What's your automotive "poison pill" ?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Docwagon1776

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Mar 16, 2012
Posts
2,178
Reaction score
3,565
Location
Midwest
Ram Year
2012, 2021
Engine
5.7, 6.4
The MDS discussion made me think this might be a fun topic. What "features" will keep you from buying a vehicle you otherwise would? What's the poison pill that makes an otherwise attractive package impossible to accept?

For me:
Automatic braking. I will not buy a vehicle that can apply the brakes on it's own because it thinks I'm going to collide with something. One, I may actually want to collide with something. I'd rather hit a box on the highway than get rear-ended by a semi, for example.

True "Over The Air" updates via cellular network. I will not drive a vehicle that can have it's programming updated remotely. That means it can be essentially bricked by anyone with access to that network. Imagine the ransomware potential, both for the user and for the company.

Lane keeping assist (poison if it can manipulate the steering wheel, not quite as bad if it's just noises and can be disabled). Absolute annoyance and a danger when on narrow switchbacks and back roads, when I may be *intentionally* crossing the lines. I had my rental car jerk my steering wheel when I moved over for a bicyclist on a mountain road, for example.
 

2012RAM1500RT

Senior Member
TOTM Winner
Joined
Dec 8, 2020
Posts
2,224
Reaction score
4,145
Location
nowhere
The MDS discussion made me think this might be a fun topic. What "features" will keep you from buying a vehicle you otherwise would? What's the poison pill that makes an otherwise attractive package impossible to accept?

For me:
Automatic braking. I will not buy a vehicle that can apply the brakes on it's own because it thinks I'm going to collide with something. One, I may actually want to collide with something. I'd rather hit a box on the highway than get rear-ended by a semi, for example.

True "Over The Air" updates via cellular network. I will not drive a vehicle that can have it's programming updated remotely. That means it can be essentially bricked by anyone with access to that network. Imagine the ransomware potential, both for the user and for the company.

Lane keeping assist (poison if it can manipulate the steering wheel, not quite as bad if it's just noises and can be disabled). Absolute annoyance and a danger when on narrow switchbacks and back roads, when I may be *intentionally* crossing the lines. I had my rental car jerk my steering wheel when I moved over for a bicyclist on a mountain road, for example.
I agree, I wouldn't want any of the things you just mentioned. What I wish I could have done was get the truck I have now (2012 RT) with the engine it has (- MDS), a 6 speed manual which would have eliminated MDS anyway, heat & A/C, power windows, posi traction rear and I don't need any of the other extras it has. Cruise is ok but I very rarely use it. For me I would not want/need any of the other stuff. I wouldn't be able to have a newer vehicle if I could pick my poisons! LOL
 

Irishthreeper

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Aug 15, 2021
Posts
548
Reaction score
863
Location
Florida
Ram Year
2021
Engine
Hemi 6.4
We recently leased a new
Honda Civic Sport for my wife. Gets great MPG and lets my 2500 rest, lol. But that little car has lane control and if cruise is on it will shut it off and brake if it senses something ahead. She doesn’t mind the lane control so I haven’t shut it off but it grabbing the wheel for a moment sucks..
 
OP
OP
Docwagon1776

Docwagon1776

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Mar 16, 2012
Posts
2,178
Reaction score
3,565
Location
Midwest
Ram Year
2012, 2021
Engine
5.7, 6.4
I agree, I wouldn't want any of the things you just mentioned. What I wish I could have done was get the truck I have now (2012 RT) with the engine it has (- MDS), a 6 speed manual which would have eliminated MDS anyway, heat & A/C, power windows, posi traction rear and I don't need any of the other extras it has. Cruise is ok but I very rarely use it. For me I would not want/need any of the other stuff. I wouldn't be able to have a newer vehicle if I could pick my poisons! LOL

I prefer a manual, but it's not going to keep me out of something I'd otherwise buy. My Camaro SS is a stick, but my Corvette was an automatic. I know the new automatics are faster than sticks, but they aren't as much fun.

I think I'm keeping my truck for a long time. I can't even order a truck how I want it now, too many options are part of a package and aren't available ala carte, so to speak. Maybe if Ram does a "trackhawk" treatment to the Raptor, making it an on-road terror instead of a desert racer I could be tempted, kind of combine my sports car and truck into one, but right now just nothing appeals to me.
 

HemiLonestar

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Jun 1, 2012
Posts
5,991
Reaction score
2,952
Location
MD
Ram Year
2016
Engine
5.7 hemi
CVT
After as many years, the RFE trans
Start/stop
Self/auto drive
I agree, I wouldn't want any of the things you just mentioned. What I wish I could have done was get the truck I have now (2012 RT) with the engine it has (- MDS), a 6 speed manual which would have eliminated MDS anyway, heat & A/C, power windows, posi traction rear and I don't need any of the other extras it has. Cruise is ok but I very rarely use it. For me I would not want/need any of the other stuff. I wouldn't be able to have a newer vehicle if I could pick my poisons! LOL
What you need is an 8HP70 swap. All factory hard parts and Sound German has basically made the retro harness plug and play back through 2009. If I had an early 4th gen I would've already done it. Quite a bit more work for the early 3rd gen lol (but not impossible).
Maybe if Ram does a "trackhawk" treatment to the Raptor, making it an on-road terror instead of a desert racer I could be tempted, kind of combine my sports car and truck into one, but right now just nothing appeals to me.
Considering Ram doesn't make the Raptor...........
You could always put the guts of an SRT GC under your truck.
 

2012RAM1500RT

Senior Member
TOTM Winner
Joined
Dec 8, 2020
Posts
2,224
Reaction score
4,145
Location
nowhere
CVT
After as many years, the RFE trans
Start/stop
Self/auto drive

What you need is an 8HP70 swap. All factory hard parts and Sound German has basically made the retro harness plug and play back through 2009. If I had an early 4th gen I would've already done it. Quite a bit more work for the early 3rd gen lol (but not impossible).

Considering Ram doesn't make the Raptor...........
You could always put the guts of an SRT GC under your truck.
I don't have a problem with my RFE except the fake 3rd gear. If it was the 66RFE I'd have no issue with it. Even tho the 8 speed is better it's still an automatic and I wouldn't go through the $$$ and time for another......... automatic! I have the 8 speed in my wife's 2014 Durango and I like it but the paddle shifters don't excite me like it does to others. Still rather have the console shifter like I have, at least it "looks sporty" and not like grandma's car!
 
Last edited:

2012RAM1500RT

Senior Member
TOTM Winner
Joined
Dec 8, 2020
Posts
2,224
Reaction score
4,145
Location
nowhere
I prefer a manual, but it's not going to keep me out of something I'd otherwise buy. My Camaro SS is a stick, but my Corvette was an automatic. I know the new automatics are faster than sticks, but they aren't as much fun.

I think I'm keeping my truck for a long time. I can't even order a truck how I want it now, too many options are part of a package and aren't available ala carte, so to speak. Maybe if Ram does a "trackhawk" treatment to the Raptor, making it an on-road terror instead of a desert racer I could be tempted, kind of combine my sports car and truck into one, but right now just nothing appeals to me.
I assume you meant TRX?
 

2012RAM1500RT

Senior Member
TOTM Winner
Joined
Dec 8, 2020
Posts
2,224
Reaction score
4,145
Location
nowhere
Two of the main reasons I refuse to buy anything new these day's, 1)Too much money! 2) Too many electronics in control, I'm a very controlling man and want my vehicles controlled solely by me. I just cannot understand why anyone would want that.
You're right about that. If you need all that stuff you might want to question your driving habits, you may be the aggressive driver! If my car has to brake for me that means I wasn't paying attention. If they had something to keep idiots from zipping back and forth from left to right lanes continuously, I may be for that! LOL
 

2012RAM1500RT

Senior Member
TOTM Winner
Joined
Dec 8, 2020
Posts
2,224
Reaction score
4,145
Location
nowhere
Come to think of it, all that technical crap is to keep "you" from running into me! I'll do you a favor tho and keep paying attention to driving and not run into you by myself! Maybe it'll help keep my driving skills up instead of depending on "something else" doing things for me!
 

crash68

ACME product engineer
Staff member
Administrator
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2016
Posts
10,700
Reaction score
16,708
Ram Year
2015
Engine
3.0 EcoDiesel

crash68

ACME product engineer
Staff member
Administrator
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2016
Posts
10,700
Reaction score
16,708
Ram Year
2015
Engine
3.0 EcoDiesel
If my car has to brake for me that means I wasn't paying attention.
Not necessarily, the braking system can react faster than you can, it also can assist if your not applying enough braking.
 

crazykid1994

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2013
Posts
5,040
Reaction score
4,963
Location
Florida
Ram Year
2017
Engine
Hemi 5.7
All the assist Nannies are there for other drivers. I do not like them but when you are driving around people who can’t drive very well then maybe I would rather their car drive for them. I have a buddy with a 2019 Honda and it has the lane assist and side view cameras for lane change assist as well. It does feel weird when the car bumps the steering wheel to guide you back. However there are a lot less careful drivers nowadays and with technology getting better you can bet that the driving will get worse.
 
OP
OP
Docwagon1776

Docwagon1776

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Mar 16, 2012
Posts
2,178
Reaction score
3,565
Location
Midwest
Ram Year
2012, 2021
Engine
5.7, 6.4
I assume you meant TRX?

Yes, I did...although the same would hold true for Ford. I would prefer a "street muscle" version of either to the desert racer

Considering Ram doesn't make the Raptor...........
You could always put the guts of an SRT GC under your truck.

Maybe someone can, but I can't. I'd be better off just to buy the Jeep to start with then to try and figure out a full drive train swap, brakes, suspension, etc.

And I agree on CVT, no thanks.
 

Treburkulosis

Your High End Detailer
TOTM Winner
Joined
Mar 21, 2016
Posts
6,110
Reaction score
8,477
Location
Haslet, TX
Ram Year
2012 Lonestar Edition converted over to a Sport
Engine
5.7 Hemi
A 3.6 that doesnt have sport mode lol. After getting out of our **** 19 Pacifica and into the Jeep nope never again. I dont like the lane assist or the auto braking either, but when you buy something fancy its just what it is. Also something with a small touch screen. There is just something about the 10.1 and 12.1 screen that really gets to me. I love it. I guess the only other thing that I can think of is a vehicle with out LED or factory HIDs. I love being able to see and see well.
 
Top