Really thoughtful design features

Really thoughtful design features

Author
Discussion

BigBo

212 posts

121 months

Friday 19th December 2014
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The N14 pulsar/sunny umbrella is on gti's too and its a big brolly that's easy to replace- the original Nissan one is usually taken at the docks

The dash button to flip down the rear headrests on C-class merc's and others, handy for irritating passenger's,

1990 mirage turbo had a green turbo light to show when on boost

once a car has power windows and central locking I don't give a hoot about the rest,
some of the memorable cars

current is a tdi Passat - its comfy and easy on juice,
Mirage - had Mivec change-over + LSD + noise,
1.3 Asti-V mirage- 60.000miles with just service items
3x E100 Corollas - cheap parts and always worked, cost lest then a grand to buy,
XR2i- low down 8valve torque not much else but I'd have another
1.1 mk3 fiesta- non POS
1.2/1.6 mk1 Clio- leaky sunroof cue looking like bladder problems, flip bonnet was cool,
1991 1.6D Jetta- had GTX interior,pump turned up so was a on-call smoke machine[silly but fun] ran on fumes and was un-killable, dash clocks could be used as a shelf

I prefer older cars and reading this thread to me show's the different aspects people enjoy/like about cars, I dislike parking sensors- they look silly and some people rely on them to much as they can't tell how big there car is

one that stands out to me is the foot plunger/washer pump on mk1 Escorts, that was a thoughtful feature in its day haha

DanielSan

18,748 posts

166 months

Friday 19th December 2014
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The rear spoiler height on the Integra and now the Impreza if it was lower it'd make rear visibility zero but as it's at the height I can see under it it's both more aesthetically pleasing and more ergonomically pleasing hehe

PositronicRay

26,959 posts

182 months

Friday 19th December 2014
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Sixpackpert said:
TIGA84 said:
My old man bought an XFR a few months ago, have only played in it a couple of times but having the windscreen washer jets on the actual wipers is a fricking great idea.
I had a Pug 405 with that back in the day.

I also had an XF with it!
Same system on my Citroen, great.................until the plastic pipe to the jets freezes solid.

gazzarose

1,161 posts

132 months

Friday 19th December 2014
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On my gen 8 Accord the dots have got 3 niches even opening the door instead of the usual 2, handy for parking close to something and not dinging the door.

A.J.M

7,894 posts

185 months

Friday 19th December 2014
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Disco 3 has grab handles built into the front seat headrests to help passengers get into row 2.
Has the parking ticket clips on the windscreen.
All door bins have cup holders big enough for wine bottles.
Heated windscreen for frosty mornings.

Lower tailgate can be used as a bench, a table for drying dogs off or as a friend found out, a good place to change a babys nappy. hehe
Plus the upper helps keep the rain off you.

Cliftonite

8,406 posts

137 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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Al U said:
AlmostUseful said:
My R plate Saxo had one of these too.
My number was 9681, what was yours?
I genuinely can't remember it was a good 6-7 years ago but I do remember that where they were pressed so frequently it was obvious which 4 numbers the code contained.
It WAS possible to change the code!


Jader1973

3,946 posts

199 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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fathomfive said:
May have already been said, but the Saab night panel feature is ace.
Holden VE Commodores had that too (probably nicked from SAAB). It was brilliant when driving on unlit roads at night as it switched off the massive touchscreen as well.

Unfortunately it got deleted at the VF upgrade because they moved to a GM electrical architecture that doesn't support it frown

Speed 3

4,487 posts

118 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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In the days before rain sensing wipers, my old Corrado had what was initially baffling intermittent wipers that seemed to be completely random. Eureka moment was when I actually read the handbook. They were memory wipers - swipe once then wait until just enough raindrops were on the screen to your taste, swipe again and it memorised the interval and then repeated itself. Genius.

Simes205

4,528 posts

227 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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Speed sensitive wipers.
Ripple bonnet 1958 2cv.

Funk

26,254 posts

208 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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Another one on mine relating to wipers; if they're on normal and you stop, they switch to intermittent, returning to normal when you get above walking pace.

Edited by Funk on Saturday 20th December 09:49

DJP

1,198 posts

178 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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The "Nuclear Defrost" button on Fords.

One press and it turns on the front & rear heated screens, heated mirrors and sets the air con to maximum demist.

Phunk

1,972 posts

170 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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DaveH23

3,230 posts

169 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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Audi A8's have an auto door shut feature which is rather good.

You know when you have shut the door and its on the catch but not shut properly, the door recognises this and closes itself in to the fully shut position.

Al U

2,311 posts

130 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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Cliftonite said:
Al U said:
AlmostUseful said:
My R plate Saxo had one of these too.
My number was 9681, what was yours?
I genuinely can't remember it was a good 6-7 years ago but I do remember that where they were pressed so frequently it was obvious which 4 numbers the code contained.
It WAS possible to change the code!
I'm SURE you could but I couldn't be bothered.

Al U

2,311 posts

130 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
quotequote all
DaveH23 said:
Audi A8's have an auto door shut feature which is rather good.

You know when you have shut the door and its on the catch but not shut properly, the door recognises this and closes itself in to the fully shut position.
I heard about this when the technology started getting more popular, I think it's basically a soft close principle much like that on a kitchen cupboard or toilet seat, the goal being for the object not to slam.

Jader1973

3,946 posts

199 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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Funk said:
Another one on mine relating to wipers; if they're on normal and you stop, they switch to intermittent, returning to normal when you get above walking pace.

Edited by Funk on Saturday 20th December 09:49
Not helpful if you stop at a junction in the pouring rain and need to be able to see though smile

James19181

237 posts

111 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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Speed 3 said:
In the days before rain sensing wipers, my old Corrado had what was initially baffling intermittent wipers that seemed to be completely random. Eureka moment was when I actually read the handbook. They were memory wipers - swipe once then wait until just enough raindrops were on the screen to your taste, swipe again and it memorised the interval and then repeated itself. Genius.
My Puma had these and they also confused the bks off me for about 6 months until I realised what was going on. Brilliant, once workd out!

oldcynic

2,166 posts

160 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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Removeable armrest section between the front seats of my XC90, so that the middle passenger in row 2 gets more legroom.

On a hire car this week (Mercedes C-class) - speed limit signs were automatically read and displayed on the dashboard for 10 seconds or so as I passed them - brilliant for those moments when you've just passed the sign stating the limit, but already forgotten what it said.

daveofedinburgh

556 posts

118 months

Sunday 21st December 2014
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The little fuel cap holder inside the fuel flap (as already mentioned) has been on every car Ive ever owned IIRC!

The exceptions being cars like the mk1 MX5 where the fuel door opens upward and would therefore not be practical.

My old man has been driving for decades and has never noticed this before. Seems alot of people haven't!

Pointed it out on his IX35 and he was delighted!

Was under the impression that these were pretty universal, but then Ive owned exclusively Jap/ BMW so I guess maybe its not?

'Curry'/ shopping bag hooks in the boot are also a Godsend. Hard to see why every motor doesn't have them.

southendpier

5,254 posts

228 months

Sunday 21st December 2014
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Powered tailgate opening and closing.
12 v sockets everywhere including the boot
Blind spot 'radar' warning, fantastic on European roads
Audi Q7.