Community Chat

[Mindy D]

I want to drive a car, not an iPad. I’ve been looking at new and almost new cars. I get the feeling that these cars have a million settings that I’ll never use. Sync this, apps, choose the settings...all this on a screen. I’m a high-tech kinda girl, but the sheer amount of these on screen settings in a Honda Accord, 2017 or 2018, is over kill. How do you feel about this? If you have a newer car; are you using all these tech features?

[fthunt]

Too much stuff on new cars to distract the driver.  Watch Paula Dean make muffins while you zip down the interstate.  No thanks.  I don't even open my roof sun window for fear a bee will get in and cause an accident.

[TenderMercies]

Technology will never stop advancing, so you either have to accept it and keep up or be left behind.  Twenty years ago, you may have scoffed at the idea of a DVD player and now even Blurays are becoming extinct because of everything going digital.  The problem is that with more bells and whistles comes more things to break.

[excpa]

In 2011 I bought a new Ford Fiesta with the lowest number of tech features then available.  It had to be brought across the state.  So, if 7 years ago there were too many tech features for me, I can just imagine what its like now.  No wonder there are crashes and cases of road rage.  What kind of people are we becoming when we need to be entertained and informed constantly?

I remember when fuzzy dice hanging from the rear view mirror were considered enough of a distraction to earn you a ticket for "obstructed view".  

[151949]

I'm with you, OP. I hate all that krap too. Your paying for a bunch of stuff you'll never use! Another thing I absolutely hate are the buttons for things like cruise control on the steering wheel. Drives me crazy. Fortunately I don't drive much anymore.

[missy1]

I like older cars, before all the gps and other fancy things.

[patbz]

We just bought a 2015 Buick and GPS was tied to On Star (as in it we didn't subscribe we didn't get GPS).   Really didn't like On Star or their version of GPS so we turned it off and use a Garmin GPS (yes I know I could use my Smart Phone but this is my choice).  Otherwise we like all the other features,just hope they don't break oaoand need an expensive fix.

[spiderw]

I have a Suburu Forrester and love it.  It has a radio, CD player and of course heat and air conditioning.  I am very content with just that, no frills or extras.  I drive in a densely populated area and need to be alert and not distracted.  Listening to the radio or a CD relaxes me and that is all I need.  I am not against Technology of course but when driving a car, you must focus on the road, other cars and pay attention.  The main goal of the driver is safety for themselves and others.

[SeaMaiden]

@Mindy D    This is the reason I am going to keep my 2000 Venture van probably until I quit driving in my old age.... it has a REAL KEY... nothing fancy... no bells no whistles... big windows.... I just drive it.  

My husband is techy... he has a new car and it just CONFUSES ME. I want nothing to do with it and all it's technology. 

[Desertdi]

I agree...........I am actually frustrated by "all that stuff" on the dash, steering wheel, etc.    It even has a control to inflate/deflate the seat (like a sleep number bed.)     I need transportation.....not a space ship.