[rdclark]

I thought the OP was complaining about an SH, which AFAIK has the 4-stage light. But IDK if the oil temp gauge is available on pre-2014.

 

[DesertTwang]

I’m with the OP in some respect, but I actually have the opposite view on the “huge screen” issue. I think it is particularly helpful for us older folks (and yes, I include myself in that demographic, although I’m only 50). Apple Car Play is the best thing that ever happened to me in terms of car electronics. Here’s why: without the screen, I couldn’t do anything on my cell phone safely while driving because I have to put on reading glasses. Navigation, selecting music, making a call, you name it. I couldn’t do any of it without constantly taking my glasses off and on, which is not safe in traffic. But now I just plug my phone in, and what otherwise would be indecipherable on the tiny phone screen shows up on the display, allowing me to do everything I need without glasses.

 

[bman400]

@DesertTwang I am 61, as an alternative to "reading glasses", I started wearing multi-focal contact lenses last November (2021). No more reading glasses, and now able to use my Android phone while driving. My 2001 Forester is the only vehicle able to support Apple Carplay or Android Auto, the other 2 vehicles came out before those features were included.

So I am now reading glasses free since November and don't regret it at all.

 

[DragonSubie7]

One of the leading causes of accidents is distracted driving.
Having a big screen you can read while driving is great - Except that while you are doing that, you aren't watching where you are going, nor do you see that baseball rolling out into the street with the kid about to follow it.

While there are lots of features that may make your drive more enjoyable, they may also make travel more dangerous.

Having to select menu items on a screen to change heating/cooling temperatures vs. the "old style" rotate by feel seems to me a giant step backwards.

 

[rdclark]

I dunno. The 7” screen on my Sony head unit is not much bigger than the 6.5” screen on my phone, and the maps on the phone actually appear larger when vertical orientation is used. And IDK about iPhones, but I can change the size of text and other elements with Android to make them more readable to my 71-year old, soon to have cataract surgery, eyes.

But nevertheless, the point of Android Auto is not to have to look down while driving at all. The nav gives me verbal directions., and responds to verbal instructions. It automatically mutes the music when it has something to say, or when there’s a phone call. I can control the volume, make and end calls, and skip to the next song using steering wheel controls. Anything else can wait until I’m stopped.

Right now I can only drive in daylight, when the sun is high or it’s overcast. I don’t have time to fool with the electronics. That’s why I’m so happy with my aftermarket Sony head unit. Foolproof and reliable.

 

[eelnod]

The more gadget, the more likelihood of malfunctions, and some of the electronic parts are very expensive to replace!

 

[adc]

I am 76 and up to a year ago I would have said "NO". I have an '18XT with none of the "fancy" stuff, I traded a similar '18 Crosstrek. I Bout a '22 Limited.
Eyesight, Cross traffic Backup, side warning, auto steering, start-stop, electronics EBrake,..it goes on and on. MY answer is now overwhelmingly "YES"
I can't think of downsides. Obviously get the extended warranty if you keep it more than 36K miles,

 

[Vladder1]

I like most of the technology, but not enough to pay for replacements out of my own pocket once they start to break outside the 3 year warranty. Much like I enjoyed the Onstar in My Chevy Impala while it was provided free, but not enough to pay the prices they wanted once the trial ran out. I am really hoping Subaru's StarLink stays reasonably priced compared to the outrageous prices Onstar wanted.

 

[FozzyX3]

Some of that "crap" in a Nissan Altima saved my life. Other than our '05 Foz I'll never own another car without Eyesight or its equivalent.

What I don't care for is something for which Subaru is among the most guilty...HVAC controls that are mostly in the screen. Even FCA/Chrysler manages to get that one right with buttons for all HVAC functions running below or alongside their ever-growing screens. The current Outback/Legacy and the new WRX either have two screens (base models) or one giant screen (all others) with buttons only for temperature. Everything else is through the screen. Unfortunately I think the 2024 Forester will go the same way.

 

[Nickfrides]

You guys that don't like "The Modern Stuff" should definitely buy a Telsa
Or a automatic washing machine
Or a Fridge with a Ice Maker
Or A Garage door opener
Or a Cell phone
Or_______ fill in the blank
Just saying!!
Nick

 

[DragonSubie7]

... the point of Android Auto is not to have to look down while driving at all.

Android auto doesn't change HVAC controls...
The problem isn't in the use of technology, it's when it isn't intelligently applied, which was my apparently missed point..
Putting everything in a touch screen doesn't automatically make everything better-
It sometimes is the opposite of advancement.
Especially when that touch screen dies.. but then that never happens, which is why cell phones never need to be replaced and last forever.

While being unable to make a phone call might be inconvenient, being unable to turn on your cars heat because the screen froze just might be a bit more inconvenient, for example.

Putting every control on a single point of failure is stupid - IMHO.

 

[Gebe]

Thank you for all your responses and many of you have very valid points. Even though I’m 74, I still have most of my facilities.

Maybe because I’m “old school” and behind the times but seriously, I can survive driving a vehicle safely just by being careful and attentive and I really don’t need all this electronic complexity and gizmos.

Again, thanks to all who have responded and points well taken and an interesting read!

 

[adc]

Thank you for all your responses and many of you have I can survive driving a vehicle safely just by being careful and attentive and I really don’t need all this electronic complexity and gizmos.

You can't beat eyesight for auto breaking in an emergency. It will put on the brakes before you can digest there is an emergency.
I bought an '18Forester and '19 Crosstrek without eyesight. After owning my'22 Forester I can't imagine why I was so stupid.

 

[Gebe]

donkpow, I totally agree!

Nick, that’s funny and I know what you mean!

 

[Kevin]

Common threads merged

 

[rdclark]

Everybody thinks they’re above-average drivers. Half of them are wrong.

Loss of quickness as we age is a fact, not an opinion. IIHS statistics show accident rates rising after age 70.

The most dangerous drivers are of course the young ones. They are more dangerous than ever. And older drivers are their natural prey.

There’s no fool like an old fool.

 

[Gebe]

You can't beat eyesight for auto breaking in an emergency. It will put on the brakes before you can digest there is an emergency.
I bought an '18Forester and '19 Crosstrek without eyesight. After owning my'22 Forester I can't imagine why I was so stupid.

With all due respect adc, “eyesight”? I’m glad you’re not so stupid and have it now but that’s another thing I’ve never heard of and and another electronic complexity to fail that I could live without.

I’m very glad that it’s important to you now and I’m glad you like it.

Like I’ve stated before, I don’t need all this electronic gadgetry to survive and possibly malfunction and have survived in almost 60 years of driving without any accidents or mishaps thank God.

The secret to driving is constant diligence, being aware of what’s around you, using all your mirrors or monitoring your cameras in your newer vehicles and but most important, SLOWING DOWN!

Thanks again for all your inputs and interesting reads! I want my 1951 Chevy back that you could tune up with a screwdriver and pliers and got 25 MPG way back then. 😅

 

[Kevin]

Everybody thinks they’re above-average drivers. Half of them are wrong.

Happy to not be in that half

 

[Black21Limited]

Most times when some idiot pulls out in front of me, I am on the brakes as fast as Eyesight is. It just thinks it needs to brake harder than I do. I try not to be rear ended by the car behind me. Eyesight gives zero "F"'s about the car behind me. Thankfully it can be overridden by applying the gas pedal.

Will I be as quick in 20 years? Time will tell.

In 20 years, personal transportation might be a thing of the past...



Anyways, what it is good for, is those times when you might have to drive when you are tired, etc. due to some circumstance out of your control. There are times when life throws you a curveball. Having a helping hand at those times might make a difference between you making it there, or not.

 

[DragonSubie7]

You can't beat eyesight for auto breaking in an emergency. It will put on the brakes before you can digest there is an emergency.

While an inattentive driver could certainly be aided, it is also true that unintended consequences can occur... As to whether it can act better, or could result in a better outcome in all circumstances is highly debatable...

When a Subaru decides to slam on the brakes because a tumbleweed went across the highway, or a plastic bag was mistaken for a dangerous object (these two cases were posted on this site).
This could cause rather than prevent an accident.

Eyesight, like virtually all technological solutions, is not a panacea.