The new Lexus LS 460L has a feature that automatically parallel-parks the car. Take a look!

It's a cool bit of technology, but who really needs this?

 

It's a pretty cool feature. I think they've been doing it in Europe for a few years now but this is the first time the technology made it to the States.

 

This has been available on other cars before...although that may have been more experimental. I know I've seen it before. Call me paranoid and backwards, but personally I would never trust an automatic feature for this maneuver.

 

I NEED IT. Would you try to parallel park between those glass towers?

Seriously though ... how many ppl parallel park these days anyway. More and more it is becoming a lost skill. I dunno if you even need to do it to get a license anymore

I think its cool!

 

I know I'm getting old, but when did we give up on being able to actually manuever our cars?

I still have to parallel park when in the city, or my apt. My kids finally "re-learned" after I taught them to get their license when they visit me. Now they are very proud of themselves how well they do.

In PA, that is part of every road test, although they give you the space of a barn to get the car in. Not very difficult.

 

I see your from Mass. If your in Boston, your probably right. But I got to say, I haven't had to parallel park in years .... and I really mean YEARS.

Probably the last time I was in DC which would be .... YEARS

 

My cousin couldn't get her license on the first try in OH because she couldn't parallel park. Down in FL, I don't think they know what parallel means .

 

Perhaps if Russ Swift had designed it!

 

I saw the commercial for it on TV yesterday. It was pretty cool. But I don't know if I would trust it. Hey, I can't even trust myself to parallel park!

 

Paranoid! Backwards!
Oh, sorry, you weren't serious.
Actually I'm with you, learn to do it the right way yourself, I wouldn't necessarily trust it. It would be fun to show off or startle your friends with at time though... look ma! no hands!

 

I parallel park nearly every day at school. I take pride in how small of a spot I can fit in (I can hear folks cringing, but my MINI is fine). I should take pictures of some of my best parks and post them.

 

Would love to see that!

But I think the best parallel parking goes to xxthir13enxx:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...hlight=parking

Check out the 2nd pic!

 

still a cool feature.

 

Having NEVER paralell parked, I still wouldn't trust it. But then again I don't trust automatic transmissions or Cruise Control (when I use the CC my foot lives over the brake pedal).

 

I'm sure I could do that (if I had room in my garage, my snow tires are taking up my second stall right now) there's plenty of room there!

I'm like that with CC too. It kinda creeps me out.

 

The further people get from having to actually DRIVE their vehicles, the more dangerous they are on the road.
Another expensive toy for people with more money than brains.

 

considering the aweful pparkers in downtown chicago (including some
valet parkers ), i think everyone should have this feature on
their car.

 

Or you could just learn how to drive. Features like this do nothing more then make people stupid.

Its all part of the machines taking over the world, just like in Terminator, LOL.

 

+1

 

+2

 

Spent a lot of time parallel parking my Ford Excursion....top that.

However, I WAS addicted to the parking distance sensors...they helped me eek it into a lot of smaller spaces....

Not sure someone who can't parallel park should be allowed on the road...

 

hummm... imho, if the car can navigate itself it would be far safer
and more consistent than any human can drive a car. similar to how
jetliners have auto takeoff/landing features. are the pilots dummer?
no. actually smarter to know their limits.

 

If the automatic parallel parking option can pull off some of the tight squeezes that I have in my MINI, sign me up! Somehow I doubt it though. I recently did an Austin Powers-type manuever between two large SUVs with inches to spare on both ends. Luckily I left before they did!

 

The same people that keep hitting my bumper in parallel spots. That's who needs it.

 

Here's this morning's go round. Both cars were already there. It took about 7 maneuvers (forward/backward) to get the MINI in. I should have stayed back maybe 10 more inches to make it even, but I need to be able to get my book bag out of the boot. There are always big gaps like this along the campus road - my school paper even did an article recently about how students should not leave gaps - it's a big commuter campus people come and go all day long. It isn't like cars pull in at 8 am and stay parked all day. It's good for parking the MINI!

PS - I know my car is dirty.