Cars and Other Driving Machines

[pretermitted_child]

Has anyone driven a car that had a proximity sensor in the rear bumper which provided an indication that, when you're backing up, an inelastic collision with another car was imminent?

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by pretermitted_child
Has anyone driven a car that had a proximity sensor in the rear bumper which provided an indication that, when you're backing up, an inelastic collision with another car was imminent?

Not one that had it built in, although I've read they do the job.

Do not, however, waste your time with an aftermarket kit. PITA installation and it still doesn't really work.

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by pretermitted_child
Has anyone driven a car that had a proximity sensor in the rear bumper which provided an indication that, when you're backing up, an inelastic collision with another car was imminent?

Yeah, my beemer has front and rear sensors. I got talked into it - didn't really want it, but you'd be surprised how many idiots will walk behind you even though you're backing up a 4000lb vehicle.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
Yeah, my beemer has front and rear sensors. I got talked into it - didn't really want it, but you'd be surprised how many idiots will walk behind you even though you're backing up a 4000lb vehicle.

But why would you care? Do you need bug n' tar remover to get them off?

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
But why would you care? Do you need bug n' tar remover to get them off?

You know, all those calls to the insurance company. All the questions, "so, how did you get those dents in your bumper? And is that blood on your tires?"

Easier just to not hit idiots. I HATE driving a rental while the vehicle is being painted. And don't get me started with the idiots at Home Depot who load up the F150 with lumber and plants and then back up while you're backing up, and you've got to watch the idiot in front of you with the minivan full of petunias and juniors backing up. It's like another set of eyes (idiot watchers). Plus, it's really nice when you're parallel parking to know (within inches) of where your bumper is in relation to the other car. The beeping gets progressively faster as you approach the other car and once the beep goes to full tone, you're within 6 inches. Front beep is deeper in pitch than the rear beep and there's a left and right speaker so you know which of the 4 corners you're getting ready to hit something with.

[SEC_Chick]

Originally posted by pretermitted_child
Has anyone driven a car that had a proximity sensor in the rear bumper which provided an indication that, when you're backing up, an inelastic collision with another car was imminent?

I placed an order for a car and after doing the research, determined that the reverse warning was a must. It is very good for helping with parking (especially in cars that have big blind spots), but not so good at detecting children darting behind your car as you're backing up. Unfortunately, the dealer I ordered from sucked, so I bought a different car from a different dealer and it has a rear camera, which I find to be highly superior to the beeping systems, as I can actually see what's behind my bumper. Now I can also see the expression on their faces as I run them over, which is a capability the audible systems lack.

[pretermitted_child]

Originally posted by SEC_Chick
. . . so I bought a different car from a different dealer and it has a rear camera . . . Now I can also see the expression on their faces as I run them over, which is a capability the audible systems lack.

From now on, that's one option* that I'll definitely look for when buying a car.



* Preferably hacked to include an audible warning as well . . . like "Say cheese!"

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by SEC_Chick
I placed an order for a car and after doing the research, determined that the reverse warning was a must. It is very good for helping with parking (especially in cars that have big blind spots), but not so good at detecting children darting behind your car as you're backing up. Unfortunately, the dealer I ordered from sucked, so I bought a different car from a different dealer and it has a rear camera, which I find to be highly superior to the beeping systems, as I can actually see what's behind my bumper. Now I can also see the expression on their faces as I run them over, which is a capability the audible systems lack.

That must be one big car. I can't see the sense in driving something so large I can't park it w/o little sensors. That is, of course, unless you have a large brood to haul around (which I don't have). I would prefer a Mini to an Escalade any day of the week.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Toyota Scion:


Nissan Cube:



Egad.:wtf:

[Alex_de_Large]

That Toyota is a concept for the Scion xB (Scion is Toyota's new hip brand name). I don't know much about that Nissan. Personally, I like the trend. The Honda Element, discussed earlier, is a pretty cool use of space, and ist use of the Civic/CRV platform means it will be cheap/profitable for Honda.

I think these cars/trucks are interesting. It's like neon-orange cars: I wouldn't buy one, but I am glad they exist.

[Flinty_McFlint]

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
That Toyota is a concept for the Scion xB (Scion is Toyota's new hip brand name). I don't know much about that Nissan. Personally, I like the trend. The Honda Element, discussed earlier, is a pretty cool use of space, and ist use of the Civic/CRV platform means it will be cheap/profitable for Honda.

I think these cars/trucks are interesting. It's like neon-orange cars: I wouldn't buy one, but I am glad they exist.

I saw the Toyota on the road recently commuting to work. I couldn't figure out what it was, I just knew it was a Toyota. Kinda cool, kinda dinky. I think I'd rather have a Mini or a Matrix.

[NotFromHere]

I know some of you have Explorers. Probably not many with Crown Victorias...

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 — Ford Motor Co. is recalling nearly 30,000 Crown Victoria police cars and taxis because of a wheel defect, the federal government said Friday. Additionally, the world’s No. 2 automaker will recall more than 1.5 million Ford Explorers and Mercury Mountaineers made between 1998 and 2001. The National Highway Traffic Safety administration also said Ford is recalling more than 1.5 million Ford Explorers and Mercury Mountaineers made between 1998 and 2001 because a bolt could fracture in the seat backs. Ford also is recalling a smaller number of the same vehicles because of a problem with speed control cables.
recall notice

[Anne Elk]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
I know some of you have Explorers. Probably not many with Crown Victorias...

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 — Ford Motor Co. is recalling nearly 30,000 Crown Victoria police cars and taxis because of a wheel defect, the federal government said Friday. Additionally, the world’s No. 2 automaker will recall more than 1.5 million Ford Explorers and Mercury Mountaineers made between 1998 and 2001. The National Highway Traffic Safety administration also said Ford is recalling more than 1.5 million Ford Explorers and Mercury Mountaineers made between 1998 and 2001 because a bolt could fracture in the seat backs. Ford also is recalling a smaller number of the same vehicles because of a problem with speed control cables.
recall notice

I assume they've finished with the gas tank recall on the Crown Vics...

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by Anne Elk
I assume they've finished with the gas tank recall on the Crown Vics...

Unfortunately, no.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT CAME just one day after Ford said it would offer fire-suppression technology in 2005 for Crown Victoria police cars, which have been criticized because of gas tank explosions in some rear-end collisions.

[Anne Elk]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
Unfortunately, no.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT CAME just one day after Ford said it would offer fire-suppression technology in 2005 for Crown Victoria police cars, which have been criticized because of gas tank explosions in some rear-end collisions.

Those bas-tahds!