Yes, I hear you. My new car is a '97. I can work on it - barely.
A fair number of us old timers got our start by fixing up a car and a house that nobody wanted - then gradually built up to something newer and nicer.
As I look around, I see just as many of those "start from scratch" opportunities now as there were back when us boomers were starting out.
I also believe that the younger generation are no more or less capable as we were, and can see that the US - at least the rural US - has not changed all that much.
Which tells me the all the Younger Generations will do just fine. All they have to do is decide what they want to do and then do it. I won't deny that is easier to say than to do, but it is a clear path, well traveled, and available to anyone.
rScotty