Topic: Great features that are no more

[keithb]

Thought I would see if anyone had similar recollections of features that were good (possibly great) but never gained traction and have disappeared from the landscape.
I had three  that come to mind and to give an idea of what I referring to.

1975 Corolla SR5 The ceiling console had an elongated clip (about 3/4" x 3") that was great for holding parking chits, tickets or mail to be posted. Very convenient but have not seen it since on any vehicle.

1972 Fiat 128 Sedan The seatback angle was infinitely adjustable via large knob/dial on the side of  the seat as opposed to the ratchet on current vehicles. This made it much easier to find exactly the right setting for the seatback angle.

1972 Fiat Sedan The two air outlets for defrosting the windshield were circular and both could be directed to focus on a specific section (say in front of the driver). In subsequent model years they were fixed in place. I can understand the reasoning for fixing them in place as otherwise sections of the windshield could go uncleared but it was nice to have the adjustability nonetheless.

Any other features that come to mind?

[Fobroader]

Vent windows, the little vent below the steering wheel that blew cool air directly at your plums, manual transmissions, controls for HVAC and radio on the dash not in a stupid I pad thing.

[OliverD]

controls for HVAC and radio on the dash not in a stupid I pad thing.

Very few cars actually have that.

[HeliDriver]

I remember the knobs for seatback angle adjustment. I liked them too, but the electric adjusters on our current vehicles accomplish exactly the same thing.

[KD]

I don't like the trend toward electronic parking brakes.  Our old Fusion had a manual one, Lexus has electronic.

[aquadorhj]

I remember the knobs for seatback angle adjustment. I liked them too, but the electric adjusters on our current vehicles accomplish exactly the same thing.

and i think the base golf and jetta still have the knobs for seat back angle adjustments.

I don't like the trend toward electronic parking brakes.  Our old Fusion had a manual one, Lexus has electronic.

i know.  it's just not the same/nor have the same affect when pulling a button, instead of pulling side brake lever to kick the tail out...   

[tortoise]

and i think the base golf and jetta still have the knobs for seat back angle adjustments.

Base Golf has electric controls for the seat angle.  It's great.  Not sure on the Jetta but I'd be surprised if it's different.

While I get why they aren't used, I always like floor mounted high beam switches.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

The old manual footwell vents, and the triangular vent windows. We never had AC growing up, and those made a huge difference.

[Fobroader]

I don't like the trend toward electronic parking brakes.  Our old Fusion had a manual one, Lexus has electronic.

100%, what an idiotic thing to complicate

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[EV Dan]

I don't think I miss anything from the old cars but my beef with many current utes (or their lower trim levels) is that you can't open up the rear glass hatch, which comes very useful when transporting oversized items, such as rolls of carpet, deck boards and other things:

[johngenx]

Gauges. Lots of them, real ones. Most people have no clue as to how to read them, so I get why they’re gone, but I miss them.

I’d like oil pressure, an ammeter, maybe oil temperature, a real coolant temp gauge, and an accurate linear fuel gauge.

In this day and age of sensors and screens and on and on, allow me to access all the sensors. Both our 1998 Mercedes models could do that. I could read the AC pressures, the coolant temp in degrees, ABS speed sensor data and on and on. If MB could give me that back then, why can’t every car allow me access now?

More and more cars don’t have dipsticks. Ugh.  Dumb.

One feature I want back is a spare tire.  I don’t want a car without a spare.

[HeliDriver]

I don't think I miss anything from the old cars but my beef with many current utes (or their lower trim levels) is that you can't open up the rear glass hatch, which comes very useful when transporting oversized items, such as rolls of carpet, deck boards and other things:

Our Yukon has that and I agree it's really handy. Haven't used it for long items (there's plenty of room inside  ), but it's handy to just flip the window when I want to grab something in the back.

And if we have the dog in the back (in his crate), we can park the truck and leave the rear window wide open for extra ventilation. No, we're not going to leave him all day like that, and not going to do it in the sun when it's 30 degrees, but it is useful on certain days.

Pretty sure the 4-Runner used to have an electric window that slid down into the hatch. Not sure if they still do? Still, I prefer an overhead liftgate - gives a bit of rain protection when you're doing stuff back there or just hanging out.

[OliverD]

Pretty sure the 4-Runner used to have an electric window that slid down into the hatch. Not sure if they still do? Still, I prefer an overhead liftgate - gives a bit of rain protection when you're doing stuff back there or just hanging out.

They still have that. Same with at least some Tundras.

[KD]

   The elephant in the room..lol

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I've got one of those. Doesn't everyone? 

[Hannibalsmith]

Not necessarily a feature, but still...

[EV Dan]

Gauges. Lots of them, real ones. Most people have no clue as to how to read them, so I get why they’re gone, but I miss them.

I’d like oil pressure, an ammeter, maybe oil temperature, a real coolant temp gauge, and an accurate linear fuel gauge.

In this day and age of sensors and screens and on and on, allow me to access all the sensors. Both our 1998 Mercedes models could do that. I could read the AC pressures, the coolant temp in degrees, ABS speed sensor data and on and on. If MB could give me that back then, why can’t every car allow me access now?

More and more cars don’t have dipsticks. Ugh.  Dumb.

One feature I want back is a spare tire.  I don’t want a car without a spare.

This. Transmissions without a dipstick that come with "lifetime" fluid are just another cash grab for the dealers and help ppl trade in their rides at first signs of trouble. When I was asking for a quote the dealer said a tranny flush for my car ranges from 300 to 700 bucks, luckily mine was 300. He said those folks who hear 700 just reply 'screw it, I will drive it til it dies' ... What a waste of resources that could be avoided for half a million km with regular maintenance, if it was easy to do at any garage or as a DIY.

[HeliDriver]

I've got one of those. Doesn't everyone? 

Me, too, but I thought he meant gated shifters in particular? 

Pretty sure those are well and truly dead. 

[Hannibalsmith]

Not necessarily a feature, but still...

I am very horny for pop up headlights. Good call.

It would be pretty ballsy for a manufacturer to come out with a new model with these

[Fobroader]

Not necessarily a feature, but still...

I am very horny for pop up headlights. Good call.

It would be pretty ballsy for a manufacturer to come out with a new model with these

Probably can't due to meat stick safety standards or some such BS. Pop ups are sexy!!