they aren’t necessarily into the cars they like. How could anyone fall in love with a Honda? The hold a sadness that the cars they love may not be passed down or respected in the way they hoped. But honestly, young people like all cars, just some like newer ones a bit more.
Use it or Lose It – A New Era of Car Collecting
Brands like Toyota, Honda, and Nissan have played a major role in this shift, particularly through the rise of JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) culture. Cars that were once seen as inexpensive or utilitarian—Civics, Imprezas, Eclipses— as well as imported JDM Nissan Skylines, are now celebrated for their engineering, tunability, and performance potential. These vehicles are not just collected by young people, they actually use them. These cars are driven, modified, and pushed to their limits.
At the same time, younger enthusiasts are causing a shift in automotive history by embracing experiences over static ownership. Track days, autocross events, off-road adventures, and grassroots motorsports have become central to modern car culture. Vehicles are no longer just polished and displayed—they’re used. Trucks and SUVs are built for overlanding and trail use. Sports cars are taken to the track. Even daily drivers are modified to reflect personal style and performance goals. This hands-on, experiential approach reflects a broader cultural shift toward participation rather than preservation.
There’s another cause for this shift: money. Classic car values skyrocketed over the past decade, putting these vehicles out of reach for most young people, if not the general population. Turning to less expensive vehicles was necessary for those looking to get into the car game. And one more thing, there is a pattern of loving the vehicles from your youth. So while Boomers may enjoy their cars from the ’70s and before, Millennials are seeking out cars from their high school days too. Hello, Dodge Durangos and Toyota Previas!
There’s also a technological layer that sets this generation apart. Today’s young car enthusiasts are as comfortable with laptops as they are with wrenches. Engine tuning, diagnostics, and performance upgrades often involve software as much as hardware. This doesn’t represent a loss of mechanical knowledge—it represents an expansion of it. Understanding how to extract performance from modern vehicles requires a different skill set, one that blends traditional mechanical ability with digital expertise.
Data supports this evolution. While traditional classic car auctions may skew older, online platforms, social media communities, and enthusiast forums are filled with younger participants sharing builds, knowledge, and experiences. The growth of automotive content on platforms like YouTube and Instagram has also helped fuel interest, making car culture more accessible than ever. The barrier to entry isn’t disappearing—it’s changing.
What’s Next for Auto Enthusiasts?
Ultimately, the idea that young people aren’t into cars says more about generational perspective than it does about reality. Car culture has never been static. It has always evolved alongside the industry itself. As vehicles change, so do the people who love them. What remains constant is the passion—the desire to understand, improve, and enjoy machines that move us.
If anything, the next generation of enthusiasts may be more engaged than ever. They’re just engaged in a different way. And recognizing that shift isn’t just important—it’s essential for keeping the hobby alive. In truth, there are many opportunities from generations to learn from each other.
As someone who is nearing 40 and has been into cars of all kinds for my entire life, the whole next generation doesn’t like cars bit is simply silly. I witness the love people have for cars day in and day out in my work. It’s not true young people don’t like cars. And for the record, I’d much rather be driving a Duesenberg than a Skyline, but I’d be happy to get behind the wheel of either, and anything in between. For me, Brian Corey, the author of this site, a contributor to Jalopnik, Donut, MotorTrend, and more, I value the history, the design, the legacy of vehicles and the people that create them. I for one, know the future of car collecting, using, and building is in good hands.
Lastly, I learned so much from the older generation that fostered my automotive interests. Cheers to my aunt and uncle who let me drive their Cord 812. I also admire their 1960 Buick and used to love visiting their garage when it housed a Chrysler Airflow and a LaSalle. My grandfather, who was a VW mechanic and salesman, helped my brother and I transplant a motor in a MK1 Jetta and showed me the joy of getting my hands dirty. To my own parents, who helped my buy my first car, a 1949 Plymouth, that I still have to this day some 25 years later. And to many of the folks in the local car community where I live that are always willing to share stories about their rides, I thank you. Long live automotive history and enthusiasm. At least we still have cars to drive.
