Are locks *that* expensive?

In the old days, cars had 3 locks: both front doors and the hatch or trunk.

Modern cars have ONE lock: driver door. I get it... since most cars come with keyless entry, why bother putting in more than one lock? It's really only there in case of emergency (dead remote battery or dead car battery), right?

Then I looked at the Kia Soul. If you want a manual transmission, it doesn't come with RKE, nor can you add it. And you STILL only get one lock.

Ever gone grocery shopping when it's raining? How do you load the car?

Well, if it's a stickshift Soul, you:

A: park your cart by the hatch

B: walk around to the driver door

C: unlock the door

D: open the door

E: push the PDL switch to the "unlock" position

F: close the door

G: walk back to the hatch

H: open the hatch

I: load the groceries

All for want of a lock that probably costs $3. Cheap is cheap, but the Soul is off my list for that one simple reason.

EvanR wrote: Then I looked at the Kia Soul. If you want a manual transmission, it doesn't come with RKE, nor can you add it. And you STILL only get one lock.

Too many automakers see a manual transmission as something you only get if you're really really REALLY strapped for cash.

Just out of curiosity, are you absolutely certain there isn't a hatch lock that is really well hidden somewhere? I haven't looked at that one but I have seen them that are tucked behind emblems and such.

Thing I dislike about the single lock (besides the hell that exists when it breaks) is the way it kills manners and chivalry.

If it has power locks you can add keyless entry, $35 aftermarket if nothing else. Remote start with a manual transmission is tougher.

at least with the remote locks, you can still click the unlock and then open the door for your lady … at least that's how I do it

foxtrapper wrote: Thing I dislike about the single lock (besides the hell that exists when it breaks) is the way it kills manners and chivalry.

I made the same comment in the "horrible features" thread. Our Accord only has a lock on the driver's door. Wife and I went out on Sunday and I realized the battery in my fob had died. Its cold and windy, but no worries, I'll get in first to unlock your door.

Way back when, the first Jensen Healeys had a lock cylinder only on the drivers' door. After the magazine editors sneered at that, they hurriedly added a lock cylinder to the passenger side as well and they stayed that way till the end of production. The first production vehicle I saw done that way was the Isuzu Axiom. And yes it's a way to cut costs.

I was really surprised at the number of people who are clueless about how to open their cars if the battery goes dead.

In reply to chrispy:

On our Accord (2006), you can turn the key twice in the driver's side lock and it unlocks all the doors. Turn it 3 times and it starts rolling down the windows (for as long as you hold the key turned).

foxtrapper wrote: Thing I dislike about the single lock (besides the hell that exists when it breaks) is the way it kills manners and chivalry.

No kidding - there have been several times where I've been trying to open the door for my wife on her Camry, can only unlock it from the driver's side, and said, "Whoever designed this car, his momma didn't raise him right."

As for the Kia Soul... are you SURE there's no way to put the power locks on a manual? What did they do, run it over a CANbus that ties in to the transmission controller?

My wife's 2010 Soul is a manual with remote keyless entry from the factory. Either they've gone backwards in their specs or someone is feeding you bad information.

dorri732 wrote: In reply to chrispy: On our Accord (2006), you can turn the key twice in the driver's side lock and it unlocks all the doors. Turn it 3 times and it starts rolling down the windows (for as long as you hold the key turned).

I knew the window trick, good to know about the locks.

dorri732 wrote: In reply to chrispy: On our Accord (2006), you can turn the key twice in the driver's side lock and it unlocks all the doors. Turn it 3 times and it starts rolling down the windows (for as long as you hold the key turned).

that still doesn't address foxtrapper's complaint about manners and chivalry

Datsun1500 wrote: Keyless entry with remote is standard on all Kia Soul vehicles, every trim, every year.

I'd love for you to be right. In fact, the US Kia website is even deceptive about this.

If you look at the "features" table for the base Soul, it does indeed say RKE (and cruise) are standard on the base Soul.

But for both of these items, there is a "disclaimer" that you can click on. If you do, you get a pop-up box that says "requires automatic transmission".

That's bullpucky marketing. If it's standard, it's standard, not "standard, but only if you buy a $2000 automatic transmission package."

Its's standard except when it isn't.

There is pluming company locally that advertises it will clean any drain for $99 dollars, does not matter the issue. They do note there are exceptions, that are shown on their website.

So... you will clean any drain for $99... except when you won't.... uhm, yeah.

It's not that locks are expensive, it's that cars are built to a price point, and that extra dollar was needed more elsewhere.

Buddy recently bought a new Versa. Manual locks. As in... not even power from the inside.

ONLY ONE berkeleyING KEY CYLINDER.

Dodge "Salesman's Specials" in the '40s only had 1 taillight, 1 inside door handle, and 1 sunvisor.

Swank Force One wrote: Buddy recently bought a new Versa. Manual locks. As in... not even power from the inside. ONLY ONE berkeleyING KEY CYLINDER.

Wait. Someone other than a rental agency actually BOUGHT a Versa? Why? Why would someone do that to themselves? There are so many better cars in that segment that it isn't even funny.

Sigh, people really need to consult with the GRM hive mind before buying E36 M3 like that.

In reply to turboswede:

People like that do, then generally completely ignore any advice given.

http://www.kisouman.com/operating_door_locks_from_outside_the_vehicle-440.html

Read the manual?

Just sayin'

Kenny_McCormic wrote: In reply to turboswede: People like that do, then generally completely ignore any advice given.

Yeah had a in-law looking for a replacement for her Civic, asked my advice about the Kia Soul and talked to her about it for a little while, sent her some great reviews, etc.

Next time I saw her at a family function, she had bought what? A gray, boring, dull Nissan Versa (didn't even get alloys!). I've stopped providing car advice to people in the family that aren't actually car people.

I REALLY like no locks and power latches on hatchbacks. Especially when it's made nearly impossible to figure out how to release the berkeleying thing without a google, and the battery is in the hatch. /sarcasm. #berkeleythatmini

Also no one has mentioned it here but...

I the auto industry there are several global standards and ratings you try to meet. One of them is a European spec if I recall correctly. It focused on the security of the vehicle which can be improved by eliminating weak points. Physical door lock cylinders are a significant weakpoint to try and eliminate. We actually had to put into production hardened punch proof steel panels in some vehicles near key weak points only for those markets in order to get that best rating. Also for another market we needed to install some additional metal and plastic panels near the fuel filler due to high gasoline theft in that market driving it as a big customer selling point.

The KIA should have an unlock door AND an unlock hatch button or if older model it just has the double turn key thing. Use it all the time on the Optima.

turboswede wrote:

Swank Force One wrote: Buddy recently bought a new Versa. Manual locks. As in... not even power from the inside. ONLY ONE berkeleyING KEY CYLINDER.

Wait. Someone other than a rental agency actually BOUGHT a Versa? Why? Why would someone do that to themselves? There are so many better cars in that segment that it isn't even funny. Sigh, people really need to consult with the GRM hive mind before buying E36 M3 like that.

We couldn't find anything better in the "Brand new and $13k" Segment.

We did try, though! Test drove a Mirage. Which was.... the worst thing ever, and more money.

The Versa drove and felt like a 1992 Sentra. For better or for worse. Felt like a car. He bought car.

Traded in a 2010 Mini Cooper S on it. He's been ecstatic with his purchase.