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Smart Shopper Talk to the Press
1230 messages, Last post on Dec 01, 2009 at 8:19 AM
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Our PR Director for Edmunds.com is currently helping a major newspaper find consumers who are experiencing "gadget backlash." Did you buy a vehicle filled with exciting techno-gadgets, and wish you didn't? Have you given up trying to play a CD, set the ambient temperature or use the navigation system because the controls are just too complicated? Did you drive off the lot in your new vehicle without getting a full explanation of all the toys, figuring "how hard could it be?" and are now realizing it's more confusing than you could have imagined? What experiences have you had with the Mercedes joystick and the Volvo radio, both of which feature a lot of functionality but seem less intuitive than traditional controls? This story will touch on the following trends: the gadgets in high-end vehicles from the Lexus LS 430 and Volvo S80 to Porsches and beyond drivers in their 40s-60s buying sports cars driver distraction. If you have anything to add, we'd love to hear from you. Please submit your experience to Talk to the Press and/or to jfallon  edmunds.com, including your current vehicle, daytime phone number and city and state of residence. (Your identity will be protected at your request.) Thanks for your consideration of this opportunity to share your story! Please contact: jfallon edmunds.com
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I just purchased a Mercedes E-430 4-Matic loaded with gadgets. I can tell you that so far, rather that being overloaded, the gadgets have simplified our driving and made our trips more enjoyable. I have read a number of reviews criticizing the complexity of the COMAND Navigation system. My wife and I have found it, however, easy to use. In fact, our teenagers picked up the system without reading the book. It almost unnerving inputing an address, and then happily following the directions, totally oblivious of one's whereabouts, until suddenly you see your destination! Likewise, it is reassuring to be able to always ask the system to direct you "Home". The hands-off mobile phone is also a pleasure. We are using it more often than expected, especially during off-peak hours when we have unlimited air-time. Another gadget is the Parktronic system with proximity sensors on the front and rear bumpers. It is useful even when pulling into my garage at home. The car has the capability to receive Internet news, weather and stocks, but I haven't subscribed to the service. It also has a Tele-aid system, which allows us to call for roadside assistance or emergency help at the touch of a button. It is unobtrusive, but instills confidence. I think baby boomers, not to mention Generation X'ers and beyond are more adaptable than many give us credit for. We climb the learning curve quickly enough to enable the "gadgets" to be transformed from annoyances to useful features. Keep 'em coming! |
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I have a 2001 Audi A6 4.2 quattro sport with every gizmo Audi offers in the US I can be reached at mfullerton infoalt.com for comment on my experiences with gizmo laden cars.
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This "gadget backlash" story is sparking a lot of great responses - the reporter writing the story is thrilled and looks forward to hearing more. Does anyone have anecdotes about learning how to use the gadgets, or trying to figure out what a button does? Thanks again for taking the time to share on this discussion board and/or directly to jfallonedmunds.com.
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built into the onboard computer. So, besides the specially cut key, the alarm system, the deadbolt lock doors, and the electronic chip in the key that kills the electrical system, there is this code feature where you can program a 4 digit code that will lock up the engine ignition systm (even if you have the alarm remote and the key) unless the proper code is entered. Now let's see: I set the code because I'm in some dangerous area. The guy comes up with a gun and gets my alarm remote and the key.... and I'm not going to give him the code when he asks?....hmm. Alternately, what good is it (or what good is the rest of the stuff). If all the other stuff works, they're going to have to tow the car away anyhow, and this feature won't stop them from doing that. Besides, I'm scared to death to try the thing out. If you program it and then don't enter the code right you have to have it towed to the dealer to have it unsecured... Not something I want to learn by doing. |
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I rented a clapped out bonneville this year in detroit, er I mean destroyed. For two weeks I couldn't figure out why the radio would always be one click too loud of soft, and change volume while driving. I was looking through the yellow pages for a exorsist, but I chalked it up to typical pontiac crap. Coming back from niagra falls over night, the radio was consistantly too loud, don't know how the family slept through it. There were a million radio buttons on the thing, some told what the song was playing, some said news, traffic but no sound was heard on these settings. The red dash lights were a little too top gun for me. I liked the button that changed the mph to kph on the speedometer. The whole needle moves. I had it on in detroit and my wife wanted to know why ewe were going 100, 100kph=62mph. Very handy when driving in canada. Couldn't wait to get back to the states where my red protege was waiting for me. Radio comes on with the car and off I go. |
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We have a 2000 chevrolet and am very happy with the car. But, like everything with a high level of functionality, in order to get the most use of that functionality, you've got to read the book. We spent a weekend reading the owner's manual twice and testing most of the functions with the car not moving e.g. setting all radio station presets, tinkering with different hvac (heating ventilation air conditioning) modes. The goal was to make sure I understood them well enough to operate them with only very fast glances when necessary e.g. at the hvac temperature setting. A boring waste of a weekend ? Not necessarily. Play a good CD, crack open a beer (remember: i said "car NOT moving"), read the book and learn. We own three other vehicles which happen to be small (motorcycle and two compact cars). With 98% of my fellow new car owners leading such busy corporate executive lives that they defer trying to learn this stuff until they're driving, gadgets in THEIR new vehicles really put the fear of Jesus into us. |
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Hi again from your friends at Edmunds.com PR. By now, many of you who shared your gadget stories have already spoken with the reporter writing that article - he indicated this morning he's really enjoyed the stories he's heard and found useful for his research, and expects the paper to run that article within the next few weeks. I'll post the details when it runs so you can check it out. Meanwhile, I've had another request from another top paper... this time, the focus is on "people who'd rather go without shoes than lose their Porsches." In other words, are you staying in an expensive lease category even if the current economy makes it impractical? I'm sure there are some diehards out there that can relate. Please remember, your identity will be protected at your request. Thanks for posting your anecdotes, or sending them privately to jfallon edmunds.com for the reporter's use.
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I'd sleep in my Jaguar before I'd ever give it up. Feel free to contact me. Bill Weismann wsweismann aol.com
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