Hooniverse Asks- What One Inconsequential Aspect of Your Daily Driver Drives You Nuts?

Robert Emslie

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Imsoangry

They say that nobody’s perfect, and that sage advice can be applied to the things we use as well, even our cars and trucks. Finding annoyances in people is pretty dang easy, and in fact I could point out some generalities that have been steaming my clams recently, but then I don’t think that’s what you came here to hear. 

Issues with our cars however, that’s another story altogether. You know, every car is a compromise, and in fact we discussed which cars did the best job of that just last week. That means that while we generally choose our daily drivers based on their ability to best fit our needs and desires, they may fall down in one or more aspects- sort of like a faithful, smart, and endearing dog that refuses to stop crapping on the carpet.

What I want to know today, is whether or not your car or truck suffers from such a carpet bombing? Does your otherwise exemplary choice of ride sadly express one chink in its like-ability armor? If so, what is it, and how nuts does it drive you?

Image source: CarMagBlog

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Robert Emslie

Robert Emslie

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124 responses to “Hooniverse Asks- What One Inconsequential Aspect of Your Daily Driver Drives You Nuts?”

  1. DonFehlio Avatar
    DonFehlio

    They didn't bother me enough on the test drive, but the seats on my Mazda 6 suck. They're a scratchy cloth material which is excellent at capturing and trapping my back sweat. Furthermore, the foam on the driver's outside bolster has began to detach from the seat frame, when I only notice when I make a hard enough right turn and get thrown into the door.

    Reply
  2. P161911 Avatar
    P161911

    Aside from the 0-20mph time that can only be described as "might get you killed if you try to pull out", due to the ancient and anemic V-6. (I really don't notice that under most normal driving conditions.)
    My Silverado has DTRL, you can cut them off, and I usually do. However, unlike my wife's Trailblazer, there is no way to know you have cut them off, no little light on the dash, nothing. Unless I consciously only cut them them and remember that I did it, the only way to tell is the reflection of my headlights on the car in front of me.

    Reply
    1. No more DRLs Avatar
      No more DRLs

      I had a similar issue in my Outback. I hated the DRLs because if you start the car at night, it appears that your lights are on, when in fact it's just the DRLs. Yes, ideally you'd check every time, but in practice, I caught myself a few times driving without taillights. It's a poor design without automatic headlights. Anyway, it's a common mod to disable since it's only one relay that has to be disconnected under the dash. Problem solved.

      Reply
      1. P161911 Avatar
        P161911

        Luckily my truck does have automatic headlights, so that isn't an issue. SOMETIMES, I don't mind the DRL.

        Reply
    2. buzzboy7 Avatar
      buzzboy7

      What do you not like about DRLs? My subi has them and they've never really caused me any issues. If anything I like them in a brief summertime rain.

      Reply
      1. P161911 Avatar
        P161911

        I just find them annoying and stupid most of the time. It used to mean something when you drove with you headlights on (funeral procession, etc.). Also, for just the reason you mentioned, you are driving around with your headlights on and no tail lights in the rain.

        Reply
      2. No more DRLs Avatar
        No more DRLs

        Because it's too easy to think the headlights are on at night when they are not. The DRLs are almost as bright (if not as bright) as the headlights. At night, it's too easy to just start driving. I caught myself a couple of times (luckily within a block or two of heading out). Lord knows how far my wife would have gone with the lights off….
        I came from a Suburban with automatic headlights, so I wasn't used to checking each time I started. I would have gotten used to it, of course, but I disabled them the first week I had the car.
        I always turn on the lights when I turn on the wipers – and off when I stop the wipers.

        Reply
        1. buzzboy7 Avatar
          buzzboy7

          If the dash lights aren't on why would I think the headlights are on?

          Reply
          1. jeepjeff Avatar
            jeepjeff

            In my Civic, when the dash lights are ON, the DRLs are on. When you turn the headlights on, the dash dims. So it depends on the car. (I hate this, BTW. The Jeep does it proper: dash dark, lights off, lights on, dash on, and no DRLs. The Civic's setup has never failed to mess me up if I don't think carefully about it.)

      3. Alff Avatar
        Alff

        The thing I don't like about the Subie DRLs is that the dash lights also come on. More than once, I've driven after dark without turning the lights on, which means no taillights. The local constable even followed me into my driveway one night to point that fact out.

        Reply
        1. buzzboy7 Avatar
          buzzboy7

          The dash lights don't come on unless you turn the switch to the halfway point. That's why it's never been a problem for me. I get in at night and see that the dash isn't lit up so I turn the lights on. It's a pretty simple scenario.

          Reply
          1. subieguy Avatar
            subieguy

            The dash lights only come on in the legacy based model's. Not imprezza.

          2. Alff Avatar
            Alff

            The dual temp controls that don't offer a single dial override are my biggest peeve in my Legacy. That and the relatively feeble brakes.

        2. smokyburnout Avatar
          smokyburnout

          Did this once when borrowing one of my parent's cars. I'd say gauges that are invisible unless backlit are a bigger problem than DRLs.

          Reply
      4. krazykarguy Avatar
        krazykarguy

        How about replacing headlight bulbs about 10x as often in DRL equipped cars? i think that's a pretty big issue. I have a strong suspicion that the Sylvania lobby had a lot to do with automakers implementing this 'feature' in the name of safety.
        Also, DRL's are useful in identifying undercover police vehicles (or spotting one at dusk/dawn) – every single civilian version of current police cars (Charger/Taurus/Suburban/Explorer, etc.) has DRL, the police versions don't. So the next time you see a black Charger with tints, but no DRLs, it's probably a cop.

        Reply
        1. buzzboy7 Avatar
          buzzboy7

          10 years, 135k miles, original headlight bulbs.

          Reply
          1. krazykarguy Avatar
            krazykarguy

            My mom's '08 Subaru Outback has already gone through about five H1 bulbs in 45k. You seem to be much luckier.

          2. No more DRLs Avatar
            No more DRLs

            If you pay attention, about 1/10 gen 3 Outbacks you see (2005-2009) will have one headlight out at any given time.

    3. Devin Avatar
      Devin

      Since DRLs were required equipment in my country long before I learned how to drive, I've never quite got the hatred of them. Then again, I suppose that happens when you've never known anything different. Living somewhere where everything has DRLs does make stuff without DRLs harder to see, since you're kind of trained to expect lights all the time, and the Chrysler setup turns off one of the lights if you're signaling, which I've found really weird.

      Reply
  3. FuzzyPlushroom Avatar
    FuzzyPlushroom

    There's no heater vent for my right hand. The only vent on the center stack is for the passenger. My hands (and feet) are almost Raynaud's-tastic, so that's not such a good thing.
    <img src="http://uh2l.blogs.com/photos/cars/p1030392.jpg"&gt;
    I assume the worrying noises it makes and having to periodically add air to the bent left rear wheel don't count as "inconsequential".

    Reply
    1. frankthecat Avatar
      frankthecat

      I love riding in my girlfriend's 900 during the winter because of the vent placement.
      During the summer it sucks, though. All of the ice-cold air comes out of the driver's side vent.
      (I'm actually going to look at and possibly buy a forest green 1997 Saab 900S 3 door tomorrow)
      Oh, and Saab's attempt at DRL's by just forcing the headlights on all the time is highly annoying to me. I pulled the fuse on my girlfriend's car.

      Reply
      1. FuzzyPlushroom Avatar
        FuzzyPlushroom

        Oh, I've got another inconsequential bit of Swedish fuckery: the lighter socket only works with the ignition on.
        This means I have to drain my battery with the headlights every time I want to run my portable air compressor. Thanks, Saab. (I should just pull that fuse.)
        On a related note, I wish they'd done what Ford and Volvo (among others) have done for the past few decades… lights go on when the car's on, they go off when it's not. Oh well.
        Also, I'm convinced that they made a majority of NG900s in that shade of green… I wish my car was that colour, actually. (It's what Saab called 'Citrin Beige' and I call 'smog'.) It's a '96 five-door, sticky, non-turbo, for what it's worth, and I love it.

        Reply
        1. Number_Six Avatar
          Number_Six

          Swedish Fuckery should be a category at the Academy Awards…

          Reply
          1. Smells_Homeless Avatar
            Smells_Homeless

            Or a band name.

        2. MVEilenstein Avatar
          MVEilenstein

          The Honda Odyssey has the same annoying feature. Can't leave your phone to charge in the car if it's not running.
          They'd probably call it a safety feature.

          Reply
  4. julkinen Avatar
    julkinen

    <img src="http://i.imgur.com/L1LnSVm.jpg&quot; title="Hosted by imgur.com" />
    I hate the headlight washer bumper overriders on the 205. They only seem to have been slapped on in the countries where headlight washers were mandatory, and prying them off makes no sense as the bumper material has faded all to hell around them. They also most likely have holes underneath.
    Then again, they're good for bumpin'.

    Reply
    1. TurboBrick Avatar
      TurboBrick

      I don't know how well they work with a plastic bumper underneath but I can tell you that the gigantic steel bumper cones on my old '74 Dart had no trouble digging in to the front bumper of a VW Bora/Jetta.

      Reply
  5. buzzboy7 Avatar
    buzzboy7

    Getting to 60mph requires two shifts.
    Accidentally bump the cruise control stalk in neutral and it redlines.
    Car can't be unlocked by the key fob if the key is in the ignition(something fun to learn in the middle of NOWHERE).
    The accelerator pedal has a pivot where the pad attaches to the pedal which makes it harder to maintain a constant speed.

    Reply
  6. $kaycog Avatar
    $kaycog

    I have one tiny complaint about my '13 Escape. When cleaning the inside of the windshield, I can't reach the bottom of the w/s on the driver's side. Other than that, I love my car.

    Reply
    1. No more DRLs Avatar
      No more DRLs

      Try one of these. http://www.amazon.com/Stoner-95161-Invisible-Glas…

      Reply
      1. $kaycog Avatar
        $kaycog

        That just might work.

        Reply
  7. JayP2112 Avatar
    JayP2112

    Brake dust on the truck's chrome wheels.
    Coming from an Audi owner where dirty wheels were a badge of honor, this prolly seems weird.
    My truck has chrome wheels and no amount of cleaner and scrubbing will ever get them clean. Tried almost everything. I gave up and just say it's a truck…

    Reply
  8. Gooberpeaz Avatar
    Gooberpeaz

    The shift knob on my '13 Civic Si has a metal top and it gets hotter than blazes after a day in the parking lot. I put a drink can coozie over it and still gets hot.

    Reply
    1. LEROOOY Avatar
      LEROOOY

      Adding to the modern Civic: On my '08, the clutch and brake pedal are hinged at the top, and the gas pedal is hinged at the bottom! Argh! Also, crappy throttle response (probably not an issue with the Si.)

      Reply
  9. OA5599 Avatar
    OA5599

    Ergonomics were not seriously considered in truck design four decades ago when my Ramcharger's platform was developed. Nothing beyond the steering column can be reached by the driver without leaning forward in the seat–radio, HVAC, headlights, etc.
    What's worse is that I had 125 K miles of seat time in my older Ramcharger before getting the current one. In that span, the wiper switch moved from the dash (where it isn't line-of-sight from a driving position) to the turn signal switch. I can't tell you how many times I've reached for the wrong place for the switch.

    Reply
  10. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    To those who actually read my rants I have nothing new to add, but my '96 Primera station wagon came without any hooks and nets in the boot. A station wagon delivered without the slightest ability to secure luggage comes a close second after a car delivered with square wheels on the "inconsequential aspect scale". =8^)

    Reply
  11. Pidgeonsplatz Avatar
    Pidgeonsplatz

    '03 Mazda Protege:
    1. Cant open the trunk with remote.
    2. increasing speed using cruise, causes 2 downshifts.

    Reply
    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      Ad #2, couldn't agree more about cruise control madness! I had honestly never thought I'd own a car with automatic transmission once, and what I knew about these were used-up rental cars. With "learning"/adapting transmissions, I always thought that they reacted so angry and hard because that is how rentals are driven.
      Now that we have bought my mother-in-laws Camry, that has been chauffeured quite auntsy, this theory has fallen.
      Specifically, there is a tunnel with quite a climb just where I live. I can stay at 90km/h in the last gear without cruise control. With cruise control at the same speed the vehicle delivers two down-shifts. The difference in consumption data as displayed by the car is ~14l/100km vs ~25l/100km – massive!

      Reply
  12. Alff Avatar
    Alff

    On the Alfa, there are several nits … anemic blower motor means no effective defrost or heat (doesn't really matter for a fair weather car), the plastic barb on the washer bottle broke so I've got to clean the winshield manually, the seams in the seats are split and I have gone to the trouble of fixing them in years, it has terrible paint. When this stuff gets too annoying, I stomp on the go pedal and listen to that nice exhaust note.

    Reply
  13. CalculatedRisk Avatar
    CalculatedRisk

    Just got a new daily driver. While I currently enjoying the novelty of my "two-point racing hardness", I can see a future when the disabled automatic seat belts in my '90 civic will be annoying as hell. I currently have to pull the lap belt over and then buckle the shoulder harness separately. At least its better than the malfunctioning seat belt warning buzzer which was also disabled immediately after purchase.

    Reply
    1. Preludacris Avatar
      Preludacris

      I moved to Canada so I could buy early '90s Hondas with proper seat belts. I plan to drive early '90s Hondas for as long as it remains feasible.
      Seriously, though, at least one of these statements is true.

      Reply
      1. Devin Avatar
        Devin

        Is there a place in Canada where early '90s Hondas don't rust like they're a time-lapse video about iron oxidation?

        Reply
        1. Preludacris Avatar
          Preludacris

          Yep! Vancouver area. They do still rust here, just not usually to the extent where rust is the primary cause for junking them. I've got some cancer at the bottom of my driver side rear wheel well, and my rear bumper recently rusted through and broke recently.

          Reply
  14. ˏ♂ˊ mzs zsm msz esq Avatar
    ˏ♂ˊ mzs zsm msz esq

    In my wife's car I dislike the controls for the hvac, you have to look at it to know what it's set to and to make changes. In my car, I wish the seat belts would spool, though I can fix that easier than the nit with her car.

    Reply
    1. frankthecat Avatar
      frankthecat

      Every time I've seen belts not spool or lock, it's because the car's been in an accident, and the tensioners are mangled from trying to hold a thousand pounds or so of passenger weight at several G's.

      Reply
      1. ˏ♂ˊ mzs zsm msz esq Avatar
        ˏ♂ˊ mzs zsm msz esq

        Its okay, mine just never had spools. It's a '67 Volvo, they look like this at the bottom anchor: https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak…

        Reply
  15. LTDScott Avatar
    LTDScott

    I've owned my Mazdaspeed 3 for nearly a year now and I've still yet to master the clutch. The engagement point is closer to the floor than any other car I've driven, and it's fairly "digital." Most of the time I do fine, but occasionally I can't get a smooth gear change, especially if the A/C is on.
    It's a common complaint. When I was looking to buy my car, I test drove another used MS3 at a Mitsubishi dealer, and when I test drove it, the salesman next to me noted that I did a good job driving the car and handling the clutch. He said that the dealership should keep me on as their test driver, because everyone else who drove the car couldn't do it without jackrabbit starts and otherwise jerky gear changes.

    Reply
    1. J Palmer Avatar
      J Palmer

      Honestly, that's one of the reasons I sold my MS3. Frustrating!

      Reply
      1. LTDScott Avatar
        LTDScott

        I'm giving thought to selling mine. I like the car overall, but my commute is 95% city with about 30 traffic lights, so I rarely get to use the power it makes, and said clutch issue makes all the traffic lights suck even more.

        Reply
        1. Alcology Avatar
          Alcology

          You can always adjust the clutch pedal to make it more to your liking.
          http://www.mazdaspeedforums.org/forum/f111/how-cl…

          Reply
          1. LTDScott Avatar
            LTDScott

            That appears to be for the Mazdaspeed 6 only.

          2. Alcology Avatar
            Alcology

            Dooks yep. Apparently it's not adjustable without some fab work.

          3. LTDScott Avatar
            LTDScott

            Thanks for checking anyway!

          4. Alcology Avatar
            Alcology

            🙂 I got time, fortunately/unfortunately

  16. lbreeves Avatar
    lbreeves

    The turn signal clicker in my E39 BMW sounds like it came from an 80's ford. I mean c'mon guys it sounds like shit! Minor, yes. Annoying? YES!
    The most annoying 'feature' on my old car(a 99 camry) was that it would 'smartly' only unlock the doors that it thought someone needed to get out of. This always resulted in a locked door when you needed to get into the back to grab an item that you threw in there yesterday.

    Reply
    1. CABEZAGRANDE Avatar
      CABEZAGRANDE

      I'll add my XJR to that list. Every other function is well exectuted and quiet and subdued, until you turn on the turn signal and get this ridiculously loud tac-TOCK tac-TOCK out of it. You'd swear that solenoid was made by an old cuckoo-clock maker.

      Reply
  17. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
    Peter Tanshanomi

    The Town Cow's constantly disintegrating power window mechanisms. Despite having three of them replaced already, one doesn't work at all again (fortunately the rear passenger side window) and the other three may or may not work, depending on the temperature and humidity.
    Raising my frustration level is the fact that I refuse to buy a new A/C compressor for a 21-year-old car (which might or might not result in long-term refrigerant containment), and I live here:
    <img src="http://www.zilliox.org/photolog/Timeline Photos/I know most of you hate it, but THIS is what summe.jpg" width="177">

    Reply
    1. Hatchtopia Avatar
      Hatchtopia

      I graduated from LSHS in '93.

      Reply
    2. Brian Driggs Avatar
      Brian Driggs

      I'm gonna guess it's humid there. It was at least 104° every day here in Phoenix last month. And it was over 110° a solid 8 days. My daily driver is an 89 Pajero in which the AC system died and went to heaven years ago. Not really a concern to me, though I can open a lot of windows, so…
      My biggest kvetch about Rocinante the Fun Cooker is the lack of a cup holder. I'd like at least ONE, please.

      Reply
      1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
        Peter Tanshanomi

        A friend of mine came to visit KC from Abq. We stepped out of a restaurant about 10 PM after a long meal, and it was about 85-90 degrees and 95% humidity. She said, "Oh my god! It's no cooler now than it was before the sun set!" She thought it was some sort of unbelievable weather anomaly. We were all like, "Um, yea. What's your point?"

        Reply
        1. Brian Driggs Avatar
          Brian Driggs

          Haha. I've lost count of how many times we've stepped outside after 10PM and stopped mid-sentence by just how PERFECT the weather is. There's a sweet spot around 93-95° & 2% humidity that is so glorious it will stop you in your tracks. If the weather here was like that year round, we'd be the largest city in the country. 😛

          Reply
          1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
            Peter Tanshanomi

            I lived in Idaho for about 3 years, and nights were downright chilly, even in summer (40-degree swing in temps every 12 hours). But there were some middays that were 90+/- with 2% humidity, so I know how wonderful that can be. Add in lots of totally empty 2-lane country roads outside of town and its the perfect environment for a motorcycle ride.

  18. Bryce Womeldurf Avatar
    Bryce Womeldurf

    I'm pretty much not really bothered by our Rabbit, in any way that it was designed. However, either an acorn has fallen into the front cowl or one of the dealer service techs left a screw somewhere in the passenger side dash, because every time I go around a hard left hand corner, I hear something hard rolling around in that area of the car. It makes me sigh every time. It's been very reliable, especially for a Volkswagen. The only other thing that really bugs me is that the speed sensitive windshield wipers sometimes forget to speed back up when I accelerate, so I have to bump them down and then back up a notch to wake them up. Wow, actually come to think of it, there's one more thing that bugs me. The fob key. Ever since the car was new, it's made me look like an old man, because if my wife double clicks it, it unlocks all the doors. If I double click it, I have to double click it two or three more times, because it usually doesn't listen to me the first time and I end up leaving her locked out by accident.
    <img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7007/6726716447_3c5fc3733c_z.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
    1. ˏ♂ˊ mzs zsm msz esq Avatar
      ˏ♂ˊ mzs zsm msz esq

      Oh Bryce, I had that sound too with my Golf, I can't remember if it was the front shock mount or the spring that made that sound, both are easy to check though. For the shock mount (I'm more thinking it was this), open the hood and see if there is movement and sound as you pump the car up and down on the fender. For the broken spring, look behind each front wheel and see if there is a bitty top portion of the broken spring rattling in there still.

      Reply
      1. Bryce Womeldurf Avatar
        Bryce Womeldurf

        Thanks! It doesn't sound heavy enough to be a mount, but I'm thinking that might be cheaper than a spring, so I'll hope it's that or the loose screw. I'll give that a shot.

        Reply
  19. marmer01 Avatar
    marmer01

    '99 A4: sun visor is not long enough and too hard to move to the side. Eventually the clips break anyway. Also, the cruise control is the old style slider and button on the end of the turn signal lever and it's kinda awkward by today's standards. Some people complain about the headlight switch being a short stalk on the steering column, but I've always found that kinda convenient and I've only hit it by mistake about twice in going-on-fourteen years.

    Reply
  20. Devin Avatar
    Devin

    A new Elantra GT, there are a few minor things:
    The black fabric of the seats retains heat. On a hot summer day, it's like sitting on a hot plate until it cools down.
    The stereo display is also an overly bright blue, which is slightly distracting at night, but that can be turned off at least. Of course, they should have gone with a display that isn't blue, but I suppose it's the hip thing since I've seen a lot of stuff use the blue display.
    This isn't entirely the car, but the bluetooth picks up the phone if it's on my desk. Thus, I always forget my phone, since I assume if the bluetooth icon is on the phone is in the car.
    Also, I didn't realize it when I bought it, but having a car with a glass roof is slightly scary when you've got a hail warning.

    Reply
  21. themagicboltbox Avatar
    themagicboltbox

    The inside lock switch on my G8 locks all the doors EXCEPT the driver's door. You have to use the fob or the key to lock the driver's door – which is annoying, since I usually put the keys in my pocket as soon as I turn off the car.

    Reply
    1. Stu_Rock Avatar
      Stu_Rock

      This sounds like my Buick. On that car, you hit the lock button and the passenger doors lock. Then you then close the driver door and wait 30 sec and it locks. Or you can hit the lock button a second time and it forces the driver door locked.

      Reply
  22. Kogashiwa Avatar
    Kogashiwa

    The traction control on my IS300 is pretty maddening. It allows no slippage at all, and when it kicks in it cuts the engine power in about half and holds it there for what feels like a minute (but is probably about three or four seconds). I often am coming onto a highway from a gravel road which as you can imagine is the worst case scenario for this system. It almost got me in an accident once; I was sitting in a turning lane waiting for traffic, road was patchily icy, finally get a small opening in traffic, stand on it a bit, TC kicks in and engine feels like it nearly dies, and I'm crawling across the road with traffic barreling at me full tilt.
    Luckily there's a big button on the dash to disable it, which I usually remember to hit as soon as I start the car.

    Reply
  23. krazykarguy Avatar
    krazykarguy

    I think that I fall within the acceptable norms for size (5'11", 190lbs, average build), and I cannot for the life of me roll down the windows in my Saab 9-2x without looking at the controls.
    My hands fall naturally to the rear switches – and I can't tell you how many times I've rolled up to a toll booth/mailbox/drive thru window, and rolled down the LR window instead of the driver's window.
    Also, my car has one-touch-down driver's window, but not for any of the other windows, and there is no one-touch-up feature for the LF window…

    Reply
  24. Maymar Avatar
    Maymar

    It's a gutless, charmless, slushbox'd shitbox, that just won't die.
    Oh, you said inconsequential?
    It's black, it doesn't have A/C, and the back windows don't open. It gets a little warm in there unless I'm at highway speed.
    And because I rode to work today, on my Rebel, I don't care for the ducktail rear fender and the buttons(?) On the seat are just sort of awkward and dated looking (also, the seat's really good at retaining rainwater in the depressions). Still, it's the bike I need right now. Also, after spending 50 minutes on it, I feel like my hands are about to vibrate out of phase with reality.

    Reply
  25. CABEZAGRANDE Avatar
    CABEZAGRANDE

    In my 2000 XJR, for inconsequentials it's got to be the cupholders. It has one, a deployable plastic affair in the front of the console armrest. But it is WORTHLESS. I haven't found a single beverage container that it can reliably hold. It's too short and flimsy for anything over 12 oz (they just tip over and fall out during the mildest of manuevers), but the holes are too big and have gaps in the hold rings to the outside too big to put a small styrofoam cup or can of soda into (they rattle around slopping stuff or fall out of the sides). One of the few upsides to having an automatic, I can hold onto the drinks.

    Reply
    1. CABEZAGRANDE Avatar
      CABEZAGRANDE

      For non-inconsequentials, whose bright idea was it to give a RWD car with almost 400 lb-ft of torque an open differential? I'm so tired of peg-legging when it's even slightly damp out.

      Reply
      1. Distraxi Avatar
        Distraxi

        That's OK, they compensated for the open diff with traction control so sensitive it cuts the throttle when you go over practically any bump. Especially irritating as you try to pull out of a driveway into traffic. That's my pet peeve on mine. I fixed the cup holder by designing my own.

        Reply
  26. muthalovin Avatar
    muthalovin

    Uh, the F150 is not an NSX.
    The Ducati is a deathtrap.
    So, no real complaints about either DD.

    Reply
  27. tiberiusẅisë Avatar
    tiberiusẅisë

    I hate how the turn signal stalk in my 2013 Edge goes back to center while you are signalling. You're supposed to tap lightly for a three blink burst or all the way to engage the normal sequence. Either way, the stalk centers. I prefer the tactile indicator of the stalk staying either up or down until the cycle is complete.

    Reply
    1. BobWellington Avatar
      BobWellington

      My mom has a 2011 Explorer with the same type of stalk. I like the 3 blink burst, but I'll take the old style anyday. I even hit the high beams on accident sometimes when turning on the blinker. That gets old fast.

      Reply
      1. Devin Avatar
        Devin

        There's no reason why it can't have a three blink burst and also stay in position when you're actually signaling. My Elantra GT does it that way, it's brilliant and I love it.

        Reply
    2. CABEZAGRANDE Avatar
      CABEZAGRANDE

      I despise the no-click indicator stalks Ford has fallen in love with recently. I had a 2012 F-150 as a rental here a while back, and that damn stalk was a huge pain the whole way. It's just wonderful going down the highway trying to get the damn blinker to turn off and just getting it to go the other way for miles on end, looking like an idiot the whole way. It was basically impossible to hit the neutral position. Not sure if it was just that truck, but it definitely left a bad taste in my mouth.

      Reply
      1. tiberiusẅisë Avatar
        tiberiusẅisë

        Come on dude, its easy to figure out how to cancel an indicator.
        If you're in the middle of a three blink burst you can hit it all the way in the same direction twice.
        If you're blinking normally you only need to hit it in the same direction once.
        Or you could just hit it in the opposite direction. Maybe once, maybe twice, I can't quite get the hang of that.
        How could that possibly be confusing?

        Reply
  28. Froggmann_ Avatar
    Froggmann_

    This would be my 2002 Nissan Maxima:
    The auto tranny it irks me when I'm coming out of a corner and the stupid thing upshifts and holds that gear. Seriously, my foot is flat against the floor being pressed further into the dent I have made under the gas pedal, I'm obviously not cruising.
    Turning radius. I have only had one other vehicle I had to pull into an intersection in order to make a u-turn in. That was a Ford Crew Cab Dually. Yes Nissan, your 4 door sport car's turning radius is comparable to a truck with a 168 in wheelbase.
    The crazy reset/learning procedures we need to perform. Seriously, most other vehicles figure out their base parameters within 15 minutes of being fired up for the first time. Why do we need to click the key over 18.2 times wait 3.6 seconds honk the horn in a church from the back seat to reset a fuel door light? But on a serious note, the car has enough sensors, it should be able to figure out where the throttle valve should be.
    The crappy/chinzy little motors Nissan uses for the sunroof and seats amongst other things. I have had to rebuild the sunroof motor twice so far, and to tell you the truth It's pretty undersized for the job it has to do. Not to mention the brush holders are poorly casted. Last time I took it apart I had to shave one of the brushes down because it was getting caught on the holder.
    Oh yea, speaking of sunroofs Nissan, why did you omit the manual operation of the sunroof for the 5th gen? You do understand these things fail every so often and you really shouldn't -HAVE- to take the damned car into the dealer to just get the thing closed.
    The keyless entry, I can make the horn sound, I can make the trunk pop I can even make the front windows roll down from the key fob, but for the life of me I can't get all 4 doors to unlock with any regularity. Seriously, it's a double pulse what other pulses are you looking for?
    Oh and yea, why a solid beam rear axle?
    <img src="http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q53/Froggmann/02%20Maxima/IMG_6380-1.jpg&quot; width=600 /img>

    Reply
    1. Stu_Rock Avatar
      Stu_Rock

      Wow–I didn't know about the beam axle. That led me to an Internet search about it. It looks like they used a Scott-Russell linkage instead of a Panhard rod. That's pretty neat, but in a still-could-have-been-better way.

      Reply
    2. frankthecat Avatar
      frankthecat

      If the transmission won't drop a gear when you go WOT, you need to get the kickdown cable adjusted. The kickdown cable on my van plain came off the other day, when I was pulling onto a busy road and needed to accelerate to 55 asap. Needless to say, I accelerated very leisurely in second gear.

      Reply
      1. Froggmann_ Avatar
        Froggmann_

        Trust me I would if it had one. 2002 was the first year of drive by wire for the FWD VQ. It's nice that the engine knows what the farg you are doing but the transmission controller logic is dumber than a box of rocks.
        Yes I know, I should have gotten a manual, there were no acceptable ones to be found when I bought this car.

        Reply
    3. Jeff Glucker Avatar
      Jeff Glucker

      Funny. The turning radius on my wifes (now gone) '01 Altima also had a colossally shit turning radius.

      Reply
  29. TurboBrick Avatar
    TurboBrick

    I suppose it would be nice if the AC worked so I could use it for defogging the windows or giving rides to people outside of the winter months.

    Reply
    1. MVEilenstein Avatar
      MVEilenstein

      Neither AC nor heater works in my truck. It's pretty much a guarantee that people only hit me up for rides in the two weeks of good weather we have in Seattle. The rest of the year it's too cold, too wet, or too cold and too wet.

      Reply
  30. jeepjeff Avatar
    jeepjeff

    It took me a minute to remember the inconsequential annoyance in the Jeep. The lower dash hangs down just far enough that if I slouch, I'll just tap it with my shins when I really get on a pedal (usually my left shin on the clutch pedal). I haven't done it in a while, and it doesn't actually get in the way of driving. It's never really bothered me. The whole contraption is enough of an anti-luxury mobile that my expectations are set for discomfort and bad design, so no potential annoyance really gets to me. OTOH, the seats are some of the best I've ever sat in. They're not really soft or anything like that, but my back and neck position in them is awesome, so I can happily live in the driver seat for hours on end without getting sore spots too badly.

    Reply
  31. P161911 Avatar
    P161911

    As Froggmann mentioned, turning radius. My 2011 Silverado (extended cab, short bed, 2WD) takes a 10 acres field to turn around. 5-6 point turns just to get in a parking space are common. My old truck, a 1988 F-150, extended cab LONG bed had a much tighter turning radius.

    Reply
  32. mdharrell Avatar
    mdharrell

    <img src="http://blog.caranddriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Leaders-at-2013-Pacific-Northworst-24-Hours-of-LeMons-Saab-96-626×426.jpg&quot; width="500">
    Lug bolts instead of studs and lug nuts. It's harder to line up the spare after a wheel shears off in the middle of a race.

    Reply
    1. OA5599 Avatar
      OA5599

      A wheel shearing during a race is more than a 40-year MTBF. I would think the handles on the KV would be a more likely problem issue, although perhaps one not as probable to result in injury or death.

      Reply
      1. mdharrell Avatar
        mdharrell

        Oh, I don't know. That broken KV door handle has some pretty sharp edges.

        Reply
    2. LTDScott Avatar
      LTDScott

      Why not convert to lug studs and nuts? A wheel stud conversion kit was the very first aftermarket purchase I made for my E30 LeMons car, and I have been thankful ever since. Screw you, European automotive engineers!
      Our very last race (3 weeks ago) would have been a disaster without the stud kit, as we had forgotten to tighten the lug nuts on one wheel after swapping the transmission overnight. Thankfully the nuts were finger tight, and the studs were long enough that the wheel stayed on until we could limp it into the pits and tighten everything up.
      I doubt there's a pre-made kit for your car like there is mine, but it should be just a matter of finding the right thread studs and right seat style lug nuts. Add some Loctite and you're good to go.

      Reply
      1. mdharrell Avatar
        mdharrell

        That would require me to give up the pleasure of correcting everyone who refers to the car's "lug nuts." I'm not prepared to do that.

        Reply
        1. LTDScott Avatar
          LTDScott

          In that case, enjoy your late night parts scavenging adventures 🙂

          Reply
          1. mdharrell Avatar
            mdharrell

            The wheel broke free around the bolts; the bolts themselves were still doing their job of each holding a small ring of steel onto the car. The scavenging adventure was for more wheels.
            We did, however, enjoy it.

  33. Scandinavian Flick ★ Avatar
    Scandinavian Flick ★

    The shifter rattles a bit in 4th around 110mph.
    Seriously irritating…

    Reply
    1. Sjalabais Avatar
      Sjalabais

      My passengers rattle a bit in 4th around 110mph.

      Reply
      1. FuzzyPlushroom Avatar
        FuzzyPlushroom

        My entire car rattles a bit in any gear around…
        …oh, who am I kidding? With the bent wheel, I've never had it over 105.

        Reply
  34. Manic_King Avatar
    Manic_King

    Haven't figured out what logic automatic electric holding brake follows in VW, sometimes when plan is to reverse parallel park it switches on when going from D to R, sometimes not. So I usually start to reverse only to feel how rear end of a car starts to rise and have to disable that P brake.
    Oh, and hard plastic side panel of passenger seat which sometimes rattles when said seat is empty.

    Reply
  35. BobWellington Avatar
    BobWellington

    In my '06 Explorer the power outlet in the front is placed directly behind the cupholders, so when you have a drink in the cupholder and something plugged in they contact each other and it makes it hard to get the drink in and out. Also, there's very little storage space up front considering it's an SUV (there's only room for 2 cups and nothing else). The grab handles on the doors are located under the arm rest so they're a pain to reach. Ford fixed this on later years. And the transmission is really clunky at low speeds. Unlike others who have mentioned their car's bad turning radius, the 4th gen Explorer's is really good for an SUV. Any time I get into another SUV or truck I realize just how good it is in the Explorer.
    <img src="http://preview.netcarshow.com/Ford-Explorer-2006-1600-23.jpg&quot; width="600">

    Reply
  36. Number_Six Avatar
    Number_Six

    RX-8:
    * It's ugly
    * 5th gear is really noisy
    * It uses oil on purpose but checking and adding oil is a total PITA
    * It has 2" too little headroom
    ZZR1200:
    * Engine vibration comes through the bars and numbs the hands at the speed limit on the highway, which encourages 100mph cruising (Yes officer, it's more comfortable at this speed)

    Reply
  37. I Think Not Avatar
    I Think Not

    CBR250R:
    Hard to think of something I don't love about this machine — uh… no HVAC? I hear that's a common complaint about motorcycles, though.

    Reply
    1. Vairship Avatar
      Vairship

      I would say ther's plenty of V on the freeway when there's no traffic jams…

      Reply
  38. Dan Avatar
    Dan

    The automatic headlights in my Mazda 5 don't automatically come on when the automatic windshield wipers go on. Too much automatic crap for my taste but it's the consequence for wanting a leather interior

    Reply
  39. lbreeves Avatar
    lbreeves

    The turn signal clicker in my E39 BMW sounds like it came from an 80's ford. I mean c'mon guys it sounds like shit! Minor, yes. Annoying? YES!

    Reply
  40. SSurfer321 Avatar
    SSurfer321

    Cruise control in my 05 F150. Since I put it on 33's the cruise is worthless. Is there a 0.5% grade increase? Kick down a gear. Is there a gentle breeze in any direction other than a tailwind? Kick down. Is the grass greener on the other side of the median? Kick down. However I can manually maintain 75mph over grades, into headwinds or anything else and does just fine.
    I hate in our Subaru that I can't pull the inside door handle and have the door unlock automatically to let me out. I have to unlock the door first. Stupid. The Mrs. has a habit of driving with the doors locked.

    Reply
  41. MJMCG Avatar
    MJMCG

    The armrest on the E90 is a bit short for my elbow. Fine on the highway when you settle back into the drive, but annoying otherwise. It also means that the armrest cubby is useless for storage thanks to the "built in phone prep" (for an obsolete technology) which takes up half the cubby. It's a 2011 car. And has bluetooth….

    Reply
  42. MVEilenstein Avatar
    MVEilenstein

    It's my wife's daily driver now, but our 04 Focus has the loudest turn signal indicators I've ever heard. Seriously – it's loud to the point of distraction at times.
    I also hate the placement of the e-brake handle. It's tucked conveniently under the armrest, which is only convenient if you're 5 feet tall. I've learned to grab it with the end of my fingers, but still annoying.
    Also, did you know the O/D button on the shift lever is green? You know, the one on the underside of the handle? I did not know that until last year, and I've had the thing since 06. Why would it be green, if no one can see it?

    Reply
    1. Devin Avatar
      Devin

      I don't think it's inaccurate to say that the Focus has the worst sounding turn signal fitted to a modern automobile.

      Reply
      1. MVEilenstein Avatar
        MVEilenstein

        Which is odd, because this Focus overall is a good car.

        Reply
        1. Devin Avatar
          Devin

          The terrible signal noise is the Focus' nazar battu.

          Reply
    2. FuzzyPlushroom Avatar
      FuzzyPlushroom

      I drove an '04ish Focus wagon (more precisely, this one) once. Once.
      If it had been a manual car, I think I would've liked it – I found the steering to be heavier than I'd expected, even artificially so, but it seemed like a competent little thing. That said, the automatic completely ruined the car. I found myself pondering various forms of suicide, some of which seemed more pleasant than continuing to endure the poorly-timed shifts and complete lack of power.
      It's possible that, due to the poor driving of, well, pretty much everyone who'd piloted the Focus before me, the transmission had learned poorly. I suppose I should give it that much credit.

      Reply
  43. smokyburnout Avatar
    smokyburnout

    I bought a front-wheel-drive hybrid over the weekend. I'm actually OK with that, but not a huge fan of the high clutch engagement point or the cable shifter.

    Reply
  44. Van_Sarockin Avatar
    Van_Sarockin

    The in-dash fans of my car have developed a high pitched, intermittent squeal. Getting to them would mean hours of dash disassembly…

    Reply
  45. HTWHLS Avatar
    HTWHLS

    '12 Focus commuter: the dash a/c vents are aimed directly at the 9 & 3 position so my knuckles are constantly frozen while it's on. Adjusting the louvers up the tiniest bit and the visor gets cold, down even a hair basically cuts off the flow.

    Reply
  46. sport_wagon Avatar
    sport_wagon

    '03 Protege 5: So for some reason when the fan is set to "2," the A/C will cut in and out when I go over bumps. I know this because the light in the A/C button flickers off and on. Doesn't do it at any other fan setting. Drives me insane. One of these days I'll take the dash apart to see what's going on. Dirt/loose contacts, no doubt.

    Reply
  47. thomas Avatar
    thomas

    THE RATTLING SUN SHADES IN MY 96 SC2!!!!

    Reply
    1. FuzzyPlushroom Avatar
      FuzzyPlushroom

      WHAT'S THAT? I COULDN'T HEAR YOU OVER THAT RATTLING NOISE!

      Reply
  48. jaseman Avatar
    jaseman

    2001 Lexus IS-300. Love the car, but…
    Cup holders are useless. Designed specifically to hold a can of pop, and absolutely nothing else.
    Traction control neuters the car completely at the first sign of slip. No easing into it either. Instantly cuts the revs to about 1500 rpm. If your going out in snow, just turn the damn TC off, you'll have a better chance of getting where you need to go.
    Chrome shifter knob looks pretty. Gets hotter than hell if it sits in the sun for 30 minutes though.
    Speaking of shifting… clutch works, but is so vague you might not know it.
    Fuel tank hangs way out behind the rear axle. Fill the tank more than half way, and it completely changes the balance of the car. Front end just floats in the air after a fill up.
    95 Miata (sold)
    Air vents in the center stack (known as eyeballs to the Miata faithful) always point down. No matter how many times you point them back up.
    Speakers are useless at speed. Or with the top down. Or when your moving. Or when the radio is on…
    Kawasaki 1500 Meanstreak….
    Distance from the pegs to the back if the seat dish is measured for a 5'10" rider. I'm 6'1"
    Kawasaki ZX-10…
    Attracts state troopers.

    Reply
  49. Vairship Avatar
    Vairship

    PT Cruiser: bad engine access. If they wanted it to look like a customized old car, they should have made the whole front end tilt. They probably would have made up the increased cost through reduced labor for warranty repairs. Also, stupid window buttons on the center console, especially for the rear passengers (where they're at ankle height).
    Corvair: handbrake lever is transversely mounted above the driver's knees. Makes European style hill starts impossible.Oh, and the Direct Air heater that tries to kill you with carbon monoxide if you have an exhaust leak is not so good either…

    Reply
    1. FuzzyPlushroom Avatar
      FuzzyPlushroom

      European-style – you mean using the handbrake, I imagine? I just balance the clutch and throttle and over-rev it a bit to be on the safe side.

      Reply
  50. Joe Avatar
    Joe

    Tacoma: A/C, though it works within specs, is a little anemic.
    E30: I don't really have any complaints. Some days I'd prefer a modern radio.

    Reply