These Are The Old Car Features That Should Make A Comeback

Jalopnik ^ | 19 April 2022 | Adam Ismail

[DUMBGRUNT]

Here's to the days of big windows, bumpers built for bumping and foot-operated controls.

Round, Sealed Headlights Yeah, I know they’re not the greatest aerodynamically, but replacing a bulb on a modern car sometimes requires partially disassembly of the front end just to get at the bulb.

My co-worker just spend $225 to replace ONE BULB on her Acura

Amber Rear Turn Signals The safety of tri-colored tail lights. Red for stop. Amber for turn or hazard. White for reverse.

Replaceable Head Units Or better yet, just make it an actual iPad so I can replace it with a better one that runs an app of the car’s software.

Imagine if you could pop off that dumb less-useful-than-a-tablet tablet on top of any given Mazda’s dashboard and fit an iPad that actually works.

Not-Power Windows Crank windows. More reliable than power windows, much finer control over movements, and I don’t have to turn the ignition on to use it.

[1Old Pro]

I agree with the headlights, should be easily replaceable by the owner, like I have done for 40 years. It is a ripoff designed to allow the Stealership to profit and is simply not in the best interests of the vehicle owner.

[old curmudgeon]

I also miss those days.

We own a Jeep with the HID lights and have not had any problems.

But my RAM 3500 diesel had both front turn indicators go bad due to water leaks killing the LED bulbs. Roughly $500 each, past warranty (manufacturing flaws).

Have replaced high and low beam bulbs three times (160,000 miles) and of course had to take it to a skilled mechanic so as not to ruin the grill or the headlight assemblies.

I feel for anyone who loses a light on long weekend trip out of town because replacing a simple headlight bulb requires work that is not easily done in a motel parking lot or a quick stop gas station on a dark night. Stuck with no light until dealerships open after the weekend or holiday.

As for the power windows, there are several safety reasons they should be banned. One reason is that they are much slower than the hand cranked window. In the event someone is trying to reach in your window, they roll up too slow and they have a safety feature that stops them if an arm or hand is in the way, brought about by numerous child deaths.

Now window speed is important. I once foiled an attempted personal attack by quickly rolling up my window, catching the bad guy by his elbow and dragging him fare enough away from his partner that I could release him and escape. Not possible with today's power windows.

The modern vehicle is the product of true engineering genius, by engineers with no common sense to guide their genius in the proper direction.

[Daffynition]

If you are older than dirt, like me...remember when we used to dim our head lights by slamming down on a switch on the floorboard under the dash.

Read More: Baby Boomer Alert: Who Remembers The Floor Dimmer Switch in Our Cars? | https://cnynews.com/baby-boomer-alert-who-remembers-the-floor-dimmer-switch-in-our-cars/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral

[Afterguard]

“without costing near $100 for one key.”

$100?! I wish! Had to get a new key for my 12 year old BMW and it was $250! The dang car isn’t worth much more than that.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

My 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Supercharged HEMI V8’s headlights are sealed HID (High Intensity Discharge) units, with turn signal and running lights, costing $650 each plus labor, and don’t allow a single bulb replacement.

Damn, I miss using a Philips screwdriver and redplaceable, cheap bulbs.

I don't. In exchange for the expense and complexity, we get far better visibility at night. Headlights on today's cars are amazingly good. It's a trade-off that's more than worth it for me.

[John Milner]

Wing vents are the one thing I miss most. But did you ever have a bumble bee get stunned by the impact then funneled into the vehicle and landing on your lap - or worse, down your shirt? Talk about panic!

I hate Hate HATE amber lights on the back of a car. The cleaner appearance of just the red is much more appealing to me.

I also miss the dogleg piece of body metal between the bottom and rear of the back door - and the wheel well opening. To me it looks like a cheap crap-mobile without that.

[Blurb2350]

Yes, bring back wind wings! And the high/low button on the floor for the headlights. Do they still have those? My turn signal handle thingee has so many functions . . . I sometimes turn the windshield wipers on by accident while tooling down the road on a sunny day.

[Labyrinthos]

Manual shift transmissions as the standard.

[Irish Eyes]

Speaking of headlights, why must all car manufacturers use cheap plastic headlights that turn cloudy and obscure your vision after a few years? Bring back glass.

Plastic headlight covers are the worse idea ever. Going in today to see if they can clean it up. It is so foggy you can hardy see the light. One of them was replaced 2 years ago when someone had the nerve to run into me.

[MercyFlush]

Power windows weigh less than crank windows thus the car makers use them to contribute to CAFE standards.

[Bob434]

Mine was a Toyota, 2010- cos just about $100- was tol,d I can only get 2 more before they have to replace the a ti theft nonsense on it and start over again. Supposedly, the anti theft only allows just so many dupes to be made

[Daffynition]

See post #43....re: buttons on the floor.

[MercyFlush]

“Speaking of headlights, why must all car manufacturers use cheap plastic headlights that turn cloudy and obscure your vision after a few years?”

Plastic weighs less than glass.

[GOPJ]

Chevy's using soy based coatings on their wiring rather than petroleum based coatings. Squirrels will eat the coating.

If you're retired (or not using a second car that often) squirrels eat the coating, your check engine light comes on and you're looking at a minimum $600 repair.

Solution: keep your car in the garage or drive the second car around the block every 4 or 5 days.

[PIF]

And cheap leaded gas.

[Bob434]

By ci prison, I had a spare key made at home depot for the door- won’t start the car as it doesn’t travel the chip- I need it incase i lock keys in car- (the car has some safety lock and sometimes it Wil. Automaticsly, lock,the door if I get put and shut the door- so now I keep spare in pocket- and it only cost me $8

[GOPJ]

Running boards for pickup trucks so the kids and wife can get in easily...

[Irish Eyes]

LOL... that’s what they are.

[Tell It Right]

Fitting 6 people in the car comfortably without having to lean onto each other. LOL

[Daffynition]

I don't condone resurrecting this idea:

Cadillac pioneered the trend, or so it would appear, when designers tucked away the gas cap under the left tail lamp assembly for the 1941 model year, then continued the practice for years until it became a Cadillac signature item.