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Isn't it amazing that we are all still here safe and sound and able to enjoy this forum in spite of having driven so many miles over the years without the advantage of HUD, rear/front cameras, blind spot monitors, rear cross-traffic monitors.
Think of it, if not too upsetting, having to back up, change lanes without these devises and actually having to look down at the speedo/gauges. Scares me to death just to think about it.
How about you?
Edited to ADD:
Originally Posted by Kevin A Jones
I have two daily drivers, one a 1996 Toyota Tacoma (stripped down model; only has AC and an am/fm radio, even has crank windows and manual door locks) and a new 2018 Toyota Tacoma with every convenience you can get on a Toyota truck. I really enjoy and use the auto- headlight dimmer, cameras, reactive cruise control, blind spot monitors, rear cross-traffic monitors etc, etc. And I truly appreciable the added vehicle safety as a result of these features.
I believe you may have missed my point in creating this thread and I KNOW someone else did, which was to poke a little fun at how our driving experience has changed over recent years and will eventually end up with our vehicles driving on their own.
I for one am not looking forward to this as I have always enjoyed driving whether it be my sportcars or trucks.
Both my grand daughter and grandson love cars and trucks, and it's a bit saddening that they may never experience the "art of driving' and responcibility that has gone with such that we have all known and enjoyed for years.
So defaria, the end of my rant, and by the way, I still dive my '96 Tacoma more than my new one. I guess it's just something about owning it for 23 years and driving it 412,000 miles I just can;t get over.
Last edited by Kevin A Jones; 01-01-2019 at 03:18 PM.
They're called conveniences and yes some also add to safety. Your rant is like saying "how did we used to manage flushing the toilet before the invention of the automatic toilet flusher?".
How are we still buying Coke without the cocaine additive? Why aren't Dr's prescribing cigarettes anymore?
Sometimes, old ways aren't always better
Yeah, we can play that game as far back as you want. It's certainly been done before, no matter how tedious. Nostalgia is compelling; Roll up windows, only manual transmissions, no radios, no HVAC. The list of things we did not have in the Good Old Days is long and distinguished. For my part I rather like the modern conveniences. I've always thought power windows were something special. And I like the backup camera, too. Indeed, it's now required. And I have a sneaking suspicion that if you were forced to drive cars built in the 1940s, knowing what we have today, we would get very tired of it very quickly. If you really pine away for that era, by all means go buy one of those older cars. But I bet it won't be your daily driver.
First, the insurance companies love these safety items. Look how the insurance companies killed the Muscle Car era back in 70.
Next the manufacturer's have discovered a new strategy that you have to buy a new car to get the latest electronic gadgets as they do not have a clue or motivation to make software upgrades through the air (like Tesla). Car have gotten a lot more reliable recently and last longer than any previous era and they want you to upgrade! So to get a new software feature, you got to buy their newest model!
I also think driving has gotten a lot more dangerous than when I first drove. I can attest here in Central Florida, we have a lot of illegals that drive with no license and certainly no insurance. They get in an accident that is clearly their fault and they abandon the car and run away. This has happened to many of my relatives many time in recent years. Very common here.
Whatever I can get to help me is most welcome. I can always turn them off.
I never had that stuff on my cars till I got my 15, I can live without him but the nannys in the govt have now mandated some much extra crap. I still look over my shoulder when backing. I will not have a car that drives itself Ill keep an old one forever before I give in or I die
I understand you're mocking the other thread (and deservedly so), but many of those features are nice. The blind spots in these cars are significant and looking to the side is a challenge. I'd gladly pay for blind spot monitors. I love the HUD and rarely look at the speedometer on the dash. I never look at the analog speedo. I wish I had a front cam for parking as well.
The OP of the other thread was basically ripping on other people's cars, which is silly. That said, all of the things you listed have their place.
Yes! Doc told my granny to start smoking back in the day (to calm her nerves) and she lived to 92! And her son made 96.
It is amazing to me how a life long marathon runner (for example) can die of a heart attack while another drinks like a fish and smokes like a chimney and they live to a ripe ol' age.
One of my favorites is the warning on the infotainment screen that comes up every so many restarts telling you that taking your eyes off the road may be hazardous. Then you have to take your eyes off the road to clear it.
It is amazing to me how a life long marathon runner (for example) can die of a heart attack while another drinks like a fish and smokes like a chimney and they live to a ripe ol' age.
12-31-2018, 03:28 PM
Scares me to death just to think about it
