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Ask HN: Best cars without too much digitalization?

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Re: Ask HN: Best cars without too much digitalization?

#121

Post by [deleted] »

HWR_14 wrote: post #111
fletchowns wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> It's a dying breed though, complicated "driver assist" systems are becoming standard or even mandated :(. I'm on the opposite side of this. All the new safety & driver assist features are the best part about getting a new car. I wouldn't buy a new daily driver that doesn't have blind spot monitoring, collision avoidance, lane keep assist, etc. Once you have these features and you are accustomed to how they work, yo…

> I wouldn't buy a new daily driver that doesn't have blind spot monitoring, collision avoidance, lane keep assist, etc. Once you have these features and you are accustomed to how they work, you can't go back. And I don't like them. But only one of us has the government taking away our choice by making them mandatory. I wouldn't mind them if it wasn't for the fact that they universally seem to be points of failure th…

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Best cars without too much digitalization?

#124

Post by [deleted] »

johnea wrote: post #89
judge2020 wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> It's a dying breed though, complicated "driver assist" systems are becoming standard or even mandated :(. It saves lives, even if the systems are not 100% effective.

You know, actually paying attention to driving saves lives too. But apparently that is not an option. Driving is just too big of a distraction from playing with instagram...

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Best cars without too much digitalization?

#125

Post by TYPE_FASTER »

The only tech in our 2016 base model Jetta is CarPlay, which can be useful for maps. All the other controls are physical. It does have electric assisted steering, which I'm hoping will be more reliable than the traditional hydraulic power steering which usually requires a replacement at some point. It also gets really good mileage.

Re: Ask HN: Best cars without too much digitalization?

#126

Post by ospzfmbbzr »

judge2020 wrote: post #38
kgermino wrote: post #15

They don't sell them in the US anymore, but I drive a 2019 Honda Fit and it's great. Very versatile (holds four adults, 8ft lumber, 36" doors, etc). The base trim is very tech-lite: bluetooth radio but nothing fancier than that, physically controlled hvac and chair controls, traditional key, basic LTMS (no dedicated chips in the tires, just a calculation based on different angular velocity across the wheels), etc. It…

> It's a dying breed though, complicated "driver assist" systems are becoming standard or even mandated :(. It saves lives, even if the systems are not 100% effective.

What a pile. Blind spot detection system malfunction a lot to the point of being useless. Front collision detection is just annoying. I have driven for 40 years and have never rear-ended anyone or run over a pedestrian. These 'safety' 'features' are only useful to terrible drivers. Decent drivers are just annoyed by the car fighting you. I guess they need to have some way to keep adding features so the price points never drop. You are being sold things based on the deliberate cultivation of irrational fears in your own mind (as usual).

Re: Ask HN: Best cars without too much digitalization?

#127

Post by HWR_14 »

alphabettsy wrote: post #117
HWR_14 wrote: post #111

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I wouldn't buy a new daily driver that doesn't have blind spot monitoring, collision avoidance, lane keep assist, etc. Once you have these features and you are accustomed to how they work, you can't go back. And I don't like them. But only one of us has the government taking away our choice by making them mandatory. I wouldn't mind them if it wasn't for the fact that they universally seem to be points of failure th…

How does a defeat-able non-essential feature shorten a vehicle’s lifespan?

If it's a feature required by the government to be road legal, it's likely not run and/or pass emissions testing if it's not working. And it's a point of failure written by people who are bad at software.

Alternatively, computer control of real world systems (e.g. acceleration and braking) can lead to actual accidents, totaling the vehicle. There was that lady who claims her Tesla's software caused a crash, and, without commenting on if that is true, it's plausible.

Re: Ask HN: Best cars without too much digitalization?

#129

Post by 2trill2spill »

I love my 2017 Ford Focus RS! It has a touch screen but besides for that there's no lane assist, automatic breaking, or any other driver assists. I also love that it is a manual, however some people may not like that. Also they only made it from 2016 - 2018 and used ones are expensive. But check it out if you want a modern, fast, manual car with minimal digital none sense.

Re: Ask HN: Best cars without too much digitalization?

#130

Post by stefan_ »

alphabettsy wrote: post #117
HWR_14 wrote: post #111

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I wouldn't buy a new daily driver that doesn't have blind spot monitoring, collision avoidance, lane keep assist, etc. Once you have these features and you are accustomed to how they work, you can't go back. And I don't like them. But only one of us has the government taking away our choice by making them mandatory. I wouldn't mind them if it wasn't for the fact that they universally seem to be points of failure th…

How does a defeat-able non-essential feature shorten a vehicle’s lifespan?

Here is a thing that happens: many countries have more or less comprehensive regular vehicle inspections. If your car is showing a warning light or reports an error on the standardized interface, that can cause you to fail the inspection. What a warning light is shown for is at the discretion of the manufacturer though.

One example is Anti-lock braking (ABS), which they made mandatory in 2004. If you bought a car without it in 2003 and have it inspected in 2013, no problem. If you bought a car with ABS in 2004 and the controller for it breaks in 2008, you will fail the inspection - even though your braking is no worse than the 2003 car (ABS was wisely designed to fail safe..).

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