What's your car's most annoying design flaw?

"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee) 10/02/2014 at 14:52 • Filed to: discussion of the day, qotd

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In our Wranglers, your knee hits the steering wheel before you can lift your foot high enough to set the parking brake. You have to open the door to do it. Also the clutch pedal pad keeps falling off.

mcseanerson > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 14:54

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No tilting wheel.

fhrblig > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 14:56

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My drivers' side door on my Fiat 500 refuses to stay open. It closes on me constantly while I'm trying to get in or out or when I'm loading/unloading things. My old 2001 Hyundai Accent had the same flaw.

Jayhawk Jake > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 14:56

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No pad on the door card armrest. It's hard, and it sucks

MIATAAAA > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 14:57

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WHY MIATA?! WHY!?

VivaLaManual > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 14:58

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I was thinking of buying an e46 M3. That terrible VANOS and subframe designs come to mind. I mean seriously....how do you design a chassis for a sports car that starts to break and crack when driven like a sports car???? WTF. Not gonna buy one anymore.

EL_ULY > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 14:58

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A6: chrome around the shifter and chrome decal on dash reflects the sun right into my eye when driving in the afternoon.

E320: Was never a fan of electric telescoping steering wheels. Also, the dash is too short

Silverado: The scolling 2WD, Auto, Hi, and Low dial is way too easy to move out of place. Especially on a single cab

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > MIATAAAA 10/02/2014 at 14:59

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WHY KINJA?! WHY!?

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 15:02

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This is not an all automatics are bad rant, but you haven't experienced a bad automatic until you have driven one backing a 3VZE in a 4Runner. Also, I'm 6' tall, my knees should not be level with the steering wheel when I am driving a decently sized SUV.

Party-vi > mcseanerson 10/02/2014 at 15:02

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E36? :3

 V8 Rustler > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 15:03

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SN95 Mustang: The trunk release button is inside the glovebox. If the key is in the ignition cylinder, you cannot use the remote to open the trunk.

V8soundRIOT- Now Has a V8 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 15:04

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I don't know if it counts, but the Oil Filter on my dad's Altima is behind the front right wheel, which is incredibly annoying.

KirkyV > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 15:05

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I can't actually think of any that really irk from day-to-day. Some complain that the pedals are too close together, but my feet aren't that large, so it's rarely an issue for me.

The one major thing I can think of is that, owing to incompatibilities with steering column placement, no RHD-market versions of my car came with air con. It's not a problem for me, personally - I probably wouldn't have bothered with air con regardless - but it certainly qualifies as a design flaw.

LumberJunk > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 15:05

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At least you got his avatar photo

Party-vi > VivaLaManual 10/02/2014 at 15:05

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VANOS is good, it's just that * SURPRISE * when you drop a racing engine into a street car you need to perform service at regular intervals.

Also the chassis was designed for a sports car with 100-less horsepower so the rear sub frame issues were always going to be an issue.

RazoE > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 15:06

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IS300: Melting dash board

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=…

were it not for this problem, the car would be perfect.

MIATAAAA > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 15:08

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Can you guess what the image is?? :)

Rainbow > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 15:08

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It isn't a TVR.

Party-vi > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 15:08

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Drive-by-wire in my E46. When I start from a stop I either 1) snap necks or 2) crawl forward.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 15:10

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The brake pedal in my Safari is incredibly small. It's like a 2x2 square.

My only explanation is that they didn't want to use a different pedal for manual and automatic versions of the van, so they just used the smaller one for the manual on both versions.

Oh, and the lack of a tachometer really bugs me for some reason.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 15:10

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50/50 split bench...i have to put my center console that sits in the middle seat on the ground if i want to put anything or anyone in the back if i get in from either side. couldn't you have just put a 60/40 or 40/20/40 split bench ford?

Camry-Into-Canyon > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 15:10

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I have a speedometer, a fuel gauge, and some idiot lights. That's it. They didn't even give me a water temp gauge. a 99 Tercel has a water temp gauge. Also, no sway bars! Suprise!

RazoE > Rainbow 10/02/2014 at 15:11

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That entire brand should be on this list.....and that's what makes it great.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > RazoE 10/02/2014 at 15:14

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My old Metro suffered from what the Geo community affectionately refers to as "dashboard cancer". The plastic wasn't well sealed so after years in the sun it'd dry out and take on a rough, scratchy finish like it had been sanded. Interestingly the airbag hatch never seems to be affected.

MonkeePuzzle > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 15:18

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one SINGLE piece of interior that is silver/chrome. bugs me out of the corner of my eye all the time, even more annoying than my stupid decision to drill my dash to mount that blue knob, or that my fog light switch is a lighter grey than all the other buttons.

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/why-is-that-on…

Rico > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 15:21

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The parking brake (foot pedal) is incredibly easy to engage slightly when getting in and out of my C300, luckily the car beeps at you non stop to disengage it before driving.

GeorgeyBoy > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 15:21

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Not having 500 hp.

VivaLaManual > Party-vi 10/02/2014 at 15:24

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The VANOS has some design flaws too. The solenoid solder is one of them. And even regular maintenance can't prevent all the potential VANOS issues.

You made my point about the subframe. Also, it's not just the rear. The most common crack points are passenger front and driver rear. It's just a terrible design for the M3.

Party-vi > VivaLaManual 10/02/2014 at 15:25

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I did not know about the passenger front. More reason for me to just SC my 330 instead of trying to find an intact M3.

VivaLaManual > Party-vi 10/02/2014 at 15:27

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Not to mention that the epoxy that you inject into the subframe to shore it up, is discontinued. So your only way to fix/prevent it now is to drop the subframe and weld the plates on. I was looking for ones that already had that work done, but it's really hard to find them.

thismightbemylastburner > MIATAAAA 10/02/2014 at 15:30

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Not a fan of this? I removed the rear plastic partition and now the pull is just chillin there between the seats.

jariten1781 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 15:34

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If the temperature drops and lowers the tire pressures below the TPMS triggering point it'll light the idiot light. The problem is, the light won't reset until the pressures are a good 4 psi above the values where it was trained. So even if the temp goes back up and the pressures go back to normal the light stays on.

So, if I want the light to be off I have to fill them back up to 5 psi over, drive around for 10 minutes till the light clears, then back the pressures back off to the correct values.

Drives me nuts...wish there was a way to just disable the system without a light.

Jedidiah > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 15:37

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You have to remove the passenger fender to get to the blower motor. The blower motor goes out all the time.

There's an AC relay that seems to go bad every year as well.

RazoE > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 15:46

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yikes!!

Bandit > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 15:49

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No reclining seat in my Trans Am. You think that by 1981 they could have had a reclining seat.

camaroboy68ss > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 15:54

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on my 98 camaro its having the back half of the motor shoved under the cowl.

The 68 would be all the vacuum lines for the headlight doors

mcseanerson > Party-vi 10/02/2014 at 15:59

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NA Miata

Meatcoma > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 16:01

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5th gen Camaro, steering wheel and drivers seat don't line up. Off by a half inch.

Nibbles > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 16:08

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For my Saab, it would be that the accessory belts are snugged up against the firewall. The plus to this is the clutch is an hour job.

For my S40, I haven't owned it long enough to make any decisions on that.

For the Dakota, it has to be the IFS. Sure there are kits and bushings and whatnot for a 1997+ Dakota/Durango, and all manner of Toyota and Nissan pickups, but 1988-1996 Daktoa? FUHGEDDABOUDIT

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 16:09

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The weird cruise control switch on the end of the turn signal stalk in my Saab 9-3.

Tapas > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 16:11

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Center console cubby's door clip is easily broken so it stays open.

The door is the push-to-open / push-to-close kind.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Bandit 10/02/2014 at 17:15

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Wranglers didn't get reclining seats until the early 90's.

NaturallyAspirated > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 17:21

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The head gaskets.

Suuuubaru > NaturallyAspirated 10/02/2014 at 17:48

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I feel that brotha

GTI MkVII > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 17:52

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The little power symbol/icon on my Mk7 GTI's radio rotates WITH the volume dial. Thank God I have steering mounted volume controls.

Leon711 > mcseanerson 10/02/2014 at 17:54

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I can sympathise, NB MX-5.

mcseanerson > Leon711 10/02/2014 at 17:56

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It's the little things that matter.

Leon711 > mcseanerson 10/02/2014 at 18:01

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I used to have to squish my thighs under the wheel when I got in but luckily I've lost about 10 pounds and now I can slide in with ease but I can never get quite the right position, that and the offset pedal annoy me too. Is that a problem in LHD? my clutch pedal is pretty much in line with the wheel.

not for canada - australian in disguise > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 18:34

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The Optimas window sill is way too high, so you can not rest your arm on it out the window:

Buick Mackane > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 19:30

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Let's see,,,,on my Ford E150 Econoline work van the brake pedal is much higher from the floorboard than usual, it needs to be a bit lower so you can roll your foot over to the brake pedal without lifting it. Also the Ford E150 van has a huge doghouse in the middle between the seats that really makes it seem cramped inside the front cabin, especially since this is a huge cargo van. My 1996 Saturn SL2 trunk lid has no lift springs or tensioners, when someone other than myself tries to close the trunk they end up slamming it down very, very hard. My 1980 Jaguar XJ6 in Damson Red has a glove box light that only comes on when you turn your headlights on. Jaguar thinking at the time was if you can't see the inside of your glove box then it must be dark out, right? Therefore you should turn on your headlights if you want to see inside the glove box.

Buick Mackane > MIATAAAA 10/02/2014 at 19:36

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What are we looking at here?

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 21:02

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The 914 is incredible. Just needs a 20 more hp or maybe a 6th gear. Long live the dogleg. Maybe some better rust protection.

Justino6969 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 21:08

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My car has this stupid design where the transmission is connected to the front wheels.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Justino6969 10/02/2014 at 21:12

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The Jeep has that too.

Justino6969 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 21:20

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I should specify - also has no driveshaft or rear differential.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Justino6969 10/02/2014 at 21:32

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Jeep has no differentials either.

Justino6969 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 21:36

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But.. how does it move?

Axial > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/02/2014 at 22:21

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Vacuum-actuated EVERYTHING.

Damn you, Lotus!

mcseanerson > Leon711 10/02/2014 at 22:22

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My clutch was such a pain to work in the tight space I had to remove the armrest on the door.

gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/03/2014 at 01:56

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The trunk lift supports in my 350Z aren't totally functional and after a couple minutes the trunk will randomly close. Trunk lid has fallen on my head twice and on my arm/hand once so far in the month I've owned the car. Definitely will be replaced soon!

MIATAAAA > Buick Mackane 10/03/2014 at 08:02

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That's my gas tank door release pull.

In the storage compartment.

Behind/between the seats.

WHY!? It's a mild struggle to reach it. Also made me look really stupid at the gas pump (NJ - we don't pump our own) when I first bought it and couldn't figure out how to open it.

Tohru > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/03/2014 at 10:35

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The tachometer was an option with the manual trans - it's an option my truck doesn't have. Also, the carb is computer-controlled.

Mattbob > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/03/2014 at 14:07

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hahaha, I had that same jeep. Is your seat all the way back? I never used the parking brake much, I think I left it in gear most of the time.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Mattbob 10/03/2014 at 18:44

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All the way back.

miken > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 10/09/2014 at 09:55

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DAMNABLE cupholder in the NC Miata....it's positioned so that my left knee rests exactly against the leading edge, causing pain on long trips.