I could write a list about the technology I don't like in my new car.  I could also write a list about the new technology I like about my new car.

 

I love the rear view warning.  When I am hemmed in at the WalMart parking lot and inch out to leave hoping nobody is speeding down the lane I appreciate the rear end warning that beeps before the car coming down the lane gets in view.  I like that.

 

On the other hand just trying to shut the heater fan off is a real chore.  I have to press the right arrow on one of the steering wheel buttons and look at the dash to see when the heater/air conditioner icon appears.  Then I have to press the center button to access the heater.  Then I have to use the down button until the fan icon shows up.  Then I have to press either the left or right arrows to increase or decrease the fan speed or turn it off.  Then I press another button to return to the left-right arrows to press it to bring the dash back to where it was before I started.  Isn't that so much better than the old method of reaching for a knob to turn the fan off or adjust it's speed?  God!  Knobs are so low tech!

 

Noel

Sounds just like the car I don't want to buy!

I'm with you Noel. I can't open the trunk when the car is running. I can't open the doors from the outside when the car is running. I can't use most features of the nav system unless the car is in Park. What I'd give to have my 1951 Mercury again.......Doug

There is only 1 new feature I would like on my next car.....press a button and my outside mirrors fold in.  Now, before entering my garage, I need to have driver side and passenger side widows down so I can lean over the center console (ouch) and fold them manually.  Narrow garage door opening!          

Single car garage!

 

6 hours ago, charliearon said:

There is only 1 new feature I would like on my next car.....press a button and my outside mirrors fold in.  Now, before entering my garage, I need to have driver side and passenger side widows down so I can lean over the center console (ouch) and fold them manually.  Narrow garage door opening!          

Single car garage!

 

One button on my mirror control folds my mirrors.  Love it for going through car washes.

Stan

"Automagic" It all works automagically.

Edited February 2, 20206 yr by Adrian123

19 hours ago, charliearon said:

There is only 1 new feature I would like on my next car.....press a button and my outside mirrors fold in.  Now, before entering my garage, I need to have driver side and passenger side widows down so I can lean over the center console (ouch) and fold them manually.  Narrow garage door opening!          

Single car garage!

 

 

My wife has managed to cause $2,200 of damage on her car coming out of our single car garage last fall.  The passenger side wheel well and bumper had to be replaced.  It was only lightly scratched and dented.   Some of the tabs were ripped out of the side panel.  The mirror had buffable scratches and white paint transferred to it.  

I guess I am alone in the world of automobiles.  I would prefer a vehicle without a computer.  I like a vehicle with gauges that indicate what is going on with the engine, not a blinking light that requires a code reader.  I also like carburetors.  I understand how they work and I know how to work on them an tune them.  I do prefer a good electronic ignition system as opposed to the old points style distributor.  The one thing new cars do have that I really like is corrosion resistance.

The good thing about fuel injection is that you are less likely to try passing yourself off as a mechanic. 

 

 

Bill W

It's actually interesting that on some of the newer cars the nannies can not be fully disabled.  Track organizations have had to ban certain vehicles with auto braking systems that can't be disabled for obvious reasons.  On my track car their is a "secret" the manufacturer doesn't tell you to fully disable all the nannies.  

It's actually really tough with some of these new cars with all their "assists" to know if the driver is good or the car is covering up their bad habits...  

Stans...I recall the good old days when one Saturday a month was 'tuneup' day. 

You went to the auto shop and bought a new set of points and a carburetor kit.

First you pulled the plugs and cleaned and 'gapped' them.  Then replaced the points under the distributor cap.  Then replace some parts in the carburetor with your carburetor kit.  Put a chalk mark on the fan belt, start the car, and rotate the distributor until the timing light flashed the chalk mark.

It was also an era when you could identify a car a block away just by it's styling.  I think Cadillac was the first to come out with fins on the back.

And most of the cars back then had manual transmissions.  'Four on the floor' was the envy of us all.  Automatic transmissions were an expensive option but we 'young uns' took pride in our shifting skills.

Some of us even saved up for a 'Continental kit' so we could attach out spare tires to the back of the trunk like the Lincoln Continentals.  Or install glass pack mufflers for that 'throaty' sound.

And the Chevy-Ford arguments.  Loving your Ford or Chevy was a religious experience and whichever one you owned the other one was the devil incarnate.

For years now I still have my tool kit in the trunk but have never used anything but the tire pressure gauge.  However these days I have to go to the dealer to get the tire pressure checked because they are filled with nitrogen.

I remember teaching my wife how to change a flat tire.  But when was the last time you had to change a flat?  And just in case my new Prius has a button on the overhead I just push and tell the operator to send out AAA to change it for me.

As I said when I started this thread.  There is a list of new things I dislike about the car and an equally long list of things I appreciate.

And while we're at it what ever happened to sports cars?  MGs?  Triumphs?  Austin Heallys?  Even the gull door Mercedes?

Do you remember road rallies and parking lot rallies?  Most malls were closed on Sundays so they set out pylons on the empty parking lot for competition. 

Automobiles used to be a hobby as well as a mode of transportation because working on them and driving them was fun.  But it won't be long now before we have driverless cars and where will the fun be when you are just sitting there inert while a computer does the driving?  But of course!  You will be playing some game on your iPhone!

One of the great things about being old is remembering the old days and complaining about modern times.  We did things you youngsters will never do.  And you will do things we never dreamed of.

Noel

 

Edited February 2, 20206 yr by birdguy

3 minutes ago, birdguy said:

good old days

Good? Stuck chokes or chokes not working. Fouled plugs. Carburetor dirt. Engines shot at 60000 miles. No, I dont miss those days!

My guess is that none of you older guys (like me) ever drove a '59 Renault Dauphine!   Talk about car problems!

1 hour ago, Adrian123 said:

Good? Stuck chokes or chokes not working. Fouled plugs. Carburetor dirt. Engines shot at 60000 miles. No, I dont miss those days!

Having to stop short of climbing the Rocky Mountains to change out the jets on your carburetor to compensate for the higher altitude, then changing them out again once on the other side! Such fun!!!

If you were replacing your points once a month, you had something else badly wrong. Or where you driving 3000 to 5000 miles a month? Methinks you exaggerate Noel.

 LOL

 Sue