Driving Automation

[chili_pepper]

My brother and his family were in the area from the west coast on Friday and my cousin and I carpooled to meet them for lunch before they flew back. We took my cousin's car, a fairly new BMW 5 series with a 4L straight 6, and apparently capable of self-driving, which he demonstrated. Now I've never been a very good passenger, but I found the experience rather unsettling, particularly when he folded his hands on his lap as we rounded a curve on 50/301 just north of the Severn, at speed on the inside lane, Jersey barrier on our left and a truck on our right. While I remained stoic on the outside, I did not like it one bit and my sphincter was going like a rabbit's nose until he put his hands back on the wheel.

He did tell me it can all be turned off, eh okay, it's a nice car but just not my cup of tea. He also told me the entire dash went out while he was driving one day last year, basically two display screens, gauge binnacle and one central touch, completely black. Over $8,000 for parts and service to replace.

I love my LJ even more today than I did Friday morning.

 

[Chris]

I learned my lesson with European cars (namely VW and BMW) decades ago. I will not make that mistake again! The cost of parts alone will make one walk away.

Also, I'm very leery of letting a car drive me around. I'm sorry but I just don't have that much trust. Simple is better in my mind.

 

[chili_pepper]

I learned my lesson with European cars (namely VW and BMW) decades ago. I will not make that mistake again! The cost of parts alone will make one walk away.

I hear ya, but truth is repairing a new Ford pickup isn't any better these days, they're all absurdly marked up and definitely not worth the inflated value. Nothing's inexpensive or cost-effective anymore, it seems.

Also, I'm very leery of letting a car drive me around. I'm sorry but I just don't have that much trust.

Friday confirmed I don't, not that there was much doubt previously.

Simple is better in my mind.

Indeed. Keep it simple.

 

[Chris]

I hear ya, but truth is repairing a new Ford pickup isn't any better these days, they're all absurdly marked up and definitely not worth the inflated value. Nothing's inexpensive or cost-effective anymore, it seems.

Tell me about it. After all the problems I’ve experienced with my new F150 this is the driving factor in me selling it and switching to driving my K10! At least I can work on the Chevy!

 

[NashvilleTJ]

My brother and his family were in the area from the west coast on Friday and my cousin and I carpooled to meet them for lunch before they flew back. We took my cousin's car, a fairly new BMW 5 series with a 4L straight 6, and apparently capable of self-driving, which he demonstrated. Now I've never been a very good passenger, but I found the experience rather unsettling, particularly when he folded his hands on his lap as we rounded a curve on 50/301 just north of the Severn, at speed on the inside lane, Jersey barrier on our left and a truck on our right. While I remained stoic on the outside, I did not like it one bit and my sphincter was going like a rabbit's nose until he but his hands back on the wheel.

He did tell me it can all be turned off, eh okay, it's a nice car but just not my cup of tea. He also told me the entire dash went out while he was driving one day last year, basically two display screens, gauge binnacle and one central touch, completely black. Over $8,000 for parts and service to replace.

I love my LJ even more today than I did Friday morning.

What strikes me most here is that the vehicle marketed as "The Ultimate Driving Machine" now takes pride in taking away the need to drive...

 

[chili_pepper]

What strikes me most here is that the vehicle marketed as "The Ultimate Driving Machine" now takes pride in taking away the need to drive...

I guess they need to keep up with Mercedes and all the rest, and this seems to be what most want in their vehicles. The more tech they add, the more I want to go the other direction.

 

[Zorba]

Like so many other things, I don't see the point. I may be singing a different song when I'm 86 (or not!), but its just more senseless gadgetry to my mind unless one is talking about very old people and/or severely handicapped folks for whom this kind of thing would be a blessing.

 

[chili_pepper]

gadgetry

I suppose developing and offering it is one thing, but there is no option to not have it. Things like backup cameras are now mandated by government regulation, you can't build and sell a car here without one, as far as I'm aware.

For instance, I recall looking at a new 4th generation Chevy C/K truck back in the day, specifically a '90s era 1500 WT. No frills, no extended cab, good visibility, a usable engine and bed, manual gearbox, wind down windows...for maybe $10k-$11k. Where is this truck today? Where can I buy one of these new? Does anyone actually make one?

 

[Squatch]

Like so many other things, I don't see the point. I may be singing a different song when I'm 86 (or not!), but its just more senseless gadgetry to my mind unless one is talking about very old people and/or severely handicapped folks for whom this kind of thing would be a blessing.

I can see you going this route, instead...

 

[ColoJeep]

Tell me about it. After all the problems I’ve experienced with my new F150 this is the driving factor in me selling it and switching to driving my K10! At least I can work on the Chevy!

I can't even imagine what your F-150 would be like when it's 53 years old .

 

[Chris]

I can't even imagine what your F-150 would be like when it's 53 years old .

Part of me thinks it will just be a brick. However, given how many of them they made you may be able to find used parts for a long time to come.

 

[ColoJeep]

Part of me thinks it will just be a brick. However, given how many of them they made you may be able to find used parts for a long time to come.

The trouble with that is , it's going to be the same parts failing in all the trucks . I think a large beer can is a better description than a brick .

 

[Zorba]

I suppose developing and offering it is one thing, but there is no option to not have it. Things like backup cameras are now mandated by government regulation, you can't build and sell a car here without one, as far as I'm aware.

For instance, I recall looking at a new 4th generation Chevy C/K truck back in the day, specifically a '90s era 1500 WT. No frills, no extended cab, good visibility, a usable engine and bed, manual gearbox, wind down windows...for maybe $10k-$11k. Where is this truck today? Where can I buy one of these new? Does anyone actually make one?

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You're preaching to the choir. I should be able to buy a vehicle by LINE ITEM. No bullshit "packages", and no bullshit that hasn't been mandated by our Benevolent OverLords. Makes me miss Egypt and Greece just thinking about this Nanny State nonsense. I'll have to dig up the original purchase spec when my father bought the '63 GMC...

 

[Zorba]

I can see you going this route, instead...

View attachment 679791

That may be too. I rarely enjoy driving anymore because of all the fools and idjits. I can't see me being able, much less having the tolerance for bullshit patience to do so in 20 years.

 

[Chris]

The trouble with that is , it's going to be the same parts failing in all the trucks . I think a large beer can is a better description than a brick .

Maybe at that point people will just rip all the electronics out and put in SBC 350s

 

[ColoJeep]

Maybe at that point people will just rip all the electronics out and put in SBC 350s

It's called a Ford with a better idea .

 

[KennethS]

You're preaching to the choir. I should be able to buy a vehicle by LINE ITEM. No bullshit "packages"

I agree. Back in 1993 the wife wanted a Cherokee and just to get cruise control and a rear cargo light required “up charging” 2 trim levels. So we bought a Mercury Cougar XR7 with a whole lot more amenities as standard equipment for a much lower price. HO 302, 4 wheel antilock disc brakes, LSD differential, 6 way power seats, memory remotes for 2x drivers, premium sound.

If we coulda got the rear cargo light and cruise for line item add-ons we woulda done it in a flash.

 

[Zorba]

I agree. Back in 1993 the wife wanted a Cherokee and just to get cruise control and a rear cargo light required “up charging” 2 trim levels. So we bought a Mercury Cougar XR7 with a whole lot more amenities as standard equipment for a much lower price. HO 302, 4 wheel antilock disc brakes, LSD differential, 6 way power seats, memory remotes for 2x drivers, premium sound.

I don't want ANYTHING "standard" other than 4 wheels and a drive train. Making things "standard" is exactly like a package if not worse.

'93 huh? We had a '91 T-Bird that my wife insisted on getting. I really, REALLY hated that car.

 

[KennethS]

Dunno what you hated. The Cougar had 275 ft-lbs torque, drove and rode like a dream, super quiet on the highway. Had no issues for 180,000 miles.

 

[ColoJeep]

I should be able to buy a vehicle by LINE ITEM. No bullshit "packages",

When I ordered my 1983 GMC T-15 4X4 pickup I was able to Line Item most of the RPO's , what I couldn't get was 4.10 R&P with the 2.8 V-6 . The 3.73 were the lowest ratio T could get , ( 3.42 were standard ) . However , everything else I wanted , I could get item by item . What's crazy is the things that would cost a lot to change later were cheap. $57.00 ratio change option ! on a 4X4 . All said and done my new truck was $ 9555.15