I'm surprised they still make cars without push button start

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SearchMaster

Diamond Member
Jun 6, 2002
7,791
114
106
The reason it's not included on more models is simply a way to get you to move up to the next trim level if it's a feature you really want. My sister makes these decisions for Nissan :) I generally have very basic needs in a car but push button start is one feature I'd really like to have on my next vehicle.
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
99,177
17,477
126
There are a lot of really odd compromises that manufacturers make on the lower end cars. I picked up a 2013 Fiesta and realized that none of the following are even available options:
-Automatic headlights
-Push button start
-Rear camera (or any parking assist)

If you need parking assist on a Fiesta, you should not be driving.
 

SparkyJJO

Lifer
May 16, 2002
13,357
7
81
I prefer a physical switch that actually breaks electrical contact in case something ever goes horribly wrong.
 

Greenman

Lifer
Oct 15, 1999
21,891
6,250
136
That's odd. There's still a key inside my fob you can pop out and use in case the battery dies.

I have an actual key as well, for locking the forks and the ignition switch, but without the fob the bike won't start.
 

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
28,520
1,575
126
There's a regular key inside my key fob also. It's in case the vehicle battery dies and you need to get the hood open. I've never used it. I release it and look at it once in a while.
 

Doppel

Lifer
Feb 5, 2011
13,306
3
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I prefer a physical switch that actually breaks electrical contact in case something ever goes horribly wrong.
You're probably more likely to snap the key and be unable to turn the car off at some point than one of these systems having something go horribly wrong. In any case, they are definitely the future for cars, just like automatic windows. Do you worry about an electric window not opening if you ever find yourself submerged in a lake?
 

Stryker124

Member
Dec 10, 2010
40
0
0
I'll admit it, I bought the push button system as part of an upgrade package, mostly for the novelty of it. However, I came to love the convenience of it, and the proximity unlock features. I didn't think I would care either way, but whenever I have to drive my wife's car I'm sad that her CRV doesn't have it. Its a somewhat silly thing, but easy to get used to having.
 
Feb 10, 2000
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I have it on my main car, but my other car is 11 years old and doesn't have it. Honestly I don't find it problematic to use an actual key. I will probably have it on my future cars if it's available, but don't care a great deal about it.
 

DietDrThunder

Platinum Member
Apr 6, 2001
2,262
326
126
A 1951 Chevrolet pickup I once owned came from the factory with a push button start. It was on the floor board and you pushed it with your toes.
 

slayernine

Senior member
Jul 23, 2007
894
0
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slayernine.com
They have it on cheaper cars too, the Ford Focus i think has it. But that is one of those features that is often part of a larger package of features. Just adding push button start but not remote start..etc seems kinda silly, some other person would think, why did they add this instead of heated seats or whatever. Gotta stop somewhere i guess to meet the price range.

Personally i don't think anything of push button start. IF i could choose a particular option, it woudln't be that...probably be better speakers or heated side mirrors or something like that.

My Focus has it but it is still a pay for option and only available with certain packages. You can't walk out of the dealer with that feature paying less than twenty something thousand.
 

Vdubchaos

Lifer
Nov 11, 2009
10,408
10
0
I HATE push button start. Sad that automakers are following "fisher price toy" theme on this crap.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,390
8,547
126
i don't care for it. it's been around before and went away and it will probably go away again.

then again i don't like driving with stuff in my pockets so the ignition switch is a good place to stash my keys.
 
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Midwayman

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2000
5,723
325
126
I've had a couple cars with auto unlock doors. They were kind of annoying if you ever hung out near your car. The thing would be constantly lock and unlocking as you went in and out of the range of the fob. Push button- meh. I've driven them and its no big deal. The auto unlock I could see being more useful in some circumstances though.
 

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
28,520
1,575
126
I HATE push button start. Sad that automakers are following "fisher price toy" theme on this crap.

In the Jeep, you can remove the push button from the dash. That reveals a slot for the fob, which you use just like a key. Insert the fob and turn to start.

It's there if the proximity function fails, but it also lets you bypass the pushbutton start if you want.
 
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SparkyJJO

Lifer
May 16, 2002
13,357
7
81
You're probably more likely to snap the key and be unable to turn the car off at some point than one of these systems having something go horribly wrong. In any case, they are definitely the future for cars, just like automatic windows. Do you worry about an electric window not opening if you ever find yourself submerged in a lake?

I disagree. Computer systems can act screwy quite easily, even if it is rare it can and does happen. A key takes a lot more to break off. And a window can get broken easily in case of submerging in a lake, so that is a really bad analogy. Also, your idea of "the future" sucks since you also want to force everyone into automated cars :colbert:
 
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Doppel

Lifer
Feb 5, 2011
13,306
3
0
I HATE push button start. Sad that automakers are following "fisher price toy" theme on this crap.
What don't you like about it?
i don't care for it. it's been around before and went away and it will probably go away again.

then again i don't like driving with stuff in my pockets so the ignition switch is a good place to stash my keys.
No chance it goes away, as evidenced by the strong positives it's received in this thread. I'm frankly surprised so many people seem to like it!
Also, your idea of "the future" sucks since you also want to force everyone into automated cars
:biggrin::biggrin: I am glad you remembered :) But, I won't need to force them; they'll go willingly! Do you need to force children to eat chocolate? A booze-hound to drink beer? A rock star to snort coke?
 

SparkyJJO

Lifer
May 16, 2002
13,357
7
81
:biggrin::biggrin: I am glad you remembered :) But, I won't need to force them; they'll go willingly! Do you need to force children to eat chocolate? A booze-hound to drink beer? A rock star to snort coke?

Here's the difference and major flaw with your comparisons - none of those things are mandated, and plenty of people choose not to. But you're talking about forcing these self-driving cars on those who don't want them. That is more along the lines of force-feeding people chocolate whether they like it or not, or forcing people to snort drugs or dumping beer down their throats. That's a more accurate comparison, and that's why I take such issue with you over it.

Besides, we need less freedoms and more government mandates like we need holes in the head. No thank you. Give us the option? Sure. Force us? Heck no.
 

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81
I've had a couple of cars with it. It doesn't really matter to me. If the car requires it then it's fine, but I am not paying extra for it.
 

nerp

Diamond Member
Dec 31, 2005
9,865
105
106
Love it. Especially when my hands are full or carrying my daughter to the car. Just wave a hand under the door. Bang, unlocked. Hop in, push button, car is starting up as I'm buckling up, and we're off. No digging through pockets. No spare keys, house keys scratching up the steering column and flapping around when I'm driving. I get out of the car, close the door, tap a tiny button on the handle, car locked. Makes going in and out of convenience stores really nice, especially in the winter when I can leave the engine running but lock the car and unlock the car as I go in and out without worrying about some shady character behind a dumpster trying to steal my ride.
 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
0
I hate this stupid push button fad. What the hell is wrong with a key turning in the ign. cylinder? It has been done this way for god knows how many years and there is nothing wrong with it. I like good cars, but none of these pointless new technologies are on my list of what makes a car good. Driving experience is important, not push buttons and all this other shit. And no, I am not a crusty old man, just value different things in my cars.
 

Vdubchaos

Lifer
Nov 11, 2009
10,408
10
0
In the Jeep, you can remove the push button from the dash. That reveals a slot for the fob, which you use just like a key. Insert the fob and turn to start.

It's there if the proximity function fails, but it also lets you bypass the pushbutton start if you want.

That's nice. Would be nice for other makers to give you that option!!!
 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
0
I want less gadgets and electronics in my cars not more.

This
I was pleasantly surprised when I sat in the FR-S/GT86 how nice and simple it is inside. Feels just like something from the 90's, which is so awesome to me. The car had immediate appeal to me because of it.

2013-Scion-FR-S-interior1-1024x640.jpg