Is the future of cars dark and dim??

[lukexr666]

Hey all just wanted to get your thoughts on the future of cars,
with technology growing faster by the minute our loved automobiles are
turning into computerised plastic buckets!!
please excuse my lack of knowledge in vehicle specifications
but does all of this computerised crap worry you?
Just one loose wire in the wrong place can cause your whole cars electronic system to short and fail!
i personally hate the idea of computers throughout cars, with the exception of some really great safety features.
what are your thoughts?

[TheInterceptor]

Well im opposed to the idea of putting more electronic crap in our cars.
I dont trust them.
In a 4wd if you get the ECU/PCM wet (or water over the engine) through a river crossing, your up doo doo creek.
How bout gremlins and glitches. One example, the BF had the engine light come on. Might have been one of the multitude of eco stupid sensors.
Or how bout being exposed to an EMP!
Not a fan of the new driver nannies either.

In my experience with electronics, they always malfunction or completley fail, thats a given.

This is why diesel looked good to me,only electronic thing here is the starter motor and the cluster it seems. And so long as it has air you can run it fully submerged.
Carby donks are simpler to diagnose and fix. Cheaper too as you dont need to take it somwhere to get DTC's pulled and cleared.
The less sensors and bits an bobs to malfunction or fail the better.

On the other hand in terms of saftey and saving the world yeah its good (unless its controlled by Cyberdyne or Skynet ), but i dont want a part of it No my tinfoil hat has nothing to do with it

Ill take carbies and chrome any day.

[Ford_The_Win]

Personally I don't think so, no.
There is a time and a place for big carby V8s with lots of chrome brightwork but I like having the power & economy of fuel injection and the safety and security of airbags, ABS and immobilisers.

The exception being if/when they eventually develop cars that can drive themselves. That scares me.

[Polyal]

Immediate future IMO is fine, say the next 20 years, but the long term future isnt great for anyone that appreciates playing with cars.

Put it this way, look at how much we do not tune/service/repair our cars now compared to say 40 years ago. All we do now is take it to a mechanic and get a nice bill at the end, when in reality half the stuff they do is not that hard; your paying for their experience and knowledge.

+ 40 years from now...not cool.

I sat through a green car seminar late last year, honestly if it wasnt a prerequisite for my course I would have walked out. The people pushing the technology dont give two stuffs about automotive enjoyment, they are on the greeny bandwagon and its too easy for them. But hey it keeps them employed.

Im all for progress towards efficiency and reduced emissions, but the internal combustion engine as we know it is not going to be around for ever..but what is.

Its not all doom and gloom, but they wont be as raw or involving as they are now...and some people already think they are that way.

In short...buy some classics for weekenders etc and enjoy IMO.

[HULK EF]

todays cars seem about right.. but Black boxes and safety items that alert police and speed limiters in regards to that areas speed limit scare me..

I cringe at the concept cars at the wacky automotive overseas shows.. (bubble cars with transluscent screens.. 3 wheels.. tilting revolving reclining cabs.. mood lighting MANGA styling.. joy stick steering..

[blk6t]

Theres a limit for me and I think that point has been reached, if cars go any further I will hesitate to buy a new car.

Thats one reasin why I like the Falcon, it lacks in the tech department just enough to still enjoy driving a real car. For example the traction control system will let the rear end flick out just enough to enjoy it, but then bring everything back in line.

All these rain sensing wipers and crap like that just seems so wrong.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by blk6t

Theres a limit for me and I think that point has been reached, if cars go any further I will hesitate to buy a new car.

Thats one reasin why I like the Falcon, it lacks in the tech department just enough to still enjoy driving a real car. For example the traction control system will let the rear end flick out just enough to enjoy it, but then bring everything back in line.

All these rain sensing wipers and crap like that just seems so wrong.

Not only that but what some people miss is yes, while the car is new then all the tech is great.

Issues arise after warranty and when systems fail (say an ECU or other control system), that are reliant on other major systems within the car then its going to cost big bucks.

Its going to be really interesting for example to see how ZF equipped cars will fair in the second hand market. Yes its an amazing box, probably the best component installed into the Falcon to date, but will servicing (it doesnt need it apparently..yeah right) it or the potential for huge costs for replacement keep people away?

That in turn pushes people to not buy falcons, get used to the car and brand, and then hopefully buy a new one at a later date. Manufacturers shouldnt need to worry to much about the after life of their cars, but its a factor IMO.

Perhaps people said the same thing about the wizz bang BTR at the time...but atleast that was locally made.

[lukexr666]

Glad im not the only one worried about this,
i can see a day where cars will be no more efficient or enjoyable as your own personal tram and that makes me sick.
I think my next car in 5 years time will be one i plan to keep for good
i'm definitaley not lining up for a new car
i think the safest bet is to buy your dream machine and keep it maintained, i'd prefer the cost of replace engine and transmission after 10 - 20 years than buying something controlled by itself.

[Polyal]

It depends on your perspective.

I personally dont "worry" about it, my opinion in the long term will make no difference to what happens.

But for example, my partner will get a new car soon, she couldnt give two hoots what engine it has, what brand it is (within reason), how many gears it has etc...she just cares about A to B with safety. This is reflective of the majority, us on car forums or motoring enthusiasts in general are a very small portion of the market.

Me, id sooner drop $20-30k into an old escort or BMW 2002 for a daily knowing Id enjoy the drive, own a bit of history, etc...and perhaps its better for the environment by "recycling" anyway.

[SEZ213]

Is the future of cars dark and dim? I don't think so.

Are we too reliant on technology? Quite possibly.

Personally, i like the 'old school' metal...and agree to an extent with polyal regarding 'recycling'...

I don't like the concept of 'self parking' cars, nor do I like so much 'techy' stuff. I'm of the belief that the addition of these things detracts from the actual driving ability of the operator (and let's face it, some abilities are pretty poor to start off with)...

[2011G6E]

Nope. More power and especially more efficiency than we ever suspected when we used to sit around back in the late seventies and early eighties and discuss the future of cars.

Case in point: our new G6E puts out 270hp from 4 liters, and returns better fuel economy than just about any four cylinder I've ever owned.
In 1982 I owned the best car I ever had, a 1971 VH Valiant Charger, 265 hemi, four speed. The engine had an E49-grind cam, E49 extractors, a 500 two-barrel Holley on a Cain manifold, head work, and that was about it. It was dyno tested at just about the same 270hp that our G6E puts out.
The only thing was, you paid for your fun. It drank like a fish...$50 to $60 a week in fuel, when Super was only 36 cents a liter. The acceleration feels about the same as in our new G6E, a good shove in the back, and while people may yawn now, back then it was V8-beating material.

Keep in mind too that I have here a Wheels magazine from 1982 with a write up about the VH Commodore SS Group Three and the last of the 351's, the XE-ESP.
The Ford 351 put out...wow!...160kw, and the SS Group Three put out...yawn...170kw. These were praised in the magazine as prime examples of performance cars, barn-storming fire breathing rip snorting power machines.

Seeing as how now a lot of four cylinder cars could wipe the floor with them, I would say that cars aren't doomed...

[OzJavelin]

Unlike today where we still see 100yo cars still running .. we might "see" todays cars in 100 years .. but I'd have doubts they'll be running. Even if we have fuel I'd doubt the electronic equipment will survive that long .. stuff like zinc whiskers and just the general lowest-bid build quality.

Modern cars are great (much better than old stuff) but while they will OPERATE a lot longer than older stuff they probably won't LAST because they are effectively a disposable consumer item that cannot be repaired easily.

[freaky]

i enjoy the technological advancement. the more the merrier I say.

i dont keep my cars long enough to worry about how long they last, usually flick them when lease/or warranty period expires and move on

[Wretched]

Simply answer no.
I have to say being a geek and the engineer in me likes to see what the manufacturers can do. I am keen to see the introduction of something like Hydrogen as an alternative fuel.
I love all the gadgets inside of the cars. Sure I won't use most of them all the time but I will try them at least once. The more the better
Innovation and technology advancement is part of being a human, we're always striving to be better.

[Feathers]

Originally Posted by Sezzy

I don't like the concept of 'self parking' cars, nor do I like so much 'techy' stuff. I'm of the belief that the addition of these things detracts from the actual driving ability of the operator (and let's face it, some abilities are pretty poor to start off with)...

This is my biggest concern as well.

[burnz]

any who i like the old school for simplistics but i love my cruise control..

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by Wretched

Simply answer no.
I have to say being a geek and the engineer in me likes to see what the manufacturers can do. I am keen to see the introduction of something like Hydrogen as an alternative fuel.
I love all the gadgets inside of the cars. Sure I won't use most of them all the time but I will try them at least once. The more the better
Innovation and technology advancement is part of being a human, we're always striving to be better.

Agreed, as an almost qualified engineer I too love nothing more than technology and its integration into our lives.

My issue is sometimes its just not called for or perhaps overkill and the reason for its installation is usually from a commercial/marketing perspective and not a sustainable or forward thinking POV.

Also if the technology is to the detriment of societies skills, or removes responsibility then I cant say I am a big fan either. That being said you could argue cruise control falls into that category aswell. Its great for long trips etc, but is it really helping the driver? Its another thing they dont have to think about which is nice, but I would perhaps prefer my drivers thinking a bit more about what they are doing. As long as its being used correctly then its fine, but we cant go policing everything.

People wanting Mercedes tech in a Falcon at Falcon price..and the "me me me" factor of people these days doesnt help the cause.

[stang65]

Hopefully as the cars get older technology will be made available for the people to do their own repairs. Already you can get Ob2 scanners that read faults and clear codes.
I know there is a big push in the states to try and make this information available to the public.

[SEZ213]

Originally Posted by Falcman0o7

Why harp on about ford??? Hmmmm....Geez i wonder, Maybe it's all over the forum! Does anyone have anything GOOD to say about the falcon these days?
I'm just sick of the crap and may as well join in!

Well, don't add to it! Better of sticking with the glass half full perspective IMO...

[burnz]

Originally Posted by Falcman0o7

Why harp on about ford??? Hmmmm....Geez i wonder, Maybe it's all over the forum! Does anyone have anything GOOD to say about the falcon these days?
I'm just sick of the crap and may as well join in!

but this thread isn't about "ford", it's about cars in general.
moreover modern technology, nothing more nothing less. as per op..

[lukexr666]

correct this is a question asking opinions for cars in general,
and hey i love my falcon!
the only reason i asked this question was because i just recently got rid of the most horrible car i have ever owned......... VE Holden.
it felt like a plastic spaceship
poor handleing
constant annoying beeps and screen displays
and a never ending bill for electronical repairs.

[ray38l]

I don't mind all the electronics but when it comes to traction control and stability control i only like them if you can turn them off.
A little bit off topic but is there anyway to turn traction control off on a ba xr6t auto? I couldnt work it out and i also couldnt get it to rev over 3000 rpm in neutral. It was part of the reason why i didn't buy one.

[XRGhia]

Yeah, Traction Control has a switch on the dash to the left of the steering column

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by ray38l

I don't mind all the electronics but when it comes to traction control and stability control i only like them if you can turn them off.
A little bit off topic but is there anyway to turn traction control off on a ba xr6t auto? I couldnt work it out and i also couldnt get it to rev over 3000 rpm in neutral. It was part of the reason why i didn't buy one.

No really? I think it was just fate that lead you to GM

TC off = the burnout button on the dash

3000rpm limit would be there for common sense and gearbox longevity. I dont know the limits etc but there and many ways in which hey try and keep the gearbox alive...even if it was a mistake to drop it into D @ 3000

[ray38l]

Im sure there wasn't a button. I was looking for one. Im not trying to make this a ford or holden bashing thread it was just a question

[Geez Louise]

I have a Rav4 and an Xb coupe.

The Rav doesn't have all gadgetry electronic stuff in it and I like it that way. I am all for safety features though, airbags, traction control etc. I love the cruise control function in my car too. One of the best inventions on a car in my opinion.

As for having a car with a computer chip in it...I would always be concerned about a failure, and the cost of repairing something that fails.

If my car decided to "park" itself, it would scare the bejeezus out of me!

I am so old school...and that is the way I like it

[jamesson1980]

I'd say as long as there's fuel for cars, be it petrol or some future substitute, then there will always be cars.

It's when the price of fueling and the financial burden of upkeeping a car outweighs the benefits and enjoyment of ownership that the market might die off further. But for those willing to pay the cost for what they love, there will always be cars.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by ray38l

I don't mind all the electronics but when it comes to traction control and stability control i only like them if you can turn them off.
A little bit off topic but is there anyway to turn traction control off on a ba xr6t auto? I couldnt work it out and i also couldnt get it to rev over 3000 rpm in neutral. It was part of the reason why i didn't buy one.

Yep it can be turned off, so a button with a tyre that looks like its 'skidding' isnt obvious enough eh...
But there is no place for a Chev badge....

[Road Games]

Originally Posted by DJM83

But there is no place for a Chev badge....

Yeah there is,right in the middle of the rear view... he won't be needing to look in there with all the Ford's in front of him...

[stang65]

Originally Posted by ray38l

Im sure there wasn't a button. I was looking for one. Im not trying to make this a ford or holden bashing thread it was just a question

it`s above the Fog light button from memory on the left hand side of the steering wheel n the dash.

Thank Ebay for pic.