How excited are you with the direction new vehicles are going?

I dont mind a little tech. I obviously prefer the Gen 2.5 to the 3, for several reasons, but I've "outfitted" my Grocery getter to be pretty comfortable... an "almost limited" if you will. I dont really like the heat from the sunlight so a sunroof wasn't necessary to me, and I dont have dual climate control, but thats pretty much it. My upgraded heated leather seats are better than the limited trim ones, I have auto up/down on all 4 windows instead of just 2, I dont have the silly looking limited Grill, or 20" wheels. I upgraded to Pro OEM LEDs, and have most of the nannies that all 2018+ models got.

Having some tech for me is pretty great. Like the roll down rear window on our Crew Max's. Granted it's not new as old Broncos, Blazers, and Suburbans used to have it too. But it's a great feature that I would totally miss now.

 

I sold my '05 Tundra to my dad and bought a '22. I love my '22 and I do like some of the tech features, most notably the radar cruise control. The heated seats and steering wheel will be nice considering where I live. I am not impressed at all with the Connected Services App nor do I give a single shit about the SOS tracking/calling ability. I like how the truck handles, it's super comfortable for me and checks a lot of boxes but the tech makes me nervous with regard to usability and reliability.

That said, I am looking forward to the day in a few years when I buy my '05 back from my dad and have a simple truck in my driveway again. I recognize the fact that the '22 is simply too tech advanced. I really don't want to ever have more tech the '22 does, and honestly would prefer less.

 

Many people are destined to learn the hard way with gas turbo engines. It's like raising teenagers all over again - they think they know everything but have zero experience with reality. Nevermind the turbos are already breaking down and there's a thread dedicated to 'lagging and hesitating' (just like many of us stated there would be before these things even hit the streets). Just wait until these green turbo owners start having to replace turbos before they hit 100k miles and experience the lubrication issues that always arise with them that lead to other engine problems - not to mention the endless oil leaks.

 

I have a 2016 Tundra and a 2019 4 Runner. Neither cares if I drift out of my lane. Both cruise controls will run into the back of the car in front of me. Neither will tell me if there is a car beside me before I change lanes (Tow mirrors on the Tundra and RAV 4 swap on the 4 Runner so I can see them myself.) If something jumps out on front of me I am responsible for hitting the brakes (the 4 Runner does have this panic stop thing I hate where it applies maximum braking if you quickly go from gas to brake). The 4 Runner even has a manual transfer case. These are the last years for both models that are set up this way, as far as I know. I might drive these two forever. I'll also say when there is a vehicle that can take me bar hopping and get me home without fear of a DUI I may be willing to risk the computer crash at highway speed. I'll probably still keep the vehicles that require skill to drive but...

 

I ordered my 2016 partly for the dual zone AC. I'll never make that mistake again. Nothing like going cross country fighting with the wife about the thermostat.

 

HA!
Yeah, she gets cold first, and I like the cold so I either get all 4 vents aimed at me, or 3 and she closes the 4th. Works out for us just fine.

 

How excited are you with the direction new vehicles are going?

Allow me to sum up thusly:

 

Ran across this thread again while searching the forums. It has aged well.

 

I'm pretty excited when my vehicle goes the direction I point it.

 

I have a 2021 SR. that should sum up how I like a truck.
I thought I wouldn't like the radar assisted cc, but it actually wasn't bad on a 1200 mi road trip.
I keep the lane assist shit turned off.
I use the radio as a radio and the rare BT phone call. don't need apps and subscriptions.
I like the column shifter and "bench" config. it's the same bucket seats. but I can and did remove the center seat to make a custom center console. so much more room and storage than with the factory center console and shifter.
and I like a reliable NA V8. I'll deal with the fuel consumption.
it's a truck. not a sports car, not a Cadillac and not my living room.

 

I think your signature meme belongs in this thread.

 

I have three vehicles currently.

1997 Mazda Miata
A driver's car! No ABS, no Cruise Control, cable throttle, radio? Nope doesn't work, 5spd, barely enough computer to run the fuel injection and monitor sensors. It does have A/C, which is great.
I love it! Every time I get in it!

2017 Tundra
I wanted as close of an experience to the Miata I could get. Trade offs were, electronic throttle, radio, and a few more computers. The radio is a decent aftermarket HU with Android Auto.

2020 Mazda CX-5
My God this car annoys the crap out of me and I am glad it is my Wife's. Beeps at you for everything. Steering wheel vibrates with lane keep. Radar cruise is the dumb. Had to turn off the collision avoidance crap because it has almost caused more wrecks than prevented.
Just not a fan of that crap.


IMO, I would rather have stricter road and drivers license rules. Not my problem that 70%+ of the population can't put their phone down for a few minutes to get from A to B...

 

This’n?

 

I have no interest in a new vehicle here. If you want to twist my arm, Id likely start looking at the new GX550 but would prefer to go the route @AZBoatHauler did and get a slightly used 200 Series LC.

For now, my current fleet is doing just fine: My DD is a 2014 535D (135k mi), the wife drives a 2015 4R (125k mi) and the 2014 Tundra is our dedicated TV (76k mi).

 

A couple years ago I came into some money and was thinking of "upgrading" to a new or newer truck. I did the research and what I found is that newer means several computers, excessive electronics, low tension piston rings, water based paint, low profile tires, devices to spy on me, decisions made for me that I'd rather make myself, more stringent emissions garbage and gadgets that I would never want nor even learn to operate. So I bought another old first gen Tundra and intend to drive it until I take my dirt nap.

 

Toyota cheaped out on the materials quality in the GX. Just two examples: it has the same headliner as my truck, and the hood flutters at highway speeds because it’s so thin. Toyota drivers may not care, but previous Lexus owners will notice for sure.

Might also be worth checking out the TFL towing test. That detuned ttv6 does not perform any better than a NA v8.


More people are realizing that newer does not automatically mean better. It simply means more compliant with ever-tightening regulations, and that is never achieved without sacrifice in some other metric (such as longevity for example).

I think a 200/570 is the smarter buy 100%.

 

And more corner cutting from all of them. Ridiculous that for the price of these things and the fact it's 2024 that any of these vehicles have issues. But what do I know?

 

A buddy of mine just bought a new Mazda hatchback crossover thingy. After owning it for a month, the dealership called to ask him why he hasn't synced his phone to the car yet...

Call me a troglodyte, but I bought a vehicle to drive from A to B and back to A again. How, why, when, or with whom I get there is of no concern to anybody but myself. If I can't operate a motor vehicle, I shouldn't rely on a motor vehicle to operate for me. If I can't write a speech or a paper, I shouldn't ask someone (or something) else to write it for me; I should learn how to do it myself or simply abstain from doing so.

I am severely disappointed in the direction vehicles are headed. The powertrain technology continues to evolve - which can be a great thing. But all of the other BloatWare packaged with a new vehicle is just plain disgusting. IMHO.

 

Their concern is to control you, to monitor you and to spy on you.

 

One must take into consideration the motives of planned in obsolescence. Not only do the manufacturers not want vehicles to last a half million miles, there is a bigger motive yet. The bankers are the main beneficiaries as they want us paying interest on money they "issue" out of thin air.
Someday they will be able to get into your vehicle's computer from afar...as soon as it's paid off...and program it for self destruction.

 

In another 20yrs....

I'll be the old grey beard with rusty old work truck and dog you see at the farm store.

The odometer will have broke long ago but the 5.7 still lives on, some 32yrs later.

 

Saw a new Tundra today....lady pulled to a stop in a parking lot and as I walked by, she wanted to back up...thing restarted. So it has the "kill engine on stopping" defect.

Most engine wear comes at startup. It takes more fuel to start an engine than to keep it running (if running under a minute). Great way to burn up a starter motor. NO THANK YOU.

One of the reasons I like to watch the old shows of "Adam 12" and "Emergency" is all the old vehicles!

If I had the money, I'd drive nothing newer than 1973.

 

I've been a car nut since I was a kid, but these days it's hard to get excited about any new vehicles. They all look the same, lack character, & all the nannies are ridiculous. I won't even glance at electric.
I DO like my new Tundra though.