We are fortunate

[Jimbo33]

I didn't realize until just recently how for fortunate we are that Ford decided to go the route they did with the S650. The Android auto doesn't require a subscription to use streaming services. The Ford app with remote start and location doesn't require a subscription. The only thing that I can see that requires a subscription is navigation and that is irrelevant because of google maps. I recently looked into replacing my 2019 Ford sedan and the choices are not pretty. All and I mean all of the choices from car companies require a subscription for those features. The Toyota's comes with Android auto but if you want to use it to stream music it is $15/mo. The Toyota app is $6/mo. All of the car companies I have looked into do the same thing. Ford did not do that with with with my 24 S650 and as far as Know with the 26 correct me if I am wrong. I am old and this reminds me of the 1980's, each year the new cars were less desirable then the previous year. The difference is that in the 1990's that turned around around. I don't see this truing around. Ford is to be commended to chose the route they went on and I hope they keep it up.

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[LouG]

I didn't realize until just recently how for fortunate we are that Ford decided to go the route they did with the S650. The Android auto doesn't require a subscription to use streaming services. The Ford app with remote start and location doesn't require a subscription. The only thing that I can see that requires a subscription is navigation and that is irrelevant because of google maps. I recently looked into replacing my 2019 Ford sedan and the choices are not pretty. All and I mean all of the choices from car companies require a subscription for those features. The Toyota's comes with Android auto but if you want to use it to stream music it is $15/mo. The Toyota app is $6/mo. All of the car companies I have looked into do the same thing. Ford did not do that with with with my 24 S650 and as far as Know with the 26 correct me if I am wrong. I am old and this reminds me of the 1980's, each year the new cars were less desirable then the previous year. The difference is that in the 1990's that turned around around. I don't see this truing around. Ford is to be commended to chose the route they went on and I hope they keep it up.

W T F? I'm glad I'm keeping this then

 

[AZ_Ryan]

I didn't realize until just recently how for fortunate we are that Ford decided to go the route they did with the S650. The Android auto doesn't require a subscription to use streaming services. The Ford app with remote start and location doesn't require a subscription. The only thing that I can see that requires a subscription is navigation and that is irrelevant because of google maps. I recently looked into replacing my 2019 Ford sedan and the choices are not pretty. All and I mean all of the choices from car companies require a subscription for those features. The Toyota's comes with Android auto but if you want to use it to stream music it is $15/mo. The Toyota app is $6/mo. All of the car companies I have looked into do the same thing. Ford did not do that with with with my 24 S650 and as far as Know with the 26 correct me if I am wrong. I am old and this reminds me of the 1980's, each year the new cars were less desirable then the previous year. The difference is that in the 1990's that turned around around. I don't see this truing around. Ford is to be commended to chose the route they went on and I hope they keep it up.

Those are some very good points. With all the bitching about cost, this never gets mentioned.

 

[Hulkster]

24 model is sweet with all the options included that now you have to upgrade to get.

 

[erocker]

Hooray capitalism! It used to be nice when things concentrated on solid, sustainable growth and not.. whatever this economy has become. I'm sure Ford will keep selling them until the shareholders demand it becomes an AI company or whatever.

 

[steveo1960]

Hooray capitalism! It used to be nice when things concentrated on solid, sustainable growth and not.. whatever this economy has become. I'm sure Ford will keep selling them until the shareholders demand it becomes an AI company or whatever.

Amen.. I am a classic old time capitalist. Build it and if the public likes it they will buy it. If they hate it either modify it or move on to something else. I have been buying and repairing cars since the 70's and my 2024 Mustang GT is by far the overall finest car I have ever owned and I appreciate that Ford continues to support it just as much as GM continues to support the Corvette. I like the option to choose and that includes EV cars. Let the market decide rather than forcing us enthusiasts down one path or another.

 

[DarkHorsePremium]

Thank you Ford! It's actually all true.

We just bought a Lexus SUV and you have to subscribe to do anything. Lock the car, start it, use any of the connectivity services, etc.

Granted we use Android auto but the Lexus app is pretty much useless without a subscription. I think we get a year or two for free and then they want their money.

Their app is $hit. It's slow. Is cumbersome to log in to and every single one of its features takes multiple button presses and navigation to use. The electronic key disconnects every other month and has to be re-paired. We've pretty much stopped using it. It's just not worth it. You can start the car with the fob and lock the door with your finger.

The Ford app is a breeze. Starts the car and locks it for free. Thank goodness.

This thing about buying a car and not actually owning its functions is for the birds.

My mother just bought a Model Y and if she wants to open her garage door without a remote she has to subscribe. Good grief.

Volkswagen actually charges for horsepower. Yep, it's behind a paywall.

Soon they'll be charging for air conditioning, heated seats, steering wheel, and more.

 

[POHLHAMMER]

You will own nothing and you will be happy.


1776 was a great year...

 

[Thomas]

While I respect the intent of the sentiment...saying we are lucky because a bunch of technology convenience features that add cost to our cars that we are already paying for, are NOT subscription based is like saying "man that guy who mugged me was great, he didn't even stab me this time!!"

 

[AZ_Ryan]

While I respect the intent of the sentiment...saying we are lucky because a bunch of technology convenience features that add cost to our cars that we are already paying for, are NOT subscription based is like saying "man that guy who mugged me was great, he didn't even stab me this time!!"

How do these technology features add cost?

 

[Mr Hyde]

I didn't realize until just recently how for fortunate we are that Ford decided to go the route they did with the S650. The Android auto doesn't require a subscription to use streaming services. The Ford app with remote start and location doesn't require a subscription. The only thing that I can see that requires a subscription is navigation and that is irrelevant because of google maps. I recently looked into replacing my 2019 Ford sedan and the choices are not pretty. All and I mean all of the choices from car companies require a subscription for those features. The Toyota's comes with Android auto but if you want to use it to stream music it is $15/mo. The Toyota app is $6/mo. All of the car companies I have looked into do the same thing. Ford did not do that with with with my 24 S650 and as far as Know with the 26 correct me if I am wrong. I am old and this reminds me of the 1980's, each year the new cars were less desirable then the previous year. The difference is that in the 1990's that turned around around. I don't see this truing around. Ford is to be commended to chose the route they went on and I hope they keep it up.

And this is why new car sales are flat. Due to massive greed and tech bloat.

 

[Alan Applegate]

Subscription services, no matter their content or use, is one glaring example of why Americans now have the largest credit card debt ever, at $1,25+ Trillion! Part of this issue is the fact too many folks never scrutinize their credit card bills. One reason they don't is because they'd joined too many others in going full paperless! Thus making it more difficult to scrutinize their monthly purchases. Making matters worse, credit card companies give on-line retailers like Amazon your new credit card information, even though you cancelled the old one as a result of an unauthorized purchase. It pays to be vigilant!

 

[RJW]

Car companies try something new, sometimes it sticks, sometimes it doesn't. As an example, everyone followed Tesla in putting almost all controls on a touchscreen. There has been a fair amount of backlash, and now car companies are saying that they will be bringing back more physical buttons. If everyone hates the subscription stuff, it won’t last, because consumers will favor vehicles that don’t require subscriptions to use your heated seats or garage door opener.

 

[Gregs24]

You will own nothing and you will be happy.


1776 was a great year...

Erm this is a problem in the US so 1776 maybe wasn't such a good year!

In Europe there is now a move away from subscription services for car features as they were so unpopular.

 

[exm]

Volvo is $200/year also to be able to remote start and locate your car. I do have to say that the Volvo app is much nicer though, much more detailed.

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