I like all the modern equipment, and such as auto wipers or lights i don't have to use there is a manual option.

Even the auto gearbox can be used in manual. I find it annoying that i have to turn the S/S system off every time i restart the car, but thats about it.

The front and rear parking sensors i can turn on or off via the dash switch, only the rear view camera i have little control over, but i wouldn't be with out one. Same as the tyre monitoring system.

I always specify sat nav and the larger the screen the better, blue tooth works for me enabing hands free calls and texts or emails, along with using my smart phone for a wi-fi hotspot i very happy with these auto gadgets.

I even use the automatic speed control if i want to keep legal or just give my right foot a rest. As for music i'm very happy with the modern music options over yesteryear, USB, CD, DAB, Fm, or bluetooth from the phone.

Whats not to like?

Edited by xtrailman on 17/01/2016 at 14:38

I'm also in the camp that prefers simplicity and function before form and get frustrated even when the aircon comes on when windscreen ventilation is selected.

I agree. This action irritates me, along with auto headlights and auto wipers.

To the car: I'll decide thank you; not you!

The ICE, sat-nav and general controls and displays, well, that's more down to idiots making things look flashy/stylish rather than easy to use - form over function - car designers are getting too far towards the 'interior designer' end of the range and further away from the engineering designer (including ergonomics). get the function stuff right, then concentrate on making it look nice without compromising (much) the functional aspects - it can be done with a bit of thought - its sheer laziness than it isn't.

Presumably it's the design brief from the marketing department that dictates this kind of, er, 'bling' <shudder>

Customer focus groups must be saying that this is what they want now. We appear to be a nation of gadget fans. Unfortunately the new generation of motoring journalists seem to value this kind of frippery, too, so perhaps they are partly responisible driving this kind of form over function.

It is less of an issue for owners who buy a car new and sell-on while still in warranty. It's the secondhand owners who will be disadvantaged when these comlicated systems fail.

I'm also in the camp that prefers simplicity and function before form and get frustrated even when the aircon comes on when windscreen ventilation is selected. Perhaps a Caterham and set of waterproofs for the next new car..

Its one of the reasons why I've always admired the Mazda MX-5 and Honda S2000 - both great looking cars (both inside and out), very reliable, easy to use (excellent soft top mechanisms) and has just the right amount of kit (with options if you want more). Its one of the reasons why I chose my Mazda3 (and considered the Honda Civic/Jazz [2004/6 model], as they share some of its genetics with the MX-5 and S2000 respectively - I find my car has almost the right amount of kit I need, I rarely have to look away from the road to change any settings on the ICE (no sat nav - too expensive/not needed at the time I bought it) or other settings on the car, and those that are occasionally required are at my fingertips, easy to use and have, bar one minor fault (fixed in a few minutes at a service) never let me down.

On the other hand, colleagues' cars, loaded up with gizmos and complex systems regularly go wrong or need you to take your eyes off the road to make modest changes to settings - some cars I've been driven in have very odd switches and indicator stalks and aren't intuitive to use.

Too many makes over the years have not followed the KISS (keep it simple stupid) rule - it took BMW 10 years to get the i-drive system to a level that wasn't too bad to use - note that Mazda only introduced such a device only relatively recently once all the problems were ironed out, which, to me, says a lot about the competancy of certain manufacturers, and why, despite some better offerings from VAG of late (the 3DR Golf and Seat Leon) I will probably still end up buying a Japanese car next time.

I pursonally dont think it a modern car issue with your A3. It think it's more that you have to do it the way that Audi way or not at All.

Every time i get in an VW/Audi it seams you have to do it VW/Audi or not at all!

For example manaully releasing the handbreak on the last hire car required the gear N the clutch down and the foot on the break, else pressing the release button didn't work! My old jag built back in the day. Electric handbrake released when you pressed the button. Much easier on a hill start!

As for SAT nav. i just use my iphone which can be bluetooth connected to car speakers. Much better navigation & route selection and cheaper. Only slight downside is that you need Wifi or mobile data to get a route. Thats not been an issue thu. Compared to the mega inflated prices car companies charge for rather basic kit, it's more than an acceptable trade-off

Problem is you can rarely get 'basic' and reliable/long-lasting. A lot of the most respected/reliable Japanese/Korean makes have gone up-market and its more difficult finding a basic car without too many gizmos on it and for a reasonable price.

I would hesistate very much about buying a Dacia, which is effectively a cheap 'n' cheerful Renault (who aren't exactly famed for their reliability, even in the basic elements of their cars). Its one of the reasons I bought a K11 series Nissan Micra 1 ltr 'S' as my first car - reasonably low priced to buy/run, decent reliability and not too much to go wrong (on that model [yes, it was made in 1996, so not so much of a surprise] no A/C, no electric windows of other electric gizmos, manual tilt/slide sunroof [my only 'luxury item'] and a radio/cassette player. Not much to go wrong.

I'm always surprised (especially given how so many young people/students complain about how 'poor' they are [especially when having to pay out for university tuiton fees and living out] and yet many still buy cars loaded up with all the toys - you see less and less 'basic' cars driven by them, and yet they would be perfect for the cost-conscious motorist.