the older ones are more sturdy;
you feel grounded when you sit down.
the newer ones are illusory;
you'll think you're grounded, but it's just way too comfortable to be sure.
if you sit long enough on the new ones you might fall through the expensive fluff supporting your inactive derrière.
the older ones won't do that to you;
they were hand-crafted with care, molded to never let your *** tumble to the floor
in a frantic attempt to grab onto something, or just to protect your heart from breaking on the splintered wood.
that and the new ones have a Made in China sticker on the left legs.