New Cars No Longer Desirable?

[S204STi]

Jesus Christ you guys sure know how to cry.

There are a lot of awesome new cars.

IF you don't like them, buy an old one.

Just not a Honda Accord, please.

[SVT666]

Jesus Christ you guys sure know how to cry.

There are a lot of awesome new cars.

IF you don't like them, buy an old one.

Hey I love new cars, but there's something to be said for simplicity.

[2o6]

Hey I love new cars, but there's something to be said for simplicity.

Maybe you need a Dacia Logan.

[SVT_Power]

Not power adjustable mirrors, power folding mirrors.

They're just plain silly.

My friend with a new C300 loves his power folding mirrors

[Raza]

I don't dig most new cars, and don't see myself buying one for some time.

Although my car is mostly gadget free, there are some things in there that I just don't need.  I lived four years in some of the coldest parts of the state without heated seats and did just fine.  But having them means that I can extend my windows down temperature well into the 40s, and even into the high 30s if I dress warmly enough. 

Power seatback?  I don't really need it, nor do I understand why it's there.  If my passenger can manually adjust his seatback, why can't I?  Yes, it's convenient, but I don't really get it, when everything else on my seat is manual.  Other than that, I have a manual transmission, generally manual seats, manual folding windows, and even a handbrake that I have to operate with my hand.  Simple cars are still out there, as long as you're not a badge snob.

I don't have rain sensing windshield wipers (although my wipers, when on intermittent, seem to slow down when I stop moving, but that may be an optical illusion), I don't have nav or iDrive or a starter button, or other silly things. 

I do miss my Passat's steering, though. 

[Raza]

My friend with a new C300 loves his power folding mirrors

They're useful, but unnecessary.  I fold in the mirrors whenever I go through narrow underpasses or over narrow bridges in my mom's S500.

[BimmerM3]

(although my wipers, when on intermittent, seem to slow down when I stop moving, but that may be an optical illusion),

That's nothing fancy, my car does the same thing.

But yeah, my car doesn't have any fancy electronics either. Power windows and power (adjusting, not folding) windows. I have a pretty nice stereo but that was entirely done by me.

[ChrisV]

I've had ultra-basic cars (vintage Beetles, anyone), and I currently drive a high end luxury car, with a lot of power accessories (though not the power folding mirrors. I could add it as the wiring's there, though).

I like both. And everything inbetween.

I like the heated seats and steering wheel in the cold months. They warm up a tad faster than the heater does, and it simply takes the edge off on the commute. The mirrors that adjust downward automatically when reversing are a nice touch for parallel parking. Power seatbacks? I like the 3 setting memory seats/mirrors/steering wheel, as there are three different size drivers in the family, and simply hitting a memory button to automatically put everything back to fitting you rather than manually trying to find that same position every time is nice. Hell, I kind of wish I had waited a bit and spent extra on a 750iL and got the power, heated rear seats as well..

I like the speed sensing wipers, and the power rear sunshade, etc.

Do I "need" any of those things? No. Of course not. But now that luxury cars that have those features have gotten dirt cheap on the used market, I see no reason not to indulge a little, since it doesn't cost hardly anything for them...

[hotrodalex]

The mirrors that adjust downward automatically when reversing are a nice touch for parallel parking.

I was about to mention those. They're are kinda cool.

[Madman]

One of my big problems with new cars is that it seems all the manufacturers are holding a competition to "out-ugly" each other.  Never have I seem so many ugly designs as I have just in the last few years.  New Nissan Maxima, anyone?  Don't forget the Acura TL, Ford Focus, Chrysler Sebring, Toyota Matrix, most Bangle-mangled BMWs and every Scion ever made.

Did all the good cars designers suddenly retire or die? 


Cheers,
Madman of the People

[sportyaccordy]

One of my big problems with new cars is that it seems all the manufacturers are holding a competition to "out-ugly" each other.  Never have I seem so many ugly designs as I have just in the last few years.  New Nissan Maxima, anyone?  Don't forget the Acura TL, Ford Focus, Chrysler Sebring, Toyota Matrix, most Bangle-mangled BMWs and every Scion ever made.

Did all the good cars designers suddenly retire or die? 


Cheers,
Madman of the People

They're being stifled by safety regulations.

One place I've noticed this is the C-pillar. Back in the days cars had nearly non-existent C-pillars. Now, with all the requirements for chassis rigidity, etc, you can track the growth in thickness of any popular model. One that comes to mind for me is the Accord.

Same goes with beltline height.

In any case, all I need in a car is a stickshift, a sunroof, a body no longer than 190 or so inches, and a sub 16 sec quarter mile. Room for 4, good sound isolation and some brand snobbery would be an added plus.

[BimmerM3]

Same goes with beltline height.

I hate high beltlines. I'm not a huge fan of driving around a bathtub.

[hotrodalex]

I hate high beltlines. I'm not a huge fan of driving around a bathtub.

I love it when I see a white PT Cruiser convertible. Literally looks like a bathtub on wheels from the back.

[ChrisV]

Love me some bathtubs...

[Submariner]

I've had ultra-basic cars (vintage Beetles, anyone), and I currently drive a high end luxury car, with a lot of power accessories (though not the power folding mirrors. I could add it as the wiring's there, though).

Really?  I thought it was only standard on late model V12's?  I know companies like to pre-wire for the phone, nav, etc...but something not even available?  Maybe i'm just totally wrong. 

I like both. And everything inbetween.

I like the heated seats and steering wheel in the cold months. They warm up a tad faster than the heater does, and it simply takes the edge off on the commute. The mirrors that adjust downward automatically when reversing are a nice touch for parallel parking. Power seatbacks? I like the 3 setting memory seats/mirrors/steering wheel, as there are three different size drivers in the family, and simply hitting a memory button to automatically put everything back to fitting you rather than manually trying to find that same position every time is nice. Hell, I kind of wish I had waited a bit and spent extra on a 750iL and got the power, heated rear seats as well..

I've sat in those seats...the amount of travel is very, very limited.  I'm fairly sure the seatback only reclines an inch or two.  My dad's S allows for cushion, seatback, and headrest adjustment, but most new LWB Luxury saloons have a setup very similar to what is found in the front seat.     

I like the speed sensing wipers, and the power rear sunshade, etc.

Do I "need" any of those things? No. Of course not. But now that luxury cars that have those features have gotten dirt cheap on the used market, I see no reason not to indulge a little, since it doesn't cost hardly anything for them...

[Cookie Monster]

Love me some bathtubs...

But those bathtubs are cool...

[the Teuton]

Even though the article wasn't that well written (like any of his ever have been?) did anyone read Chubba Sear's column about fuel efficiency in this month's Car and Driver?  He points out that 300 pounds of weight loss plus taller gearing can make a 268 hp BMW into an extremely economical machine.  The technology is all there; we just need to start implementing it. 

Fun, luxurious, and economical don't have to be mutually exclusive.

[Soup DeVille]

My friend with a new C300 loves his power folding mirrors

I bet he's mesmerized by their mallard-like flapping.

[Soup DeVille]

They're useful, but unnecessary.  I fold in the mirrors whenever I go through narrow underpasses or over narrow bridges in my mom's S500.

OK, you've just invalidated any criticism you've ever had over anybody else's driving.

[the Teuton]

I bet he's mesmerized by their mallard-like flapping.

I love power folding mirrors and they helped a ton when I had to park cars in the lot at the dealership with 6 inches of space on either side of me.  That being said, while I have thought about dropping $200 on JDM power folding Impreza mirrors, I've come to the realization that it's not much harder to do it myself when I have to fold them in (like now).  There are so many people with mirrors that have been knocked off on this street because of how narrow it is that I just don't even take the risk.  My car's mirrors are like Dumbo ears, and they'd be such an easy target to kill.

[The Pirate]

I love power folding mirrors and they helped a ton when I had to park cars in the lot at the dealership with 6 inches of space on either side of me.  That being said, while I have thought about dropping $200 on JDM power folding Impreza mirrors, I've come to the realization that it's not much harder to do it myself when I have to fold them in (like now).  There are so many people with mirrors that have been knocked off on this street because of how narrow it is that I just don't even take the risk.  My car's mirrors are like Dumbo ears, and they'd be such an easy target to kill.

Bah, nothing that a little glue and/or duct tape won't fix.  Yes, my driver side mirror is attached with both of those right now.

[Soup DeVille]

I love power folding mirrors and they helped a ton when I had to park cars in the lot at the dealership with 6 inches of space on either side of me.  That being said, while I have thought about dropping $200 on JDM power folding Impreza mirrors, I've come to the realization that it's not much harder to do it myself when I have to fold them in (like now).  There are so many people with mirrors that have been knocked off on this street because of how narrow it is that I just don't even take the risk.  My car's mirrors are like Dumbo ears, and they'd be such an easy target to kill.

So, how'd you get out of these cars with 6 inches on either side of you?

[the Teuton]

So, how'd you get out of these cars with 6 inches on either side of you?

Opened the door as much as I could and became a contortionist. 



I don't have a better angle, but the wall with the 5s, 6s, and 7s was always the worst, especially the 6s with those huge doors.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I want that car on the end. Oooo sexy. 

[Soup DeVille]

Opened the door as much as I could and became a contortionist. 



I don't have a better angle, but the wall with the 5s, 6s, and 7s was always the worst, especially the 6s with those huge doors.

That aint six inches, and if you were honestly worried about hitting the mirrors on any of them...

Well, I'll stop there.

[the Teuton]

That aint six inches, and if you were honestly worried about hitting the mirrors on any of them...

Well, I'll stop there.

Would "less than a foot" make you happier?

[Soup DeVille]

Would "less than a foot" make you happier?

A foot to 18 inches would make me happy.

[the Teuton]

A foot to 18 inches would make me happy.

Picky, picky, picky...

I'll give you a foot.  There were some tight spots with the 3ers and the used cars in back.

MINIs were a fair amount easier to park, though, because, well, they're mini.

[MrH]

A foot to 18 inches would make me happy.

...that's what she said.

[the Teuton]

...that's what she said.

Trep.