off road suv's= off road computers?

[Ramairgod84]

I recently saw an article online for the new 4runner thats out and it got me thinking. Off road geared suv's are too complex and too computer reliant. For instance, land rover. My parents owned 2 discoveries back in the day, and I've always been a rover fan. The disco's came out in the early 90s and were near bare essentials by today's standards. They were the first suv with dual air bags. They had all you needed: 4wd, and a center locking differential. In 1999 they changed to the series II, which made the suv less tall, I think a bit longer, and took out the center diff for just a low range. They also added hill decent control, and allowed the driver to raise the rear of the car by an inch or two for off road purposes. Still very capable, but lacking that one last bit. Now a days, land rover has this dial that you turn called terrain response, which basically lets you pick whether you're on rocky terrain, snow, sand, etc, and the computer puts the car into that mode, mostly for traction control. Now I see more suv's following this route, and I ask "Why?". All these electronic gadgets take away from the skill of the driver. Hill decent control? ok thats fine. But more than that is just unnecessary. The range rover has all this fancy air suspension, that only costs thousands once out of warranty, just to give another inch or two to the ride height. More to the point, I think all the cars coming out now are too technologically advanced. I agree with some thing- heads up displays, lane departure warnings, parking sensors, and even maybe the rear cameras. But all these complex nav systems, radio interfaces and controls, I think it's starting to get out of hand. It takes away from the drivers so they have to do less, which gives them less wheel skill, which means in a situation they'll be less prepared. Just my .02. What do you guys think?

[Red97GTP]

I agree with it taking skill out of driving. But, with too many electronic gizmo's, something is bound to break and be an assload of money to fix.

Screw all of the electronic gadgets and crap. Just rely on good ol' skill.

[Grimpala]

I've got a 71 FJ40 and the only electronic thing on it is the distributor. Leave the mall crawlers to the yuppies and get a real 4x4.

[86 IROC-Z]

That rocky terrain response mode is gonna be perfect for that car while it's wearing 24's and being valet parked.

[Transamws6]

I've got a 71 FJ40 and the only electronic thing on it is the distributor. Leave the mall crawlers to the yuppies and get a real 4x4.

Get real, I'd like to see your "real 4x4" do this.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4U-yFmnu0sY[/ame]

[SMWS6TA]

Morans not using safety equipment (Helmets)

[86 IROC-Z]

Morans not using safety equipment (Helmets)

The computer will save them though.