Didn’t have much fuel economy, polluted like crap, were actually less reliable and required way more maintenance. And made way less power than modern counterparts.
Old joke - The advantage of an old points ignition system is that you can fix it by the side of the road. The disadvantage of an old points ignition system is that you will *have* to work on it by the side of the road.
All that is required is a feeler gauge and screw driver. If you need new points, you keep a spare in the kit. Usually a 15 minute repair and $10 for the points.
The modern ignition systems require expensive equipment and mandatory actual trip to the garage to fix it.
Usually you have to limp along sputtering with a rough idle to a garage and a repair bill of $200 plus the inconvenience of not having the car for a day or so.
Plus your car with points is EMP proof should it ever happen.
“The art of simplicity.”