I think there is a market for a AARP endorsed (similar to cell phones, simple and with oversized buttons), featurless car. Let me explain briefly. One of the coworkers got stranded in a shopping mall parking lot in the above car. The ingition key had been removed from the ignition with the doors open and somehow the cars computer decided it was being stolen and shut down all systems. The local lock specialist declined help and said it was a Dealer issue. Two other automotive type people tried to reset and get the cars sysems back on line, but to no avail. The car was subsquently towed to the Dealer to be reset. I looked at the online owners manual (trying to understand her explantion of the "feature ladened vehicle") and the amount of features built to make the car NOT run were incredable. I'm driving a early ninty's pickup and would not trade it for anything as I couldn't operate a new vehicle with all the "features" and "options". The "GIMMICKS" are to the limits. This is to the point of being dangerous for the consumer. Anyone out there feel the same? I felt sorry for this Lady that owns the car as I'm sure she never meant to purchase such automobile. bjr23
07 BUICK LaCross
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Dune
Minister of Fire
I am totaly with you. I am not saying there shouldn't be car mechanics, but some of this stuff is crazy-making.
ironpony
Minister of Fire
agreed, we have trucks at work that do the same thing
if certain parameters are met they will not start, not sure what they are
but with guys in and out of them all the time it happens way to often
they have to leave the key in the ignition for 15 minutes
then the computer resets, and it starts
if certain parameters are met they will not start, not sure what they are
but with guys in and out of them all the time it happens way to often
they have to leave the key in the ignition for 15 minutes
then the computer resets, and it starts
Flatbedford
Minister of Fire
That's one reason that I have this.
One feature it does have is that you can only lock the doors from the outside with the key. Makes it hard to lock yourself out. 4 spd manual transmission and manual steering act as theft deterrents.
One feature it does have is that you can only lock the doors from the outside with the key. Makes it hard to lock yourself out. 4 spd manual transmission and manual steering act as theft deterrents.
I agree, the amount of gadgetry and unnecessary junk in cars has become ridiculous. My son's car had a problem one day late last month where the turn signals, headlamp dimmer, and cruise control stopped working. After a bit of web research I discovered this is a software problem (of all the completely ridiculous things). Seems the computer in the steering column lost it's ability to communicate with the rest of the car. Apparently there is a software "patch" to fix the problem. Of course the car is out of warranty so you have to go to the dealer and had over $$$$$ for the fix. The common, and free, fix is to remove the fuse that powers the computer in the steering column. This resets everything and it starts working again. As far as I am concerned, a software "patch" should not be part of a standard problem. What was wrong with the old set of electrical contacts for the turn signal, etc? I have several cars with close to 300,000 miles that have never had this type of problem. IMO, the security gadgetry is a waste as well. I suppose this has deterred a few thieves, but how may folks have been stranded by a "nuisance" malfunction like you describe.
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