Ehh the say won't, not can't. I'd be willing to bet someone out there will figure out 'how to' just like figuring out how to root an android cell phone. It's a moot point for me any way.

 

To my knowledge, nobody ever figured out how to update the SYNC2 system in the Escape or the uConnect 8.3 system in the Pacifica that I referenced above. I wish it was easier, but companies used to refurbish and sell salvage parts from updated cars to those wanting to upgrade. The cost was usually over $1,000.

Of course, I don’t know the electronic architecture behind the Lightning or what it takes to run Android Automotive. But if anyone figures it out, it will be the first I’ve heard of it ever being done. I have no dog in that fight, though.

 

On the sync system in the Escape, I was not only able to program it with a different models sync but improve the sound quality at the same time, I have the same sync software in both the 14 Escape my wife drives and my 2013 F150. It was meant for the sync system in the 15 Mustang.

That said, they may all have the same hdwr inside allowing it to work. That I do not know.

 

Yup, that’s something I’ve heard of being done. I don’t recall the details, but I think that there are some settings that can be switched with ForScan and others. It’s all the same hardware, though.

There’s nothing that you can do to make that system speak CarPlay. To do that, you have to rip it out and replace it with modules from a ‘16. It looks like the aftermarket figured out something similar for $599. Regardless, it takes a hardware change. I’ve never heard of different-generation systems being compatible with the same hardware, so I’d expect the same limits to apply to the new system going into the Lightning.

 

Yeah aftermarket is what I was meaning about someone figuring it out. I still have the oem sync module in my truck but run an Alpine 9" touch screen with navigation and it came with a module that interfaces with sync as well as steering wheel/voice controls called Maestro. All plug-n-play.

 

Modern infotainment systems are a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, the newer systems have gotten really good. But they’re extremely difficult to upgrade, and it’s only getting harder as they become more and more integrated with the rest of the vehicle. I think the end result is better, but limits your options if you don’t like it.

I installed a CarPlay receiver into my ‘04 Expedition a few years ago that I still really enjoy. Far and away better than anything that could have been done with technology of that era. Twenty years from now, there’s no way that current-gen infotainment systems won’t be horribly outdated. We live in interesting times.

 

Well, for what it's worth, I was reading an article yesterday written by someone who asserts that the F-150 XLT gas truck is the least affordable mid level truck on the market right now specing out at around 60K for a 302a package.

I've made statements before about Ford's arrogance and how it's gotten them into to trouble and yet they always forget.

Many many years ago Tom made a statement here on FTE alluding that every half ton truck sold in America is built to handle most everyone's needs. I use this statement commonly.

 

Based on what I've seen locally, I think that's accurate. The advent of "one-price" dealers has made it really easy to cross-shop between brands and dealers. Ford has commanded a premium for a few years now, and they'll do that as long as they're still moving the metal. But brand loyalty only gets you so far, and guys like me tend to chase the better value. Ford trucks are a lot of things in this day and age, but a good value isn't one of them. I hope that changes.

 

Holy schit!! That's double what I paid for my 2013 XLT 302a. Is that sticker price or out the door? Sticker on mine was $34,895. Paid $29,900 otd.

 

Sticker, but we're finally seeing discounts. My local megadealer is advertising $2K off if you give them your information, as well as dealer discounts for another couple thousand dollars.

My 2015 had an MSRP of $52K, and I paid $34K from this same dealer in 9/2015. I don't pay much attention to sticker prices because of how much rebates play into the final sale price.

 

I'm more curious on what stuff Ford will gatekeeping behind a paywall on the Lightning and really any up vehicles for the future model years. Since that seems to be where most automakers are going. Oh you paid $2500 for heated seats? Guess what you now have to pay a yearly fee to have it. Like having remote start? Awww too bad gotta pay up yearly to have it.

There seems to be more reasons to keep older vehicles and if laws change that they have to be EV, fuel cell or hydrogen internal combustion, just spend the money and time to swap. Least the vehicle will be paid for and you could get much more life out of it.

 

I don’t think we’ll ever see a point where gas vehicles are prohibited. That would violate the takings clause of the Fifth Amendment if done without compensation, which means the government would have to buy it from you, which would be incredibly expensive. Not to mention grossly unpopular.

The move towards subscription services is pretty consistent across the auto industry, but it’s usually geared towards features you wouldn’t get otherwise. My Kia has remote start on the key fob, but using the mobile app requires a subscription beyond the first year. And that’s nothing specific to the fact that it’s an EV; every newer Kia with this functionality requires a subscription past the free period. Some manufacturers have shied away from that kind of thing, but we’ll see how long it lasts. If you’re given the option to buy something that wasn’t paid for on the window sticker, I don’t see a problem with it.

 

In the past I had read about the subscription based options like heated seats on vehicles like BMW. I was kind of pissed off when I read and then thought "I will not own a BMW anyway unless I am F-off rich and at that point, it doesn't matter".

Although, I wanted to see if they moved forward with this "service" and found this to be the second article in the search results.

Quote: Clarifying building confusion, Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, aka BMW, released a statementthat stresses the automaker will not offer heated seats on a subscription basis in the United States. BMW of North America doesn’t expect factory option purchase levels to change suddenly, so the policy will be in place for at least a few years. While BMW is selling heated seats for monthly fees in other countries, the luxury car company will still proffer a subscription-based app, ConnectedDrive Upgrades, on new U.S. vehicles.

Source link: https://www.themanual.com/auto/bmw-h...les-clarified/

I cannot say for sure if The Manual is a credible source, but the paragraph seems accurate enough for me.

I remember Subaru went from a key FOB remote start to a cell phone and subscription based remote start. Although, they offered a little known module that could be installed for ~$300 to enable remote start from the key FOB. The module was not advertised and you would receive a silly look if you asked about it. If you had the part number, you could order it and it apparently came with instructions on how to install it. The dealer had to program the remote start to the VIN though, so it was not plug and play.

I don't see gasoline or diesel (especially) going anywhere soon and I don't see them being outlawed as a mass legislation decision. Although, some areas like Portland have begun to "phase out" diesel fuel. Phasing out may not be an option, but raising the taxes on a fuel in order to make it regularly unattainable is a possibility. Kind of like the 2nd Amendment protects our right to bear arms, it doesn't say anything about ammunition. If ammunition is priced so high that it is unattainable, then the firearm becomes useless to those that do not have ammunition.

This is all doomsday or fearmongering type stuff, but we never know what our elected officials are going to try and pull in order to make a name and legacy for themselves.

 

I bought my 2019 Model 3 as an entry-level standard range model. It was built without the fancy stereo or heated rear seats of the premium model, and it also lacked "Premium Connectivity" which permitted streaming audio and video from the car's LTE modem. Premium connectivity was free for the first year of the higher-end models, and then they had to subscribe to it. Not available nor expected when I bought my Model 3.

A year later, things had changed significantly. Those of us with Standard Range cars were given the option to subscribe to Premium Connectivity for $9.99/month. It's essentially a data plan for your car that provides entertainment. Tesla picks up the bill for the basic app-based ability for preheating the cabin, monitoring, and others. Likewise, the world learned during that time that all Model 3s were built with built-in seat heaters for the back seats, and the Standard Range cars could be upgraded over-the-air for $300.

Nobody took features away that I paid for, and I thought it was awesome that I had the opportunity to buy features that I didn't pay for when I bought the car. These upgrades are still an option. Those with Long-Range cars also got the option to pay $2,000 for the "Acceleration Boost" over-the-air software update that gives them more power. Those cars are already extremely fast, but I've been told that the improvement is significant. Nobody bought their cars from Tesla expecting the Acceleration Boost to be included in the purchase. There's even a 48-hour "Free Trial" period where you can purchase the upgrade, feel what it's like, and get a refund with no questions asked. I'll probably try that out when I get my Y, but I have no illusions of being interested in paying for it.

Kia has app-based features that are free for a year, and then you have to pay for them. The top-level package costs $14.99/month and includes remote speed alerts, remote start, Wifi hotspot, and a bunch of others. Almost every modern car has an LTE modem that talks to cell towers; service isn't free. As you can imagine, having the option to subscribe to stuff like this doesn't bother me at all. My car has a built-in keyfob button for remote start, but it's tough to use that when I'm at the back of the Walmart getting ready to check out. Yah....I'll pay a few bucks for that if it comes to it.

 

How is the Model Y acquisition coming along?