View Full Version : New car
Well, I finally got a new car. I decided that it made more sense for what I needed than a used one. But I just can't believe how ridiculously electronic it is. Fortunately, I can make it move without needing to know all the computer stuff. I will slowly learn the other stuff. I feel like we're headed in a really bad direction, being so dependent on the fancy electronic stuff. I don't need a key to open the door or even start the engine. I only need to have the remote on my person or in my purse to unlock the door. It automatically unlocks the door just by my touching the handle. It tells me the temperature outside, the direction I'm driving, the moment-to-moment gas mileage; how many miles of gas I have left. When I turn my turn signal on, a camera shows me everything on my right side. When I back up, it shows me what's behind me and when I should stop backing up. I could go on and on. I would have chosen a simpler car, but they didn't offer one.
I just hope this one lasts as long as my previous one (15 years). When I got up this morning and was working at the kitchen sink, I was blinded by the sun reflecting from all the chrome trim around the windows. Dangit. I had forgotten that my previous car had black trim all around it, so it didn't reflect the sun right into the windows. I'll have to figure out how to deal with that. I may have to take a black magic marker to it. I'm sure they didn't consider the sun hitting all that chrome.........but just the "pizazz" of it.
The car salesman said that the car companies are having a race, as to who can offer the most electronic things in a car. This is truly absurd.
I do like my new car.........but I like it because I can drive places now with a transmission that isn't failing, and brakes that work and warning lights that aren't all lit up on the dash. To me, all this other "fluff" is totally unnecessary and will probably be extremely costly to fix. It's all such a game and I hate it.
And.......I'm afraid to drive it......but I must be brave.
I hope this is the last car I ever need.
Isn't life a little crazy in this civilization??
I like technology---especially computers, smartphones, etc. But I hate the fact that every new car seems to have the big screen with all sorts of information ---radio stations and what song is playing at the moment, maps with or without directions to a destination, etc.--- because I think that they can be dangerous if not used properly. We know that texting and driving is a safety hazard, but has no one realized that someone trying to change the station on the radio or switch to a different audio input (USB stick, smartphone, Sirrus, etc.) or trying to switch from the audio screen to a map would be just as hazardous? While I love the technology, I am appalled by the distraction the big screen is to a driver. In the old days, if you wanted to adjust the radio you just pushed another button and could do so by feel. Now you have to look at the screen long enough to find the station you want and then press the correct location on the screen.
All those bells and whistles on the car screen can be extremely convenient, but I'm more concerned about the risks of an inattentive driver. It only takes a few seconds for the traffic situation to change in front of you, with possibly tragic consequences.
And where are my manners? I got on my soap box and neglected to say congratulations on your new car. While I hate spending the money, it is such a relief when you have a more dependable car! I hope you enjoy it for a very long time. Just be safe and watch out for all those distracted drivers on the road!
freshstart
8-25-15, 10:59pm
I had Prius, I did turn down the big screen stuff, but there was so much to know, it came with a DVD. Loved that car, I drove for work so I made out well when paid for mileage. Planned to keep it as long as possible, especially since you have to drive it quite a few years to break even, I think. After two yrs, got hit, it was totaled and I realized I can't bank on a car lasting to it's dying breath because things like accidents happen. When I got the insurance check, I wanted a Prius very much. But not 28k much. Got an inexpensive Accent, it is the only car I have seen in 15 yrs that doesn't have a remote, just a key. I don't love it, but I don't need to love it, I like it. The mileage is good. It's bright Kermit green and the kids call it the Big Green Booger. This turned out to be a really good choice since I cannot drive right now, nor in the foreseeable future so I never would've broke even on a Prius.
congrats on the new car! I always wondered with those GPS systems already imbedded in the big screen, does it give updates? Plus you kind of have to look down to see it. I like my GPS higher on the window, although a cop told me that's not safe, "put it in the cup holder". What?? So I'm supposed to pick it up when I need to see it? A friend of mine said his ex-wife got a new car and the big screen also played DVDs. That cannot possibly be true, watching a movie as you drive?
You get a new car and don't even tell us what you got? For shame! ;)
freshstart
8-25-15, 11:50pm
it's a Tesla, she doesn't want us to feel bad!
Tussiemussies
8-25-15, 11:53pm
Congratulations on your new car!
Williamsmith
8-26-15, 5:26am
I've owned a Datsun B 210, (3) Ford F150s, (2) Dodge Caravans, (1) Ford Taurus, (3) Ford Escapes, (2) Ford Explorers, (1) Hyundai Sonata, (1) Hyundai Accent, (1) Toyota Tacoma, oh yeah (2) Pontiac 6000s. Recently I test drove a Hyundai Tuscon, and a Santa Fe as well as a Toyota RAV4. I am proud to report that I did not purchase any of them and have joined the NAA. New Automobiles Anonymous.......I am taking it one day at a time.
I know what you are saying CathyA. After a person drives a car with the auto breaking, auto passing, warning mirrors, auto parking and all that other good stuff, how can they ever go back? I joke about the poor child that learns on Daddy's Benz and then goes into the real world and has to buy a clunker without all those features, oh boy look out!
But remember (if you are old enough) pumping the breaks? I guess we all adjusted to ABS.
A friend of mine said his ex-wife got a new car and the big screen also played DVDs. That cannot possibly be true, watching a movie as you drive?Mine plays DVD's as well, but only when the transmission is in Park.
You get a new car and don't even tell us what you got? For shame! ;)
Okay, okay.........it's a Honda Odyssey. I had my last one for 15 years and absolutely loved everything about it (except the MPG). And I loved the dealership where I had my service done. They are exceptionally capable and honest..........There were so many times they could have told me I needed something replaced, but instead said "you can wait on fixing this." Unfortunately, they moved from 23 miles away to 43 miles away.........but I will continue to have this new one serviced there. Plus.....I get a lifetime warranty on the transmission and engine, if I keep servicing there.
The old one was great for family vacations, and carting kids around. After they moved out, it came in handy for transporting lots of recycling, straw bales, lumber, etc. It's like a pick-up truck that is protected from the weather. I do feel guilty being pretty much the only passenger in it, but it just has fit for my way of life so well. And after we don't have pets anymore, it will be great for vacations.
Radicchio.........I thought the same thing.......we have laws about not texting while driving, not talking on the phone, etc., and then they create cars that make all that even worse. :(
I guess I'm fortunate that as an older parent, we were sort of forced into learning how to use a computer because of our kids. I can't imagine what this is like for older people who want new cars and have to deal with all this. but have had little experience with computers.
We even bought an extended warranty, which will cover all the electronic junk.........otherwise, an accident or a malfunction in all that stuff would cost a fortune. It's funny, I drove it home from the dealer, and DH (who isn't used to sitting in the passenger seat) kept saying "You're driving too close to those mailboxes!!" Then later he said "Just think......if you just hit your side mirror on anything, there's a camera in it!" Yeah........it's not a good thing, all this electronics moving around on the highways in a busy world. :0!
Yes, I remember pumping the brakes! I still miss using a stick shift! although with my knee arthritis, it's best I don't have to do that anymore.
I was reading the manual last night (and there's a DVD to watch too), and it sounds like all sorts of info can be retrieved in the event of an accident.......like your speed, if you were wearing your seat belt, if brakes were functioning, if you were picking your nose, etc......... Makes me nervous that someone is always watching me. I never wanted GPS because I just don't want anyone always knowing where I am. Not because I'm doing anything wrong, I just like feeling alone sometimes!
I don't think this model has GPS. It has Bluetooth, but what the hell is that? I don't want blue teeth! I paid a lot of money for this car and I don't want blue teeth with it! :~)
I will probably get used to it, like I have my iPhone.....but if I ever have to drive an old car, I will probably back over someone, or run out of gas, or move into another lane without looking, or never have the car serviced because the car didn't tell me to do it.
Mine plays DVD's as well, but only when the transmission is in Park.
Is the screen in the front too, or just the back? At least it only plays in park. Does that mean that you have to keep the car running to watch it? .......or run down the battery while it's not running?
I couldn't get my car started yesterday, and realized it was because I didn't have my foot on the brake. But I suppose it's always good to start with your foot on the brake......just in case it lunges ......if the Park isn't working..........
So much to learn!
Is the screen in the front too, or just the back? It's the screen in front, the same one used by the Nav system, rear camera and radio. I haven't actually attempted movie watching because as long as it's parked, why not go in the house and sit in my recliner?
It's the screen in front, the same one used by the Nav system, rear camera and radio. I haven't actually attempted movie watching because as long as it's parked, why not go in the house and sit in my recliner?
Haha.......that's right!
SteveinMN
8-26-15, 10:02am
Congratulations, CathyA, on the new chariot!
Lots of comments:
But I just can't believe how ridiculously electronic it is. [...] I feel like we're headed in a really bad direction, being so dependent on the fancy electronic stuff. I don't need a key to open the door or even start the engine. I only need to have the remote on my person or in my purse to unlock the door. It automatically unlocks the door just by my touching the handle. It tells me the temperature outside, the direction I'm driving, the moment-to-moment gas mileage; how many miles of gas I have left.
Cars have been very electronic for a very long time. I remember back in the 70s and 80s all kinds of automatic features. And most cars since the mid-80s simply would not function without computers under the hood managing fuel flow, emissions control, etc. The electronics are just moving (literally!) into the view of the driver and passengers. Any part, of course, can fail. But electronics have been optimized for cars for decades.
I had forgotten that my previous car had black trim all around it, so it didn't reflect the sun right into the windows. I'll have to figure out how to deal with that. I may have to take a black magic marker to it. I'm sure they didn't consider the sun hitting all that chrome.........but just the "pizazz" of it.
Rather than take a black marker to it, look for a product called Plastidip. It's a vinyl coating you can apply to the molding (or wheels or even the entire car if you were of a mind to do so); it has a matte finish, and, if you don't like it or it gets dinged up, it can be stripped off without damaging the surface beneath.
In the old days, if you wanted to adjust the radio you just pushed another button and could do so by feel. Now you have to look at the screen long enough to find the station you want and then press the correct location on the screen.
I don't know as if the old days were that different. I remember fumbling with cassette and CD cases; no distraction there! :|( I'm not sure it's any less distracting to have your hand roaming around for a hardware button than a screen button, though the issue of feedback (knowing the selection was made) is less definite now.
Hardly anyone in North America distracts themselves with shifting these days. Cigarette smoking in cars probably is much reduced from a few decades ago. Different distractions for different times, I guess.
"put it in the cup holder". What?? So I'm supposed to pick it up when I need to see it?
There are GPS/phone holders which fit into a car's cupholder. Like this (http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Adjustable-ChargerCity-Smartphones-conjointly/dp/B00CTZF8G0/ref=sr_1_1/182-3369285-1007216?ie=UTF8&qid=1440597321&sr=8-1&keywords=gps+cup+holder) one (no affiliation, yada yada).
After a person drives a car with the auto breaking, auto passing, warning mirrors, auto parking and all that other good stuff, how can they ever go back? I joke about the poor child that learns on Daddy's Benz and then goes into the real world and has to buy a clunker
When I was in high school, my uncle had a Buick that was auto-everything. There was not one thing you could do on that car that did not result in something else happening automatically. You almost wanted to fill the car with $1/gallon gas and let it idle to watch the show.
Five years later, when I bought my own first car, it was manual everything: stick shift; manual windows, locks, and lights; manual choke; non-power steering; there weren't even pushbuttons on the radio. I actually preferred it to the automatic Buick. But that's me.
It has Bluetooth, but what the hell is that?
Bluetooth is a very small wireless network to which you can pair electronic accessories. On my wife's car, for example, she can pair her cell phone (not even a smartphone) to the Bluetooth in the car so she can make and answer calls with steering-wheel buttons and by voice command through the car to the phone. It works with other items as well, but phones probably are what people are using most.
Congrats on the car! My new to me pre-owned Honda also has electronic attributes I don't care for. I tried to find the "basest" model I could so compared to yours is probably less complicated. Already I miss my old Volvo though. I never had to worry about dings or high insurance payments. But as you say, not worrying about things falling apart in an old car is a big stress reliever too.
Congrats, Cathy. We have a bells and whistles Prius and one thing that I found tremendously helpful was to learn how to use the buttons on the steering wheel for things like radio and answering the phone. I assume if you've got all the other stuff you have that too. It's much less distracting than looking at the big screen. DH loves all the fussy things like the holographic speed display on the windshield, I'm quite happy that we're so different in height I'd have to adjust it to see it - I don't.
He also loves to put on the Nav, whereas I'm thinking OMG, it's on a major road which we know how to get to, a few blocks north of the intersection where we always hit this road, on the left side. The last time I checked, I believe you still had a three digit IQ. Why would you want to have someone suggest you turn where you don't want to for ten miles, just so you can ignore them? Isn't that why you have me, honey?
Moral of the story: get good at ignoring the fancy crap and just drive. :)
I spent some time reading up on it and figuring a few things out. But you're right Kib.......I'm going to ignore a lot of it! Now I just have to figure out how to turn the big screen off altogether. Seems like there should be an "off" button, but there isn't.
I'm at a fairly anxious time in my life and spend some time freaking out about this.........We don't have a garage, so the car is always in front of my kitchen windows..........where I spend a lot of my time. The glare off the car is just blinding and unacceptable.....which is freaking me out. I don't want to have to park away from the house under a tree somewhere, and I also don't want to keep my blinds closed. It's not just one moment in the day, but all day long, where it reflects off the car/chrome trim at different points all day long.
SteveninMN.......I think I watched a You Tube video of a guy who put that stuff on his trim on his car. I would want a professional to do it though......
I just hate having to do extra things to a very expensive car, to not be blinded by it. And I've read online of some others who feel the glare is just too much.
My sales guy is very accommodating and helpful, so I might ask him what to do. I think I need a xanax.
TVRodriguez
8-26-15, 2:41pm
Congrats on the new car! Sorry to hear about the glare. What if you back into the driveway instead of pulling straight in? Would that lessen the glare? It's free to try, at least.
Thanks TVR. I had thought of that, but then I'd have to back up a ways to turn around to drive to the chicken coop on my way out. I'm a creature of habit! :) But I think I might try that.
But......my last chicken is sick (and 12 and 1/2 years old)......so driving to the coop might not be an issue soon. :(
Too many changes at once!
I'm a weird being. I seem to have to reject anything new, before I accept it. It's sort of like new glasses. Some people swear there's no way they can adjust to them and something is wrong.......but the eye doc tells them to be patient for a week or 2, and sure enough.....they get used to them. So......I'm hoping to get over this, since I know how I am. :0!
I don't know as if the old days were that different. I remember fumbling with cassette and CD cases; no distraction there! :|( I'm not sure it's any less distracting to have your hand roaming around for a hardware button than a screen button, though the issue of feedback (knowing the selection was made) is less definite now.
Hardly anyone in North America distracts themselves with shifting these days. Cigarette smoking in cars probably is much reduced from a few decades ago. Different distractions for different times, I guess.
I understand what you're saying and, in fact, I've often commented that just glancing away for a second to retrieve your sunglasses could result in an accident. However, when retrieving the sunglasses or adjusting the heater/air conditioning, you could (and I did) manage to do that by feel with manual controls, keeping your eyes on the road. No such option with having to choose different spots on the screen or even cycle through various screens. I could even insert a cassette or CD by feel, although usually just waited until I was stopped somewhere.
DH and I have agreed to adjust the settings before we start driving and, if we need to make adjustments we will wait until we stop or pull over. If we are both in the car then the copilot will make those adjustments. It is tempting, though, to sometimes just do something "quick" as you're driving along.
It's the eyes off the road that worry me.
There is so much going on today in a car that did not happen back in the day. Eating in the car, growing up good heavens that was equal to eating in the living room, it was never done. There were no cup holders in cars either. Husband worked for Mercedes years ago and they were dumfounded on why Americans would need so many cup holders.
Yeah, the cup holders are out of control. I remember one car ad a couple years ago that was bragging about having 13 cup holders in the car. Really???
Chuckling in support. I love my Prius V and everyone who drives it comments on its comfort and quietness. I had the salesman connect my Bluetooth as the jargon alone in the manual was mind-boggling. It was so simple to do it was almost embarrassing but he says everyone who is learning the new tricks in today's cars is facing the same challenges.. Change is eternal and this just one more so enjoy your new adventure in motoring!
Teacher Terry
8-27-15, 11:34am
Congrats on the new car! WE bought a used 2010 Honda accord a few years ago & not nearly all the electronic stuff you describe. This is our first Honda but we love it & hope it lasts 15 years.
Radicchio
8-27-15, 11:52am
Bluetooth is one thing that I think is of great value. Even my 5 year-old Mazda has it. If you connect your smartphone via Bluetooth then you can answer and speak on the phone hands-free. Since so many people are determined to talk on the phone and drive (despite laws against doing so), this makes it possible to at least keep your hands on the wheel and is less distracting than digging for your phone and answering it. Also, it is possible to set up your phone so that you can use the Bluetooth connection to dictate a text message and send it while driving.
Nevertheless, I am aware that even though these tasks are hands-free they distract us somewhat mentally (as does conversing with passengers in a car), so I'm careful when/if I use those features.
Teacher Terry
8-27-15, 5:01pm
I am not doing bluetooth on purpose because the studies show that it is just as bad as driving drunk. You are concentrating on the conversation & not the road. Also I read that it is much less distracting to talk to a passenger versus the phone but I can't remember why((:
Because passengers are with you and see things on the road and remind you of safety concerns?
SteveinMN
8-28-15, 11:40am
Because passengers are with you and see things on the road and remind you of safety concerns?
I really think there's something to that. Passengers will shut up when they see the oncoming truck. Phone callers; not so much.
Wohoo!!! Happy for you to make the jump! I continue to drive my 16yo because....I like her and she's good to me:)
DH tells me I WILL be replacing her in the next few years. I have no doubt I'll feel like you about all the whistles and bells it will have. I most likely will buy new in hopes it will be my last car. I'm only 54 but I drive less than 5000k/year.
So learn about your car as YOU are ready to learn new things (my story on another post of learning to use my smartphone GPS 2.5y after buying the thing).
I hope you take 1 joyride this weekend and tell us all about it:cool:
I am not doing bluetooth on purpose because the studies show that it is just as bad as driving drunk. You are concentrating on the conversation & not the road. Also I read that it is much less distracting to talk to a passenger versus the phone but I can't remember why((:
How is talking to someone on the phone hands-free any different from talking to passengers?
What did you expect in a new car? After all, it is 2015!
Well, I hadn't bought a car since December of 2000.........so things have changed a bit! DH's car is a 2006, and it wasn't much different from my 2001 model.
Radicchio
8-29-15, 11:24am
I really think there's something to that. Passengers will shut up when they see the oncoming truck. Phone callers; not so much.
In addition, it's easier to stop speaking while driving (due to traffic conditions) and then resume the conversation when things ease up a bit if you are having a conversation with someone in the car with you. Sudden silence or very long pauses are less acceptable when on the phone with someone.
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