New engine technology gets a lot done on the MPG vs horsepower route. I have an older 4cyl 4X4 that I picked up thinking it would get better fuel economy than my big fuel injected V8. Yeah better, but not by a wide margin when considering the horsepower is less than half, and the total weight of the vehicle is right around half also.

I'l second the notion on those roof racks. I have a ladder rack on my van and noticed the wind drag as soon as I got on the highway the first time out with it up there. Messes with the balance of the vehicle too. Thing is, I need it for work.

Age catches up with stuff and there is not much from the 1980s which is not done better with new technology. The only stuff I see from the 1980s that is better is the small 4cly diesels which are better nowdays, just not sold in the US. Isuzu had some in the Troopers and pickup trucks which got 65MPG and were dog slow, but had some tolerable torque figures. Modern versions don't quite get the MPG but have much better horsepower and are not sold in the US. Same goes for the Ford Ranger TD.