technology packs.......who needs em??

[HULK_I6T]

I think we are confusing technology packs with safety..

Safety is always welcomed

Technology packs are just gimmicks.. Just entertainment / convenience gadgets

[csv8]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Trax LTZ is also around $4,000 dearer drive away than Ecosport Titanium manual .....

At the moment, if you option 6-speed auto EcoSport Titanium, it is still $2,000 less drive away
but the Garmin heads up display navigation is a $180 option....I don't see a problem.

The Post is on Tec Packs Who Needs Them..I suppose I should have quoted on Mitsu ASX, Peugot 2008, Nissan Juke and not the enemy...just making a comment. My local Holden dealer has the Trax LTZ auto for $29k drive away.

[Nikked]

Lets go back to post #1.

Originally Posted by f6_benito

I see a luxury drive as nice quiet ride, smooth ride, powerful motor, nice comfy seat, roomy interior, good air conditioner, power windows, cruise control and a nice sounding stereo.

You just listed "gimmicks" from 30 years ago...the things you deem necessary now, are/were gimmicks...


...not to mention, this very same person also cannot fathom how people would spend money for older cars when you can buy a new one with all the creature comforts for the same, or less price.

[XBv8mmm!]

It's been said a couple of times already, there really isn't a lot of improvement in steering, suspension and brakes (at least on the upper end models). Some minor tweaks here and there sure.

The next major automotive leap will be hydrogen powered engines. Whilst they are now around they still aren't cost effective for Jo Bloggs public. And the oil/fuel companies won't go hard at the technology until the black stuff is a lot closer to being used up. And electric/hybrid tech is stopgap at best.

So tech packs, heated/cooled seats, auto diming mirrors, sensors for everything you can think of, touch screens, are the current big thing. The car companies play a one-ups-man game with them (we've got x new gadget, they don't) and get away with masking the fact that their little shoe boxes on wheels aren't really that good to drive. But who cares when you have all these new toys to play with at the traffic lights. Right?

[blackf6]

The best gimmicks are drivers cars, that scare the living crap out of you. Threaten to kill your family at the slightest amount of throttle by wildly getting out of shape. All the other gimmicks pale in comparison.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by csv8

The Post is on Tec Packs Who Needs Them..I suppose I should have quoted on Mitsu ASX, Peugot 2008, Nissan Juke and not the enemy...just making a comment. My local Holden dealer has the Trax LTZ auto for $29k drive away.

Its not about quoting the 'enemy' as you put it. Its about everyone wanting a new Ford for $3.50. With every conceivable option.

[danzvtil]

its not just cars, we live in a hyper world with the wheels of change going a million miles an hour.
Its no longer acceptable that my VN commo has flash RTS and FOUR speed auto, repping in my job, ALL DAY im asked "Whats New?" it doesnt matter if my latest and greatest is a steaming pile of poo, they only care that its NEW! Our attention spans are ever shortening and must have constant stimulation.

[danzvtil]

its not just cars, we live in a hyper world with the wheels of change going a million miles an hour.
Its no longer acceptable that my VN commo has flash RTS and FOUR speed auto, repping in my job, ALL DAY im asked "Whats New?" it doesnt matter if my latest and greatest is a steaming pile of poo, they only care that its NEW! Our attention spans are ever shortening and must have constant stimulation.

[monte.b]

Im thinking we are having lots accidents with people plying with all this so called teck crap,they are supposed to be driving the bloody car not playing games on the computer ,another thing ive figured out is people put the cruise control on and try to drive to it instead of driving to the conditions of the road ,it explains a lot of single vehicle accidents in the bush,bring back the fj holden i reckon

[dirtyclevo]

its a bit like having all those great apps on your phone that people rave on about but no one uses them.

or you use the gimmicks once and then forget about it.

i was driving home this afternoon and the amount of people i saw playing on there phones when they were driving was absolutely unbelievable. they were swerving all over the road and hold everyone up at lights. nearly hitting people on zebra crossing.

it is all **** in my view. and is actually making the road more dangerous.

dont get me started on driver assist crap, like park assist, next they'll be accelerator assist because its to much effort to push the pedal. the poor softcocks.

my 2 cents.

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by dirtyclevo

dont get me started on driver assist crap, like power steering, next they'll be electric windows because its to much effort to use window winders. the poor softcocks.

my 2 cents.

Fixed.

[GCRXR6]

Originally Posted by f6_benito

I think we are confusing technology packs with safety..

Safety is always welcomed

Technology packs are just gimmicks..

True.

My idea of safety tech is if you don't have to take your eyes of the road, or if you are not distracted in it's use/function. The device may be a safety device, or even a "luxury" device.

To me, gimmicks are those tech things like touch screen command centres where you have to look at the screen to find which icon to tap. That, fellow Fordies is dangerous. Leave functional icons on the smart phone or tablets where they belong.

[csv8]

When I started driving, my first car was a Morris 1100, no air con, no power anything, key to unlock the door and start the car. Lift up the bonnet and there was a carby, dizzy and engine, "thats all folks", as Bugs Bunny would say. Now, I lift the bonnet and close it!!! Cars have come a very ,very long way in 46 years..as has everything else. We cann't be Luddites, must accept change and embrace the future...When you can plug a Harley into a laptop and send engine info to Milwaukee for analysis , thats how far we have progressed....my daughters BMW sends a message to the nearest BMW Service Centre, when the car decides a service is due!!!! The future must be embraced....

[In Focus]

No one needs "technology packs", but a whole lot of people want them, so car makers have to do their best to deliver or risk losing business.

[KAM120]

Most new gadgets that are coming out in cars these days i doubt i'd use them i know my ba (which isn't new by today's standards) has auto lights, adjustable pedals and a speed alert and i've never bothered to use those features. My favorite gadgets are air-con, power windows and central locking. Oh and a radio lol most other features i couldn't care less about.

[UberKnee]

Its only natural that as we progress our technology more of it filters into everday life like cars. Most things standard in a basic modern car we now 'need' were once unnecessary extra's. It all comes down to human intelligence as well, just because you're Audi/Beemer/Merc/etc. has all these gadgets doesn't mean you have to use them every second that you're in the car. The technophobes act like you have to use all the gadgets constantly while driving. These features are designed to make life easier, nothing wrong with that.

[b0son]

I wonder how many people who say tech = gimmick own a smartphone....

[pottery beige]

Originally Posted by teak81

The best gimmicks are drivers cars, that scare the living crap out of you. Threaten to kill your family at the slightest amount of throttle by wildly getting out of shape. All the other gimmicks pale in comparison.

so true, something that doesnt steer and stop, with a bit of poke is very deadly in the wrong hands.... PB

but i never once hesitated throwing the keys of BA to my little sisters

out on the lonely roads little sis number 1 after driving for ten minutes is cracking 200kmh

me - hey ya sorta doing 200kmh

sis - ****, ****, crap.....

BIL ****ed himself laughing

it all came together at 200kmh and felt good, just a little bit quick for a little sis

[Falcon Coupe]

They are the kind of thing you don't miss until you have them.
The new Territory (When I actually get to drive it) always impresses with the little things like phone recognition and control. No fines in one of these

Even the reverse camera I always thought of as a gimmick until backing into a tight spot at the shopping centre or backing up to a trailer and watching the towball slide right under the hitch!. How many utes do you see around with trailer hitch dings in the tail gate?
I still see some things as gimmicks but others obviously do not. I say lets enjoy having so much on offer.

Anyway I have to run. I just heard my Galaxy S4 is obsolete as the S5 has a better camera and can survive a drop in the toilet. Upgrade time! :P

[csv8]

Falcon Coupe check this mobile phone out
http://www.mongrel-phones.com.au/ can be dropped 1.2m onto concrete, won't break , can survive in water for 40mins etc etc

[The Yeti]

Not Really f6

Air conditioning, Power window's, power steering, even heaters and radios were once options gimmicks even, they aren't safety features, but most people wouldn't even consider a car without the above.

the same is now becoming true for blue tooth conectivity, reverse sensors reverse camera and the list of new fangled technical bibs and bobs grows every day, and you will find in a few years time these new bits will be standard and consideded cant live with outs, (much like cup holders)

[Iggle Piggle]

Each to their own Benito.

I have no problem if you want an outdoor long-drop, so don't bemoan those that like having an ensuite.

[Mercury 8]

Driving down the coast In my 62 XL wagon you soon realise gimmicks like cup holders and air conditioning and adaptive cruise control are not gimmicks.Geez I have to pull my keys out of my pocket and put them in the lock to unlock it then heaven forbid I need to put the keys in the ignition and turn them to start the car.Don't have to do any of that with the Kuga.Just pull the door handle and it opens put your foot on the brake and press the starter button and we are away. But guess which car we take to the coast each weekend. Not the tech filled Kuga.Want not need is the key word to all the technology.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by The Yeti

Not Really f6

Air conditioning, Power window's, power steering, even heaters and radios were once options gimmicks even, they aren't safety features, but most people wouldn't even consider a car without the above.

Thats the biggest thing keeping me out of older vehicles even as a nice weekender.

Stereo can be fixed no worries, but retrofitting A/C is a pain in the ***.

If its got a carby, forget it, EFI all the way at least I know how it works lol, none of this strange mechanical wizzardry going on.

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by Mercury 8

Not the tech filled Kuga.Want not need is the key word to all the technology.

careful how you word that sentence. Advancement in anyway is because of technology. Computers and electronics are not the only technology.
The advancement from hand driven crank start to starter motors is a technological advancement of which I imagine so many technophobes in the day would have complained about. Just like moving from the horse and cart to the motorised vehicle.

[pottery beige]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Thats the biggest thing keeping me out of older vehicles even as a nice weekender.

Stereo can be fixed no worries, but retrofitting A/C is a pain in the ***.

If its got a carby, forget it, EFI all the way at least I know how it works lol, none of this strange mechanical wizzardry going on.

its no magic science bro, its brain food

pulling down a 4bbl holley, getting it back together and hitting the key for the first time is yea.. **** it works!

playing with dizzy weights, bringing it on hard, early or late

full noise plug chops, jet swaps on lonely roads

retarding or advancing cams

should all be compulsory modules of man card

[Mercury 8]

I know what you are saying,that's why I mentioned the cup holders,it is a pain in the neck not having them in the old wagon while trying to drink a bottle of water so we want them,but we get by without them so probably don't need them if that makes sense.......

[chopstar87]

the car companies need them... I spent money on my Chrysler and not a ford because it lacked what you class as gimmicks (I regularly use most of the gimmicks in my Chrysler)

and these gimmicks were also the reason why the missus choose her Focus over the its competitors, because it had the features she wanted in the car.

so based on these "gimmicks" ford lost my sale but also gained my missus sale...

gimmicks or not, they sell cars and after all, that's what car companies are all about, not passion, pride, loyalty and all that cr@p that they sell to the consumer to pretend they care, they are about making money... and that's the story. they are a business and as a business they need to completive with the market with these gimmicks or die off, which is what has happened to our beloved falcon (with the help of not marketing as well, that plays a small part as well).

the car enthusiast is a dying breed and its harder and harder to be an enthusiast these day.... yes, i love the gimmicks and luxury of modern cars.. but i also love the simple times of old school cars.. give me XC falcon or a 1970 Boss mustang any day. but if i am buying a modern car, i want a modern car.

[pottery beige]

youre doing it wrong merc

esky on back seat

become the king of reach arounds

[MAGPIE]

I've had a E60 5 Series for the last 4 months and frankly it has put me off tech in cars. For crying out loud you check the oil on the computer screen.

If it has keyless entry, cruise, air con and fast glass I'm content. I'm happy to move my seat manually, read a map book and use the dipstick.