Edjewmakation...

The longer the lens the shorter the depth of field. The wider the aperture the shorter. And the other problem with using a short lens and getting too close, is that the close end of the car starts to distort "larger" in relation to the far end of the car.

As digi cameras improve, so will the high ISO quality which will help, as you could then use higher iso/ smaller lens aperture to increase dof and help lens quality.

Only so much you can do "in the dark" lol