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2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I had a BMW rental where it had pushbutton start, but you had to put the fob in the dash. A little goofy.
Congrats, graphicguy, CTS have a real presence on the road.
Oh...
The wife's CX-7 has the push button on the door handle to unlock the car. Inside, there is a faux ignition switch that you turn to start the car - the key still stays in your pocket.
Daughter's MINI has the more common push-to-start button. Key remains in pocket.
My E-GT requires a key to start it - seems old fashioned by comparison and it's a hassle when I deliver as the key comes in and out of my pocket 15 or 20 times a night. I know the uplevel Elantras have the keyless go and if I'm still delivering when I get a new car it will be a must have.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2014 MINI Countryman S ALL4
When I was washing it in my driveway a few days ago, every time I swiped across the handles it would lock and unlock. Even the hose would do it. Made me chuckle. It must have done it 50 times until I finally took the fob out of my pocket and put it in the garage.
2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
My wife's 2011 X3 (first year model) has the push button start.. No proximity access for the door. I think that was a $500 option, at the time. You can leave it in your pocket to start the car, though... A little frustrating. Especially, after having the 2011 Infiniti, which is properly equipped. (was... turned that one back in, last week).
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Now, I don't use the key for anything on the last few cars I've owned. Some of the rental cars I've had, require a key in the ignition. Now, that process feels weird.
The first BMW I had was a combo of the key in a slot, then pushing a button to start it. To me, I thought, what's the point of that? I thought it was silly and stupid, until I realized that BMW was CHARGING to activate keeping your key in your pocket to use a button to start the car. That really irritated me. I think they still do that, too.
This was several years ago, but I actually went to the Detroit International Automotive international Trade Show. If you're a "car person", you owe it to yourself to at least go once (in the brutally cold Detroit Winter).
GM was just starting to incorporate keyless start into their Cadillacs. But, in the models that had it, there was still a familiar tumbler on the steering column that you had to turn, even though you didn't need a key in it.
There were plenty of Cadillac engineers in their booth, so I took advantage of asking them why they just didn't use the button for keyless start. One of them laughed and said half kiddingly, and half seriously, ".....this is GM. You know how many steering columns they have in their warehouses of this same design?"
He went on to say that once they do a design for something like a steering column, testing it's robustness, it's fit into the vehicles it was designed for, etc. GM buys millions of them to get the best price. As such, they have a year or two of stock of parts like that. It was easier and cheaper to just make new ignition switches with no tumblers and install those in the steering columns.
He went onto say that if the competition hadn't already started adapting push bottom start, GM never would have done it because that would take a redesign of the dashboard and the electronics, too.
This was all "pre bankruptcy", so I'm assuming they are more responsive to the marketplace now.
But, sounds like Mazda was faced with the same dilema with their CXs not so long ago.
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
And yes, like everyone else, after having it on several previous vehicles, I do miss it on my current one.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2024 Corvette - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60
That was Monday.
From what they're telling me, it's all about a software update that the car is not "accepting" so they are taking extra time with it. Cracks me up, but can't say I mind, since I have a loaner to put my high daily miles on.
Speaking of the loaner - they gave me an X1. Style-wise, it does strike me as a bit odd, and the interior seems a dated these days for a current model. But I'm finding myself enjoying the drive quite a bit - as pointed out by most reviews as well as us folks here, it certainly harkens back to "BMWs of old."
The seating position height is nice if you like to sit up a bit, but not "climb" into a car. The interior room is a bit tight if you're comparing it to a "real" SUV, but it's on par with something like my wife's GTI. It drives like a small car - agile handling and wonderful steering feel.
I wouldn't necessarily give up the comfort of my 5 for it, but it does make me think I may move toward something a bit smaller like a 3-series GT or 4-series GC next.
Anyway - for anyone in the market for a compact hatchback should definitely consider the X1, particularly if AWD is important.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2024 Corvette - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60
I looked at them about 3 years ago and thought they were getting long in the tooth. If they haven't changed, then they really must be aging, now.
IIRC, a totally loaded X1 35i was all loaded up for right around $45K, which didn't seem like a bad deal at the time. Not sure what they go for now.
Reading about expensive repair costs is almost enough to not want to own a car that isn't under warranty. On an older car one expensive problem will usually exceed the value of the car.
A few years ago, a close friend had scheduled an oil leak repair on his Cadillac with the Northstar engine. This is the repair that requires the engine to be pulled and taken completely apart. Very common on those and a nasty 5000.00 job. I had advised him to dump the car but it didn't have a lot of miles on it and he really loved it.
A couple of days before the shop was to do the work, he got t-boned by a delivery van and the car was totaled. I think he got 4500.00.
I did have a Lucas moment last week: Infotainment screen went dead. I still had functionality with redundant buttons, but anything strictly screen controlled (e.g. heated seats/steering wheel and which of 3 FM station groups to choose) was MIA. Rebooted the car, no issue since. Will mention it to dealer at first (free) service in December.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-2021 Sahara 4xe-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
I mention it now because one of the things I really like is the push-button start, keyless entry, and the ability to open the hatch by swiping my foot under the bumper. These are must haves for any new cars I get!
EDIT: Except for the hatch opening capability if I get a sedan!
Bought my son a car, this summer, so we were up to 4.. Now that the G has gone back, three cars for three drivers.. That does seem like we are a couple short, right? So.. nothing for now.. Always on the lookout. Wife drives the X3 (bought used, about 18 months ago), I still have the '06 330 coupe.. Son drives a '95 M3 with just 207K on the clock..
I only have 85K miles on mine... So, another 18 months or more, before I trade (or, next week.. who knows?)
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The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2015 Golf TSI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
Maybe they won't ask about the AC. If they do, just shrug and say you have no idea what is wrong. It is the truth!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
My Fiesta has the push-button start, which I thought was rather gimmicky. Also, I had the worry of, "okay, so how does the system respond if the car *doesn't* start?" Well, I am pretty happy with it. If anything, it is annoying (in a good way) because when I drive the Forester, I'm always forgetting to get the key out of my pocket before I sit down in the car! I don't remember the last time I only entered the car once to drive away. Most of the time it is: 1. sit in the car, 2. realize I forgot to get my key out, 3. either contort myself to fish out the key or step out of car, access key, sit in the car again, 4. start the car.
I even had a single instance where the Fiesta flooded when it was extremely cold outside (I had not plugged in the car, and flooding can happen easily during extreme cold). I had to clear the car to start it, and it behaved exactly as I would if I were turning the key by hand.
Final verdict? Happy with it! It will not be a "deal breaker" feature on future cars, but, if it is there, I'll take it!
The proximity thing would be great, but I'd probably use the fob all the time to lower the windows and I often use the fob approaching the van to open one of the sliding doors to dump groceries in. A foot operated hatch would suffice there.
Thing move quickly around here.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
http://www.drivedavid.com/used/Chrysler/2012-Chrysler-200-179b87d50a0a000216893e9efe0fa644.htm
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2014 MINI Countryman S ALL4
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Agree with others that it's a great feature.
Was going to give it a hand wash the other day and realized I left my bucket at my old house. Something to bring back on the next trip, but will probably be too cold for a hand wash by then!
Of course, it goes without saying (but I will anyway) don't use dish soap.
2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2015 Golf TSI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2024 Corvette - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60
2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
I use Rainbow Car Wash... it's at the corner of Madison Road and the Red Bank Expwy.
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"Application of after market sealants/waxes is not recommended".
It went on to say that if the paint gets damaged to take it to your dealer.
Interesting!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
abrasives."
A paint sealant is a synthetic wax. After applying they should sit undisturbed for around 12 hours to cure. They reduce the surface tension so they shed water and grime better. They protect better from UV rays, acid rain, etc. They will last around 6 months +- while a good carnauba wax may last a month or two.
I follow the sealant with a good carnauba just for the shine.
Or you can just take it to the corner car wash a few times a month. (smiley face)
2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/4742159208.html
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Open and thriving
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I still think you are nuts to be looking at 10 year old MBs. While really nice, you can lease something so cheap this month or next month that it is absurd. Go cheap for under $200 per month & something decent for under $250 per month.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD