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These Are The Old Car Features That Should Make A Comeback
Jalopnik ^ | 19 April 2022 | Adam Ismail

Posted on 04/20/2022 8:00:45 AM PDT by 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.

(Excerpt) Read more at jalopnik.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Chit/Chat; History; Travel
KEYWORDS: cars; nodraft
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To: DUMBGRUNT

“Not-Power Windows Crank windows.”

Yes!!!


61 posted on 04/20/2022 8:44:01 AM PDT by MayflowerMadam (When government fears the people, there is liberty.)
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To: DUMBGRUNT

To bring a lot of that stuff back - get rid of CAFE standards and the EPA - fat lot on those wishes coming true.


62 posted on 04/20/2022 8:44:45 AM PDT by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now its your turn)
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To: Afterguard; Bob434

Keep car thieves in jail and we can go back to having simple cheap car keys without transponders.


63 posted on 04/20/2022 8:45:30 AM PDT by Tell It Right (1st Thessalonians 5:21 -- Put everything to the test, hold fast to that which is true.)
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To: Responsibility2nd
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.

Or even a much better coating on the plastic... This one should be easy

64 posted on 04/20/2022 8:47:37 AM PDT by GOPJ (.............Being a sexual weirdo should NOT be a path to power.)
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To: DUMBGRUNT
"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."

Huh? Old Car Features?....

65 posted on 04/20/2022 8:47:43 AM PDT by Hatteras
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To: z3n
"Bring back bench seats.""

Made me think of this:

Paradise By the Dashboard Light.

R.I.P. Meatloaf.

66 posted on 04/20/2022 8:48:14 AM PDT by Dalberg-Acton
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To: Daffynition

I remember when I came home on leave and rented a new VW to drive home. I spent the whole trip stomping all over the floor board trying to get the lights to go on high beam. Had to ask someone and found out it was on the turn signal.

Also, remember when you started the rig by stepping on the mechanical starter actuator? Right near the gas pedal.


67 posted on 04/20/2022 8:49:45 AM PDT by Old Forester
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To: Sequoyah101
"I miss foot dimmer switches."

It was a mess when they moved the dimmer to the steering column.
I kept getting my feet tangled up in the steering wheel.

68 posted on 04/20/2022 8:50:01 AM PDT by Dalberg-Acton
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To: stevio
That requires a monthly subscription.

Where do I send my check for ten years in advance?

69 posted on 04/20/2022 8:50:03 AM PDT by Fightin Whitey
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To: Irish Eyes

Turtle Wax has a polishing/clarifying package for that, not too expensive but requires some time and effort. I used it and found it worthwhile.


70 posted on 04/20/2022 8:51:01 AM PDT by one guy in new jersey
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To: Responsibility2nd

The H bodies- chevy vega/monza, pontiac astre, etc...

CC


71 posted on 04/20/2022 8:52:49 AM PDT by Celtic Conservative (My cats are more amusing than 200 channels worth of TV.)
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To: Irish Eyes

I have been told that the degreasers resprayed in auto carwashes are one of the prime foggers of plastic headlights and other plastic trim.


72 posted on 04/20/2022 8:53:10 AM PDT by KC Burke (If all the world is a stage, I would like to request my lighting be adjusted.)
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To: discostu

As a Chevy Suburban owner who has been down that road, I have since noticed so many GM trucks with one headlight out.


73 posted on 04/20/2022 8:55:27 AM PDT by Hatteras
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To: GOPJ

I had a Tahoe (05) I kept at my cabin at the lake. Chipmunks ate the wiring to the tune of $800 plus a new battery.


74 posted on 04/20/2022 8:56:45 AM PDT by KC Burke (If all the world is a stage, I would like to request my lighting be adjusted.)
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To: Blurb2350

Not sure about today, but in CT,at one time, it was the law to have windshield wipers, but it wasn’t a law that you had to have a windshield.


75 posted on 04/20/2022 8:57:02 AM PDT by Daffynition (*This admin tells us *A* story; but they don't tell us *THE* story* & :) ~ D Bongino)
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To: Daffynition

Over the years I’ve thought a lot about those dimmer switches on the floor. (I began driving in 1981, and I drove some cars that had those.) I’ve often wondered which is easier: pushing with your foot on that button, or having to reach up with your arm and do it from the console?


76 posted on 04/20/2022 8:58:50 AM PDT by Kharis13
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To: Daffynition

Over the years I’ve thought a lot about those dimmer switches on the floor. (I began driving in 1981, and I drove some cars that had those.) I’ve often wondered which is easier: pushing with your foot on that button, or having to reach up with your arm and do it from the console?


77 posted on 04/20/2022 8:58:50 AM PDT by Kharis13
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To: DUMBGRUNT

A long time ago, I always bought the office copier that the salesman didn’t want to sell me. Why? That model was usually the lowest maintenance expense unit available. And many companies sell copiers because the repair profits are enormous compared to the sales profit. Sounds like the headlights today.


78 posted on 04/20/2022 8:59:30 AM PDT by Bernard (Jeffrey Toobin may turn out to be the most ethical character at CNN because he only abused himself.)
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To: AnotherUnixGeek

I got my license during WWII so I know a little about sealed beams.

It is not correct that lights are better now than they were then,

The lights on my RAM are of that designer projector type and they came from the factory with crap bulbs...the worst lights I ever had on a vehicle.

I replaced the bulbs with a brighter bulb and now on high beams they are acceptable but not great. The low beams are so poor that it is not easy to negotiate the complex entry/exit lanes on the interstates.

Because we also have a Jeep with HID lights, I do have a fair comparison. I would never spend the money for the difference as there is none.

Bright lights do not necessarily mean that they project further. On a lonely dark night on the interstate just note how your lights compare to the vehicle passing you. He may have HID’s that blinded you in your mirrors, but he can see no further down the road.

And I do know how to adjust the aim. I wish every one knew how.


79 posted on 04/20/2022 9:03:17 AM PDT by old curmudgeon (There is no situation so bad that the federal government can not make worse.)
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To: Old Forester

That’s funny.


80 posted on 04/20/2022 9:03:43 AM PDT by Daffynition (*This admin tells us *A* story; but they don't tell us *THE* story* & :) ~ D Bongino)
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