Who wants a new Alfa

[C M Smith <cmsmith@domain.elided>]

Modern higher priced cars are getting loaded with crapola, at the expense 
of driving pleasure.

Case in point: navigation systems. Many of these are "integrated" with the 
climate/entertainment/onboard computer functions. This is in itself an 
ergonomic nightmare.

Besides the problem of integrating these functions into one touch screen 
(or i drive) control switch system (great: one thing fails and you are 
denied access to everything) as I understand it these systems are designed 
to replace separately controlled systems that worked just fine with the 
anatomy and intellectual powers of Homo Sapiens.

For example: the nav system replaces a map, with a DVD. Try reading that 
DVD during your walk through the park. How dumb is this, replacing a $2 map 
(they used to be free) with a gazillion dollar DVD complete with computer 
to read it.

Climate control: what is wrong with buttons? If you want an auto function 
have a button to press labelled "auto".

And so on.

This point about newer cars coming with stuff we don't want but have to pay 
for and fix is an important one. I will not buy a car that has an on board 
nav system, unless I have no choice.

BTW, in Canada it is very hard to get lost and usually very serious if you 
succeed. Generally, out West anyway, there is only one road from where you 
are to where you want to go. So, you're either lost and don't know if 
you're going back to where you started or on to where you're wanting to go, 
or you know which way you're going. If it's sunny out....you get the drift.

Cheers

Michael


Michael Smith
Calgary, Alberta,Canada
91 Alfa 164L
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