Hitech vs Lotech.. ;)

[SFDMALEX]

If it wasnt for high technology we'd be all driving pre war caddies or some shit like that.

It depends what you mean specificaly by high technology. I for example would not mind a car packed with every electronic aid known the the human race as long as there is a BIG OFF BUTTON.

[tigerx]

^^^ three thumbs up to that ^^^

it's good to have the options as long as i can turn it off

[nthfinity]

it's good to have the options as long as i can turn it off

a reason why i will never buy a mercedes-benz (vipers dont have esp, so doesnt count yet)

[RC45]

Originally Posted by SFDMALEX I for example would not mind a car packed with every electronic aid known the the human race as long as there is a BIG OFF BUTTON.

Sometimes just having an off switch is not enough.

Having to be constantly on the look out for "updates" will become more and more of a problem.

As it is, there are a bunch of recall patches from manufacturers that involve ECU reflashes that blow away custom tuning and lock down previously exposed tuning points and areas.

An ABS system or Launch Control System or Stability Control System or Active Handling - or even a Fuel Management System on their won are not a hassle or problem - and if they are selectable and well programmed can be great driver aids.

However, with the way auto manufacturers have the various Body Control Modules tapped into each other and depending on each other - and as they build in more and more tamper resistant guards - they will be come more difficult to tune - and more difficult to maintain - and more error and failure prone.

I seriously think I am at the point where I will not buy any future automobile model. The potential for data logging and having incriminating evidence gathered from the car, real time plotting of the cars movements and positions (all big brother stuff that law enforcement and the insurance industry is fighting so hard to get their hands on) and the frequency of even current automobiles needing "reflashed ECM's" when ever you end up at the dealer are the main concerns.



Let's take OnStar - that little "helping aid" is going to be the biggest shock once the Pandora's box of data gathered begins to be opened and used against people for increasing insurance costs etc..

SO apart from engine technology - and a few electronic aids - my opinion is that much like any open class superbike of the last 5 years is already faster than most peoples abilities and will remain just as fast 10 years from now - the current crop of sports cars are fast enough - and with cheap mods can be made faster and actually offer more performance than most people can use anyway.

I am satisfied to remain with this - the last generation of cars before full reliance of all-software driven systems and direct-link to big brother become the norm.

[nthfinity]

I am satisfied to remain with this - the last generation of cars before full reliance of all-software driven systems and direct-link to big brother become the norm.

this is something that a large amount of engineers ive spoken to dislike. for the time being, we are lucky enough that most manufacturers are not willing to fully integrate every driver aid, as the potential of unrecoverable failure increases dramatically.

a few cars are known for thier data collection, and analysis... such as some ferrari's.

i am unsure of most of the large automakers, but from the looks of things at Ford, i dont think this will be the case. there are plans to have available, essentially out of the factory, cars set up with options from the Ford Racing parts catalouge. its important to realize the significance this has on tuning one's car as a knowlege base, rather then freebase so to speak.

its not so dissimilar to Subaru's deal of getting a 1 year membership in the SCCA for buying an STi... or the video that comes with the corvette.

another question relating to auto data collection would be the invasion of privacy aspect. not that secret deals have been conducted in the past... i feel we are still safe for some time to come. time will tell