Worst Trends in Modern Cars
- Thread starter DaRider34
- Start date
- Status
Easily, it's touch screen anything.
F-18 Cockpit ... high tech all the way, including a Heads-Up Display and three screens. But every screen has an array of physical buttons; they aren't touchscreens. And everywhere there are controls that you can find without looking (after a bit of familiarity), you know what you are operating (buttons, switches, etc are ergonomically different so you know which one you are operating by feel alone), and so on.
Now I understand that cars must have attractive interiors as well as functional interiors but when the operator has to take his eyes off the road to use, somebody has done a very stupid thing, and when an entire industry adopts such interior design, the entire industry needs a kick in the *ss.
F-18 Cockpit ... high tech all the way, including a Heads-Up Display and three screens. But every screen has an array of physical buttons; they aren't touchscreens. And everywhere there are controls that you can find without looking (after a bit of familiarity), you know what you are operating (buttons, switches, etc are ergonomically different so you know which one you are operating by feel alone), and so on.
Now I understand that cars must have attractive interiors as well as functional interiors but when the operator has to take his eyes off the road to use, somebody has done a very stupid thing, and when an entire industry adopts such interior design, the entire industry needs a kick in the *ss.
A lot of valid points in the above videos. But honestly, these are just steps toward a self driving car where all people will care about are the gizmos and gadgets on the inside.
Quote
Easily, it's touch screen anything.
Yup, that is a big one for me. I really don't mind having lots of buttons instead of a touch screen. The tactile feel of a physical button just can't be replaced with a touch screen.
Quote
Easily, it's touch screen anything.
Yup, that is a big one for me. I really don't mind having lots of buttons instead of a touch screen. The tactile feel of a physical button just can't be replaced with a touch screen.
Amen on the fake engine noise!! Totally for stupid people....at least, be able to turn it off.
Guy was interesting and spot on for most of that stuff....too much "oooh, aaah" stuff is complicated, expensive and gets unreliable - can't fix it yourself gotta go to the dealer....
Guy was interesting and spot on for most of that stuff....too much "oooh, aaah" stuff is complicated, expensive and gets unreliable - can't fix it yourself gotta go to the dealer....
Originally Posted by redbone3
Transmissions with no dipstick!
My friend has a VW Touareg with no oil dipstick....the oil is checked via the screen.
An unscrupulous mechanic could add oil and tell you that it was changed.....I don't like it.
Transmissions with no dipstick!
My friend has a VW Touareg with no oil dipstick....the oil is checked via the screen.
An unscrupulous mechanic could add oil and tell you that it was changed.....I don't like it.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
Originally Posted by pbm
Originally Posted by redbone3
Transmissions with no dipstick!
My friend has a VW Touareg with no oil dipstick....the oil is checked via the screen.
An unscrupulous mechanic could add oil and tell you that it was changed.....I don't like it.
Tell your friend he can buy dipstick in dealership and use it. There is cap on dipstick funnel. Just take it off and that is it. I think your friends engine is TDI. Audi Q7 uses same engine and has dipstick. Just buy one for Audi Q7.
Originally Posted by redbone3
Transmissions with no dipstick!
My friend has a VW Touareg with no oil dipstick....the oil is checked via the screen.
An unscrupulous mechanic could add oil and tell you that it was changed.....I don't like it.
Tell your friend he can buy dipstick in dealership and use it. There is cap on dipstick funnel. Just take it off and that is it. I think your friends engine is TDI. Audi Q7 uses same engine and has dipstick. Just buy one for Audi Q7.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
Originally Posted by philipp10
Turbo everything.....totally agree. I don't need 240 hp on my family sedan. 180 is plenty and I don't want the complexity of a turbo.
People focus on hp all the time. What turbo can deliver which naturally aspirated engine cannot, is huge torque. Since people want now SUV's, torque is what matters. Problem is that on the US market drivers want best, biggest etc. but cheapest oil changes. Cheap oil and turbo are not good combination. If one knows that, there should not be any issues.
I would rather have some 200hp and 300lb-ft in my SIenna, then 266hp and 245lb-ft at 4,500rpm. When I go to ski to keep decent speed I constantly have to rev it above 4,000rpm.
Also, here at high country, turbo is much better option.
I think turbo is not rightly on that list. I would say issues that are in the Cruze is that, well it is Chevy 4 cyl.
Turbo everything.....totally agree. I don't need 240 hp on my family sedan. 180 is plenty and I don't want the complexity of a turbo.
People focus on hp all the time. What turbo can deliver which naturally aspirated engine cannot, is huge torque. Since people want now SUV's, torque is what matters. Problem is that on the US market drivers want best, biggest etc. but cheapest oil changes. Cheap oil and turbo are not good combination. If one knows that, there should not be any issues.
I would rather have some 200hp and 300lb-ft in my SIenna, then 266hp and 245lb-ft at 4,500rpm. When I go to ski to keep decent speed I constantly have to rev it above 4,000rpm.
Also, here at high country, turbo is much better option.
I think turbo is not rightly on that list. I would say issues that are in the Cruze is that, well it is Chevy 4 cyl.
Last edited:
After 20 yrs of driving 3200 lb cars with 128 hp, the Camrys are rocket ships. It is a 2.5 L NA that get a steady 37.X mpg on no name e 10. Camrys are the only cars I told my wife to buy without trepidation. I knew enough about a 528e to repair them as necessary. I can change the oil and filters on the Camrys that is about it. I doubt there is a Camry DIYer forum. Would it be possible to retro-fit a transmission dipstick to a'16 Camry. I miss the rear visibility the 528e had. too. Low profile tires on huge wheels are just plain stupid. So are plastic head light lenses. Every car should carry a full size spare and the tools to change it.
Obnoxiously high beltlines. Ugh. Can't see out of anything.
Automakers are removing all the things that make the Internal Combustion motorcar interesting, enjoyable, basically the "fun to drive" component.
Now, I realize that the majority don't see cars as "fun to drive" at any point in their lives. They want "a nice car" but they hate driving.
The 2018 models are working their way towards autonomous driving, with a host of complex systems that make terrible drivers safe enough to be on the road.
In the end, it's all just preparing the general public for autonomous electric vehicles of some kind.
Now, I realize that the majority don't see cars as "fun to drive" at any point in their lives. They want "a nice car" but they hate driving.
The 2018 models are working their way towards autonomous driving, with a host of complex systems that make terrible drivers safe enough to be on the road.
In the end, it's all just preparing the general public for autonomous electric vehicles of some kind.
Kestas
Staff member
Originally Posted by Miller88
Obnoxiously high beltlines. Ugh. Can't see out of anything.
High belt lines evolved to protect cars from impact with SUVs.
Obnoxiously high beltlines. Ugh. Can't see out of anything.
High belt lines evolved to protect cars from impact with SUVs.
Transmission dipsticks! I can do a self service on my F150 but its WAY more of a PITA than "back in the day." I also am not a fan of OCI up to 10k on dino "SN" oil.
Oversize wheels. Especially on suv/trucks.
Last edited:
4wd
$50 site donor 2026
Originally Posted by Aichiguy
Giant gaping fish face grills. Not a fan.
You are correct sir … Fine engineering ends with that trout mouth on the Lexus et al …
Giant gaping fish face grills. Not a fan.
You are correct sir … Fine engineering ends with that trout mouth on the Lexus et al …
Big wheels and no-profile tires on non-performance cars
Originally Posted by Miller88
Obnoxiously high beltlines. Ugh. Can't see out of anything.
that too
Originally Posted by Miller88
Obnoxiously high beltlines. Ugh. Can't see out of anything.
that too
I like older and newer cars. My Club Sport is an absolute slug(0-60 in eight seconds on a good day), but it is a blast to be able to beat on it like a red-headed stepchild and not attract the attention of law enforcement. That said, I love my 2 Series; I only wish it had a LSD, around 80 more hp, and weighed about 500 pounds less. For me ever bigger and heavier cars are the trend I dislike most; the 2er is the largest car in my garage and I'd like to keep it that way.
- Status