The cars and bikes thread!

[Raza]

Yeah, some cars now have a similar feature where they will unlock as you approach. Seems like a terrible idea. Not to mention, how hard is it to put your hand on the handle? Don't you have to do that to open the door, anyway? I wonder how long it will be before someone decides it would be a good idea to just have completely automatic doors that open as you approach, more like kicking under the rear hatch/trunk to open it. After all, the less physical strain we put on ourselves, the better, right?

I’m all for convenience—things like rear lift gates opening with a foot wave seems like a good idea because people often approach their cargo area with their hands full. But the door? You need to get yourself into the car and I don’t see any reason that proximity keys need to go any further than they already have. I have it in the BMW, it’s nice, it’s not that big of a deal, and it has led me sometimes to wonder what the range is (after having seen some episodes of Top Gear/Grand Tour where someone drove off in a car with a proximity key and kept going until the key was out of range) and if I’m sitting in my living room and leaving my car technically unlocked if anyone approaches it and tries the door. Luckily, I’m a city boy who’s used to parking on the street so I don’t keep anything of value in my car and it’s a stick, so it’s not like 95% of people can just get in and drive it away, but I think about the family folks on my block with proximity keys (which is almost all of them, everyone on my block has a luxury car except one retired couple with a Subaru, which might still have it, I don’t know) who do leave stuff in their car and might have their keys in proximity.

But yeah, I think we’ve all seen Wall-E and what too much convenience leads to. With TikTok and AR glasses and self driving cars, I’m not sure we’re not barreling towards that reality. I’m doing my best to make sure that doesn’t become my reality, at least.

[Raza]

I did indeed.

Did you get it? What color?

[mlcor]

Did you get it? What color?

Same as yours. Radically different than what I've been using for the last 30 years, so it will take some getting used to. I removed the ring at the end, I don't like to attach my car fob (or anything else) to the rest of my keys. This way that ring can't scratch my fob or otherwise cause trouble. A simple watch tool took care of it.

[Samanator]

I’m all for convenience—things like rear lift gates opening with a foot wave seems like a good idea because people often approach their cargo area with their hands full. But the door? You need to get yourself into the car and I don’t see any reason that proximity keys need to go any further than they already have. I have it in the BMW, it’s nice, it’s not that big of a deal, and it has led me sometimes to wonder what the range is (after having seen some episodes of Top Gear/Grand Tour where someone drove off in a car with a proximity key and kept going until the key was out of range) and if I’m sitting in my living room and leaving my car technically unlocked if anyone approaches it and tries the door. Luckily, I’m a city boy who’s used to parking on the street so I don’t keep anything of value in my car and it’s a stick, so it’s not like 95% of people can just get in and drive it away, but I think about the family folks on my block with proximity keys (which is almost all of them, everyone on my block has a luxury car except one retired couple with a Subaru, which might still have it, I don’t know) who do leave stuff in their car and might have their keys in proximity.

But yeah, I think we’ve all seen Wall-E and what too much convenience leads to. With TikTok and AR glasses and self driving cars, I’m not sure we’re not barreling towards that reality. I’m doing my best to make sure that doesn’t become my reality, at least.

Amazing this is your first proximity key for your personal car. I definitely like it better than having to find a key. It's always in my pocket so you don't leave it on a counter, table or other place where I'll forget it. I also don't lock it in the car. When lesser models did not come with them I would make sure if I was buying the top level . Since our 2006 Lexus IS we have had them. My wife would never get anywhere if she had to go look for her keys. She just keeps the fob in her purse of the month. Now if I could find a way to do the same for her phone we might be on time more often.

[mlcor]

Amazing this is your first proximity key for your personal car. I definitely like it better than having to find a key. It's always in my pocket so you don't leave it on a counter, table or other place where I'll forget it. I also don't lock it in the car. When lesser models did not come with them I would make sure if I was not buying the top level . Since our 2006 Lexus IS we have had them. My wife would never get anywhere if she had to go look for her keys. She just keeps the fob in her purse of the month. Now if I could find a way to do the same for her phone we might be on time more often.

Purse of the month? You're a lucky man, my wife can switch purses 2-3 times a day, depending upon what she is/we are doing or where she is/we are going...

[Samanator]

I've been on the hunt now for a new vehicle since before I retired. I almost bought a new Lincoln Navigator or Cadillac Escalade since I was seeking out more luxury. All the more off road oriented vehicles seem to have mostly black interiors. Both the Escalade and Navigator have a brown interior available. Our trip to the Keys a few weeks ago reminded me that I like room, quiet, smooth ride and power. Off road got moved back as a priority (plus we have a UTV). When we got to the Lincoln dealer we looked at the Navigator in the showroom, but the Aviator next to it was more interesting. It is a bit smaller than the standard Navigator, and can tow 6700 lbs which can handle our boat. It's more fuel efficient, quiet, smooth yet well controlled ride and has 400hp and 456ft/lbs of torque. I was able to find a certified preowned 2024 with 3500 miles which gives it double the warranty. It's only had it's breakin oil change. It is the Black Label model so it has everything including AWD. They fit the certified ones with new brake pads and rotors, new battery and new tires as part of the process. This has Michelin tires that are not run flats since it has a temp spare tire. Both front seats have message and are the 30 way adjustable that are heated and cooled. It has a more comprehensive HUD than the Lexus LS. Sound system is a 29 speaker Revel, second row seats are also heated and cooled and 3rd row are only heated.. Interior is a baseball glove color leather with black piano wood, brown carpet and lower dash, and some brushed metal accents. Below are the dealer photos for another that they had. Mine is exactly like this, but much lower miles and in Ceramic White Pearl where this is Crystal White Pearl. Mine is a darker shade of white (Very slightly greyish). These photos are a 2022 since mine had just came in and was certified . I bought it before they listed it and took photos.

[Samanator]

Purse of the month? You're a lucky man, my wife can switch purses 2-3 times a day, depending upon what she is/we are doing or where she is/we are going...

Oh she can do that on some days. The top three shelfs that run the full length of the closet are just purses and are her best. Then the rest are stored in various places.

Don't get me started on sandals, but then I have a serious amount of running shoes ( When I find one I like I tend to buy out Amazon for the model since they tend to mess up the next generation). and Danner boots.

[geoffbot]

I've been on the hunt now for a new vehicle since before I retired. I almost bought a new Lincoln Navigator or Cadillac Escalade since I was seeking out more luxury. All the more off road oriented vehicles seem to have mostly black interiors. Both the Escalade and Navigator have a brown interior available. Our trip to the Keys a few weeks ago reminded me that I like room, quiet, smooth ride and power. Off road got moved back as a priority (plus we have a UTV). When we got to the Lincoln dealer we looked at the Navigator in the showroom, but the Aviator next to it was more interesting. It is a bit smaller than the standard Navigator, and can tow 6700 lbs which can handle our boat. It's more fuel efficient, quiet, smooth yet well controlled ride and has 400hp and 456ft/lbs of torque. I was able to find a certified preowned 2024 with 3500 miles which gives it double the warranty. It's only had it's breakin oil change. It is the Black Label model so it has everything including AWD. They fit the certified ones with new brake pads and rotors, new battery and new tires as part of the process. This has Michelin tires that are not run flats since it has a temp spare tire. Both front seats have message and are the 30 way adjustable that are heated and cooled. It has a more comprehensive HUD than the Lexus LS. Sound system is a 29 speaker Revel, second row seats are also heated and cooled and 3rd row are only heated.. Interior is a baseball glove color leather with black piano wood, brown carpet and lower dash, and some brushed metal accents. Below are the dealer photos for another that they had. Mine is exactly like this, but much lower miles and in Ceramic White Pearl where this is Crystal White Pearl. Mine is a darker shade of white (Very slightly greyish). Yjr photos are a 2022 since this just came in and was certified . I bought it before the listed

Congrats on the new car my dude! Sounds mint.

[Raza]

Same as yours. Radically different than what I've been using for the last 30 years, so it will take some getting used to. I removed the ring at the end, I don't like to attach my car fob (or anything else) to the rest of my keys. This way that ring can't scratch my fob or otherwise cause trouble. A simple watch tool took care of it.

Very nice! The spring bar design (and captive at that) was new for this model and a huge upgrade from the old solid floating piece. It’s nice that you have the option to remove it, whereas I very much like to have it attached to my car key.

Oh, I don’t know how much use you’ll get out of it, but for me, having the Chipolo on mine feels quite nice, especially when I was running mine without a car key attached and I would often keep it in my bag instead of my pocket. Very nice to have a tracker on your keys that can give an auditory signal when I need it to. Now I just need it to respond to my whistles and Maryam d’Abo circa 1987 and I’ll be set for my childhood dreams (minus the 1985 Aston Martin V8 Vantage).

[Raza]

Amazing this is your first proximity key for your personal car. I definitely like it better than having to find a key. It's always in my pocket so you don't leave it on a counter, table or other place where I'll forget it. I also don't lock it in the car. When lesser models did not come with them I would make sure if I was buying the top level . Since our 2006 Lexus IS we have had them. My wife would never get anywhere if she had to go look for her keys. She just keeps the fob in her purse of the month. Now if I could find a way to do the same for her phone we might be on time more often.

I feel like BMW was very late to the proximity key game compared to other companies. Even on my 435i, the “Comfort Access” key was an optional upgrade, I don’t believe it was the standard key for the car, and it’s a 2014. I had my Z4 as my only car for almost 12 years and that had just a regular laser cut key (the old sealed BMW diamond key). My brother’s car had proximity key, my mom’s last Mercedes and her Audi both have it, and I think even my father’s 2008 Lexus LS460 has one, but none of mine until now. I do like it, to be fair. Especially now that I have all my keys managed and the fob is designed well for fitting in a pocket. Goes it fairly flat, never sticks me, doesn’t stick out. Every comfortable to keep in your pocket when driving.

My mom does the same thing. She keeps her car key in a little mini wallet that she just transfers from purse to purse along with her regular wallet.