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SyntheticBlinkerFluid
SyntheticBlinkerFluid PowerDork
1/24/15 2:31 p.m.

Just as the title says, what has been around forever that's disappearing slowly?

Manual transmissions are a given, so no need to add that.

I'm going to say shifter levers for automatic transmissions. The luxury car companies have already replaced them with joysticks, dials, fairy magic, etc.

But it's slowly trickling down. Chrysler is starting to put them in several of their vehicles, including RAM trucks.

So what say ye?

Streetwiseguy
Streetwiseguy PowerDork
1/24/15 2:32 p.m.

Iron friggin keys, and mechanical door locks.

Grtechguy
Grtechguy UltimaDork
1/24/15 2:37 p.m.

I'd say manual windows and locks. But those have both been gone mostly for awhile

Grtechguy
Grtechguy UltimaDork
1/24/15 2:37 p.m.

Normal sized steel wheels.

mtn
mtn UltimaDork
1/24/15 2:38 p.m.

Keys period. CD player.

bastomatic
bastomatic SuperDork
1/24/15 2:40 p.m.

They're long gone now, but I sure do miss vent windows. Some cars had fresh air vents in the footwells you could open up too.

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
1/24/15 2:42 p.m.

Yup, CD players. Tape players too.

Just the other day I was wishing for a foot-operated high beam switch on my 2010 truck. I guess I'm now officially an old fart.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker
Giant Purple Snorklewacker MegaDork
1/24/15 2:42 p.m.

dip sticks

I get that sensors are reliable enough today but it's damn disconcerting to me regardless

novaderrik
novaderrik UltimaDork
1/24/15 2:42 p.m.

i long for the days when cars had a complete and utter lack of anything resembling a device that is meant to hold your hand and save you from yourself- they are taking the driver out of the equation.

Adrian_Thompson
Adrian_Thompson UltimaDork
1/24/15 2:46 p.m.

Internal combustion engines.

Opening hoods (think Boxster and cayman)

Manual chokes went away before carbs.

Shade tree mechanics

On but board nav will be like 80's cell phones in a few years as brought in media from your phone will integrate better with the car.

Diesel engines. France is already try to cut down o. The.

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
1/24/15 3:06 p.m.
novaderrik wrote: i long for the days when cars had a complete and utter lack of anything resembling a device that is meant to hold your hand and save you from yourself- they are taking the driver out of the equation.

Yeah, I miss the spark advance lever on the steering column

Dusterbd13
Dusterbd13 SuperDork
1/24/15 3:09 p.m.

Wing windows. I miss them. They make ac unnecessary in most climates.

G_Body_Man
G_Body_Man Reader
1/24/15 3:12 p.m.

Keys that don't cost $300 to replace

Large sidewalls - for a decent ride

Ashtrays - convenient to stash coins, candy, and every other small item.

Dat GM suspension float.

Woody
Woody GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
1/24/15 3:15 p.m.

Knobs.

Day/Night mirrors.

carzan
carzan Dork
1/24/15 3:46 p.m.

Drivers

kanaric
kanaric Dork
1/24/15 3:51 p.m.
Woody wrote: Knobs.

One of the things that may be making a comeback imo. They are far more convenient. Most luxury infotainment systems seem to use them now.

Gearheadotaku
Gearheadotaku GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
1/24/15 3:54 p.m.

Belt line low enough that I can comfortably rest my arm out the window.

I want 6 gauges with needles, not digital readouts. Worse if I have to flick thru a menu to read them.

(Speed, Tach, Fuel, Oil pressure, coolant temp, volts. Oil and trans temp would be a great addition.)

Stand alone HVAC and radio units. With knobs.

ronholm
ronholm Dork
1/24/15 3:56 p.m.
Dusterbd13 wrote: Wing windows. I miss them. They make ac unnecessary in most climates.

What was the last year for them? I looked all over to find a my 96 dodge van. Wanted one with no rust and wing windows. I want to say 97 was the last year for the wing windows...

Rain Gutters and Wing windows.. Even has Chrome bumpers on both ends.

novaderrik
novaderrik UltimaDork
1/24/15 4:17 p.m.

last new vehicle i recall with wing windows was the 90 Suburban.. maybe someone else used them after that, but i guess i haven't noticed it..

Appleseed
Appleseed MegaDork
1/24/15 4:18 p.m.

Pickup trucks that you can put tools into by leaning over the side.

Small runabout pickups in general.

mndsm
mndsm MegaDork
1/24/15 4:25 p.m.

Being able to access the engine without removing 59 tons of plastic cover.

Interesting trivia, last tape player installed from.the factory belongs to the 2010 Lexus ls430 or whatever it was.

Woody
Woody GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
1/24/15 4:36 p.m.
kanaric wrote:
Woody wrote: Knobs.
One of the things that may be making a comeback imo. They are far more convenient. Most luxury infotainment systems seem to use them now.

You can operate a knob without taking your eyes off the road. You cannot operate a touch screen without taking your eyes off the road.

petegossett
petegossett GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
1/24/15 5:31 p.m.
ronholm wrote:
Dusterbd13 wrote: Wing windows. I miss them. They make ac unnecessary in most climates.
What was the last year for them? I looked all over to find a my 96 dodge van. Wanted one with no rust and wing windows. I want to say 97 was the last year for the wing windows... Rain Gutters and Wing windows.. Even has Chrome bumpers on both ends.

I saw an ad for the 2015 Caravan/T&C that stated something about "vent windows". Did they bring them back?

ThunderCougarFalconGoat
ThunderCougarFalconGoat Reader
1/24/15 5:34 p.m.
Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: dip sticks

They didn't go away, they just moved them to behind the steering wheel.

slowride
slowride Reader
1/24/15 5:49 p.m.

Temperature gauges. My Mazda just has a light.

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