To start out with, the book is nothing like the movie. I think that the movie is probably more famous than the book, although, my 12-year-old, enjoyed the book and didn't like the movies. Thinking about the movie I loved as a child, I could see why it would be outdated for many reasons and honestly, just downright creepy.
The book is fun and I love how the author uses 1st person to talk right to you as though you are as much a part of the book as everyone else in it. Thinking about a car that basically thinks for you and does things to protect you is very intriguing as a child. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is fearless and so are the 4 members of the Pott family and together they take us on quite a ride!