Cars suck, man

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Modern cars are praised for being safer, more powerful, and more reliable than past models, but many drivers feel the overall experience is getting worse due to bloated software, touchscreens replacing physical controls, data collection, and expensive, fragile electronics. Commenters debate the rise of oversized SUVs and crossovers—blaming regulations, profit motives, car seat and space needs, and status signaling—as well as the difficulty of finding simple, repairable vehicles or “dumb” appliances in general. Some advocate holding onto older or minimalist designs (including certain EVs and minivans) and pushing for right‑to‑repair and regulatory changes to realign vehicles with everyday users’ needs rather than corporate revenue goals.

Headlights, visibility, and comfort

  • Many complain newer headlights (especially LEDs, Teslas, SUVs) are blinding.
  • Suggestions: adjust headlight angle via screws/knobs or in-car leveling controls; clean or restore cloudy lenses.
  • Some see this as a regulatory failure in the US; maladjusted lights should be enforced via “fix-it” tickets.
  • Others note US headlight rules lag more advanced adaptive systems available in Europe.

Car size, SUVs, minivans, and car seats

  • Several parents say modern car seats are huge and hard to fit three-abreast; they feel pushed into large SUVs or minivans.
  • Counterpoints: narrow car seats and specialized “3-across” or “4-across” systems can make sedans and wagons workable; links to niche products and guides.
  • Strong advocacy for minivans as more space-efficient and practical than 3-row SUVs, but with a “uncool” stigma and long waitlists for popular models.
  • Others argue SUVs are driven more by regulatory classifications (light truck loopholes) and marketing than genuine family needs.

Smart features, touchscreens, and software

  • Widely shared dislike of critical controls hidden in touchscreens; preference for knobs and physical buttons.
  • Some report specific models (e.g., certain VWs) as UX disasters; others say mainstream brands like Toyota and some EVs still keep basics on physical controls.
  • Bluetooth, CarPlay/Android Auto and adaptive cruise control are praised when they work; pairing and bloaty infotainment UIs are common pain points.
  • Concern about subscription-based features (e.g., heated seats), telemetry, and “enshittification” of car software.

Reliability, repairability, and older cars

  • Split views: many claim modern cars are safer, more efficient, more reliable; others say they’re effectively less reliable because failures are expensive and hard to fix.
  • Nostalgia for simpler 1990s–mid‑2000s cars as a “sweet spot” before heavy software and screens.
  • Some keep older Toyotas/Volvos/Subarus or classic cars, valuing easier DIY repairs; others note even old “indestructible” cars still need significant maintenance.

Financing, regulation, and incentives

  • High vehicle prices and long loans (e.g., ~100 months) are seen as enabling overconsumption of oversized trucks/SUVs.
  • Debate over regulation: safety/emissions praised as necessary; others argue complex rules help incumbents and constrain truly simple, cheap cars.
  • Discussion of EU/US rules (backup cameras, driver monitoring, safety aids) that effectively push screens and electronics into all new cars.

Safety and externalities

  • Many emphasize huge safety gains for occupants (crumple zones, airbags, stability control, ADAS).
  • Others worry about rising US traffic deaths, larger/heavier vehicles, and safety for people outside the car (pedestrians, drivers of small cars).

Smart TVs and appliances as parallels

  • Strong parallels drawn: TVs and appliances ship with unwanted “smart” features, ads, and app-only capabilities.
  • Some have good experiences with premium smart TVs; others disable networking and use them purely as dumb displays.
  • Complaints about features (e.g., detergent dosing, dishwasher modes) being locked behind apps; some regret discovering this only after purchase.
  • All‑in‑one washer/dryers divide opinion: inefficient for big families but invaluable where space is tight.

Alternatives and minimalism

  • A few participants avoid owning cars entirely by living in walkable areas, citing huge cost savings and less stress.
  • Enthusiasm for small, minimalist or “open” EVs (e.g., VW e‑Up, Renault Zoe, conceptually Fiat 500–style EVs), but regulations and economics make them niche.
  • Some advocate motorcycles or compact sedans for agility and lower footprint, though they feel increasingly overshadowed by giant trucks/SUVs.