Clockwork wife

[canis]

I'm sat at the lights, and not quick enough to move off for the driver behind. I'm literally just getting going but he's already committed to his action and a short horn blast sounds from behind. I could get upset about this, but there's really no reason to. A polite reminder is sometimes required. We can all get distracted, and I've been known to prompt others myself too.

But the brand new car I use for towing has a built-in feature! I don't know why I've never noticed it before, perhaps it's owner has reconfigured something, I dunno. But now it beeps at me every time the "lead vehicle has moved forwards", whether i'm ready or not.

So what used to be an occasional timely reminder, is now a persistent nag. I can't help thinking; If I wanted nagging, I'd buy a clockwork wife.

I'm surely not the only one frustrated with these "features", no?

[john.wigley]

You are not, 'canis'. But ... would you want to regress to driving the likes of a Ford Model 'T' or Austin '7' instead?

As with most things in life, there has to be a happy medium - a compromise, if you like.

For me, that would be something built just prior to the 'electronic age', but late enough to be both corrosion resistant and mechanically reliable. i would also prefer it to have a decent heater and a few driver aids like wipers and indicators for example, and maybe a radio for traffic info and so on.

Something from the '80s would tick most of those boxes; I have often thought of the late 2 series or 7 series cars as the 'sweet spot' in Volvo's development. Even a Ph. 1 V70 has a little too much electrickery for my liking - Dinosaur that I am!

Regards, John.

[Simmy]

have a look in the menus there may be an option to turn it off.

[Whippy]

Wife's car has one of those there things that keep telling me what gear you should be in. I know how to drive thanks, I'll decide what gear I'm gonna use, not you.

[classicswede]

Originally Posted by john.wigley

You are not, 'canis'. But ... would you want to regress to driving the likes of a Ford Model 'T' or Austin '7' instead?

As with most things in life, there has to be a happy medium - a compromise, if you like.

For me, that would be something built just prior to the 'electronic age', but late enough to be both corrosion resistant and mechanically reliable. i would also prefer it to have a decent heater and a few driver aids like wipers and indicators for example, and maybe a radio for traffic info and so on.

Something from the '80s would tick most of those boxes; I have often thought of the late 2 series or 7 series cars as the 'sweet spot' in Volvo's development. Even a Ph. 1 V70 has a little too much electrickery for my liking - Dinosaur that I am!



Regards, John.

I really hate the car interfering with driving. I do not like this touch screen rubbish in modern cars

I do like my Austin 12 to drive around in local but for distance its not the car of choice. Looking at the Volvo range the sweet spot is Amazon to 940 for cars that do everything you will ever need. They do not stop working just because you changed the radio. they do tick all the boxes. By the V70 the electronics are already getting to complicated and you are loosing load space and maneuverability.

I can not think of 1 good feature in a modern car

[baggy798]

You should always be ready to go when the lights change. Nothing worse than someone sleeping at the lights, everyone else ready to go but the lead car wasting everyone's life away. MOVE IT! 🤬

Sounds like the car has a collision warning system. When the lead vehicle moves forward, it triggers to warn you of a potential collision. It doesn't just work for closing distances. If you roll backwards it will also alert you.

[griston64]

Originally Posted by classicswede

I really hate the car interfering with driving. I do not like this touch screen rubbish in modern cars

I do like my Austin 12 to drive around in local but for distance its not the car of choice. Looking at the Volvo range the sweet spot is Amazon to 940 for cars that do everything you will ever need. They do not stop working just because you changed the radio. they do tick all the boxes. By the V70 the electronics are already getting to complicated and you are loosing load space and maneuverability.

I can not think of 1 good feature in a modern car

Modern airbags are pretty good

[Moomoo]

Originally Posted by john.wigley

You are not, 'canis'. But ... would you want to regress to driving the likes of a Ford Model 'T' or Austin '7' instead?

As with most things in life, there has to be a happy medium - a compromise, if you like.

For me, that would be something built just prior to the 'electronic age', but late enough to be both corrosion resistant and mechanically reliable. i would also prefer it to have a decent heater and a few driver aids like wipers and indicators for example, and maybe a radio for traffic info and so on.

Something from the '80s would tick most of those boxes; I have often thought of the late 2 series or 7 series cars as the 'sweet spot' in Volvo's development. Even a Ph. 1 V70 has a little too much electrickery for my liking - Dinosaur that I am!

Regards, John.

Agreed John but I’d prefer you to tell Mrs.Moomoo that heated passenger seats are unnecessary!🧐🙏

[migrator]

It is all very well moaning about the one at the front not shooting away just when the lights turn to green. Green does not mean shoot away as fast as you can, it means move away only if it is safe to do so.

The person at the front of the queue has a much better view of a junction than others further away from the junction. They may be able to see a safety issue that those further back have not seen (cannot see). Remember - only move off it it is safe to do so.

[canis]

Originally Posted by john.wigley

You are not, 'canis'. But ... would you want to regress to driving the likes of a Ford Model 'T' or Austin '7' instead?

As with most things in life, there has to be a happy medium - a compromise, if you like.

For me, that would be something built just prior to the 'electronic age', but late enough to be both corrosion resistant and mechanically reliable. i would also prefer it to have a decent heater and a few driver aids like wipers and indicators for example, and maybe a radio for traffic info and so on.

Something from the '80s would tick most of those boxes; I have often thought of the late 2 series or 7 series cars as the 'sweet spot' in Volvo's development. Even a Ph. 1 V70 has a little too much electrickery for my liking - Dinosaur that I am!

Regards, John.

I agree entirely. This isn't some nostalgic "theyt don't make cars like they used to" moan. I was raised being ferried around in Morris Minors. You don't get over that easily.

I absolutely love fuel injection and electronic ignition. I love overhead hydraulic lifters. No, I don't want to return to the days of points and push-rods, although I will admit tuning a traditional engine is a work of art and much pride was derived from the exercise.

No, I don't want a return to the Model T. But I also don't need a machine immitating a child loose in the car tugging at the wheel trying to steer me into parked cars.

Originally Posted by Whippy

Wife's car has one of those there things that keep telling me what gear you should be in. I know how to drive thanks, I'll decide what gear I'm gonna use, not you.

Oh, it does that too. It keeps telling me to shift into sixth. It cannot pull this trailer in sixth, even on level ground. I mean, you can get away with it for a while, but it's mostly just freewheeling and inevitably it will have to go back down to fifth eventually.