2004 Toyota Corolla - Do I really need shocks?

That reminds me of the old joke about the woman who wanted to have her father admitted to a nursing home. When she stated that he was a Sexagenarian, they told her that they couldn’t have people like that in their facility.
:smirk:

4 Likes

I tried to interest Mrs JT in a hybrid minivan when we bought another in 2019. She said she didn’t trust hybrids even though they had been on the market for almost 20 years.

I to am a Septuagenarian. I wish more people were like you and your brother. When my nephews and nieces were too young to help their parents out with any computer work - it was ME. I had remote access to all their computers back then. I was amazed how they were able to screw things up.

1 Like

I was thinking about all the TECH that we have today in cars that we didn’t have when I first started driving. Most I really can’t live without.

. Power Windows and doors - Some luxury vehicles had them, but most vehicles didn’t
. Dual Climate Controls. And even climate controls for rear-seat passengers.
. Intermittent wipers.
. Heated seats - I don’t use it, but my wife LOVES it and won’t buy a new vehicle that doesn’t have one.
. Interior LED lights so you don’t have to replace them. Rarely have I ever had to replace one.
. More than 7 radio presets.
. Power seats - but I actually prefer mechanical.
. OEM radio that’s actually decent. Back in the 70’s most vehicles only had ONE speaker which was center on the dash.
. FM stations. Very few cars came with FM.
. To go along with FM there was stereo. Most vehicles had that one speaker. Let along 12-16 from the factory.
. Hand controls for most things like lights and now even radio.
. Dash display options. At best 50 years ago you had a trip meter.
. Rear View Camera
. GPS built into the radio showing a nice map, directions and how to long to get there.
. Apple Car Play - Love this option.
. TPMS warning light or actually showing the tire pressure at each wheel.
. ODB-II.

And I’m sure there are many many more.
.
.

2 Likes

… and if your experience is like mine, Mike, none of those electronic features has ever needed to be repaired.

2 Likes

Like a 2015? :rofl::rofl:

No problem. Most still had CD players, some conventional steering,etc. The giant screens were still a ways off except in a few high-end makes.

I agree. The industry generic term for these devices is ADAS–Advanced Driver Assist Systems. The key word is ASSIST. Unless you’re in a self-driving car, you have the responsibility to operate the car in a safe manner.

I don’t like that it interferes with other functions, like adjussting the HVAC or audio systems.

But suppose you had a car where the parking cameras were intermittently not displaying. Would you want a lemon law buyback because you were unable to properly park in your garage without the camera?

1 Like

My 1994 Tercel had manual steering, 4spd stick, manual locks and windows, no rpm gauge and skinny tires

Maybe that’s the car for you?

4 Likes

Cassette & automatic?

Let’s talk! :joy:

1 Like

You adjust those while you’re backing up??

4 Likes

Sorry folks, but being thoughtful and deliberate about what kinds of tech changes that you find to be helpful/good/worthwhile is not techno-phobia. It’s not some manner of resistance or rejection of “new technology.” It’s just being thoughtful and deliberate. That’s a long way from something like Neo-Luddism.

And sorry again, but if I can’t “rely” on a blind spot system, and still need to know myself what’s in my blind spots, then the tech isn’t even “assisting”. It’s just a piece of marketing bling. I don’t care - because I adjust my mirrors to have no blind spots and always know what’s behind me on both sides anyway. That’s called safe and attentive driving. You can give me the little warning light, but since I can’t “rely” on it, then the result is the same. I ALWAYS need to know what’s in my blind spots. So that particular tech doesn’t “assist” me in any way.

All of the other stuff mentioned is another story. I am not resistant to tech change or “afraid” of it or whatever. I just think very deliberately about what things actually do and what they’re good for.

Say what you want about that, but it’s far better than technological somnambulism.

1 Like

Now you’re speaking my language! I owned a 1991 Tercel, 4-door, with A/C and Automatic transmission, and manual everything else. I really liked the styling of that car, and I still remember how comfortable the seats were. It was a very fun car to drive, as well, and it got decent fuel economy. Tell me more about this excellent transportation appliance.

1 Like

Quick question, about how fast were y’all going when the BSM didn’t work??

Only reason I ask is cause below 29ish mph my LDW does not work, I also get a warning it does not at that speed…

If I recall, in regards to the 1991-1994 Tercel generation

The automatic versions got worse fuel economy than the stick cars

As for “very fun car to drive” . . . that’s NOT how I remember them

And the seat belts were terrible

1 Like

I adjust my mirrors to eliminate blind spots too, but this isn’t 100% successful. I like having the blind spot red lights on the center screen and cameras that turn on when I click on the turn signals. Redundant safety is a good thing IMO.

Now let’s talk Luddites. They were against automation which eliminated higher paying people and replaced them with machines and lower paying jobs to service the equipment. IMO if more people knew what Luddism is they might consider themselves Luddites too. Personally, I like cost savings through automation, but I recognize it creates employment problems that people are justifiably concerned about.

+1
I rented a Tercel when I was in the Seattle area many years ago, and I still recall that trying to accelerate on the entry ramps of I-5 was a true white-knuckle experience.

3 Likes

The question is not whether the car is worth $2000. The question is whether it is worth $2000 MORE.

No it is not . Blind spot warning is a useful feature . When you consider the number of vehicles still on the road that do not have the system a claimed 20 percent reduction in lane changing accidents is impressive.

As for not being able to change radio stations or heat and cool settings while backing up just shows that your are not as aware as you claim.

2 Likes

Show me a new car that has a CD .

+1
I don’t shut-down my audio system when I put my car in the garage, so I don’t need to touch it when I am backing out of the garage. And, I activate the Climate Control before backing-out. I can’t imagine that being “deprived” of audio & HVAC controls for 1 minute–or less–is a serious issue.

1 Like