How much is "Too Much" car?

[EddMarkStarr]

I been car crazy most of my life but lately I've run up against my limit. Automobiles are sooo 19th century in my opinion so I'm trying to live car free. I got rid of my final car back in 2003 and now use dial-a-ride if I need to go somewhere.

Still I enjoy looking at car videos. Brian Cooley is one of my favorite reviewers and when it comes to luxury cars Brian seems to have limits too.

 

[Alnitak]

 

[NotHardUp1]

^Is THAT one of those little clowns cars? HOW many hawt guys CAN fit in one of those?

Too much car for me is any car that gets above $20k. I just don't want that much car.

 

[gsdx]

I haven't had a car for 32 years although I kept up my license until a few years ago. With no access to a car to drive, I couldn't see putting out all that money to renew it. It would only be used for ID anyway.

But, if I were to buy a new car, I certainly wouldn't want one with all the 'toys' you can get these days. Too many people become dependent on those toys and forget how to drive.

 

[sixthson]

Edd, I don't know what dial-a-ride is, but do you have public transportation easily available for daily use, such as going to work, etc?
If you haven't had a car for 13 years, you must not really need one.
Most of us need cars on a daily basis. How much you pay for one depends on what our budgets allow (or credit debt you are willing to take on). While I think modern cars have way more technology than most of us need, I love the voice GPS system and back up camera features, even if they are more a luxury than a necessity.
I can't imagine not having a car. Sometimes it's just nice to drive (or ride) around.

 

[dpnice]

I always wanted something that got me from A to B, never broke down and was decent to look at. I wasn't interested in the model, make, extras, etc

I am now car free and with tram, coach, bus and taxis I don't think I will be ever driving again.

 

[gsdx]

back up camera features

My biggest beef with the back-up camera is that it doesn't have peripheral vision. They might help you back out onto the street, but it doesn't show you what's coming at you from the sides. Funnily enough, in most commercials displaying these 'toys', they always show the people using them driving very badly.

 

[nycguydowntown]

I'm getting a new car soon--and it's going to be a nice one. I love my lesbian Subaru lol because it's amazing in snow and bad weather but just rented a luxury car in LA and I liked all the safety features and warning lights ---the new affordable Tesla looks very cool.

 

[sixthson]

My biggest beef with the back-up camera is that it doesn't have peripheral vision. They might help you back out onto the street, but it doesn't show you what's coming at you from the sides. Funnily enough, in most commercials displaying these 'toys', they always show the people using them driving very badly.

Much like any stationery camera it can only show where it is pointed, but the screen flashes arrows that tell you when a car or object from the side makes it unsafe to proceed. It also has alarms that sound. No technology is a replacement for the human senses, which sometimes fail us, too.

 

[gsdx]

^ That's another thing I've noticed in commercials. I guy is driving along and the first thing he does is to take his eyes off the road to look at the video screen on the front of the dash to see what the warning is.

All these toys are making people less aware of what is going on around them. They make it easier for people to be bad drivers.

 

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

mean wike supa wich folkees a go gots hot folkees ofs supa hot licks a teys 2.3 millions butt holdars cleen?
"six licks a mins ans six tongs so at a ooh not wot"
!here go now go away!
"ans tips ooh great toad"

tinku

 

[Alnitak]

I haven't had a car for 32 years although I kept up my license until a few years ago. With no access to a car to drive, I couldn't see putting out all that money to renew it. It would only be used for ID anyway.

But, if I were to buy a new car, I certainly wouldn't want one with all the 'toys' you can get these days. Too many people become dependent on those toys and forget how to drive.

My biggest beef with the back-up camera is that it doesn't have peripheral vision. They might help you back out onto the street, but it doesn't show you what's coming at you from the sides. Funnily enough, in most commercials displaying these 'toys', they always show the people using them driving very badly.

^ That's another thing I've noticed in commercials. I guy is driving along and the first thing he does is to take his eyes off the road to look at the video screen on the front of the dash to see what the warning is.

All these toys are making people less aware of what is going on around them. They make it easier for people to be bad drivers.

Your posts gave me pause to think. I have been under the impression that auto technology in general has been improving traffic safety, but I suspected that you may correct with rearview cameras. The nerd that I am I went hunting for the science.

In 2014, the American Automobile Association (AAA) sponsored research into auto technology and its impact on traffic safety. The findings were compiled into a 165 page report.

Evaluating Technologies Relevant to the Enhancement of Driver Safety

Seven technologies were investigated, including lane warning systems and rear view cameras.

A quarter of drivers with lane warnings found the system distracting. Nevertheless, the technology measurably improved crash statistics in the UK and Australia.

• A statistical estimation study using crash data from the United Kingdom (Robinson et al, 2011) and estimates of technology effectiveness reported a benefit potential in the range of 7-29% for fatality reduction and 13-34% for serious injuries.
  
• A study using crash data from the Australian state of New South Wales (Anderson et al. 2011) developed benefit estimates of fatal crash reductions in scenario specific conditions in the range of 11-13% and reductions of 1-9% for injuries.

The research on rear view cameras was less certain, and indeed there was a statement that indicated rear view cameras may make drivers worse. However, the research was mixed. While damage claims were up 3.1% in Mazda statistics, there was a 22% reduction in severe bodily injuries.​

 

[jbrown329]

The more goodies a car has, the more to go wrong. Imagine an electrical short in that. It would probably fry most of the electronics. When the price was flashed, I about had a heart attack.

All I need is a car that gets me from point A to point B. My car has electric windows, door locks, AC and electric mirrors. That's all I need. 4 speakers and 35 watts is plenty loud.

 

[gsdx]

The more goodies a car has, the more to go wrong. Imagine an electrical short in that.

Indeed. At one time, a mechanic had to know how to change a spark plug and tighten a fan belt. Now he has to be a computer expert.

If the electronics go out now, you virtually have a car you can't drive.

 

[tarallucci]

I love driving but I hate doing the maintenance

Some of the expensive cars like Lamborghinis are very nice but I wouldn't buy one even if I had the money because I need much less than that, less speed, less taxes... and I couldn't drive off road with those.

I wouldn't spend over 30k anyway. With that much I could buy the new Delta but it disappointed me a bit as it lost its original appeal... I was looking at the Lancer Evo time ago but all I remember is that it is a pain in the neck to get it here due to bureaucracy.

Right now there's one car I would buy that satisfies my needs (looks sexy, pretty fast, compact, cheap enough) which costs 25k full optional. The real problem is our garage is falling to pieces

 

[FPNY]

I enjoy the bells and whistles todays cars have. I get a new one every three years or so. I order them loaded, drive em for a few years and get rid of them while they are still under warranty. The car I'm driving now has back up camera and cameras in the front fenders so when you are driving out of a parking lot or alley you can turn the cams on to see oncoming traffic. It works very well. The back up camera has a three color coded warning system to help you with proximity to objects. It changes from green to yellow to red as you get closer to what ever you are backing up to. It's way cool and works like a charm.
My next car I am getting adaptive cruise control, you can set how many cars behind the car in front of you and the car will maintain that distance. It's great on long trips and even works in stop and go traffic.........for me there is never too much car...

 

[peeonme]

I pay cash for used cars, usually about $5000. give or take a thou.
I know at the time I will put out money for tires brakes and general maintenance. The car I have now was $6000. I have been driving it for about 4 years, it has 83,000. miles on it and I have had little trouble.

I run car fax and get the car checked out by a mechanic (usually my son) before I buy it.
I used to be a no frills guy, then a few cars ago I found a Lincoln Town Car, I paid about $3700. for it and got spoiled, it lasted me about 4 years.

If I ever bought a new car it would be around $20,000 and I would have to make payments, so it ain't happening.

 

[gsdx]

The car I'm driving now has back up camera and cameras in the front fenders so when you are driving out of a parking lot or alley you can turn the cams on to see oncoming traffic. It works very well. The back up camera has a three color coded warning system to help you with proximity to objects. It changes from green to yellow to red as you get closer to what ever you are backing up to. It's way cool and works like a charm.

Except for changing from green (hazel) to yellow to red, my eyes used to do that when I still drove. Cameras were not needed for spacial awareness.

 

[Alnitak]

The more goodies a car has, the more to go wrong. Imagine an electrical short in that. It would probably fry most of the electronics. When the price was flashed, I about had a heart attack.

Indeed. At one time, a mechanic had to know how to change a spark plug and tighten a fan belt. Now he has to be a computer expert.

If the electronics go out now, you virtually have a car you can't drive.

The old ways are still taught in school. When was the last time you did long division by hand? Not since I was in grade school.

At MMI we were taught the theory of old marine motors, points, distributors, etc. and quite a few carburetors exist from before 1998 since they were pre-EPA regulations. It is now a huge fine if you so much as pop the caps off of the jets.

The computer programs aren't that hard to learn and in many ways make the job easier. Though there is still a need for time honored traditions such as listening to the motor with a screwdriver to your ear to diagnose mechanical failures. The old skills will never die.

 

[Willie Boy]

Indeed. At one time, a mechanic had to know how to change a spark plug and tighten a fan belt. Now he has to be a computer expert.

If the electronics go out now, you virtually have a car you can't drive.

Basically a $150,000 oversized paperweight. Sadly it wouldn't fit on most people's desks, even if they could afford to have it hoisted onto the desk.