This is a peeve of mine... the interior handle should ALWAYS override the lock and allow you to exit in a hurry, if need be. I don't understand why this isn't considered a safety issue as it may prevent someone in a panic situation from getting out of the vehicle in time...

 

It was a joke. A poorly worded joke but still a joke.

 

I disabled my auto door lock because I had very young children when I got the van--in case of an accident, I wanted to be able to get to them quickly if need be, from outside the van, if necessary. Car seats can be enough of a PITA to undo, didn't need one more hurdle (electrical systems could become disabled, disallowing a quick unlock). I had also read that there was very little difference in the rates of locked and unlocked doors coming open in an accident, except for the tailgate problems Chrysler had in the early-mid '90s, but that was either not an issue in this van, or had already been fixed, I don't remember.

Jason

 

I don't like "Idiot" lights. I built a center console for my '04 Ranger with oil pressure and amp-meter gauges.

 

I'm with you, Don. I wouldn't mind if the dashboard of my vehicles were reminiscent of a jet cockpit--I want info! I don't want the Check Engine Light to come on just as I see a valve come shooting through the hood of the vehicle!

Jason

 

I don't like just about everything added to cars since about 1957.

 

More then 3 different gears?

 

Another thing that really gets me is when the truck is running or key on accs with the door open that damn door chime won't shut off. I can understand if the lights are left on but if it's KOER, KOEO or ACCS it's left there for a reason. I leave my keys in the ignition a lot of times and I'm real sick of listening to the chime. Still trying to figure a way to disable the chime except for when the lights are on.

 

Pull the tumbler and put some tape on the contact. It's very easy.



Most useless feature IMO, "Rain-sensing wipers". I mean, c'mon!

 

For the USA rain sensing doesn't make, well, a lot of sense. I could see a case for them in some instances, but it would be rare.

Its probably a great thing for handicapped people who can't use their legs and have to use one hand for a hand controlled throttle/brake and the other to steer. One less thing to have to take your other hand off the wheel for.


All things considered though, I can think of more things I'd want on an older vehicle that doesn't have some nice features than features I'd give up on a newer truck:

1. My 67 F100 took corners like a barge. Even my 2004 Powerstroke handles better.

2. Longer maintenance intervals and not worrying about tune-ups, or worse, having the vehicle run like crap when you change elevations because the carb needs to be rejetted.

3. Disc brakes on all 4 wheels beats drums/drums and disc/drums any day.

4. TPMS can mean the difference between knowing before your tire goes completely flat and being able to get to a service shop, verses changing a tire on the side of a busy freeway.

5. More comfortable seating, at least for me.

6. Adjustable pedals. Anyone who has dealt with constantly having to readjust the seats each time your wife gets done using the vehicle can appreciate them. 1 button, 2 seconds and its back. Even better are memory pedals.

7. Gas tank in the cab.... I always hated that.

8. More horsepower and torque, along with higher tow ratings. There are things you can do with a F150 now that an F250 couldn't do 25 years ago.

9. Air bags. Safety is always a good thing.

10. Anti-lock brakes, especially for the rear tires, when unloaded can make a huge difference.

11. Crumple zones. I'd rather my truck get totaled than lose my life.

12. Door impact beams. Again... safety.

The list goes one....

Doesn't mean I don't like older trucks. I loved my 67 F100, and I'm keeping a watch for the "right" 66 F100 project truck.

 

Ohh yeah, that one drives me nuts. I'd rather have to break into my truck once in a while than listen to that all the time just because i've got the door open listening to the stereo or whatever while i'm working.

And another one that got me last night (i kinda had a duh moment) I went to pick my buddy up and he was getting in the truck. I glanced down and saw the bright red light on my dash, I thought to myself "what the heck is wrong with my truck", and then realized it was the door ajar light

 

maybe i'm just an old archaic dino , but they need to lose the wannabe larger than 17 inch rims and over priced accomanying tires on all cars . pretty dain good when the rims and tires on the wifes pt loozer costs almost as much as what i paid for a running flat head powered 53 1/2 ton , the one i drive ...... they' re goofy looking to boot !!!!!!!!!!

 

So, there's truth to the "Four wheels and a board" moniker for Ford from years passed. Apparently, it was a marketing strategy--and it still has a following....

 

automatic transmissions. mainly cuz they have done away with a stickshift as an option, and that bothers me. the parts that require "ford specialty tools" so you can't do any maintenance work yourself.
the door chime thing too annoys me.
my lariat f150 has an extra postion for the headlight switch. 0 for off, 1 click right parking lights, 1 more click is the headlights. from 0 one click left is an auto setting. If you can't see that it is dark outside and you need headlights, well i don't think you need to be driving.
i do love the built in compass though.

 

I didn't realize that ALL of my non favorite features were government mandated, but I'm not shocked.

I had forgotten about the rolling locks -- I had them on my previous mopar. Thank goodness I found out how to kill them. I used to stop at my mailbox, and I'd remember to do the unlock. But, my driveway is 250+ feet, so they'd lock again. I generally had stuff to take out of another door, and it would be locked. Minor, but a pita.

The clutch switch wouldn't be QUITE as bad, if they allowed you to start in neutral llike they do in bikes. However, you can argue that it disables a different safety feature -- the ability to roll it a few feet on the starter.

Anyway, I just can't wait for the mandated stability control. Yes, I know that it can be effective, but I hope that they keep the disable feature. These systems are complicated, and they're intended to take effect when they sense that the situation is critical.