Cool stuff on mundane cars.
Discussion
Today I noticed that when the washer bottle get less than a third full on my dads Skoda Felicia the rear washer stops working. This is to priotitise water to the front where it would be needed more. Brilliant idea and all cars should have the same system.
My sisters Vauxhall Corsa is a terrible car but the auxiliary brake light doesn't work when the car is in reverse. So as you're looking out of the rear you don't dazzle yourself. That is the only thing I like about the car.
So what other cool stuff do you get on otherwise mundane cars?
My sisters Vauxhall Corsa is a terrible car but the auxiliary brake light doesn't work when the car is in reverse. So as you're looking out of the rear you don't dazzle yourself. That is the only thing I like about the car.
So what other cool stuff do you get on otherwise mundane cars?
On Mk4 Golf platform VAG cars with Climatronic, you could get the screen to display fault codes, and 60+ various other bits of information such as a digital RPM scale, temperatures for various engine bits, battery voltages etc.
Mk1 Ford Focus could do a similar trick (though with fewer functions available) being shown in the odometer.
Monaros come with a built in shift light, warning buzzer, and a message on the display to "change gear" as you approach the redline, but it was never enabled as standard, though it could easily be activated with EFI live by someone who knew what they were doing.
Mk1 Ford Focus could do a similar trick (though with fewer functions available) being shown in the odometer.
Monaros come with a built in shift light, warning buzzer, and a message on the display to "change gear" as you approach the redline, but it was never enabled as standard, though it could easily be activated with EFI live by someone who knew what they were doing.
Edited by Codswallop on Sunday 1st December 17:10
Liquid Knight said:
I like the sound of that does it happen in three phases? Light, buzzer and big Neon light that say "CHANGE GEAR!!!"
I can think of several drivers (mostly female and/or Taxi drivers) who need that in their lives.
They all come at you at once, just to make sure they've got your attention I can think of several drivers (mostly female and/or Taxi drivers) who need that in their lives.
Cliftonite said:
Matt UK said:
Also Ford quick clear front windscreens - hard to live without when you've had one.
But those windscreens are never clear; they are full of fuzzy wires!The plastic shopping basket that lived under the passenger seat of my old Suzuki Wagon R. It made a great sub box and female passengers really appreciated my taste in music.
Codswallop said:
On Mk4 Golf platform VAG cars with Climatronic, you could get the screen to display fault codes, and 60+ various other bits of information such as a digital RPM scale, temperatures for various engine bits, battery voltages etc.
I loved that on my old Passat, Actual speed of the car, and actual engine temp were quite useful!Edited by Codswallop on Sunday 1st December 17:10
Liquid Knight said:
My Orion Ghia had one of them. It was worse than the BMW heads up display as far as peripheral distractions go.
The plastic shopping basket that lived under the passenger seat of my old Suzuki Wagon R. It made a great sub box and female passengers really appreciated my taste in music.
Don't lie you never pulled girls in a wagon R The plastic shopping basket that lived under the passenger seat of my old Suzuki Wagon R. It made a great sub box and female passengers really appreciated my taste in music.
Liquid Knight said:
Cliftonite said:
Matt UK said:
Also Ford quick clear front windscreens - hard to live without when you've had one.
But those windscreens are never clear; they are full of fuzzy wires!The plastic shopping basket that lived under the passenger seat of my old Suzuki Wagon R. It made a great sub box and female passengers really appreciated my taste in music.
JimmyConwayNW said:
Liquid Knight said:
My Orion Ghia had one of them. It was worse than the BMW heads up display as far as peripheral distractions go.
The plastic shopping basket that lived under the passenger seat of my old Suzuki Wagon R. It made a great sub box and female passengers really appreciated my taste in music.
Don't lie you never pulled girls in a wagon R The plastic shopping basket that lived under the passenger seat of my old Suzuki Wagon R. It made a great sub box and female passengers really appreciated my taste in music.
Of course the Suzuki Wagon R was effective.
Matt UK said:
I like the fact that the Jag dips the n/s wing mirror when you engage reverse and then puts it back again when you select D.
I actually find myself saying 'thank you'.
Granada's had that in the 80's and wipe of the rear screen when reverse was selected (if the fronts were on) which Renault tried to claim as their idea years later on the Megane.I actually find myself saying 'thank you'.
Matt UK said:
I like the fact that the Jag dips the n/s wing mirror when you engage reverse and then puts it back again when you select D.
I actually find myself saying 'thank you'.
Granada's had that in the 80's and wipe of the rear screen when reverse was selected (if the fronts were on) which Renault tried to claim as their idea years later on the Megane.I actually find myself saying 'thank you'.
Put my partners Golf Diesel into reverse and it automatically switches the vents to recirculate so that you don't suck in diesel fumes as you reverse.
It's one of the many many differences between this and a Ford Focus which is why I always smile when people bleat on about the 'fact' that people only buy Golfs for the badge.
It's one of the many many differences between this and a Ford Focus which is why I always smile when people bleat on about the 'fact' that people only buy Golfs for the badge.
Matt UK said:
Also Ford quick clear front windscreens - hard to live without when you've had one.
I loved mine. The only problem is on older cars, like the one I had, they tend to fail and part of the screen clears much more slowly as the rest of the screen heats up. Simple, good idea though I'm not sure why all cars don't have it as an option. It makes driving much safer and is convenient. One time it was -10 degrees or something I think the coldest I've ever driven in. Turned it on and sat in the car out of the very cold wind for about three minutes and the thick ice and snow were melted easily. I liked that car more than any I owned until it was vandalised and then it broke down. 
Also my second nomination would be the sound quality/connectivity of car stereos. Right up to the mid nineties most ordinary cars were tape only stereos about the same quality as TV speakers. Nowadays the quality is as good as the average hi-fi on most superminis and if you get an executive car it's sometimes much better.
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