Be careful how you option that new car

[Enchanter]

Fixing the built in garage door opener thing should be easy for the manufacturers. I mean, if you need a key to get in the car, then force the car to be placed in 'accessory' mode with the key before powering up the opener.

If it's a fob, force the system to require the fob to be present to allow the opener to work.

 

[Abacinator]

The F36 GC is a slightly more practical (and better looking imo) version of the F30....here's a nice example (and carbon black is a beautiful color, it's got a tinge of blue in the right light).

I'm not a fan of the gran coupe's looks tbh. For practicality, I'd take a touring any day.

Got your PM by the way. I'll keep it in mind

 

[Eldritch]

Mercedes has a storied history of using expensive tech in their flagship cars. Active Body Control, Distronic, massage seats, Just wait until they start putting the Hyperscreen in everything!

So, most of the new fangled stuff is nonsense to me and I don't want it. It seems like comfort cushions for old men who are looking for comfort, not aggression in their driving experience, but I am totally interested in the ongoing developments in HUD tech keeping more gauge and route info in the field of vision is very interesting, I'm excited that one day a practical full HUD system will be available in a Moto Helmet.

 

[AbsolutEnduser]

Dunno about that guys minivan, but our cars listed above will lock the doors if we leave the engines running and walk away more than 10-15ft.

Well, mine doesn't lock *. Just tried it today after your post, but my car didn't lock after departing more than 15 feet.
That said here's the dad minivan jacked with kids incident (kids are long found). Googled his car 2014 Odyssey looks like it does have keyless entry.. that said, among his few problems was that he left the engine running (when someone ran to take the van) I'm unsure the keyless played any role in his case.

Sadly I can see how keyless entry can definitely be abused.
Either way..

* locking a car if you walked out.. perhaps it can be unsafe, too? :dunno Could be counterproductive for safety. I checked a Settings menu briefly but my car doesn't have "lock if.." I think

The F36 GC is a slightly more practical (and better looking imo) version of the F30....here's a nice example

Nice car and price .. I think? .. not sure about this "M-tax" Abacinator mentioned .. hmm don't know much about it.

** so. Since the topic of the thread is an unsavory $2000 for a Subaru LED-headlight, how savory exactly is a Mercedes S-class windshield with HUD? :confused

 

[Abacinator]

So, most of the new fangled stuff is nonsense to me and I don't want it. It seems like comfort cushions for old men who are looking for comfort, not aggression in their driving experience, but I am totally interested in the ongoing developments in HUD tech keeping more gauge and route info in the field of vision is very interesting, I'm excited that one day a practical full HUD system will be available in a Moto Helmet.

As an old-feeling man, I like creature comforts :laughing

 

[Blankpage]

I like big butts, ain’t no shame in that

 

[Enchanter]

* locking a car if you walked out.. perhaps it can be unsafe, too? :dunno Could be counterproductive for safety. I checked a Settings menu briefly but my car doesn't have "lock if.." I think

Shit, you don't have to get out to be in danger. There are more than a few threads on the Corvette forum of dudes getting locked INSIDE their car. Hell one guy even lost his life.

Once a month I have my daughter practice getting out of the car with the manual release just for this reason.

EDIT: there is a manual door release clearly visible on the floor next to the door-jam at the base of both seats in the Vette (same for our Cadillac too).

 

[Blankpage]

Always thought it was a good idea having something inside within reach to smash out a window. Parts shops sell a small pointy mini hammer thingy just for that.

 

[Eldritch]

I like big butts, ain’t no shame in that

You are talking my shit right now.

(thought about posting a .gif and though better of it...)

As an old-feeling man, I like creature comforts :laughing

In some situations I do, I love a comfy chair at home and in the office, I just got a new matress, because I am older and wanted something softer and less spartan than I normally allow myself, but allow me to introduce you to my driving spirit animal:

 

[TheRobSJ]

So, most of the new fangled stuff is nonsense to me and I don't want it. It seems like comfort cushions for old men who are looking for comfort, not aggression in their driving experience

I have what is very much considered a very aggressive car. Certainly looks the part as I have had more than a couple people describe it as looking like a Batmobile. Loud enough to set off car alarms and greatly annoy Karens or old people. When driven angrily it has a punishing ride and has super heavy steering than can tire your arms out. It’s capable of lap times that can rival all out race cars.

Yet thanks to new fangled stuff...I can close off the muffler bypass and make it no louder than a typical sporty sedan. The MagneRide dampers can soften up and turn that stagecoach ride into something even cushier than a typical sporty sedan. The steering effort can become one finger light. Set the climate control, turn on the heated/cooled seat, and you can drive it hundreds of miles in a day without feeling totally beat up like you would have without all the new fangled stuff.

Just like the jingle. Almond Joy and Mounds was it? Sometimes you feel like a nut. Sometimes you don’t.

 

[Eldritch]

I have what is very much considered a very aggressive car. Certainly looks the part as I have had more than a couple people describe it as looking like a Batmobile. Loud enough to set off car alarms and greatly annoy Karens or old people. When driven angrily it has a punishing ride and has super heavy steering than can tire your arms out. It’s capable of lap times that can rival all out race cars.

Yet thanks to new fangled stuff...I can close off the muffler bypass and make it no louder than a typical sporty sedan. The MagneRide dampers can soften up and turn that stagecoach ride into something even cushier than a typical sporty sedan. The steering effort can become one finger light. Set the climate control, turn on the heated/cooled seat, and you can drive it hundreds of miles in a day without feeling totally beat up like you would have without all the new fangled stuff.

Just like the jingle. Almond Joy and Mounds was it? Sometimes you feel like a nut. Sometimes you don’t.

You are running a Corvette, right? Does it really use all that brake control and heated steering wheel stuff? It is a damn sight faster than my cruiser, but I thought the 'Vette was one of those models where you even had to pay extra to get them to put in a stereo?

 

[Ogg]

I have what is very much considered a very aggressive car. [snip]

Yet thanks to new fangled stuff...I can close off the muffler bypass and make it no louder than a typical sporty sedan. [snip]
Just like the jingle. Almond Joy and Mounds was it? Sometimes you feel like a nut. Sometimes you don’t.

This. Lots of this. Technology lets the engine sit where the luggage oughta be and still let the whole car stick like glue in a corner.. and then, push of a button, mild-mannered, smooth.. almost serene and 30+ mpg on the freeway.

Tech that encourages us to do anything, everything, except drive the car is my bane. Tech that makes them safer, perform better, more efficient, etc is all good.

FWIW, in some places (Switzerland comes to mind) refusing to use the auto start/stop feature (i.e. sitting at the stop light idling) will get you anything from dirty looks to a ticket to a fistfight. Some folks think its vry srs bzns.

 

[NorCalAthlete]

You are running a Corvette, right? Does it really use all that brake control and heated steering wheel stuff? It is a damn sight faster than my cruiser, but I thought the 'Vette was one of those models where you even had to pay extra to get them to put in a stereo?

As of Rob's gen 'vette, Chevy has really come around and stepped their game up to acknowledge that Corvettes should have a bit more comfort and not sacrifice all in the name of bang for buck performance. Quite a bit is available and/or included, all the little luxury bits you'd expect from anything else in its price range at this point.

 

[GAJ]

As of Rob's gen 'vette, Chevy has really come around and stepped their game up to acknowledge that Corvettes should have a bit more comfort and not sacrifice all in the name of bang for buck performance. Quite a bit is available and/or included, all the little luxury bits you'd expect from anything else in its price range at this point.

And, evidently, still designed to be able to hold two golf club bags!

 

[TheRobSJ]

You are running a Corvette, right? Does it really use all that brake control and heated steering wheel stuff? It is a damn sight faster than my cruiser, but I thought the 'Vette was one of those models where you even had to pay extra to get them to put in a stereo?

It doesn’t have any of the assist features like lane departure warning, active cruise control, auto braking, and so on. Most sports cars don’t actually, since they found most buyers don’t want any of it on a sports car and it adds weight. Porsche does offer all that stuff and even night vision too.

But yeah, the MagneRide, active exhaust, cooled seats, and stuff are not standard. But those things are not standard on just about anything. Hence the very topic of this thread. Options.

 

[Eldritch]

It doesn’t have any of the assist features like lane departure warning, active cruise control, auto braking, and so on. Most sports cars don’t actually, since they found most buyers don’t want any of it on a sports car and it adds weight. Porsche does offer all that stuff and even night vision too.

But yeah, the MagneRide, active exhaust, cooled seats, and stuff are not standard. But those things are not standard on just about anything. Hence the very topic of this thread. Options.

Yeah, that was kind of my point. Personally, I do not understand the heated steering wheel and shit. When I bought my car (used), I turned on the heated seats once to make sure they work. I have not turned them on since, but I get climate control options.

It is all the auto-brake, lane control, adaptive cruise control, etc that gets my goat. Anything that is equipment suggesting you are not high intensity, highly engaged, maximum participation in controlling your vehicle freaks me out.

The only time I ever use cruise control is when the road sharks are circling. :laughing

 

[NorCalAthlete]

I rarely use cruise control, but I use the butt warmers pretty frequently because I'm a skinny little bitch when it comes to being cold.

Side collision warnings are useful for motorcycles in your blind spot, but the auto brake, lane control, etc can fuck off as far as I'm concerned.

 

[TheRobSJ]

Yeah, that was kind of my point. Personally, I do not understand the heated steering wheel and shit. When I bought my car (used), I turned on the heated seats once to make sure they work. I have not turned them on since, but I get climate control options.

It is all the auto-brake, lane control, adaptive cruise control, etc that gets my goat. Anything that is equipment suggesting you are not high intensity, highly engaged, maximum participation in controlling your vehicle freaks me out.

The only time I ever use cruise control is when the road sharks are circling. :laughing

Heated seats and steering wheels are like wearing a nice soft fleece sweater. Sure if all you’re trying to do is just stay warm, then drape a Mylar bag over you. But the fleece is more pleasant and luxurious.

The assistance functions like auto brake and lane keeping at this point is not meant to replace you and allow you to just check out. It is meant to hopefully step in just in case some shit happens, like the baby in the backseat freaked out, and the moment you turned your head to look, traffic came to a dead stop. They’re also there because maybe we do space out and and get confused sometimes. My mom is 72 next month. She’s not the best driver, or quite frankly, ever was. When I got her a new RDX a few years ago, I made sure it had all that stuff on it just to add another layer of safety. I’m a much better driver than her, and I made sure the new RDX I just got had it all too, just because...shit happens.

There’s also a fatigue/stress reducing factor to have a vehicle with tons of luxury/assist features. I remember some marketing hype that Mercedes put out a few years back. The average heart rate of a driver in one of their S class sedans was 10bpm lower than compared to just an average car. The S class had hot stone massaging seats, a super noise insulated cabin, anti reflective glass, and tons of other stuff.

 

[Ogg]

Yeah, that was kind of my point. Personally, I do not understand the heated steering wheel and shit.

Heated wheel is a gift from the Gods for those of us with Raynaud's syndrome

 

[Holeshot]

Never had an issue with them, it's proven technology. I have a '95 Ranger with original electronic window regulators and no problems after 200k miles. Fuck roll up windows, that shit is annoying and pointless.

My 86' Grand Wagoneer used to go through the plastic tracks for the windows all the time. I got good at replacing those...even back then.

I love people in this thread that will only own pre 1975-somethings because all these newfangled gadgets are just something else to break. Then they'll wonder why the engine 'only' made 80k before it needed the valves and rings done, setting points twice ayear and wondering why it runs rough since they just balanced the carbs. Maybe I don't need quite so high tech but give me all the gadgets any day.

I bought my first brand new car in 1991 and every one has had power windows except one. FYI it was a 91 or 92 Isuzu pickup that had the wing mirrors. Great for smoking in the rain! I had exactly one window motor fail in all that time. Cars these days are unbelievably reliable.

Truth! Also, as I have a 20 year old car as one my "Funday" cars, I've learned that parts are much harder to come by when stuff fails. Aftermarket is still strong on upgrades, but I'm seeing things starting to dry up. The sweet spot is a 5 year old 50K mile car; run it to 80-90K and dump it. Rinse and repeat. It'll cost about $3K/ year, but your repair bills should be fairly low, comparatively. White/ Silver/ Black/ Dark blue only. Anything a decade or older will have deferred maintenance and/ or need suspension/ lines overhauled. Rusty MC, etc are all possible if they're too low in mileage. Anything with air suspension? Walk away.