iamitman

Hi Guys,

I might be in the minority here but all the new "features" as lane watch, rear view camera, side collision warning, front collision warning, coffee is hot warnings are really needed? Where is the refinement in the Engines? Brakes? Transmission? Suspension? Of course they are there but all everyone want in a car is tech. What if the front collision system malfunctions and call comes to screeching halt in a fast lane? What if adaptive cruise control system fails while you are distracted?

What I am driving at is (no pun intended) that all the new "Tech" and features can be replaced by a good driver who understand that only task he or she should be doing in the car is Drive. I want a better driving experience with my new car, not being able to text more easily. Don't get me wrong, I still want all the luxuries like leather seats, heated seats, automatic climate control, auto dim mirror, etc etc. But mostly I want a car, not a high tech Phone Booth.

What are your thoughts?

Rant over.

iamitman

Basically what I am saying is I WANT 6 MT in the TLX and exposed Tail Pipes.

KeithL

Even good drivers have a bad day and make a mistake. Even a good driver is opt to get fatigued on a very long drive. And even a good driver may feel lazy and let the car engage adaptive cruise control. And how many proclaimed "good drivers" are really that good? I like to DRIVE, but am open to,have some backup tech that I can engage when I want. Blind spot warning is great, adaptive cruise another great plus nod collision mitigation another good one I like.

keith7120

^^^^^^^^^^what he said!!!, from one KeithL to another.

iamitman

I for one would like statistics on accidents with cars with new tech and ones without. And also the driving stats of who was driving what car. I don't think a car can really make up for a poor driver prone to accidents.

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

because Acura

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Fixed it for you.

03uc1

iTrader: (1)

If you've read the other posts in this TLX forum, a lot of the current members have voiced out their disappointment regarding this car, but not so much about the "tech" features, but on the performance side... don't even bother and start again with the exterior

I'm going to agree with KeithL and not bother restating what was said.

But when you're asking about "a better driving experience," that can be quite subjective. You may never know, the 8sp DCT or even the 9AT might be surprise you.

I say, let's wait until we drive the car, and then post your/our experience

KeithL

I would like to see that too. Especially in today's world of people, distracted while driving, I vote for collision tech and lane departure tech being standard. The government recently mandated backup cameras which I understand, but really I think some simple things are far more effective at dropping accident rates, LED taillights or at least the third brake light should be LED I a tired driving behind people with their brake lights out. Collision mitigation or warning as these idiots are texting while driving, and ditto for lane departure warning and mitigation. I do not know where you are driving, but the idiots driving around me are doing everything, but driving.

Goosew

iTrader: (1)

You have to remember that all these "Tech features" that you're not happy with are merely SUPPLEMENTARY driver aids.

They are in NO MEANS, supposed to REPLACE the actual driver. If the driver isn't paying attention, then he's gonna crash anyway (even without the collision mitigation system / adaptive cruise control). The point of these is to help MITIGATE (by definition is "to make less severe / serious / painful), not replace.

Also, part of the reason that all these tech features are included is more to "keep up with the Jones' ". If Acura didn't include these things (as other manufacturers do), it's just blood in the water for the other manufacturers.

As for the mechanical refinements you downplay, wait until the car comes out and you drive it. You may be pleasantly surprised.

weather

iamitman...I am with you on the technology. I don't see its purpose except for the backup camera because it is nice to back into a spot and not have to worry about damaging the rear bumper.

I agree that I'd rather have them focus on reactive dampers that work (lol)

123456SPEED

Same was said when cruise control and stability control first came out. I like adaptive cruise and the full CMBS like the RL and ZDX had. These newest dumbed down 'beep only' versions are annoying. I think collision mitigation will become common like stability control. blind spot and lane departure are annoying but maybe some texter will not hit me. and car to car data linking systems are almost ready.
weather- the backup cameras are for not hitting people or children, not just saving your bumper, and are now required in future cars.

weather

^^ You are correct in what the rear camera's are designed for....I was adding an extra practically of them, and I should have stated that IN ADDITION to save children and lives, they also save your bumper and make parking easier

erdoc48

I'm all for backup cameras but a lot of the tech isn't needed and makes a car more expensive, complicated, and more expensive to repair when the tech fails. For blind spot warning, I'd actually prefer something low tech like a Multivex mirror (which aren't made any more unfortunately). For lane departure warning, I'm not a huge fan. For a good driver, these tech toys really aren't needed/ helpful, and for less skilled drivers, they shouldn't be a crutch on which to rely or to replace good driving skills.

My 3G (obviously) has none of the above, and it doesn't bother me one bit.

vbx

Tech or no tech, accidents will happen. Look at the Q50 forum, there are 3 cars already that have been in accidents. Some claimed the "nanny tech was turned off". So you actually have to turn it on every time you start the car.

Even so, I doubt any of those tech would prevent an accident.

It's all about paying attention and not falling asleep. And I can tell you from experience that driving an automatic makes you lazy as hell. It's also boring to drive.

When I had my 6mt, I avoided a collision that would have been horrible. Some idiots decided to merge into my lane (he was coming out of a shopping center).

I was driving with traffic at about 45mph. When I saw this moron merge in. There was basically no where for me to go because there was another car to my right. I did swerve a little to the right avoiding the car to my right by a few inches and the car merging in to my left. It all happened in just a few second. I didn't have time to honk. Just reacted and managed to getaway with a scratch on my car.

Then some guy in the SUV pulled up to me on the right and said, "That was crazy, wtf!". haha

I was like, "did you see that idiot?". I think we were all in shock.

Not sure how this "nanny tech bs" would have reacted to a car coming from the side like that.

Well, with the Q50, it does have remote control steering, but it doesn't have side sensors.

All in all, I prefer driving a 6mt even in heavy traffic in SoCal.

===========

For Blind Spot Warning, I prefer the Lexus version. That just gives you a warning light on the mirror. The Q50 has blind spot intervention. Which takes over your steering wheel.

Treblig

None of this technology is in place to replace driver responsibility. But we know that Accidents can and do happen to even the very best of drivers. The technology is there for when you make that one miscalculation or try to respond to some other driver's miscalculation. Although you may not depend on it, once one of those tech nannies saves your bacon, you'll be glad you had it.

BEAR-AvHistory

Make the tech all optional, if you don't want it don't buy it. One thing I got on my new car was a HUD that's really good tech to me. Think the RLX has a HUD it in the Acura lineup so it will filter down.

Skipped the 360* cameras & avoidance items but did opt for top end brakes.

docboy

IMHO there should be more tech goodies available:

As mentioned HUD, panoramic sunroof, performance brakes, performance exhaust, Google w/wifi, etc. Tesla's tech package is a great example of what it's all about.

Goosew

iTrader: (1)

This is actually what I like about Acura. They don't try and nickle and dime you with pages and pages of options..

There are a few specific trims, you either get it or you don't.!.

CaliAtenza

i can attest to the active blind spot assist system saving my bacon the day we were bringing my dad's Mercedes C250 home from the dealership after the purchase. I was driving the car and as i was merging onto the freeway, some nutter comes flying up right alongside me from the rear as i was merging...i couldn't even see him, he was moving that fast...and only at the last moment i saw him. Luckily the blind spot system kicked in, warned me, and in a split second, moved me away from the other car and kept me in the lane. We payed $2500 extra for the entire safety package and it proved its worth that day

internalaudit

My 02 Civic has an ECU. Should I have not bought it?

My 11 Accord has ABS, VSA, Traction Control, an ECU. Should I have not bought it?

I concur that safety features that are reactive instead of active may be less prone to malfunction - - reactive means the driver already screwed up. I too worry about the computer taking over the car and this could be fatal. Just imagine if the lane change system forces the car back into the lane which is now occupied by another vehicle? The car should always obey a human override.

But that is the risk to take if we want all these additional safety features for our children who are new to driving. Just like how it is easier to first teach them to drive auto then teach them stick with a 3 or 4G . Much more cars on the road now (including idiots) compared to when I first learned to drive on my dad's 79 Opel Record.

Tonyware

I am really interested in this "coffee is hot warnings" thing. Lexuz doesn't have it! Aha! Got them! LOL.

Legend2TL

https://www.google.com/#q=statistics...bility+control

There's alot of statistics and data for stability control, it saves 600-700 lives/year alone in the US.
Europe and others have similar results, ESC saves lives.

JM2010 SH-AWD

Amen, but I'm afraid we are in the distinct minority. Buyers in America at least want bling and nannies and other driving distractions, not something that will require you to become more involved with driving. Don't get me wrong -- I love my ELS, BT, nav, etc., but I think enough is about enough. I don't want my car to drive itself.

123456SPEED

My CL-S is almost pre-tech, (I do have Navi) and I hand shift it too.
I would like CMBS and ACC in my next car and cooled seats.
As far as sleepy time goes- I know MB and others are adding sleep monitoring systems,
that wake you up after your nap...

BEAR-AvHistory

There is no free lunch; you pay for everything you get in a car. They just charge you for stuff you may not want but have to take to get other items you do want with only few specific trims & no individual options.

These type packages are configured to up the manufactures take on each sale. Take a look at how the content is configured.

Rather be able to buy Ala Carte so I can to skip over things I don’t want.

mylove4cars

With the birth of the TLX

fsttyms1

Correct, as of now they arent there to replace the actual driver, BUT Problem is, is they are making the people far to dependent on the systems to help them drive making them worse drivers or giving them the false impression that they are there to fix their lack of driving/attention skills behind the wheel.

LaCostaRacer

Even good drivers can have a moment of distraction on occasion.

I don't think many of you can say that you have never attempted to merge into a lane that had a car near- possibly in a blind spot in the rear quarter panel or something. I bet many people have had a moment in the last year even. This might happen to me once or twice a year- all it takes is one time where both drivers are inattentive and you have a possible accident.

I say bring on the tech when it's unobtrusive and economical. It won't make me a better or worse driver, but I do believe it can reduce accidents which helps all drivers.

KeithL

Problem with a al carte is you almost have to order a car. I looked at Lexus GS350 and in the entire region they could not find a color and option config I wanted. I considered another Infiniti, but the order lead was 4 months. Even my Audi I had to order because again finding color and options was impossible. Most people buy a car on the spot and do not want to wait 2-3 months to get it. And most dealers know once you leave the dealership you are not likely coming back.

bla8291

Although it's true that Acura isn't as bad as other companies when it comes to brands, I miss the days when the only options were nav/no-nav, base/Type-S, and everything else came standard. Pretty simple.

Oswald Vater

Do we really need the "tech"? No. Is it nice to have it? Yes! Having driven a couple "Tech" laden new cars recently I can see the positives. For those of us who love to drive they are conveniences that can enhance the driving experience. I myself want them in my next vehicle. At the same time those who are heavily dependent upon them so they can do other things than drive probably shouldn't be driving in the first place.

BEAR-AvHistory

Depends on the system, my BMW's took about 6 weeks. Fords about the same. Expect I have ordered about 90% of my cars going back to 1962 with my first new car a 409/409 bubble top Impala. If I am getting a $50/60K car I want exactly what I want & can put off the instant gratification a bit.

There are very good reasons to buy off the lot, 4 months is a bit loooong, but I have been able to avoid them in most cases.

Legend2TL

Not a free lunch but a reduced cost lunch, where the cost savings can be very substantial over individual options. When a manufacturer can buy more, that simplifies supply chain management. It also means easier manufacturing. There's nothing wrong with customization but it can complicate assembly and BMW, Lexus, MB,.... charge a fair amount for options that when combined into a group are far cheaper. They also offer option groups, and Acura now has a pretty broad range of trim as well.


+1, it also makes it harder to negotiate since it's not longer apples and apples. I knew I wanted a 2005 6MT TL NBP/Camel, I had to negotiate with several dealers (none had that config) when we reached terms the salesman checked for that config build. Had to wait 4 weeks but it was worth it.

bla8291

Reposted for correction.

iamitman

Some good points here. I am just worried that all this tech will promote more dangerous behavior as texting, driving while tired, etc etc. Stability and Traction control aid the driver but never makes them complacent. Back up cameras are nice, and only thing I wish I had and might get one installed in the car soon.

Superunknown

The exterior of the new Camry sucks.

Which forum am I on again?

Colin

It could be argued that the dangerous behavior is already here ... that it's impossible to put the genie back in the bottle and change peoples behavior. For example, our state passed a law that says you cannot hold a mobile device when driving. What do people do? They hold the phone low in their laps while using it to avoid detection. Of course, now they are taking their eyes further away from the road. Essentially, people don't change behavior that readily and the intended 'fix' has made it worse.

Treblig

I am sure that there is some validity to your concerns, but you can't halt progress because of the few that will always abuse it. Responsible drivers will always be the key.

kurtatx

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