Buying new car

[GrayHare]

Learning how to press a touch button vs one that “click” is hardly a daunting issue.

Pressing is not the problem, finding is, when the driver's eyes are supposed to be on the road. It's an interface lacking tactile feedback, and one that is modal, both long considered to be bad design.

 

[stephenson]

Yeah ... think how hard and dangerous it was to roll those windows up!

Seriously, managing equipment isn’t a big deal, but does require practice and sometimes even training.

I’ve made my mind up ... to keep up.

 

[travelover]

Pressing is not the problem, finding is, when the driver's eyes are supposed to be on the road. It's an interface lacking tactile feedback, and one that is modal, both long considered to be bad design.

I agree. Many simple functions have been made needlessly hard to access without taking your eyes off the road.

 

[USGrant1962]

Pressing is not the problem, finding is, when the driver's eyes are supposed to be on the road. It's an interface lacking tactile feedback, and one that is modal, both long considered to be bad design.

+1

As of a few days ago we now have two 2018 vehicles. The Honda Pilot we bought new last year. It has a touch screen for a lot of the infotainment features. Totally sucks - try tapping on a small spot on a touch screen in a moving car while watching the road.

This week I bought a used 2018 Audi A4. It also has a large screen in the middle, which is NOT a touch screen. Everything is still controlled by physical switches and dials. And looking around the showroom, the controls are standard across all of the Audis. A MUCH better solution.

 

[Starsky]

An '06 Camry is a great car. Only you can decide whether side airbags are worth the upgrade. I'm sure there are late-model Camrys that have side airbags without all the extra technology.

My wife's '18 Camry Hybrid is amazing to drive, but it has remarkably little cockpit technology compared to similar cars. My new '19 4Runner is also extremely old-school on the tech - no driver assists at all. Vey limited entertainment tech too. I even had to add an aftermarket front camera.

I think of all the manufacturers, Toyota is among the weakest tech-wise; but they are one of the best-built problem-free cars out there. For those manufacturers who can't compete on quality, adding new technology is a great way to add perceived value and differentiate your product. [I'm thinking of my wife's confounding '16 Ford Focus]

Personally, I prefer less onboard tech over more. I don't need any driver assistance; and much prefer to use my iPhone over my car's built-in navigation. Siri works so much better when driving. Just bluetooth and Apple car play and I'm all set.

 

[rk911]

...I still prefer to drive the car unaided and when driving his sometimes feel tempted to relax a bit because the gadgets are "watching over things for me."

i've been saying the same thing...."i don't need to pay attention 'cuz the car will save me". unless those features can be disabled one way or another i have no interest in a new car. we have an '03 wrangler and a '10 liberty that are in great shape so no need for anything new.

 

[Dtail]

Well we love the safety features on our 2019 SUV. The back up camera and the side protection alert in the back of the car especially comes in handy, since most of the parking here is in strip type store places and can get fenced in with large trucks.
The blind spot monitoring is another useful feature.

 

[Winemaker]

I didn't realize it til after the night after I drove off the lot with my 2019 Tacoma, that several "standard" features were only available on the next marketing level. I have no key fob (only drivers door has a lock, which requires a key) no intermittent wipers, (they're on, off, or fast) and no automatic lights ( you must turn on DRL, parking, and driving lights with a switch, but they have auto shut off, and auto dimming high beams.)

 

[freedomatlast]

An '06 Camry is a great car. Only you can decide whether side airbags are worth the upgrade. I'm sure there are late-model Camrys that have side airbags without all the extra technology.

My wife's '18 Camry Hybrid is amazing to drive, but it has remarkably little cockpit technology compared to similar cars. My new '19 4Runner is also extremely old-school on the tech - no driver assists at all. Vey limited entertainment tech too. I even had to add an aftermarket front camera.

I think of all the manufacturers, Toyota is among the weakest tech-wise; but they are one of the best-built problem-free cars out there. For those manufacturers who can't compete on quality, adding new technology is a great way to add perceived value and differentiate your product. [I'm thinking of my wife's confounding '16 Ford Focus]

Personally, I prefer less onboard tech over more. I don't need any driver assistance; and much prefer to use my iPhone over my car's built-in navigation. Siri works so much better when driving. Just bluetooth and Apple car play and I'm all set.

For me, the '06 Camry (and that vintage of Toyota) is much more comfortable than any of the newer Toyotas. The newer Toyotas have much harder seats, and much stiffer suspensions (for better handling) than the older models. This may not be real apparent on a short test drive, but after several hours behind the wheel I need to get out. And this is the case all through the model line up including the Avalon. It's a shame because mechanically they are great vehicles. And I'll take the ergonomics of the older models over the new ones also. To set a clock on the older ones, right next to the clock is one small button to set the hour and one to set the minute. On the newer ones, you have to scroll through some non-intuitive menu to find it.

 

[Andre1969]

That doesn't apply to side airbags which I think are a great idea and often lacking in cars from the 00's let alone older vehicles. I have backup sensors but some of the rental cars I've had have actual backup camera which I would love to have. And adaptive cruise control I've experienced is another feature that I'd like.

I know...that's why I added the note "that was sarcasm"

As for backup sensors and cameras, in my opinion they're actually a side effect of vehicle design, moreso than an advantage. I've driven tons of older cars, where you have great visibility all around, can see all four corners of the car, see most of what's behind you, etc. But nowadays, with the prevalence of SUVs and crossovers, and trucks, and even things like thick roof pillars, high decklids, and back seat headrest in cars, visibility, especially to the rear, has gotten horrible.

I think backup cameras are actually required by law on new vehicles these days. I'm not sure what year that started, but it seems like everything, down to the cheapest throwaway cars, tend to have them. So that's one feature that you'll probably end up getting eventually, whether you want it or not?

What is adaptive cruise control like? I've never had it, as far as I know, at least. It's been awhile since I've used cruise control. I don't go on long highway trips that often, and the few times I do, I tend to forget the cruise control is there!

 

[mrfeh]

I don't know if this is the right forum for this but here goes. We have a perfectly good car in a 2006 Toyota Camry. In great shape. All the gadgets and new tech in new cars are deterring me from considering a new one. Also the cost of repairs because of the tech are more costly to fix. The only issue is that we do not have side airbags in our current car. What are others ideas about buying newer cars?

Drive your current car into the ground.

 

[Rianne]

I'll drive our 2002 Toyota Camry over our 2019 Hyundai Sonata SEL. I continue to look both ways, continue to use reviews to back up and parallel park. The only comfort is the 5 year bumper to bumper warranty. Even the beeps and electronic warnings can be ignored if you're half asleep or reckless. I do enjoy SeriusXS (?).

 

[Spanky]

Drive your current car into the ground.

+1 - I am still driving a Camry 1998 with 230K+ miles.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

In sticking with my German Car fetish. I like the new VW Tiguan SEL (or Premium). I am not into hybrids or electrics.... yet. So BMW may be dissed this time round, roll on September 2020. Unfortunately I am not an American car fan at all, I only lease cars now, and American Re-Sale (Residuals) car prices are in the toilet, and have been for the last 20 years, at least the ones I would want anyway.

 

[Scrapr]

What is adaptive cruise control like? I've never had it, as far as I know, at least. It's been awhile since I've used cruise control. I don't go on long highway trips that often, and the few times I do, I tend to forget the cruise control is there!

ACC senses (cameras see) the car in front of you and slows down your car to maintain your distance. The following distance is variable according to how you set it. Very helpful in stop & go traffic, rush hour & all. I use it all the time

 

[rk911]

ACC senses (cameras see) the car in front of you and slows down your car to maintain your distance. The following distance is variable according to how you set it. Very helpful in stop & go traffic, rush hour & all. I use it all the time

can it be disabled?

 

[ripper1]

Drive your current car into the ground.

May just do that because wife loves her car. She only goes back and forth to stores anyway. Has 70k miles on it and garage kept. Won't get anything for it at a dealer I'm sure.

 

[Chuckanut]

My new RAV4 has BSM - Blind Spot Monitor. It's the single most useful modern safety system in the car. It was an extra cost option, and well worth the money, IMHO, though I also think it should be standard on every new car.

Next most important is the adaptive cruise control.

 

[Chuckanut]

+1 - I am still driving a Camry 1998 with 230K+ miles.

sigh........ I was hoping to drive my old Camry that distance because it's the distance to the moon. Alas, some under-insured fool of an F150 driver backed into it in a well lit parking lot. Thankfully, my insurance company got the additional cash from him so I can get my deductible back.

 

[Winemaker]

can it be disabled?

My Tacoma has that feature; just dial back the sensitivity. All these bells and whistles are pains in the a$$ to me. If an alarm goes off, one must take eyes off road to look for screen or dash explanations. I don't need an alarm to tell me a vehicle in front of me has slowed or stopped; I can see for myself. If you want a program to stop the car 5 feet before a possible impact, go ahead. I'm the licensed operator of the vehicle and responsible for its actions.

 

[youbet]

+1 - I am still driving a Camry 1998 with 230K+ miles.

There ya go...... Our newest car is a 2000 Civic with 174k. It's never been in an accident, not even a minor fender-bender and starts and runs very well. No rust whatsoever. I recently had our independent mechanic (who is a big fan of older Civics) go over it and make recommendations as to what he'd do to make it as reliable as possible for a few more years and maybe 20k more miles. Tires, brakes, shocks, belts, major tune-up, battery and a few more items added up to a hefty bill if we go ahead with it. And I think we will. That $bill divided by three years or so still adds up to a cheap and reliable daily driver for DW.

It even has an AM/FM radio!

 

[travelover]

can it be disabled?

On my Highlander, it can be disabled, though I had to look in the manual to figure it out. The automatic cruise control doesn't like to work in rainy weather because the sensors are confused, so it just shuts off cruise control altogether unless you reengage it in manual mode.

 

[travelover]

My new RAV4 has BSM - Blind Spot Monitor. It's the single most useful modern safety system in the car. It was an extra cost option, and well worth the money, IMHO, though I also think it should be standard on every new car. ...........

I wish I had this. I did not want to buy the next trim model up to get it (because I don't like sunroofs or leather seats), but a recent car rental with BSM made me a believer. I'm skeptical of aftermarket versions.

 

[Bamaman]

In sticking with my German Car fetish. I like the new VW Tiguan SEL (or Premium). I am not into hybrids or electrics.... yet. So BMW may be dissed this time round, roll on September 2020. Unfortunately I am not an American car fan at all, I only lease cars now, and American Re-Sale (Residuals) car prices are in the toilet, and have been for the last 20 years, at least the ones I would want anyway.

It's good that you lease cars, and I assume they come with a warranty or dealer maintenance. All the German vehicles are electronically complicated and troublesome. And no one's ever been taken advantage of more than taking a Bimmer or Merc into a new dealer's shop for service or maintenance.

You'll also take a beating on the used car market on any German car, unfortunately. But when they're right, they're really a joy to drive.

My 2018 Camry Hybrid is replacing a Lexus IS, and it's not nearly as entertaining to drive. But it's incredibly quiet, smooth and gets 49 mpg in town or on the open road. And at 48K miles, it's never seen any shop for any reason.

 

[finnski1]

I wish I had this. I did not want to buy the next trim model up to get it because I don't like sunroofs or leather seats), but a recent car rental with BSM made me a believer. I'm skeptical of aftermarket versions.

Same thing happened to us . We just bought a new Subaru Outback and to get the blind spot monitor we had to get the package with the automatic rear hatch opener. These have had some issues and we didn't want that feature. It does still have many features we like. Eyesight, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist,automatic collision avoidance (braking)and many others. Sometimes all the beeps annoy me but I keep telling myself that these are there to help save me and I put up with them. Overall love the car as this is our third outback in a row. With snow tires they ere incredible in NH snow season.