I've got my learner's permit! YAY!
Now that I'm actually operating motor vehicles, I've noticed things that really just don't work in my mostly-logical mind.
My dad's Toyota Corolla Matrix:
A lovely car. Too bad the seats suck. I really can't complain about this car (except that it's boring) - as i'm likely inheriting it when he upgrades. Things that don't make sense, though:
? Can't change the dashboard thermometer to Celcius. (Yeah, I know, I live in America, shut up. I refuse to be constrained by an outdated system of measurement.)
? The dimming of the dashboard lights in darkness: Convienient. Too bad it seems to be on a 10-second delay.
? The stock radio: No AUX input. Why? Actually, this is a general comment on cars: How hard is it really to put in an AUX input, and why has it taken so long to spread to the world?
? Installing a non-stock radio: Can the world PLEASE just agree to use DIN-sized holes for all dashboard equipment? Would make our DIY minds so happier.
? The Matrix comes with a standard mains power outlet (110volt, American wall-style plug) which is awesome. BUT...the flap that flips down to cover it prevents things like iPod chargers or mobile-phone chargers (or....ANYTHING that has an integral transformer/power brick) from remaining plugged in. Stupid stupid stupid!
My mum's Saab 9-3 SportCombi:
I love this car. I love the way it drives, I love the way it feels, I love how it was designed for tall people like myself.
That being said:
? How hard is it to build a car which doesn't require percussive maintenance to prevent from rattling? My mum always takes me on trips because I know where to slam the headliner around the sunroof.
? AUX input: It's in the centre console, which is nice. There are little indents in the walls of the console where the lid meets it so your 3.5mm wire can escape and you can have whatever-you've-got-plugged-in at the ready. Except there's nowhere convienent to put it except....
? The cup-holder. There's only one. If both front-seat passengers have a hot beverage, one's screwed, as the other cupholder is the infamous Saab folding-spinning-butterfly deal. Looks cool, gobs of fun (Yes, I'm easily amused) but not useful for hot drinks.
? The door locks. Oh how I loathe the door locks. On the Matrix, an electronically-simpler car, the doors lock automatically in a gear that involves the car moving. Shift to Park, and they unlock. Including the rear hatch. In the Saab, they're independent, but the behaviour can be modified. Which is nice...except in order to change the settings, one must visit the dealer and fork over a large sum of cash. Now that we've done so, we discover that it's on a per-key basis. And that when accelerating from the street we live on, the locks cycle 3 to 4 times in quick succession. Oh yeah, and..
? The hatch. I love the SportCombi. It holds almost as much as our old 900 (which I sorely miss) - but the lock is independent from the other locks. Which involves 2 problems:
1. When approaching the car, this requires 2 pushes on a remote (in 2 separate locations) to unlock both the doors and the hatch.
2. When exiting the vehicle, one must remember to push the button on the driver's-side door to access the trunk. As a cellist, this is....annoying as shit. My mum is bad at remembering to push the button. On many occasion I've gotten out, grabbed my bag from teh back seat, and walked to the rear of the car..only to have her drive away because I wasn't opening the hatch. GRR!
