Remember the days when YOU got to choose the options put in your new car instead of having a bunch of unneeded and/or unwanted stuff crammed down your throat in a “standard” package? Who came up with the bright idea of taking the dimmer switch off the floor and the wiper switch off the dash, and combining them in a “smart stalk” on the turn signal that not only costs a small fortune to repair or replace, but provides the added benefit of flashing your lights or turning on the wipers when you signal a turn? There’s a laundry list of other “standard” stuff they include that you get to keep on paying for unless you cancel; sattelite radio, nav systems, built in phones. etc. DON’T NEED ’EM!
Not me; I was just making a generalized comment. I grew up with a Chilton’s and a fairly decent ratchet set and torque wrench, and learned by using them all. That approach to auto maintainance hasn’t been available for a while. Timing chain buried? Today you have to remove a half dozen or more components before you can even see the spark plugs you can’t get at.
Unfortunately, they don’t make them like they used to, so if you want to buy a new car (or just a NEWER car), you are stuck with all these gimmicks, whether you want them or not! Also, just to find out what’s wrong with your car, you have to pay a fortune for the “computer” to tell you!
WoodEye over 10 years ago
If the car is smarter than you are you have to attend drivers ed.
bluskies over 10 years ago
Remember the days when YOU got to choose the options put in your new car instead of having a bunch of unneeded and/or unwanted stuff crammed down your throat in a “standard” package? Who came up with the bright idea of taking the dimmer switch off the floor and the wiper switch off the dash, and combining them in a “smart stalk” on the turn signal that not only costs a small fortune to repair or replace, but provides the added benefit of flashing your lights or turning on the wipers when you signal a turn? There’s a laundry list of other “standard” stuff they include that you get to keep on paying for unless you cancel; sattelite radio, nav systems, built in phones. etc. DON’T NEED ’EM!
William Reynolds over 10 years ago
Second that!
Poollady over 10 years ago
It’s bad enough, our phones are smarter than we are, now cars………….what else?
bluskies over 10 years ago
Not me; I was just making a generalized comment. I grew up with a Chilton’s and a fairly decent ratchet set and torque wrench, and learned by using them all. That approach to auto maintainance hasn’t been available for a while. Timing chain buried? Today you have to remove a half dozen or more components before you can even see the spark plugs you can’t get at.
loner34 over 10 years ago
They gave me an IQ test when I tried to buy a smart phone… I still have my “dumb” phone… all it does is make calls.
spinnerca over 10 years ago
all drivers need to pass this test….roads would be safer
xpurplezebra over 10 years ago
That smarts!
Louisiana Resident over 10 years ago
Unfortunately, they don’t make them like they used to, so if you want to buy a new car (or just a NEWER car), you are stuck with all these gimmicks, whether you want them or not! Also, just to find out what’s wrong with your car, you have to pay a fortune for the “computer” to tell you!