Building a car is a complex process. And no matter what they say, they are all worth the money, even if the price exceeds half a million dollars, as with some Ferrari models.
However, this does not mean that all decisions of automakers are justified, especially when it comes to premium cars. Usually, this is due to design, which is, perhaps, the most controversial topic, often negatively affecting functionality. In many cases, drivers prefer to buy a used vehicle because the new generation is much worse. For example, the decrease in trunk volume of the BMW X6 due to the sloping roof of the cross-coupe. What else annoys Indiana car owners? Here are just a few of the highlights collected by the Indy Auto Man team.
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Low-profile tires on every model.
Low-profile tires certainly have advantages when it comes to speed, dynamics, and a sporty track. The smaller the sidewall, the less flex it exhibits when cornering, which improves traction and handling. However, they also have considerable shortcomings. A low profile reduces the damping properties of the tire, and it is less able to handle bumps in the road. After all, a car’s suspension starts with the tires. But often, the more expensive the equipment, the lower the profile. A crossover, especially for country trips, does not need low-profile tires. However, along with huge discs, they are used to increase sales. This becomes especially absurd when manufacturers install them on SUVs. For example, Land Rover once said that they are well aware of the benefits of a high profile, which makes the ride more comfortable and increases the off-road capability of an SUV. But their customers want low-profile tires because it’s cool.
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Piano Black glossy finish.
The so-called “piano black” is cheap to produce but catches the eye and adds gloss to the interior. However, it’s a bad decision, especially in an interior where owners spend most of their day. At first, everything looks great, but within a few days, the black varnish collects dust particles and fingerprints. Cleaning the surface well is not that easy, but real problems arise later. The coating wears out quickly, becoming covered with tiny micro-scratches that are perfectly visible. Yes, the first time piano lacquer makes an impression, but people have to live with it for years.
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Touch buttons.
Automakers have had a few years to realize that touch shifters are annoying and costly. Cars already have controllers that do their job perfectly – buttons. This also applies to touch buttons that provide tactile feedback because we already have ones that provide excellent feedback making sure that contact is made. And when the touch shifters are made of black glossy plastic, it irritates even more.
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Bose audio.
Car makers often offer the Bose audio system as a premium option. It looks like Bose nameplates are put up all around to make people think that there must be a lot of basses there when they first get into the car. Because in half an hour, Bose audio systems will tire you out with their sharp high frequencies and weak booming bass. And this audio system is installed everywhere: from the good old Buick to the expensive and high-tech Porsche. There may be some stunning versions of Bose, although there are enough brands that can tune their lesser-known audio systems to excellent sound.
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Sunroofs without curtains.
The absence of curtains is one of the most incomprehensible topics that drivers have begun to encounter recently. For some reason, there are more and more cars with a non-closing sunroof, which contradicts the very idea of a roof, especially in regions like Indianapolis, where about half of the days in a year are sunny. The problem is that the top of your head gets hot, and the air conditioner can’t stop it. In addition, a driver gets a glare from the windows, mirrors, and silver trim of the center console.
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Invent things that don’t need to be reinvented.
The first thing that comes to mind is an attempt by Tesla, and at the same time by Lexus, to reinvent the steering wheel. And right after the steering wheel is the automatic transmission selector. Whether it’s buttons, like on some Hyundais, or a dial, like on a Range Rover, their use can’t be intuitive, leading to driving frustration, minor crashes, or even death, as in the case of an American actor Anton Yelchin. The 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee was recalled because owners couldn’t say if they switched on the parking mode.
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Display all controls on the touch screen.
More manufacturers are moving buttons to the screen, attempting to minimize or eliminate them from the front. Even frequently used functions such as climate or light. For example, those who first drive the new Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck experience frustration when they need to turn on the headlights as this controller is on the touch screen.