Modern in-car technology. Necessary or pointless?

Park assist, keyless entry, push-button start, Bluetooth etc. Do we really need all of this technology in our cars?

Yes and no is the answer in my opinion. Car manufacturers these days focus on three things, economy, safety and technology. But, technology has become so advanced over the last 20 years that you almost wouldn’t believe what modern cars can do.

In the early 90s if you said to someone that you could air-conditioning on a budget city car, you would of thought they were barking mad. But today even the cheapest cars on sale can offer, satellite navigation, cruise control and more.

These creature comforts have become a standard feature in today’s car world, but I do think that some features are pure gimmicks and are a complete waste of time, for example, gesture control? It means that if you wave your arm around in the cabin you can control the car stereo stations and volume, but what’s the matter with the volume control on the steering wheel. Pointless! Then you have voice activation- ‘phone mum, did you say radio 1, NO!’ you get the picture. Voice activation is a very lazy way of using a vehicle, if you can’t wait to phone someone, pull over and speak to them.

Then we have park assist, also known as parking sensors, which are little sensors that beep to tell the driver how close you are to any obstacles or cars behind you. Why? What is the matter with your spatial awareness and actually turning your head when parking. Also you become reliant on them, say they have broken and your waiting for that beep- you are reversing straight into the wall without any warning.

Bluetooth, even though it has been around for along time now, still creates controversy among car owners. Some cars are a doddle to hook up your phone to the car, but others you need a BA honours degree in digital technology to fathom out how to connect a mobile phone to your car’s dashboard. Technology for economy also is a pointless investment into a car’s development, such as ‘shift indicators’. Basically, a little light will illuminate to tell the driver when the best possible time is to change gear. But, I’m the driver, I know when to change gear? I don’t need a little light to think it knows best, we are the drivers, we know when an engine needs to change gear.

On a brighter note though, there are some pieces of tech that can be quite useful. Firstly, reversing cameras. I prefer these to park assist because it gives you actual eyes in the back of your head (technically). A check surrounds for safety message allows the driver to look first before parking as well as guide lines to tell you where about you should be parking.

The next item is power folding door mirrors. I love them! From a simple press of a button your mirrors will fold away to make parking in tight gaps a whole lot easier, as well it protects them from any damage they may occur if they were folded out, these are one of the best and simplest inventions that the car maker’s have to offer. It will always be the same, some technology will work and others won’t. Gimmick or genius invention, there will always be new technology. That is technological advancement! So it’s not all bad news!

The Toyota Parallel Pomeroy Trophy 2019

The Toyota Parallel Pomeroy Trophy was designed for all aspiring Toyota owners and enthusiasts to gather and compete in a series of events at the racing circuit Silverstone.

The question is now, why don’t other car manufacturers do these events for their customers?

You can see why Toyota are one of the best companies, when it comes to customer relations.

Toyota GB stand at the Parallel trophy 2019

With roughly 35 Toyota’s competing, and owners coming from across the country it was certainly a day to remember. A range of different Toyota models competed, ranging from the tiny IQ up to the sporty rally influenced Celica GT4.

The event was very professional, everyone was treated with respect and all the cars had full appreciation. The day began with having to sign in along with gathering all the information of what to expect from the day.

Toyota Yaris T Sport Phase 2 and 1, Toyota Yaris GRMN

Every car was given a number and all cars went through scrutineering to make sure that they were road worthy. Leading onto a competitors briefing just to go through all of the rules to make sure no one cheats or fails.

Three auto tests were set to see how each car performed. Test A involved a slalom test to see how agile the cars were, and then having to brake between the final two cones. Test B was an acceleration and braking test and Test C was a braking and reversing test involving straddles and astride between lines to test the skills of the driver themselves.

The auto tests consisted of one section in the morning and then one again in the afternoon, alongside the owners being timed and scored to receive the pomeroy trophy.

One opportunity that you can’t turn down is a parade of the full circuit at Silverstone. This is what happened half way through the day with no drivers allowed to overtake but enjoyed a warm up lap, a pedal to the metal lap and then a cool down lap. This leads us back to the question of why other car manufacturers aren’t offering this to their customers?

I certainly would recommend to other manufacturers, because it makes customers appreciate the company more which in return leads the customer back to that showroom to buy again in the future. Toyota as a brand have just boosted their image even higher on the customer satisfaction survey, because of this customer involvement and enjoyment. Simply giving something back to the customer on days like this is what all manufactures should be doing. Excellent work Toyota.

Rounding off the day, the event concluded with the results with everyone receiving a vintage sports car club pomeroy tankard with the competitors names engraved in the cup. With the winner receiving a large tankard.

The event finished around 4pm, competitors decided to make a move, but be sure that Toyota will be doing another event like this in the near future.

Elderly drivers: when is it time to hang up the car keys?

Elderly drivers, we see them coming along a busy road and we pull out as soon as possible! Due to their age we think that they are going to be slow, unpredictable and dangerous, but is that the case?

We’ve all heard those stories! The old man in his K registered brown Rover going the wrong way around Sainsbury’s roundabout or the old lady driving up the wrong way of the motorway. People over the age of 70 are at a higher risk of causing road accidents, deaths and casualties due to poor eye sight, lack of judgement, speed, concentration and hearing.

Last month saw the accident involving the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip. The pictures told the story with his Land Rover Freelander on its side. But we may forget that the Duke of Edinburgh is 97-years-old! Is that too old to be driving a vehicle? Should it be that it takes an accident like this where a innocent persons life was in danger before the individual realises their driving skills are not as good as they once were? Luckily since the accident, Prince Philip has retired from driving, but in July 2017 figures suggest that 108,777 drivers in the UK are over the age of 90 which is a very high number.

Is there a solution? Or is it a good idea to force people over the age of 70 to have a refresher course to see if they are still capable of driving safely?

In conversation with my grand parents Kenneth and Gloria Richards, they are very capable and observant drivers. Being the ages of 89 and 83 years of age, I asked a few questions on what they thought about elderly drivers and whether they agree on any restrictions and enforcement’s.

Q’s

Do you think if a person is too old to be driving it should be down to the individual. Or should it be down to the government and relatives to decide?

”It should be down to the individual, we are not all the same. Some people of an age should be straight off the road but some others not at all. Some are more capable than others”.

As drivers of an older generation, do you feel that people over the age of 70 should have a refresher test or re-test for their license?

”Yes. We do think people over 70 do forget things, they are a bit inclined to think that they are better than they are and should be checked. That goes for us too”.

Do you think that both of your driving skills have got worse over the last couple of years?

My Grandmother went onto to say, ”No we think both of our driving levels have stayed the same, your grandfathers reflexes are still the same and his observation is just as good as it was 20 years ago”

Not all elderly drivers are dangerous. Some are very good in fact, but the problem is that taking advice and having a possible refresher course could be vital for some. It would make elderly people realise if their driving isn’t safe or up to speed whether they should continue driving or not. In the UK it is still up to the driver on whether it is time to hang up the keys. But should there be intervention from the Government (DVLA) or family members, to make that decision?

The 10 best cars for students under £1500

When you’re a student, it can be tricky to get on the road at an affordable price. Take into account tax, petrol, maintenance and insurance, car ownership is quite simply, a financial nightmare. However if you set yourself a realistic budget and stick to it, there are a variety of cars that you can get, building your way onto the car ownership ladder. They are…

Toyota Yaris (1999-2005)

The first iteration of Toyota’s super-mini was a ground breaking car. Great looks, economical engines, bulletproof reliability, durability and quality, the Yaris was certainly a car that you can trust as well as enjoy owning. Its oddball design may not be to everyone’s taste, but that’s what makes the Yaris left field; a sensible choice among buyers. The interior looked as though it had been designed from the next century, with curves and a centrally mounted digital dashboard made the Yaris extremely futuristic compared to the competition. A clever sliding rear seat to increase boot space or legroom also benefits the Yaris in being one of the most ingenious small cars around. Added to that, punchy 1.0, 1.3 and 1.5 VVT-I (Variable Valve timing with intelligence) petrol engines gives decent economy whilst delivering decent power. (Insurance group: 5 for a 1.0 T-Spirit model)

Honda Jazz (2001-2008)

The Honda Jazz, like the Toyota Yaris is an extremely reliable and sensible choice for young car buyers. Practicality is the main priority with the Jazz, a 5-door body style on offer only, as well as having one of the biggest boots in the small car sector; managing to swallow a bicycle. The Jazz certainly won’t disappoint in the space department, however the Jazz’s overall design may put young people off because of the boxy shape and tall roof line, but if you ignore that, than the Jazz should be at the top of any students car shopping list, because if you want a practical reliable cheap car, the Jazz is in a class of its own. (Insurance Group: 12 for a 1.2 S model)

Nissan Micra (2002-2010)

If you want a car big on technology, the Nissan Micra has a Mercedes-Benz in its sights for technology. Models built between 2002-2010 were the third generation, and personally speaking one of the best Micra’s ever produced. If you want automatic air-condoning, keyless entry, parking sensors and automatic headlights, the Micra can offer all of that for less that £1500. If you go for an SE model you will be able to find all of that equipment for around £1300. Furthermore, it’s cute looks and clever sliding rear-seat, the Micra is a great all round cheap car for students. (Insurance group: 6 for a 1.0 E model)

Mitsubishi Colt (2004-2013)

The Mitsubishi Colt has always been a very affordable proposition, as well as great engines and a spacious cabin, the Colt is all about the simplicity of car ownership, which is getting you from A to B with the smallest amount of fuss. The interior quality may not be the best with scratchy hard-brittle plastics scattered everywhere, but you have to look beyond that with the Colt and see it for being an extremely cheap car to insure, which for a student is more important than anything else with the 1.1 CZ1 model being insurance group 10. (Insurance group: 10 for a 1.1 CZ1 model)

Mazda 2 (2003-2007)

The Mazda 2 basically underneath is a Ford Fusion, but don’t let that put you off. The Mazda 2 was Mazda’s first proper small car sold in Europe. It demonstrated that small cars like the Toyota Yaris and Honda Jazz could be practical. Like the Jazz, the Mazda 2 has a high roof line and boxy shape to give occupants inside the most possible space, as well as economical engines the Mazda 2 is a really easy car to drive and live with, and because it’s Japanese, it certainly won’t be an endless money pit. (Insurance group: 7 for a 1.25 S model)

Toyota Aygo (2005-2014)

Built in conjunction with Citroen and Peugeot, the Toyota Aygo makes the top 10 because of its rock bottom running costs and Toyota’s fantastic reputation. With £30 tax and fuel economy of 60mpg, as well as low insurance groups, with Sport and Active Plus models in insurance group 2. Any student will really appreciate the running costs of the Toyota Aygo, plus it has plenty of equipment such as USB and auxiliary cables, so young drivers can hook up their music to the car stereo as well as bold colour and decals to make their Aygo stand out from the rest of the crowd. (Insurance group: 2 for a 1.0 Fire model)

Ford Fiesta (2002-2008)

A nation’s favourite, with the current Fiesta at the top of the best sellers and it’s easy to see why. Affordable pricing, good looks and cheap insurance means the Ford Fiesta is still one of the best cars for students, especially if you just want a no nonsense state of the art car. Available with either a 3 or 5-door body style, the Fiesta offers a lot for the younger driver with sporty models such as Zetec S models which add a touch of sporty styling whilst keeping small engines to keep insurance groups at bay. (Insurance group: 5 for a 1.3 Finesse model)

Volkswagen Polo (2001-2009

It maybe a tad boring, but the Volkswagen Polo is a dependable solid car that will deliver a comfortable driving experience. The looks might not get your hearts racing or the interior which is about as grey as a businessman’s suit. Overlooking those negatives and the Polo is a very good car. The engines maybe weedy, but they provide low insurance and impressive fuel economy and the Polo has a big car feel which will encourage and give the driver full peace of mind when behind the wheel. (Insurance group: 5 for a 1.2 Twist model)

Hyundai Getz (2002-2008)

Not a popular choice, but it’s certainly a wise one. The Hyundai Getz was one of the best cars to come out of South Korean back in the mid 00’s due to its European design, decent ride, handling and affordable pricing. The 1.1 and 1.3 petrol engines are powerful enough whilst retaining fantastic fuel economy, and because it’s a Hyundai; it comes with reliability built in as standard. Also with the top model CDX trim coming with a sunroof, air-conditioning and four electric windows, it’s well-equipped too. (Insurance group: 9 for a 1.1 CDX)

Honda Civic (2001-2006)

A Japanese car built in the UK, Swindon precisely. The Honda Civic like any other Japanese car has legendary reliability, alongside excellent customer care the Civic brings a touch of perceived quality in a practical hatchback body. A smooth range of engines and comfortable driving experience puts the Civic at the top of those looking for an easy to drive and practical car. The 3-door model is a better looking car than the 5-door, but all models come lavishly equipped, and even top specified models such as the SE Executive come with a full leather interior. The Honda Civic is a great car for a student looking for something a little different from the small hatchback class. (Insurance group: 9 for a 1.4 Vision model)