My other manual tranny car has reverse to the left and UP. That gets frustrating.

I test drove a new 'vette last year for fun. Car had 5mi on it. I got in and went to turn the key to ON then hit the start button. I accidently went a little too far and engaged the started, but because I was only trying to turn it so far I was already in the process of letting go of the key. I ended up grinding the starter. Oops.

 

On the E500 the KeylessGo is the ultimate start button. You leave your key in your pocket and grab the door handle. The car unlocks and opens. Then you sit in the car, touch your foot to the brake, grab the shifter and press your thumb into it. The car is instantly running. Very habit forming. Feels like a Batmobile. Of course its ridiculous at $1k or so but I still like it. It should be on every car and included as standard equipment.

Frequently I do this (just from habit) on my other cars and nothing happens. DOH! Of course by then you are sitting down and the key is buried in your pocket. So a bit of contortion to get your hand down into the pocket, retrieve the key, etc. Another problem is when I accidently get the wrong key from the other Benz (similar shape). The car's unlocked in the garage but then I'm sitting in the car and nothing happens, its like WTF!! - back in the house again.

So in spite of the cost, it still doesn't stop me from being stupid.

Another strange thing. You get out of the car to go into the restaurant and the valet parks it and goes to shut it off and then WTF - there's no key in IT AND ITS RUNNING!!! Actually only happened once and they figured it out without coming in to get me - they must have seen it before. Of course once they've parked it they can't joyride - or move it either - which can also be a problem. (not so much a worry on the E but if you had an SL55 that's not a bad thought) So you need to remember to shut down, take the key out and put it into the ignition so as not to confuse them.

Other cars have some traditional strange keys / starting too. Porsche 911/Boxter - left of the wheel off the column. Saab - On the floor?!? Figure that out.

Still anxiously waiting for the S2000 - hope to pick mine up next week - and for reasons that have nothing to do with keys or start buttons.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by CarsRGood
Other cars have some traditional strange keys / starting too.

 

I like the start button so much, I made sure my next car has one too.

 

^ hah. it took me a while to figure out what u were talkin about

but then i saw it

 

People always are asking....wow you start the car with a button.....did you put that in there

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by CBeyond

 

Ahhh...the new Lotus. I forgot about that....I might owe my Lotus dealer a visit....when are those due to be out?

 

actually the porsche thing goes way back.....on the 550 spyders there was a key and a start button....for a le mans start, the mechanic would put the gearshift in first and "accidentally" leave the key on..as the driver lept over the door into the seat he would hit the clutch and the starter button...dropped the clutch and was gone!


[sometimes i rather like to hold the start button down and depress the clutch to start the car...]

 

i do take the start button for granted, its just something you have to do to start the car. on the other hand, all my passengers comment on how cool it is, and then it hits me.