If you haven’t noticed, 2006 was a long time ago now, and cars have changed a lot in those years. Today, when you step into almost any new car, you are greeted with a large touchscreen infotainment system, parking sensors, radar cruise control and much more.
Stepping into our 2006 Mustang G…
That car is 5 years newer than the newest car I have ever owned.
I drove the S197 when it was new as we had them in the press fleet. I liked it then. It was new yet still felt like a Mustang.
Like Chris, I’m enjoying my time with ours as well. It still delivers that analog experience.
In reply to David S. Wallens :
And it is still a great daily, I would have no problem driving that car all the time. Did I mention how good the exhaust sounds?
I have really enjoyed my 2014. Even with the 3.7 and the 6-speed it's a pretty fun place to spend time and still gets 20-30 mpg.
I wish the SCCA had come out with the spec class before I bought one.
Another reason modern cars are silly, I can read this article on my infotainment screen.
I just bought a 2011 GT for daily duties. It does have Bluetooth (+ some mild handling mods), but otherwise it's a simple driver w/o annoyances. I get this 100%. I start driving mine on Monday. Can't wait!
Chris Tropea said:Another reason modern cars are silly, I can read this article on my infotainment screen.
My 2009 Hummer has a Kenwood double-din. It's a touch-screen with Android Auto, which provides navigation, streaming music, and phone access, all on a 7" screen. Not once have I wished for a larger screen.
My wife's Volvo has a large screen with most of the controls in it. I find it particularly annoying to have to find the right screen to change the fan speed or temp in the HVAC instead of just turning a knob.
I'm starting to think enormous screens are similar to enormous lifted trucks. They are more about the statement than the functionality.
Toyman! said:I'm starting to think enormous screens are similar to enormous lifted trucks. They are more about the statement than the functionality.
Fundamentally the move to touch screen controls (which is what is driving the big screens) is driven by production costs. It's much cheaper to put one screen in the car and control everything with software than it is to have 80 different buttons and knobs like a mid-90s BMW.
In reply to codrus (Forum Supporter) :
I understand the reasoning. I just don't agree with it. I'd rather pay extra for buttons.
Not to mention the common point of failure when the touch screen dies. When the center screen in the Volvo dies not only will it lose the nav, it will lose HVAC, infotainment, and the ability to adjust a multitude of things in the vehicle. I'll bet that screen is uber expensive to replace, assuming you can find one in 15 years. I'd also bet it needs special programming to work with the vehicle.
When I lived in L.A., I had a 74 Maverick. I had this dream of swapping to an AWD with parts from a WRX. I was going to gut it, cage it, and slap a big number on the door with vaguely DOT-legal tires in about 315mm at each corner under box flares. From there, I would daily drive it as a commuter in L.A. traffic. You would have seen me pull up beside you at a light with nothing but a starbucks coffee and blasting NPR. Basic white bitch in a 2g hillclimb screamer.
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