Challenge: top this car industry insanity

[pentode]

I like to keep tabs on the tech side of the auto industry. I'm especially amused by the absurd, owner-hostile stuff that's creeping into car design. We all know about all-screen, no-button dashes, monthly subscription seat heaters, etc, but I saw a video today that I think tops my list - for now. This is a SEAT (ex-Spanish Fiat, current Spanish VW) whose replacement headlight wouldn't work without dealer-level programming.

Towards the end, he shows the original headlamp with a ~60pin connector that had clearly been destroyed by... getting wet.

For me, as of today, I think this goes to #1 on my list of car stupid, but if you have anything that tops it, I'd love to see it!

Edit: this must already exist on some VW models, SEAT doesn't get bleeding edge VAG technology

 

[pjtoledo]

those cheap simple imported mini trucks are looking better every day.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I wouldn't be surprised if Ford doesn't eventually petition the government to ban suspension modifications for 'safety reasons' and force people to pay for 'off-road' packages on new vehicles.

Today's younger generations don't seem to possess much mechanical ability, so you never know.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

those cheap simple imported mini trucks are looking better every day.

What I wouldn't do for that Toyota that's manual only and like 16k new...

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

I like to keep tabs on the tech side of the auto industry. I'm especially amused by the absurd, owner-hostile stuff that's creeping into car design. We all know about all-screen, no-button dashes, monthly subscription seat heaters, etc, but I saw a video today that I think tops my list - for now. This is a SEAT (ex-Spanish Fiat, current Spanish VW) whose replacement headlight wouldn't work without dealer-level programming.

Towards the end, he shows the original headlamp with a ~60pin connector that had clearly been destroyed by... getting wet.

For me, as of today, I think this goes to #1 on my list of car stupid, but if you have anything that tops it, I'd love to see it!

Edit: this must already exist on some VW models, SEAT doesn't get bleeding edge VAG technology

To answer the thread, my C7 cat just had injectors replaced, and wouldn't run unless the pcm was flashed to recognize the injectors.

It's a 2007.

 

[superj]

Mercedes has been programming lights to the car for a number of years. A buddy had one 10 years ago and someone hit the light in the parking lot. It was 2500 bucks for the light and then programming cost an hour of shop time

 

[pentode]

To answer the thread, my C7 cat just had injectors replaced, and wouldn't run unless the pcm was flashed to recognize the injectors.

It's a 2007.

I was going to say "well, I'm not sure if that's dumber than the headlight, but it's probably more expensive"... But then I'm not sure anymore. That headlight is probably $800.

At least with the injectors, it makes sense though. Oh wait, no, not even a tiny bit.

 

[pentode]

Mercedes has been programming lights to the car for a number of years. A buddy had one 10 years ago and someone hit the light in the parking lot. It was 2500 bucks for the light and then programming cost an hour of shop time

Obviously I'm a bit out of date on the euro stuff. It was out of my price range before all this stuff started. I'd still risk an early 80s 5- or 6- series BMW if I ever saw one about to be crushed.

They're older examples, but hot-v turbos and starters in the V (was that Northstar?) were clues the engineers were bored.

 

[djfllmn]

Obviously I'm a bit out of date on the euro stuff. It was out of my price range before all this stuff started. I'd still risk an early 80s 5- or 6- series BMW if I ever saw one about to be crushed.

They're older examples, but hot-v turbos and starters in the V (was that Northstar?) were clues the engineers were bored.

Don't forget the FWD 3.5/3.7 Fords where the water pump is driven by the timing chain. My wife and I love her edge, but that water pump is one thing i don't like. I have another year of extended warranty on it

 

[Curious Hound]

To answer the thread, my C7 cat just had injectors replaced, and wouldn't run unless the pcm was flashed to recognize the injectors.

It's a 2007.

Oh, for the days of purely mechanical diesels. I watch a couple YouTube channels from out in your end of the state, where the guys go and salvage old heavy equipment. Diesel Creek, Scrappy Industries and, now, Calamity Kim is out there after relocating from the UK.

 

[Curious Hound]

Don't forget the FWD 3.5/3.7 Fords where the water pump is driven by the timing chain

Oh, no. Is that what's in my moms Flex?

 

[djfllmn]

Oh, no. Is that what's in my moms Flex?

Sure is!

 

[Curious Hound]

That headlight is probably $800

That would be cheap. The headlight on my 2022 Kawasaki KLR650 is over $600

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Henry Ford would throw an apocalyptic fit over the current state of the automotive industry…

 

[pentode]

I'll just add that these mechanical engineering faux pas are plenty bad enough... Those take time and many meetings to push through. I guess the ones that annoy me most are the ones that don't require any thinking or effort other than greed. Like, hmm, the power windows are controlled by the computer... What if we just paywalled those?

Yeah that water pump would be hilarious if it wasn't so stupidly avoidable. It's like making an oil cooler with a Saran wrap divider and seeing how long it lasts.