Re: The cost of new technology in modern cars

Safety recalls are always free ... that’s the law

So if it’s safety related ( 99% of recalls are ) then it’s free no matter what age the vehicle or how many owners


However any upgrade recalls may well be at your own expense should you wish to have it ( I cannot think of any upgrade a manufacturer has ever made apart from safety ones ) things like your satnav maps ungraded every few years etc

Re: The cost of new technology in modern cars

I believe all the latest technology is mainly to impress the youngsters. Years ago when we bought a car we asked how fast it went, manual or automatic and the price. These days, so long as they can connect their smart phone, they are happy.

I also find it strange that despite all the publicity about not using a phone when driving, all the dash features now appear to be touch screen - not a great idea when you are driving.

Re: The cost of new technology in modern cars

When I had the opportunity of buying a new car 4 yrs ago (it's actually in it's 5th year now), I deliberately chose a 'city car' type with no bells or whistles, no gizmos - so less things to go wrong. No central locking, no computer stuff, no sat nav. Nowt.

Just electric windows. And, no road tax

Re: The cost of new technology in modern cars

Thanks for that, worth knowing and I will check with VW Customer Services about other upgrades.

Re: The cost of new technology in modern cars

Proof if required


And only just now JLR are recalling cars on safety tonight

Jaguar Land Rover recalls 44,000 cars
https://mol.im/a/6805503

Re: The cost of new technology in modern cars

Quite agree with what you write about impressing the youngsters.

I had been driving over 52 years when I bought the VW Golf and I have to admit had it not been for 'driving' being almost automatic I would have struggled with all the 'gimmicks', useful as some of them are. The handbook needs a degree to understand and it has around 500 pages. It took me several visits to the main dealers to find out how the Adaptive Cruise Control worked as the handbook did not correspond with the controls on the car, not exactly much of a help when not familiar with these kinds of features.

Re: The cost of new technology in modern cars

The same was said when they shot the horse and put the engine inside the carriage but I do take your point

Re: The cost of new technology in modern cars

Five years' ago when I bought the Golf the 'extras' were sat. nav., fog lamps, and parking assist. Everything else was included. Today's Golf has all that included in the price, that's the way cars are now being sold it seems.

I get the feeling it would be difficult nowadays to buy a car without all the 'gimmicks'. Take the Vauxhall Corsa Griffin, it's advertised as having all the extras.

Something I believe is no longer available nowadays is 'zero' road tax. Like your's mine is free of road tax. I was advised the minimum road tax now is £140 no matter which make or model. Not sure about electric or hybrid cars in this regard though.

Re: The cost of new technology in modern cars

My handbook is also a tome and \i don't do instructions any more. I'm sure I will never use half the things the Radio/satnav does. I certainly will never connect my phone using bluetooth.

Re: The cost of new technology in modern cars

One thing I find slightly annoying with our Golf is that I cannot get my phone to interact with the 'Nav' feature (which we paid extra for).

The Nav system works quite well up to a point. The map is large and clear to see and can provide good directions to an entered end location. Unfortunately, I cannot access the traffic-flow facility, although I have correctly connect my phone - with data connection and location turned on - via both USB and Bluetooth.

Consequently, I make use of Google Maps on my phone which can be viewed on the same Nav screen by selecting the 'App' button rather than the 'Nav' button.

It is, at least, quick and simple to switch between the Nav map and the Google map (with traffic flow).