Does anyone prefer the older, simpler interiors anymore?

[raildogg]

It seems like every new car out there has a cluttered and supposedly "modern" interior with all sorts of buttons and gadgets. What especially seems to be the case is the screens that are now all the rage. I am not so sure. It seems adding complexities for the sake of being "modern."

I'm not sure if these interiors will be durable and long lasting. With years of wear on them, from the heat and everything else, I'm not sure if the screens will last that long or perform as well. They are distracting too. Also, the theme seems to be incorporating a screen of a various size into the dash and having it controlled via a knob near the center console area. It's very fashionable these days it seems. Plus there are plenty of buttons there too.

I prefer a simpler interior that is high in quality. A giant screen can stay on a computer. But I'm sure in such a "modern" society we live in, most probably won't share this view. Not that its a bad thing but something I've been noticing.

 

[schneiderguy]

I hate touchscreens in cars, or any kind of big screen in the dash.

I like the interior of my 98 Accord. It feels fairly high quality and has about 10 buttons total.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

That simple reason, that was one of the reason why I bought my 2013 Accord. The interior is very well laid out with a central screen out of the way and within the peripheral vision while driving.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Instead of all the screens, knobs and, buttons, why do so few use a decent HUD?

 

[raildogg]

That simple reason, that was one of the reason why I bought my 2013 Accord. The interior is very well laid out with a central screen out of the way and within the peripheral vision while driving.

The new Honda Accord has two screens, one on the top and a smaller one below it. A bit much I think. Too much going on, but that's the way it is with many cars now. The more they cram in the better they think it is.

 

[mmntech]

I hate touchscreens in cars, or any kind of big screen in the dash.

This. Touch screens don't belong in cars. One of the worst implementations I've seen is Ford, where literally everything is touch activated. Which was bad enough except the controls didn't work that well. Nothing like accidentally turning the stereo up to full blast. Thank god for steering wheel mounted controls.

I definitely prefer the dash in my 7th gen Civic over the newer ones. I don't know why Honda suddenly decided to make it so big and chunky. I don't really care much for digital speedometers either.

 

[TridenT]

While touch screens simplify the interface by being able to consolidate everything into one space... They are difficult to use while driving and keeping your eyes on the road. They're not meant for practicality.

 

[raildogg]

One of the few decent designs of late is Toyota's - the Camry and the Corolla have a simpler but better approach. The interiors seem better and the screen doesn't seem to take a front seat as it does with many other manufacturers. Sure there is a screen but it is incorporated better into the design.

If there were options to not select a screen in the interior, that would be nice.

 

[jlee]

I really like the interiors on all my vehicles - simple and functional. Incidentaly, I also have nothing newer than 15 years old.

 

[MovingTarget]

By "older, simpler interiors", do you mean the ones where the buttons were tactile and not touchscreen, or do you go further back and mean "able to be cleaned out using a hose" interiors?

 

[Mide]

Yeah I've also noticed that I like simple cars from my younger years. Some advances are nice but most are unnecessary.

 

[Sattern]

Even though I am very technical I prefer to have the old fashioned radios.

The fact that you have to touch a screen to change your air conditioning and heating is quite stupid to me.

 

[raildogg]

By "older, simpler interiors", do you mean the ones where the buttons were tactile and not touchscreen, or do you go further back and mean "able to be cleaned out using a hose" interiors?

The screens, whether touch or not, don't really seem to be a big necessity. They add cost and complexity and might even confuse and distract drivers. I know we humans are more "advanced" now with our various social media and entertainment needs, but must these needs also make their way to the car as well? Are we that addicted to them? So ultimately, it probably isn't the car makers that are at fault for these interiors. It is us - the consumer. We want our social media and entertainment everywhere we go, whether its our house or our car.

Also, it seems like all these things, whether the knob on the center console area to something, are a fad that everyone is following. One car maker does and they all (or most) do it. It probably starts from the higher end makers and makes its way down, who knows.

I might be totally wrong but these type of interiors may not age well and may not prove to be as durable and reliable. But I guess having very long lasting cars may or may not be in the interests or everybody. I won't even mention anything about exterior design since that is a different topic.

 

[jlee]

The screens, whether touch or not, don't really seem to be a big necessity. They add cost and complexity and might even confuse and distract drivers. I know we humans are more "advanced" now with our various social media and entertainment needs, but must these needs also make their way to the car as well? Are we that addicted to them? So ultimately, it probably isn't the car makers that are at fault for these interiors. It is us - the consumer. We want our social media and entertainment everywhere we go, whether its our house or our car.

Also, it seems like all these things, whether the knob on the center console area to something, are a fad that everyone is following. One car maker does and they all (or most) do it. It probably starts from the higher end makers and makes its way down, who knows.

I might be totally wrong but these type of interiors may not age well and may not prove to be as durable and reliable. But I guess having very long lasting cars may or may not be in the interests or everybody. I won't even mention anything about exterior design since that is a different topic.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2014/03/31/nhtsa-rear-view-cameras/7114531/

That's probably why we're seeing so many screens now.

 

[Mide]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2014/03/31/nhtsa-rear-view-cameras/7114531/

That's probably why we're seeing so many screens now.

Totally...but have you used the one where the rearview camera is in the rearview mirror? I drove an Outback a while back that had this and I thought it was pretty snazzy.

I personally liked the old school stereos where you could replace the face yourself. Now everything seems to be very much integrated into the car so it becomes un-upgradable.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I can definitely appreciate the less technologically advanced cars I grew up with but at the same time I really love the interior and technology on our new Lexus. If nothing else it makes phone integration way less distracting and that is always a good thing.

Any of you fuckers texting while driving should be shot on site.

 

[nerp]

I like my interior. It's simple. Buttons for everything you need. And we all know how responsive and simple UConnect is. In fact, with very few visual flairs and more attention spent on simplicity and speed, it feels pretty old school even for a screen. And I actually like to drive with the screen off and a square panel is pretty simplistic compared to rows of buttons and tiny LEDs everywhere.

 

[Kadarin]

I for one like current interiors over what we had back in the day. For example:

 

[MongGrel]

I do myself, for the ones directly in front, but the only ones doing it are probably higher end things that still have some high tech in the background like the Hellcat.

As far as readouts, I still like the idea of having the tech in the center, why go backwards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d6gTQdxTnw

Very nice like that exactly.

My little Mazda 3 is not nearly as impressive.

For what it is I like it though.

 

[DrDoug]

I for one like current interiors over what we had back in the day. For example:

The nice thing about old interiors like that is that you can do whatever you want to them because anything you do would be an improvement. Such as:

 

[mmntech]

The nice thing about old interiors like that is that you can do whatever you want to them because anything you do would be an improvement. Such as:

404: improvement not found.

 

[KentState]

I like where the Stingray Corvette went with a good mix of LED screens and buttons. The huge screen on the Tesla S is a little much however.

 

[MixMasterTang]

Does anyone in this thread actually own a car that they consider over the top on technology interior wise? I don't have touch screen anything and would say at this point I'd prefer manual knobs and buttons, but in general people don't like change. Is it possible that if I (or any of the opponents in this thread) would love a touch screen / voice activated car once we got used to it?

 

[MongGrel]

Mine isn't touchscreen or voice activated anything I guess.

Have to get one someday.

 

[DrDoug]

404: improvement not found.

Yo Ugly, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. :biggrin: