Modern 4WD features are over the top
Submitted: Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 18:31
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graham B9
Yesterday I took the new Suburban for a
test drive as I am buying a new 4WD.
Jumped in and after a look at where things were, dropped it into gear to find that all the doors automatically locked. Confused I looked at the salesman who wondered why I was surprised. In case of car jacking he said.
So the doors lock automatically, the lights come on automatically once dark. The wipers once it rains, the rear cargo door opens and closes automatically, seats adjust automatically, air con comes on and off automatically. It tells me where to go by the GPS automatically and if I have a crash it calls the
police automatically. Now if I am reversing and something is in the way it stops automatically.
I was pleased that I actually get to steer the thing by myself.
So my question is, am I just getting old or is this just another way that I am forced to live my life, determined by the dumbest driver on the road again.
Reply By: Ross M - Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 18:43
Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 18:43
Some vehicles are made to cater for the Nuf Nuf's and when normal people look at buying them it is hard to understand why it is all fitted to modern vehicles.
This reminded me of a driver who took his new BMW to the dealer, and after having the salesman sit inside he remotely locked the doors. The salesman had no way of getting out of the locked car other than smash a window. All internal lock/unlock features had been removed in the design and no electric windows would operate either.
Most companies say the features fitted are a result of, "we asked you what features you want in the new models". Funny that, I can never remember being asked about any feature by any brand of vehicle.
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489697
Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Saturday, Jun 30, 2012 at 11:30
Saturday, Jun 30, 2012 at 11:30
If hed just pulled the door opener the door would have opened from the inside locked or not
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Follow Up By: Ross M - Saturday, Jun 30, 2012 at 15:22
Saturday, Jun 30, 2012 at 15:22
G'day Bonz
No, the door wouldn't open because the opening ability is not active when the door is locked and there is no lock tab either to move first.
If the handle was active then anyone could use a piece of wire and open the car anytime, these are made with anti theft in mind.
I believe the bloke chose a very hot day and left the saleman in the car for a few minutes until he was sweating, just to make a point.
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Reply By: garrycol - Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 18:45
Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 18:45
What is this new Suburban??
Most newer cars have the features you list - I think you have nothing to complain about - most of the features are great.
Garry
AnswerID:
489698
Follow Up By: The Explorer - Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 21:04
Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 21:04
"Most newer cars have the features you list"
Hi
Are you sure that over 50% (definition of "most" IMO) of available new car models have all the features listed? Don't think so...but haven't done an audit so I could be wrong.
Cheers
Greg
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FollowupID:
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Reply By: mikehzz - Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 18:49
Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 18:49
What, didn't it park itself? The VW's do. You can turn a lot of the automatic stuff off if you want to start making decisions again :-) I don't mind auto wipers, auto lights and auto gears but I hate it when electric seats or windows blow a fuse and you can't budge them.
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Reply By: blue one - Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 19:15
Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 19:15
Mate,
A Suburban is not a 4wd. You are better off with a Chev or GMC Yank tank
Cheers
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489701
Follow Up By: garrycol - Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 20:18
Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 20:18
The OP is about a new Suburban that was taken for a drive - the only Suburban I know of in Aust is the Holden (Chev) Suburban that was sold about 10 years ago. Not sure what this new Suburban is.
Garry
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Follow Up By: Ozhumvee - Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 20:48
Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 20:48
OP is living in the USA, hence the "new" suburban.
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Follow Up By: garrycol - Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 21:16
Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 21:16
Ok - thanks.
Most
forum layouts list posters location to make things easier.
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Reply By: Member - Outback Gazz - Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 20:11
Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 20:11
G'day Graham
That's why there are so many accidents these days - coz no-one knows how to drive a car - nearly evrything is done for you after you get in !! No need to think about what you are actually doing !!
Cheers
Gazza
AnswerID:
489705
Follow Up By: ross - Saturday, Jun 30, 2012 at 13:12
Saturday, Jun 30, 2012 at 13:12
Gazza,since 1989 the road death toll in oz has dropped from 2801 to 1509 in 2009.
I think drivers are much better educated than they ever were. Drunk driving was almost a national sport in the 70s but now anyone who does it is considered an idiot(unless he/she associates with idiots).
I also think car owners carry out maintenance to a higher standard than they did 2-3 decades ago.
One of the big contributions to accident fatalities falling is the safety of the car itself,
but I still think much of it is due to driver awareness,particuarly on the effects of alcohol and driving tired.
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Reply By: Stevesub1 - Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 20:14
Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 20:14
Love my 78 series 1Hz Troopy. Only electronics are after market cruise control, radio and CB. Nothing else to stop me or stop me from getting in or out or distract me.
Stevesub
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Reply By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 20:29
Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 20:29
Did Graham mention something about not having to steer?? What a godsend!! What vehicle was that?? :)) Michael
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Reply By: mountainman - Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 22:13
Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 22:13
I got a hj47.
simplicity at its best.
no power steering, no electric shit, other than the edic valve.
yup gutless but i love everything about it, simple, plain no fuss motoring.
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Reply By: PJR (NSW) - Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 22:27
Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 22:27
Not long ago I went to
Sydney and in doing so I am driving along the M5 to get to the actual city center. This damned Lexus behind me is flashing his headlights every now and then, but when I changed lanes to let him past, he did not ovettake. So I would pull out and continue in the fast lane with the cars I was already following.
The headlights flash again. I then noticed that he only did it under the bridges.
BLOODY AUTOMATIC LIGHTS!!!! I was ready for a blue at any time and had the mobile next to me with the cops number ready to just press the green button, just in case. The car could be full of thugs. I pressed the red button and tossed it back into the glovebox.
Automatic wipers NOT THANKS. Imagine a sun shower in the afternoon and you are heading west and the wipers start. What do you see. ZIP. The windscreen goes all smeary from the oil kicked up since you last washed it.
Why can't we get what we ask for instead of being over-serviced. But then no one is forcing us to buy them.
That's why we still have unscratched and excellent the 1999 Maxima and 2005 100 series. You drive them. Not the computer.
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Follow Up By: GT Campers - Saturday, Jun 30, 2012 at 08:19
Saturday, Jun 30, 2012 at 08:19
yes PJR that lexus feature is STOOOPIDY calibrated... follow one and you think it's the brake lights coming on. Very distracting, not very safe. It should have a 10-sec time delay or something....
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Follow Up By: Member - Broodie H3 - Saturday, Jun 30, 2012 at 10:50
Saturday, Jun 30, 2012 at 10:50
the same thing happens in the ti 550 pathfinder when the lights are on auto,but at least you can turn them off Auto, and onto a standard setting.
Broodie H3
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Reply By: Dreadnought - Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 22:58
Friday, Jun 29, 2012 at 22:58
You're just getting old.................
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Reply By: olcoolone - Saturday, Jun 30, 2012 at 14:29
Saturday, Jun 30, 2012 at 14:29
Classic example of people hating change or not wanting change.....
Bring back black and white Television, analogue brick phones, Beta video,
mullet hair styles and the horse and cart........ shaking head in disbelief.....
No wonder the cheap chinese cars sell so well.
Heard a rumour that they were getting ride of the carby and it's all going to be run buy a computer....... fancy that!
AnswerID:
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Reply By: passionfruit - Saturday, Jun 30, 2012 at 15:17
Saturday, Jun 30, 2012 at 15:17
Well can someone tell me why old 'less advanced 4wd' hold there value on the 2nd hand market?
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Follow Up By: garrycol - Saturday, Jun 30, 2012 at 15:50
Saturday, Jun 30, 2012 at 15:50
Because a lot of silly old farts want to drive in death traps rather than learn how to switch the auto lights to manual or switch the auto wipers to manual.
Oh - and 'more advanced 4wd' also hold their value as well,
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Reply By: graham B9 - Sunday, Jul 01, 2012 at 04:43
Sunday, Jul 01, 2012 at 04:43
Thought I would add a post script to getting a new suburban.
Turns out the car comes with it's own telephone number, amazing. I can start it from inside the house with my Iphone and then turn on the airconditioned seats and heated steering wheel. (not at the same time).
If I put it into reverse, the RH mirror turns down so I can see the tyre and curb to make it easier to park.
If I'm going somewhere new, I can down load direct to the car GPS from my laptop and Google maps the route and directions, while sitting at my desk. Then use the voice activated GPS to just say "Go home" and it will take me there.
When I head onto a gravel road, it automatically goes into 4WD and then back again to 2WD on the sealed road.
I am becoming a lover of modern technology and airconditioned seats as it is 92 in New Jersey today. My heart still loves my old 100 series Cruiser bumping along the Plenty Hy.
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