I’ve fallen behind the technology curve in regards to vehicles. The last vehicle we purchased was 13 years in the past before acquiring a 2019 Toyota Highlander this past December. It’s a model LE-Plus- AWD- V6 (295-HP) with 8 SPD transmission.

Yesterday as an example, we are on our way to Stuart VA, when I notice we are in snow mode according to the instrument panel. Apparently when the spouse went to plug in her cell-phone for charging she inadvertently touched the button that activated Snow Mode.
It is a good vehicle but has more automated & semi-automated functions that have become standard compared to our other vehicle thus it’s a bit of a learning curve.

It’s one of those deals where you have to walk before you can run!

You're not alone. My 81 year old mother got what is likely to be her last new car, a Toyota RAV4, and though she likes the car, she dreads driving it because of all the things she doesn't know about it. My brother and I continue to do tutoring sessions with her when we can to try and fill in the knowledge gap, but its a battle for her.

I know know what you mean I have a Chrysler 300 S 2012. I bought it new and I still have to get my daughter to set up things for me on the radio screen.

Gimmie the old days, rubber floor mats, metal dashes, am radio, hand crank windows, three on the tree, straight six C10 short bed Chevy with bias ply tires, two tone paint and nothing you couldn't fix in the garage with a pair of pliers and some duct tape....

In the past, if old people needed low tech in a new car, they bought a Buick. Maybe that’s changed?

I’m the opposite. Hoping autonomous vehicles will arrive before they take away my driver’s license someday.

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I’ve fallen behind the technology curve in regards to vehicles

I have no desire for the latest technology in a vehicle. I actually prefer simple and easy to understand. My 4Runner has a radio but no touch screen or any of that.

Last fall I bought a new Durango. At one point, my sales dude left the desk and came back with a 20 something dude. The sales guy explained that the youngster was the "tech rep" for the dealership and that he would train me in the electronics on the Durango. That part of the sale took about 30 minutes. I later asked sales dude why he did not show me the electronics and he told me that between Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep and Ram, he was not able to demonstrate or keep current on all the features of the cars.
My Ex-MIL had a badass Cadillac STS and when she drove it anywhere, she would sit in it and blow the horn until someone came out to see what was going on. She could not figure out how to open the auto locking doors!

Our 2007 Accord went over the edge on repair costs recently at about 285,000 miles so my wife decided she wanted a 2017 Volvo XC-90. Talk about too much technology! There are so many bells and whistles on it that, for probably the first time ever on anything in her life, she’s actually reading the owner’s manual.

Last November picked up a 2020 Porsche Cayenne in Rocklin, CA. Drove it up to Reno, where I then took control of my 2018 Porsche Cayman. The near 1K miles drive home to MT had SEVERAL stops to get out the manual to get something figured out. LOL.Had to stop with the Cayenne once too.

We ARE I think entering the overload stage with new vehicles.

One think the Cayman does have , which I like, are physical buttons and switches. I've been in some new vehicles where you have to avert your eyes from the road, search the touch screen for what you want do do, etc. Thats IMHO dangerous.

I'm right there with you. My car has like 12 computers on it, radar, cameras, auto climate control, auto cruise control, an app, blind spot detection, wifi, self parking, ambient lighting, LED everything, touch screen, lane keep assistance, and more that I can't think of. Power windows/locks and A/C is really all I need.

My newest car is a 1999 Isuzu Trooper and it has more tech than I’m happy with. I don’t carry the remote to unlock the doors. I use the key. I will admit that I did upgrade the tape deck to a new head unit with Bluetooth for my phone. Only after the tape player stopped working though. My 1998 GMC with the manual transmission, windows and locks is perfect.

I like having a Bluetooth radio to connect my phone to but other than that I would prefer to stay in the 90’s. I sure don’t need help driving the car like most new vehicles do.

Thank god for my 2003 Camry.

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Originally posted by chellim1:

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I’ve fallen behind the technology curve in regards to vehicles

I have no desire for the latest technology in a vehicle. I actually prefer simple and easy to understand. My 4Runner has a radio but no touch screen or any of that.

I'm with you there. It's just more unnecessary stuff to break and a nightmare to fix when it does. I've been telling my wife that I really want to find a 1970's era Chevy truck for a daily driver, just to get away from all the computers an other unnecessary BS.

I just realized the other day that my '01 Silverado is almost a classic...it'll be 20 next year. Yeah, It has fuel injection and an ECM, but it has a radio with manual knobs, window cranks, and manual locks. The only thing wrong with it (besides rust) is the stupid computer controlled passlock security system acts up from time to time and I have to do a re-learn on the key. Just another stupid computerized "feature" that I don't want or need....

I am glad that I am not the only one that thinks vehicles have too many gizmos

I swear there are so many computers, apps, functions etc.. that driving is secondary.

I really believe that this is the cause of so many accidents. I remember in 2013 I rented a Ford Focus when I flew into Houston for an interview.

It took forever for me to try and figure out the radio due to the fact there were so many buttons and I had to click through a half dozen screens just to scan.

Within the past year, my parents relocated from COls OH to Florida when they retired. My mom did not want to take her Sonata so they gave it to me. When they got settled my dad bought my mom a 2019 Tuscon. Before coming to North Dakota I went down to visit, and my dad explained all the features: Back up cameras, radios, seats, windshields turn on if it senses rain, lane control etc..

I swear it is like the manufacturers put all these safety features and controls in the car because people cannot be trusted to drive.

Take me back to my 1993 Ford Ranger with a standard engine, am radio and crank windows.
The only thing I hated about it was carpeting because I always had to clean it due to me working construction.

There’s a reason my primary vehicle is 97 Jeep TJ...

I'm way behind as well.

My truck is an '07 and unfortunately is on the downhill side and picking up steam towards replacement.
It's got air bags, cruise control, power windows & locks...all that I require as far as technology

I've never needed a crutch like a backup camera, lane monitoring system, butt warmers or anything else before. Why not sell me what I want? I'm sure that would knock the price down to something reasonable as well, not having to pay for something I don't want or need.

When you can't improve the basic principles of a thing, add more "features" and stuff.

The basic principle of an automobile is to transport people and things from one place to another. If you can't improve that, then add: multilevel air-conditioning, sixteen-way adjustable seats, telescoping steering wheels, forty speaker sound systems (with connectors for everything from a telephone to a data center), sun-moon-and-tsunami roofs, empty cup detecting cup holders and the like.

Same thing with phones. When was the last time you heard of a cell phone being updated with actual telephony tech?

Power everything luxury features are great ... until they break. Some are outright silly. A power retractable rear window louver/sunshade? Let me know the repair bill on a power retractable running board. I haven't looked at any closely, but I doubt if those motors and linkages are very robust or well water-proofed. That extra quarter or half mile per gallon from auto stop-start is nice, until one day it decides not to restart.

Well, I have a 79 Chevy C-10 with a 454 and a 5 speed sitting in the garage next to the barn. I love that truck and drive it two, maybe three times a month. It sounds awesome but you sure know you are in a truck. It gets around 12 mpg. if I keep my foot out of it.

In the garage at the house sits my new Chevy Colorado Redline edition with the 8 speed and 3.4 V6. This is my every day driver. It drives and rides like a dream, has all the bells and whistles and gives me 23 mpg all day long. Oh, it would run circles around that 79 but the old square box sure can tow more.

If I could only have one it would be a no brainier.