usnret Loc: Woodhull Il

I was thinking about trading in my 2014 Chevy Silverado truck for a new one so I visited my local Chevy dealer. A saleslady saw me out snoopin around in the lot and comes over to me at a rather brisk pace, asks if I would like more info about it and all the new on board technology it has to offer. I said sure. She goes gets the keys for it, we both get in, me on the passenger side?? and then she starts in on how the on screen nav system works, how all the new integrated technology makes for a safer on road experience, etc. I asked her if any data was available to prove that. She said, not at this time, but extensive research is being done to show that it is one of the safest vehicles on the market at this time. The times they are a changin! First car I bought was a slightly used Chevy Nova. Salesman said, here's the keys, go for a spin, kick the tires, let me know what ya think. Comes with a full tank of gas all for $1200.00 Had it halfway through my Navy career. It didn't even have parking assist, can ya believe that?

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Shouldn't surprise you. Most trucks are elongated cars and most people treat them that way. Have you ever tried to find a basic two door 7 foot bed work truck without a bed liner and with tie down points? If you don't need a TRUCK buy a Range Rover, much more comfortable and it will take you almost anywhere a fully loaded truck will. JMHO

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

The technology that comes with some of these new cars are incredible like the back up camera, the dash readout that tells you when the air pressure of a tire is low. I agree, she should have at least had the courtesy to let you drive.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

What's your point? You own a 2014 Silverado so you should know how much a 2020 Silverado goes for; more than I paid for my house 20 some years ago. As for the technology making for a safer road experience; I own a 2019 Chevy and it has all that neat technology and it indeed does make for a safer road experience. There are times when you can't see another vehicle in the side view mirrors but the electronic sensors can and there are indicator lights in the mirrors that tell you there's something there even if you don't yet see it. When I'm traveling on the turnpike I simply set the cruse control and it automatically keeps me a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of me. All I have to do is pay attention and steer.
By the way, my 2019 Chevy doesn't have parking assist either. I didn't want it because I personally feel it's a waste of money. If my vehicle will fit in a parking spot, I'm capable of putting it there.
Also, I personally would never buy a vehicle from someone who told me to "kick the tires"; not 45 years ago and not now. Kick the tires, what a hoot...

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

It’s really amazing (at least to me) that many modern car ads emphasize trivial features rather than performance, economy, solid construction, handling, reliability, etc. A recent Buick TV ad emphasized the USB port(!) and a Mopar ad for a mini van featured the built-in vacuum cleaner (really).

I will certainly admit that modern cars are safer for the average driver. I always Pooh-poohed side air bags (wear your seat/shoulder belt) right until my wife was T-boned in the driver’s side in her Lexus. The hit was hard enough to break the B pillar and total the car, but the side air bag deployed and saved her head. She walked away without a scratch, even from the broken windows. HID headlights are better than halogen, anti-lock brakes are better for the average driver that doesn’t know how to modulate their brakes in a panic stop, and now that I’m in my 70s and my depth perception isn’t what it used to be, the park assist on my wife’s car makes me feel a lot more secure than mine in a tight parking lot when everyone is backing out at once. The downside of all this convenience is cost and complexity. The average driver cannot do even basic maintenance on their car, and repairs can be incredibly expensive. Don’t get me started on car salesmen...one out of ten (maybe) is knowledgeable, honest and professional.

End of rant.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

When I bought my new F 150 in November, at a small-town dealership where the folks didn’t know me, they asked me if I wanted to take it for a drive. When I said yes, they stuck a license plate on it and told me to take it out for a drive by myself. I was gone 20-30 minutes trying it out. When I went back, all they asked was if I liked it.

That’s why I like small-town dealerships.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Different people have different priorities, especially younger people. There's really no need to emphasize things like horsepower or handling these days for most vehicles. They pretty much all handle well and have more than enough power. My 2019 Chevy has a 4 cylinder engine that produces more horsepower than many older V8'S did and gets better fuel mileage.
As for modulating the brakes in a panic stop, if you have time to modulate the brakes, it's not a panic stop.

usnret Loc: Woodhull Il

Where in my post did I complain about the price? I'm all good with new technology making us safer on the road, but only after is proven. When a salesman said :kick the tires he only meant his intentions were that he wanted to make a fair deal with me. It was a just a simple way of him saying in old school terms that he wanted me to be happy with my purchase. I was! What is your problem with that? Seems that you have much bigger issues that you need to address outside of this forum. Anger management, issues?

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Well, I don’t know that I’d agree that all handle well, but I would agree that modern cars are light years ahead in handling and braking than cars from the 50s/60s in general. Modern lower profile radial tires are hugely better than those 50 years ago, most cars have 4-wheel discs, and wider alloy wheels all contribute. And modern materials and designs are better as you’d expect. It used to be standard to change points and plugs at 10K miles, oil every 1-2K, all belts and hoses at 50K max, and many engines were needing a rebuild at 100K. My car is 14 years old and 130K miles. It has the original belts, hoses and battery, leaks nothing, not a single rattle and runs, looks, and gets the same fuel mileage as the day it was bought. It’s had 1 set of brake pads, 3 sets of tires, 1 set of spark plugs, and the factory recommended fluid changes - nothing else. As for modulating brakes in a panic stop, a skilled driver with his/her wits about them can stop as fast or faster than ABS, but I’d agree that for the average driver, it’s an improvement (and saves flat-spotting tires).

Cheers

starlifter Loc: Towson, MD

I have a 2009 silverado and almost hate to have to look for a new or even used one. I only have a V-6 which is more than adequate. No Nav, no power windows, no power door locks, no cruise control. But it has an 8ft bed with a liner. Although I'm 69 and retired I still use it as a truck. Mostly fire wood and helping relatives move. I can even lay a normal sized piece of lumber and not have it stick up. although I haven't been looking I don't see many 8 ft beds on the lot. And if you do it's still got those 4 doors and the truck is as long as an aircraft carrier. Our Subaru has lane departure and emergency braking both of which I find annoying. Just more reasons not to have to pay attention. Sorry for the rant but my fur goes uo every time I see a 4 door pickup.

Xinloi6870

Hyundai recently introduced “smart park” which allows you to get out of your car before it parks itself in a space too narrow to allow you to open the door. That should guarantee you’ll get your car keyed by the person you parked next to when they can’t open THEIR door.

kerry12 Loc: Harrisburg, Pa.

Just bought a 2020 GMC Sierra. Nicest truck I've owned and definitly the most expensive.

GKarl Loc: Northern New Hampshire

A test drive is a different experience in Northern New Hampshire. I was told to tale a pickup truck 35 miles to my home for a day or two and let them know what I thought. Interesting.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

We live in a world of rapidly changing technology. The good thing is that it brings things that were never imaginable even a decade ago.

The bad new is that there is NO FREAKIN WAY to fix anything now when it goes on the fritz. It takes specialized computers to communicate with the computers in the car now. TV's are now considered disposable. I don't know what nags at me more now...my better half or my refrigerator..!

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

I got my first new car just before I got discharged. It cost $1,205.00 the new ones today are what I paid for my house, and got a 30 year pay off. Today I can rebuy the equivalent of my house, put in my garage and only have at the most 6 years. My house went up in value and the car is withe practically nothing in 6 years.