Dear Deidre I’m conservative and I drive a Mercedes

[MercedesDriver]

You’ve got to move with the times guys

Funny how everyone is on their smartphone/tablet/computer arguing about technology, not a using a slate or reading a monthly magazine instead

Bring back steam cars I say

It's not that really, as I said I'm using all the new tech there is but at certain settings. My point is that I don't need text messages popping up on my cluster while driving, all I need is speed, revs, temp, lights and radio with TA.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Until electric power enables me 500+ miles of uninterrupted high speed motoring with no recharge (preferably up to 5min time) it's not a car for me. It's a toy. And tbh my thinking is that exactly EV drives this ridiculousness of in-car entertainment because the motoring performance is nothing to brag with except "Ludicrous mode" or whatever it's called, which again you can use only for, what, 15 minutes.

How often do you drive 500+ miles without stopping, and then only stop for 5 minutes? If you don't want an electric car then that's fine, but to not have one based upon that use case seems unlikely.

Interesting thought, which technology, options, gizmos do my cars have that I don't use. I'm struggling to think of any. I must give that some thought.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

It's not that really, as I said I'm using all the new tech there is but at certain settings. My point is that I don't need text messages popping up on my cluster while driving, all I need is speed, revs, temp, lights and radio with TA.

Which messages would pop up, except warnings or satnav directions? Perhaps a call notification if you haven't set your phone to not alert you when driving. Struggling to think of anything else which would pop up.

 

[MercedesDriver]

How often do you drive 500+ miles without stopping, and then only stop for 5 minutes? If you don't want an electric car then that's fine, but to not have one based upon that use case seems unlikely.

Interesting thought, which technology, options, gizmos do my cars have that I don't use. I'm struggling to think of any. I must give that some thought.

Before Covid I had 8 days per year of 12h non stop driving with only wee 10min stops for the kids.

Which messages would pop up, except warnings or satnav directions? Perhaps a call notification if you haven't set your phone to not alert you when driving. Struggling to think of anything else which would pop up.

Don't know, it was more of a metaphor.

 

[SW18]

It’s my feeling that the ‘toys’ in modern cars grow on you. The profileration of tech seems bewildering at first, but as you find your way it becomes more familiar and in time becomes second-nature. Same with modern TVs, iPads, etc. I quite enjoy discovering new things over time and it’s a learning process.

 

[chrisk2010]

So a (insert your colour choice) Dacia Duster for you?

I like those i did ring Dacia to talk about cars before buying mine but they didn't do an Automatic which was a deal breaker.

I like to think of my self as a very Liberal, open minded tech loving middle aged man, but I just can’t understand wtf is going on with current automotive industry. You can call me confused and even lost. Movies I’m watching on a TV or at the cinema, video games I’m playing on a PS, music I’m listening on my HiFi and virtualy socialising on my mobile phone-I don’t want and I don’t need to have all that in my car. The car is for DRIVING.
All I was ever interested in when looking to buy a car were these few, for me, very important technical details:
-engine size in ccm
-engine power in bhp
-engine torque in Nm
-size of the boot in ccm
-leg room at the rear in cm (or “ I can calculate it on my pocket calculator)
For the bhp and Nm I always used to look for a diagram so I can see how long and how steep they are and how fast and sudden both drop and at which rpm. But nowadays it all seems to be irrelevant, all cars look the same and all that matters is if the car has AirPlay this,Android that, Touch or no Touch, Wireless,GSM,GPS,TPS,MPS,HDD and the full £hit of other acronyms with no relation to driving but more with children toys.
Basically what I’m saying is that I’m dreading of looking for a new car since I know I will be utterly disappointed and will probably buy something old and analogue.
Who makes cars for us conservatives?

I totally agree and nearly wrote a rant about it myself yesterday in another thread but didn't want to take the thread off subject.

I don't like going through menu's upon menu's in a car or having a great big ipad bang in the middle of the dash, when i want to change the temperature i like to turn a switch or hit a button i have enough trouble shouting at Alexa at home to turn the lamp off i don't want her in the car too.

I'm can't see anything at the moment that takes my fancy or i would consider a worth while upgrade apart from looking for something with a bigger engine which is all i would want but with that being said my journey is about 25 mins to work 25 mins home and run up the A12 once a week.

I have been backwards and forwards through Auto trader changing specs and so forth but nothing is sparking my interest.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Before Covid I had 8 days per year of 12h non stop driving with only wee 10min stops for the kids.
Don't know, it was more of a metaphor.

I love a good journey. Topping up in a lunch stop and a few 20 minute wee-breaks might be enough to get you there in a large electric car intended to to transport families over long distances like a Tesla Model S. A Mitsubishi i-MIEV may not be up to the job though

 

[DrNick]

Before Covid I had 8 days per year of 12h non stop driving with only wee 10min stops for the kids.
Don't know, it was more of a metaphor.

Dismissing a solution that is better for everything other than 8 journeys a year just because of those 8 journeys seems a bit harsh! You could always hire a car for those events, or take the train and hire something the other end, like an Uber.
Although I take your point about there being too much stuff thats too difficult to control safely. Given the terrible state of our roads, I can't wait until it all goes completely the opposite - I can play with the gadgets safely to my hearts content because the car is driving itself.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

How much of the stuff that you need to use the touch screen for do you actually need to use whilst driving? Tesla may be the further into that territory than mainstream manufacturers though. I can't think of anything in any of my cars.

 

[artyman]

I would imagine going on holiday with an electric car could be a nightmare, even if you made it to your destination, what happens on the day to day overnight charging, does the hotel, B&B, campsite have such facilities, or do you have to search out a local garage or perhaps a Tesco to find somewhere to charge it, eating into your holiday time. Unless Tescos' is a holiday treat for you !!!

 

[MercedesDriver]

How much of the stuff that you need to use the touch screen for do you actually need to use whilst driving? Tesla may be the further into that territory than mainstream manufacturers though. I can't think of anything in any of my cars.

I don't know how it is in Tesla but probably touch screen adjustment of AC and that one is adjusted every 10-15 minutes while we are traveling. One is cold, the other is hot, the third feels a draught on the left side of her neck.....

I would imagine going on holiday with an electric car could be a nightmare, even if you made it to your destination, what happens on the day to day overnight charging, does the hotel, B&B, campsite have such facilities, or do you have to search out a local garage or perhaps a Tesco to find somewhere to charge it, eating into your holiday time. Unless Tescos' is a holiday treat for you !!!

I've seen many Teslas on autobahns and on autoroutes and they were always in a crawling lanes, saving juice so they can reach some charging point. And then when they come to the charger there is a queueing time behind the others to charge so they can do the same. Thanks, but no.

 

[Cyclone1]

A Tesla will auto detect you need a supercharger and reroute you there if needed, clever stuff. Also unless you are doing constant 500 mile trips then you hardly ever have to visit a charge point. You merely plug it in when you get home, put your feet up, eat your dinner, go to bed and when you get up in the morning, hey presto it’s fully charged! That’s just charging with a normal 3 pin plug, if you want it faster then you install a home charger.....

I don't know how it is in Tesla but probably touch screen adjustment of AC and that one is adjusted every 10-15 minutes while we are traveling. One is cold, the other is hot, the third feels a draught on the left side of her neck.....
I've seen many Teslas on autobahns and on autoroutes and they were always in a crawling lanes, saving juice so they can reach some charging point. And then when they come to the charger there is a queueing time behind the others to charge so they can do the same. Thanks, but no.

 

[Deleted member 126251]

...................... Touch screen, I can't even imagine myself playing with it while driving 110 or 120 mph on autobahn.

Whenever I was on the autobhan doing ~155mph, my hands wouldn't let go of the steering . At those speeds on public roads, you need to pay a lot of attention to what is happening outside the car.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I don't know how it is in Tesla but probably touch screen adjustment of AC and that one is adjusted every 10-15 minutes while we are traveling. One is cold, the other is hot, the third feels a draught on the left side of her neck.....
I've seen many Teslas on autobahns and on autoroutes and they were always in a crawling lanes, saving juice so they can reach some charging point. And then when they come to the charger there is a queueing time behind the others to charge so they can do the same. Thanks, but no.

You have some very complicated and specific use cases! Continually adjusting air conditioning or climate control means that it’s always working to change temperature and not maintain it - no wonder nobody is ever comfortable!

 

[MercedesDriver]

You have some very complicated and specific use cases! Continually adjusting air conditioning or climate control means that it’s always working to change temperature and not maintain it - no wonder nobody is ever comfortable!

That’s exactly what I’m telling them.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

Golden.

 

[Scooby_Doo]

I totally agree , too much tech . The advertising for the new golf focus purely on "tech" no mention of economy , engine , space or comfort .

 

[219]

You’ve got to move with the times guys

Funny how everyone is on their smartphone/tablet/computer arguing about technology, not a using a slate or reading a monthly magazine instead

Bring back steam cars I say

Ironically, you could probably drive a steam car into central London or any other ULEZ , because they probably haven’t thought to ban them.

How about a steam traction engine rally in the city ?

 

[MercedesDriver]

Ironically, you could probably drive a steam car into central London or any other ULEZ , because they probably haven’t thought to ban them.

How about a steam traction engine rally in the city ?

That one would be exempt of any C charge and MOT

 

[DoberMan]

These days I don't even listen to the radio or play music when driving. The habit probably comes from riding bikes all my life and concentration is paramount.

I have no need or want all this new tech in a car.

I traded my lovely looking (voice control this and that) but boring E220 convertible diesel for a 4.2 V8, relatively old school, XK8 convertible. No regrets.

Also bought a very rare old C5 A6 Allroad 4.2 V8. No regrets.

Both are 300BHP and that's enough for me.

If I want music I just open the window and accelerate a little bit harder.

I have no objection to the high tech electric cars and will have one when the ICE V8 is banned.

But until then.............