Good simple cars

lordrobs said:
To be fair it is more than a screen. The entire instrument cluster can be configured differently based upon what information is being shown at the time sat nav, media etc.
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But it is just a screen, since most screens I'm aware of 'can be configured differently based upon what information is being shown at the time'?!
 
Blackhawk47 said:
I think people who believe 'simple cars' are better, either don't know any better or can't afford it.

In terms of interior, you won't find many new cars as straight forward and intuitive as the TT. The Audi Virtual Cockpit is incredible but does take a week or so to get used to it.

TT%20interior%20s-line.jpg
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Thank you for the financial assessment. I shall let my wife know that I am on the bread line because I don't rent a car with integrated nav, I'm sure she will be seeking a divorce ASAP.

Also a straight forward and intuitive car... that takes a week or so to get used to :confused: I do like the climate controls on the new TT though. I think that is pretty cool.

ttaskmaster said:
Funny... I just got a mk1 Octy 1.9TDi 130PD L&K... and I love it for pretty much all the things you seem to seek!!
You don't fancy another Octy, then?
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Nah, I had a great Octavia and let it go. I can't imagine being able to get one as nice as the one I had so that puts a downer on me getting another.

Participant said:
But it is just a screen, since most screens I'm aware of 'can be configured differently based upon what information is being shown at the time'?!
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True, it is just a screen but I'd still say that when it was released its implementation was pretty unique. I'm not a fan of it though and the idea that the guy stuck on my back bumper has that much distraction at his fingertips at 80 mph sends a shiver down my spine.

Again, don't get me wrong, I like toys that make my journeys easier! I just don't like the way lots of cars are going with their information overload and a billion settings for things that you never knew you needed until the car manufacturers had to find a way to get you to upgrade your car!
 
Blackhawk47's comment rustled my jimmies, mainly because it's true. Personally I can't afford one.

However, I have sat in a great many, and the only thing I really envy about newer cars is the suspension & reliability.

I'd like to see car manufacturer's making more barebones models. As someone suggested, yes you can buy bottom of the range models, however these often include bottom of the range engines. Personally I'd prefer the money saved in tech to go into better components.
 
I love tech so in a car that I use from day to day I want as many gadgets as possible, in combination with a good driving experience (with things like excellent ergonomics, a balanced chassis, and feedback through the controls) of course.

If I had a "weekend car" such as an MX5 I would be far less bothered about equipment levels.

As for the integrated nav debate, mine's an old system now and it's a little slower than the newest variants but I like it. It still works well, has full postcode lookup, can still buy map updates, the maps are good quality, and I use it a lot. The only thing it doesn't do nearly as well as things like Waze is real-time traffic routing. I'm hoping I can trust it for a trip into the middle of France in May, but I'll have my phone with Waze as a backup. The only annoying thing is I can't mount my phone to the vents because of their design, so I'm stuck with an ugly windscreen or dash mount if I want to use my phone :(
 
Howard said:
The only annoying thing is I can't mount my phone to the vents because of their design, so I'm stuck with an ugly windscreen or dash mount if I want to use my phone :(
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Is your car the one pictured in your sig?

I have circular vents that look the same as yours (not sure exactly how different they are compared to my SEAT) and a Kenu Airframe fits, you have to have the flap on the vent vertically but it does work and is stable. Might be worth a look?
 
Jamesyboyjim said:
Is your car the one pictured in your sig?

I have circular vents that look the same as yours (not sure exactly how different they are compared to my SEAT) and a Kenu Airframe fits, you have to have the flap on the vent vertically but it does work and is stable. Might be worth a look?
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It is, yes. I've read that it's not likely to work but I suppose I could buy one and try it. Which Seat have you got? I'll see if they look the same.
 
Or you could get a CD slot mounted holder if you don't mind having the cars nav screen partly obscured while it is being used.

I was dubious about them but went for one anyway and it is the best phone holder I've used.
 
I used my phone as a sat nav in London.........Great until my phone rang.....My car is also my mobile office though so it needs all the goodies.
 
I love watching modern Audis have a seizure when they approach a corner at night. First the headlight dims, then the indicator starts flashing (sometimes that weird stroby thing that they do), then the fog light comes on, it just looks so stupid, like the car is having a meltdown. Unnecessary over engineering at its finest.
 
TacticalFish said:
Blackhawk47's comment rustled my jimmies, mainly because it's true. Personally I can't afford one.

However, I have sat in a great many, and the only thing I really envy about newer cars is the suspension & reliability.

I'd like to see car manufacturer's making more barebones models. As someone suggested, yes you can buy bottom of the range models, however these often include bottom of the range engines. Personally I'd prefer the money saved in tech to go into better components.
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There isn't a market for barebones models with high spec engines. It wouldn't make any sense.

Let's put this £10K engine into a £15K car with absolutely no spec.

I believe BMW have made special M or CSL models which have everything stripped out for speed. For example they don't even come with a radio or speakers to save weight. However they aren't exactly cheap @ £60K+ or however much they cost.
 
Diddums said:
I love watching modern Audis have a seizure when they approach a corner at night. First the headlight dims, then the indicator starts flashing (sometimes that weird stroby thing that they do), then the fog light comes on, it just looks so stupid, like the car is having a meltdown. Unnecessary over engineering at its finest.
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The headlight doesn't dim, the DRL will (though it won't on mine as the DRL IS the indicator, it will just flash between white and amber), I have all-weather headlights, so no fogs to come on. For the most part it's not Audi's that are setup to use the fogs as static cornering lights, it's VWs (unless the owner has played with a diagnostic cable).
 
ttaskmaster said:
I have that Climatronic thingy in my car. Yeah, it works and all, but conditions vary and all I want is a couple of dials to give me hot/cold and different fan speeds. As is, I have to fiddle with several different buttons to alter things and I'm taking my eyes off the road to make sure I hit the right ones. Dials I can use blind.

I have auto-wipers that vary the speed depending on the amount of detected rainfall... Yeah, it's nice and a cool feature, but I have to remember to switch it on every time and it's just as easy to use the manual switch.
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Hate to say it but your using those things wrong.

Climate control should be set and forget really. I only really adjust the temperature on particulary hot or cold days, otherwise it stays on 20 degrees/auto.

Don't know what is going on with your auto wipers. Push the wiper stalk one notch up on all the cars I've driven turns auto wipers. My only issue with them is if you ever replace the windscreen...whenever I've had to get Autoglass to do this, they've never worked probably.

Luckily on this car I can turn the rain sensor off completely in the settings - which might come handy in the future.
 
lordrobs said:
Also a straight forward and intuitive car... that takes a week or so to get used to :confused:
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I did specifically say that regarding the virtual cockpit. Not driving the car...

And it is different, there not many cars like it but after a week the penny drops and everything feels very natural.
 
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