- This topic has 58 replies, 20 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 11 months ago by .
-
Topic
-
This is my first post, and this has been on my chest for a long time, so I wanted to get it out there.
(edited for more reasons plus what I’ve experienced from other’s replies)Modern cars tend to have more bells and whistles, better safety, and better gas mileage over much older vehicles, but there are things that seem to break on only modern cars, and here’s my list of things that drive me crazy about modern cars.
The main issue for me is implementing plastic where metal should be, and what could happen if it happens to break on you (listed in no particular order). * by numbers indicate that they broke at least once on my vehicle, a 2012 Ford Fusion S with the 6-speed manual and 58K miles.
1*. Plastic door handles (attached to metal cables) = cables always win. Broke inside and out once.
2*. Electronic throttle bodies with plastic gears that open and close the throttle = stress breaks gears and disables vehicle. Poor timing of failure could be a safety hazard.
3. Plastic intake manifold: crack = “check engine” and poor running, chunk breaks = possible blown engine.
4. Plastic valve cover: crack = oil loss, possible blown engine if left unchecked
5. Plastic pulleys on window regulators = windows drop and/or jam due to temperature cycling over time
6. Plastic latches to close/open center console = will always fail
7. Plastic oil pan (ex. 2011 Ford 6.7 Diesel) = oil leak if it cracks (possible blown engine if failure occurs while driving and left unchecked)
8. Plastic electronic water pumps (I’m looking at you, BMW) = overheating
9. Plastic hose fittings on radiators = cracks, overheating until hose fitting is fixed or radiator replaced
I would spend a few more bucks on the exact same car with the metal parts instead of plastic. The gas savings from the reduced weight of plastic would not cover repair costs. I know they do plastic because of lower production costs and CAFE.Other plastics (instead of soft material)
5. Hard plastic dashboards, especially if black (ex. later Gen 2 Dodge Rams or ’07-13 GM trucks) = cracks
6. Plastic armrests = reduces driver and passenger comfort (even more so if the front door panels have soft material but the rear door panels don’t)Other things that drive me crazy about modern cars: (edit starts with rim sizes)
If you want a manual transmission in a mainstream car you need the most stripped model (for the most part, they’re not even an option on most midsize sedans and full-size trucks, except for the Ram 3500 with the diesel).
More computers, sensors, and electronic controls = more points of failure.
Hybrids don’t have a backup generator in case the main generator fails = money saved on fuel gone.
Are any engines/transmissions introduced in the last 5 years proven to go 300-500K miles or more with just regular maintenance?
Rim sizes on almost every new car = too big, too heavy, too expensive to replace (and the tires that go on them). 17-inch rims max, and only on truck-based SUVs, Mustangs, Challengers, and Camaros I could tolerate. (note: The 16-inch rims on my Fusion are the largest I’ve ever had on any car)
They’re harder to see out of = bigger blind spots increase chances of crashes.
RPM doesn’t immediately drop when you’re trying to upshift.
Some vehicles have their rev-limiter set far past redline (ex. 7,250 limiter on a 6,500 redline in a 2009 Mazda 3) or produce peak horsepower PAST redline (ex. Dodge Hellcats: 707HP @ 6,000 with a 5,750 redline)Things that drive me crazy in my Fusion: (part of the edit)
Engine will not drop to idle RPM, even in neutral, unless going slower than 5 MPH. It will hang between 1,000 and 1,400 RPM, depending on speed and what the ECU thinks how fast the engine should be running.
I get zero engine braking going down hills unless in the lowest possible gear, and even then, not immediately after I take my foot off the accelerator.
The engine has a 6,250 redline but sounds like it’s going to blow up if I exceed 5,900.And one other thing I miss are certain sounds that older vehicles make that the new ones don’t. To me, they’re part of their charm and character.
And my question to you all ETCG faithful: what do you hate about modern cars?
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.