This certainly puts everything in perspective. No argument from me.

 

well, this is just my observation, but it seems like american cars have more 'gimicks' [stuff like speed sensing radio volume] than an equally priced import brand [TL isn't really an import]. Certain things I associate with luxury cars, such as leather seats, power seats, power windows a decent stereo, and most of all, quality materials and a quiet and high quality ride.
for example, i find an old benz s500 from lets say 1991 a significantly more luxurious car than a brand new kia, that has more 'gimicks' in it.

when I compare my TL vs my dad's LS460, I don't really miss rain sensing wipers, 500000 speaker sound system, rotating headlamps, a/c seats, folding mirrors, etc.
What I miss the most is the feel of that 'fancy' steering wheel, the seats leather quality [although the TL isn't bad], how well positioned the center armrest is, and although the ride is a bit too soft for me, you can definitly tell you're riding in something expensive. The composure it has over bumps, and how quietly it takes them. TL handles well, but nail a pot hole and you hear it loud n clear, which is also amplified by some dash rattles. The 2 things that are uber gadgets, but i wish the TL had, is the self closing trunk, and how the doors suck themselves in if you get them almost shut but not quite. Partially because I think it looks cool, but also because i'm tired if people slamming my doors and finger prints on my trunk [and yes I always close my trunk from the inside handle].

 

Actually all of those features are really nice. The lane assist is kind of annoying, but most else is great.

 

Relax buddy. "you" was in general.

 

O MAN! What have I STARTED!! haha Right after I wrote this the first or second person to reply said you can just program it, so I went out and did just that!! So now my doors lock when in drive and unlock when in park. As for my lights I just have them on a timer of 15 seconds or when I set the anti-theft they shut off and when I disarm it they turn on! WOOHOO!

 

the things is, the more gimmicky the feature, the more fragile it is. what if the auto wiper breaks (is example) then you have no wipers! what if your headlight servo breaks and only angles to the right?
what if your headlight washer nozzles don't work?
what if your headlight wipers don't work?
what if your dvd player in the back seat doesn't work?

i refuse to buy a dvd player in my car because it's not a luxury.. i don't want more gimmicky things to break on my car...

my parents bought a pontiac 6000 STE... freaking pimp back in the day... it had like some wierd air suspension thing... then those blew out.. and we got regular gas struts and didn't even know what the difference was...

i've seen soo many old mercs and volvos with their headlight wipers broken blocking the lights...

vws and audi's and their broken tail lights.. you know... luxuries like tail lights .... why can't they always work...

 

Yup, and all the lights are on, front and rear, whenever you're driving, night or day. Even our Kia has that option.

 

My Most of these features they are adding now days are just helping to make the driver dumber and less aware of his or her surroundings by doing the work for them. Is it so hard to use .00000002% of your brain to realize that hey maybe its time to turn on the lights? Is it so hard to turn your head and look or do you really need cameras. How about just learning to drive and using a little common sense. Auto headlights are meh.. I have them on my expedition. Half the time i turn them on before the sensor tells it to (99% of the time it wont turn them on when its raining because its just not dark enough) Auto door locks are a pain. If i want my doors locked ill lock them. Glad my TL doesnt have them, glad ford allowed me to disable it.

 

You do realize that essentially all luxuries are "gimmicks", right? No one NEEDS leather seats and you need to condition them once in a while, but they're nice to have.

1. Auto wipers are not 100% automatic. There is still a stalk for the wiper. The computer only controls the speed of the wipers: if there is no rain, the wipers stay off; if rain is heavier, then they swipe faster.

2. Headlight servo failure does seem like an issue. I wonder if there's some kind of failsafe.

3. What's the big deal about headlight washers breaking? Same with the wipers.

4. You make it sound like VWs and Audis are the only cars that have tail light failures.

 

1. I mentioned the IS example from a previous poster where they turned on during the car wash and got messed up... and if it were to rain right after, the car would be deemed unsafe due to the lack of wipers.

3. if the wipers get stuck half way, they block the light from the headlights... also, it's something else that can go wrong. i'm not talking about standard luxuries like leather seats and sunroof that are common on must luxuries but the gimmicks that people offer as luxuries that are prone to breaking ie, headlight washer/wipers, do i need them no, do all luxury cars have them no, then it's a gimmick.

4. i've seen a lot of newer VW/Audi's with burnt out tail lights. you usually see burnt out taillights with older cars, but not 2-3 year old cars.