Cars.....if you wait long enough, they come back in style!

[FNG]

I would wager it has to do with automakers doing whatever they can to reduce weight to meet onerous CAFE standards.

 

[Opsimath]

Emergency brake that is set with a pedal on the left.

My nightmare when learning to drive "three on the tree" was coming to a stop at an intersection on a steep hill at night. I had to dim the lights, set the brake, put in the clutch, panic, pop the clutch and then release the brake which at least had a hand operated release.

You didn't put "panic" in there enough times.

 

[West R Lee]

The one new tech I'm not sure I could ever het used to is the steer free driving. Just turn the wheel loose and let her eat, while you clap your hands or carry on a conversation with those sitting behind you. Now THAT is trust in technology. And not for me in this lifetime.

West

 

[Sal]

My dog and I really miss front bench seats. That's one to bring back! You can't even find them in today's new trucks.

 

[adorshki]

The one new tech I'm not sure I could ever het used to is the steer free driving. Just turn the wheel loose and let her eat, while you clap your hands or carry on a conversation with those sitting behind you. Now THAT is trust in technology. And not for me in this lifetime.

West

They got Clapper Controlled Course Correction now?
What would Klara Klopper say?

 

[Guildedagain]

I hired on with a landscaping outfit, old Chevy truck with three on the tree, jammed at a light in heavy traffic.

Jump out, put both steering colum shifter arms in neutral position under the hood, jump back in, drive.

OJT...

 

[tonepoet]

It's hard to believe that any of that is less expensive, especially the transponder keys. If you've ever had to replace one, they're $300 and up, and none of them will work unless you get all the ones you have programmed at the same time in most cases. Just a stupid idea, I think.

Where I was going with that was the cost difference between a key ignition assembly and a push button. And if you need to replace the transponder key, that's more money for the dealer and car maker. A win-win for them. I'd bet they only pay a few dollars for those transponders.

When I bought my 2017 Ford Escape, I made sure it had a key ignition and a CD player. I'm not sure I'll be able to do that next, if I buy new.

 

[twocorgis]

Where I was going with that was the cost difference between a key ignition assembly and a push button. And if you need to replace the transponder key, that's more money for the dealer and car maker. A win-win for them. I'd bet they only pay a few dollars for those transponders.

When I bought my 2017 Ford Escape, I made sure it had a key ignition and a CD player. I'm not sure I'll be able to do that next, if I buy new.

My '09 BMW has the button, but it doesn't work unless you insert a "key" first. It also has a (gasp) 6 speed manual. My 2020 Ford Transit work truck has a good old fashioned key, and a PRND21 shifter.

 

[West R Lee]

They got Clapper Controlled Course Correction now?
What would Klara Klopper say?

I remember that!

West

 

[Opsimath]

My dog and I really miss front bench seats. That's one to bring back! You can't even find them in today's new trucks.

I looked for almost two years before I found a Navigator with second row "bench" seat. The seat is divided, but I did not want the middle console. Why? The safest place for a baby's car seat is the middle of the vehicle.

 

[Steelman]

The family inherited Gramps's '55 Plymouth Savoy. It had the thin lever (for the automatic tranny) sticking out of the dashboard.

For several years I drove "Leonardo" around: he was a '52 Imperial with the M 6 automatic . . . the "Clunk-o-matic," remember? Steering column gear shift with a fluid clutch. Put it in "3rd", accelerate, back off the gas pedal and the car went into 4th with a satisfying "clunk."