Another technological mess on a newer Jetta.

Let me list what I think is the best combination.

- One ECU.
- Port injection.
- Timing belt or chain is fine.
- Ecvt or standard automatic with gears.
- HVAC controls with knobs operated by cables, not electric motors.
- Single bulb lights (LEDs are fine, but not integrated units where once they die, you need replace the whole headlight housing)
- One computer that handles all the body controls.
- emissions regulations complexity circa early 2000s
- backup camera
-ABS
- Cruise control.
- naturally aspirated.
- NO driving assists that require radar sensors. Like lane assist, automatic braking.
- no connectivity over the networks.
- simple gear shift maps that doesn’t require software updates.

- basically, something like a Panther, a Jeep inline 6, 2005 Camry or suburban.
Panther chassis do have HVAC mode doors operated by vacuum-my MGM ones squeak & groan a little when moving. Holding my breath when changing anything.
 
I can shave off of your list:

No Backup camera
No ABS
No Airbags
No electronic assist cameras, sensors, braking, lane assist,
No network connectivity
No Seat warmers
No CVT, or electronic transmission (Manual is fine)
No sun/moon roof

I know, it sounds like I want a covered wagon with a/c. At this point I would happily buy most any 70's or 80's vehicle if they were new at this point. To me they were equipped with enough, but not too much.

Compared to modern vehicles it is very easy to work on the 1984 El Camino in my signature.
 
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I had the same OTA update on my 24' Jetta GLI several days ago.

VW should make it right at no cost for that owner and other owners of affected 2021 model year Jettas.

One thing I really like about newer vehicles is adaptive cruise control.
 
Let me list what I think is the best combination.

- One ECU.
- Port injection.
- Timing belt or chain is fine.
- Ecvt or standard automatic with gears.
- HVAC controls with knobs operated by cables, not electric motors.
- Single bulb lights (LEDs are fine, but not integrated units where once they die, you need replace the whole headlight housing)
- One computer that handles all the body controls.
- emissions regulations complexity circa early 2000s
- backup camera
-ABS
- Cruise control.
- naturally aspirated.
- NO driving assists that require radar sensors. Like lane assist, automatic braking.
- no connectivity over the networks.
- simple gear shift maps that doesn’t require software updates.

- basically, something like a Panther, a Jeep inline 6, 2005 Camry or suburban.

I agree with you except cruise control.

It’s useless for my driving style.
 
No ABS? no thanks. I can think of one time where I overdrove the tires on ice (didn't realize it) and the ABS was responsible for preventing what could have happened. Probably has more times than I remember.

And I'd very much like to have seat warmers again. :)

Can anyone really say they want a simple car if a/c is a "must"? I mean, extra hoses and parts and complication. Should ditch the heater too, what with how hard they can be to change out.
 
I qualify as a fuddy duddy on my cars cause simple was better. My favorite cars are in the 50's and 60's and 70's. I had a 56 Mercury with the 312 v8 I bought from an estate. It rode very comfortably and was so quiet and the under the dash add on AC would freeze you out in Arizona. My 66 Comet had under dash AC too with the 200 six cylinder was good too and easy to repair. For my trucks I think the old 73 Dodge club cab with the high performance slant 6 was a great truck with AC and very cheap replacement parts. Yes I am a fuddy duddy..
 
I had to be towed home the other day. A bushing in the shift linkage disintegrated and I could not get the vehicle out of reverse. I was able to shut off the engine using the push button start/stop switch however the electrical items kept running and would not turn off. After the tow the car had a dead battery. I lost the 10mm wrench I needed to disconnect the battery.
Well, at least the 10mm loss is normal 😵‍💫
 
Our Subaru currently has no (useable) radio because the touchscreen is failing. It's an extremely common failure item on Gen 5 Legacy/Outback models. I've never before had a radio go bad on me.

Luckily, this gen has separate HVAC controls.

However, I do actually appreciate the automatic emergency braking and lane keep assist functions in newer vehicles. Have you all looked at the other drivers on the road today? You'll be the only one with your head up.
 
Our Subaru currently has no (useable) radio because the touchscreen is failing. It's an extremely common failure item on Gen 5 Legacy/Outback models. I've never before had a radio go bad on me.

Luckily, this gen has separate HVAC controls.

However, I do actually appreciate the automatic emergency braking and lane keep assist functions in newer vehicles. Have you all looked at the other drivers on the road today? You'll be the only one with your head up.
I agree, unfortunately people are relying more and more on the vehicle braking itself. It seems that drivers are just along for the ride looking at everything but the road.
 
Some of you seem to have no reservations or second thought about how cars are becoming ever more complicated. You mock us luddites for being anti this or anti that. Well here’s another case of how much all this tech in new cars sucks.



I wish they’d make a simple 2000s car again. The rest of you can sell your souls for creature comforts. I’ll keep my old cars running as long as it’s legal.

You guys and your modern cars from the 2000s.

Pull the choke out full for cold start, crack the steering wheel mounted throttle just a bit, 6 volt ignition on, and step on the starter with your right foot. Back the choke off just a hair as it smooths out, ease it into reverse and look over your shoulder. No mirrors to check. They’re a bother, and mount to the dual spares anyway, so they get in the way of tire changes.

Double clutch while the transmission oil is warming up - saves wear on the synchros.

Might as well roll down the driver’s side window now, so that you can signal, arm out for left turns, arm up for right. Arm down for braking, just in case those 6 volt brake lights aren’t visible.

When you fill it up with high test, go ahead and open the hood to advance the distributor to its forward position. Take a quick look at the oil level gauge while you’re there, just to be sure.

Dress appropriately for the weather. Heat is an unnecessary plumbing complication. If you need a bit of fresh air, there is always the cowl vent.

Happy motoring!
 
Let me list what I think is the best combination.

- One ECU.
- Port injection.
- Timing belt or chain is fine.
- Ecvt or standard automatic with gears.
- HVAC controls with knobs operated by cables, not electric motors.
- Single bulb lights (LEDs are fine, but not integrated units where once they die, you need replace the whole headlight housing)
- One computer that handles all the body controls.
- emissions regulations complexity circa early 2000s
- backup camera
-ABS
- Cruise control.
- naturally aspirated.
- NO driving assists that require radar sensors. Like lane assist, automatic braking.
- no connectivity over the networks.
- simple gear shift maps that doesn’t require software updates.

- basically, something like a Panther, a Jeep inline 6, 2005 Camry or suburban.
Here ya go……..ignore the BMW medallion….

IMG_1977.webp


IMG_1975.webp
 
Let me list what I think is the best combination.

- One ECU.
- Port injection.
- Timing belt or chain is fine.
- Ecvt or standard automatic with gears.
- HVAC controls with knobs operated by cables, not electric motors.
- Single bulb lights (LEDs are fine, but not integrated units where once they die, you need replace the whole headlight housing)
- One computer that handles all the body controls.
- emissions regulations complexity circa early 2000s
- backup camera
-ABS
- Cruise control.
- naturally aspirated.
- NO driving assists that require radar sensors. Like lane assist, automatic braking.
- no connectivity over the networks.
- simple gear shift maps that doesn’t require software updates.

- basically, something like a Panther, a Jeep inline 6, 2005 Camry or suburban.
So a 20 year old car....
 
I had the same OTA update on my 24' Jetta GLI several days ago.

VW should make it right at no cost for that owner and other owners of affected 2021 model year Jettas.
I got the update for my '24 Tiguan a few days ago also. It borked the dash lighting. In daylight, even on a full cloudy day, the dash lights are on full bright and do not respond to the level setting in the controls. At night or in the garage they revert to the control setting. The dash is OK at full setting but the heater controls are melt your eyeballs on a sunny day wearing sunglasses bright.

I took it by my local dealer to have it documented. The service writer checked everything he could then had their VW master mechanic check it out. He confirmed the anomaly and logged it with VW.

I haven't noticed anything else amiss... yet.

Ed
 
My Defender has had 3 OTA updates since I bought it. Schedule it for overnight, connect the battery charger, go to bed, wake up and all is good.

Its not a hard thing to get right.
 
Since 2016 I’ve had four vehicles with relatively advanced telematics. I’ve had no issues with any of them. I’ve downloaded and installed some updates with a USB stick while others were OTA updates from the mother ship. The only “issue” such as it is has been the convoluted process for updating the navigation maps in the Wrangler- but that’s a process issue. On the C43 I either wait until the OTA update rolls out or I download the updates to a USB.
In contrast, the electronics in my 1995 318ti consist of Bosch Motronic engine management and Bosch ABS. The engine is a DOHC 16 valve inline four. It’s a great car- but if it had breaker points, pushrods and rear drum brakes it would be perfect.
 
I can shave off of your list:

No Backup camera
No ABS
No Airbags
No electronic assist cameras, sensors, braking, lane assist,
No network connectivity
No Seat warmers
No CVT, or electronic transmission (Manual is fine)
No sun/moon roof

I know, it sounds like I want a covered wagon with a/c. At this point I would happily buy most any 70's or 80's vehicle if they were new at this point. To me they were equipped with enough, but not too much.

Compared to modern vehicles it is very easy to work on the 1984 El Camino in my signature.
If the “option set” you’ve described was on a car like a 1970 Boss 302, Z/28, Ram Air IV Judge or a GSX I wouldn’t complain. On anything else I’d consider it vehicular purgatory- except for the lack of a hole in the roof; the last thing I want on a sports car or sports sedan is around 60 pounds added to the highest point of the car.
 
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