Luddites unite…

No one has even alluded to the cost influence all the newer smart-sensor technology has created in getting something like a crunched fender fixed.
You will cry when the estimate comes up.
My body guy of 30 years turns newer cars away. The software for repairs is too expensive and the time needed to repair is ridiculous.
I have a friend with a 22' Mercedes full size SUV. His daughter backed his Ford pickup into the back of it.
A minor to barely-medium crunch.
The repair costs were 5 figures for the Benz alone. His insurance company threatened to drop him.
He filed the claim, dropped them, and found a new insurance company.
Have heard the relatively straightforward windscreen replacement process now has to have computer reprogramming component in many modern cars due to rain sensing systems affixed to the glass. The sensors need calibrating for each and every installation. All so the poor driver doesn't have to suffer the horror of manually turning the wipers on or off.
 
I have seen cars where the windscreen wipers were powered by the driver's hand. We shoukd have computers like that, incase of an emergency - can an abacus drive a printer ?
 
Steer by wire ,,,,,,

I drove a Honda Ridgeline recently, and it soon became apparent that the thing employed steer by wire technology.

Now, I am not opposed to the safety factor of correction to lane drift, but I question what redundancy exists in the system.

My sister in law drove a Honda, she claims she lost all steering control, the car drifted into the center barrier, then drifted right across two lanes of traffic, finally she braked it to a stop on the shoulder. Her demands to know the cause of the failure was ignored by the dealer. She now drives a Toyota.
Fortunately, only her car was totaled, but easy to see that a horrific loss of life accident could have resulted.

Perhaps buyers should be advised that steer by wire technology is being employed when they sign the purchase order. It must be a law for the dealer will not volunteer. As for me, I will ask if a prospective new vehicle uses steer by wire, and if so, buy something else.

Slick
My wifes Subaru also has steer by wire. I hate it, far too sensitive and no feel of the road.
 
My wifes Subaru also has steer by wire. I hate it, far too sensitive and no feel of the road.
Another issue (IMHO) is electric windows with no manual override.
I was concerned about the possibility of someone not being able to unlock doors or open a window (eg - car in deep water/shit) that I bought a number of these.
before giving them to family members I went to a local wrecker and asked if I could test it on a wreck. They were most interested in the result.
Applied it the the recommended place on a side window and - bingo! Shashed window.
It also has a protected blade for cutting seat belts.

Yes, yes - I know I should have tested it on a cop car!
Luddites unite…
 
BTW the black thingy plugs in to further protect the blade.
The lanyard is so I can hang it where it's easy to find in darkness.
 
The car I drive is a 2.4 ltre Maxda 6 which has a 6 speed close ratio gearbox. I have only ever been able to drive it properly once, I drove it from Queenstown to Strahan in Tasmania and went right up and down between 2nd and top gear about 6 times. It was almost as good as a motorcycle. But on mainland Australia, there is almost nowhere anyone can do that with a car.
What I like about most motorcycles is they have a soul. Most cars are banal. A Blower Bentley would be nice.
But I cannot see myself ever buying an EV. - Better to sit in an arnchair and watch TV.
 
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