Dirt_Nasty

iTrader: (2)

Or since the lock is right next to the handle you could just open out with your finger before you pull the handle.

Dirt_Nasty

iTrader: (2)

Exactly.

Bullitt

iTrader: (7)

If I unlock the door with the door button, the alarm goes off. I have to use the remote. Are they not all like that?

iconoclast

On a more serious note, there was an incident when I was younger I would rather not get into, but had my parents locked the doors, it could have been avoided.

paimon.soror

iTrader: (15)

True true, but what if he is severely obese and cannot fit out the window, buttt he is strong enough to actually get that door open under water. ... I win

iconoclast

Actually, doors are not hard to get open under water, you simply need to let the pressure equalize by letting water get into the car. Obviously this is counter intuitive, but once the water reaches about 2/3-3/4 the way up the door, you should be able to open it without much force.

Also, I keep my windows rolled up 24/7, due to the aforementioned incident.

React

Although people seem to have found the funny side of this topic, I actually agree with the OP. I drove an old 1980's Ford Corsair some time ago and when I pulled the door handle (from the inside) the door automatically unlocked itself and the door swung open. I was suprised when I realised that I hadn't actually unlocked the door and it had unlocked automatically and tried it again just to make sure (not bad for a 25+ year old car). Then I figured, hey my modern RX8 should have more features than this old car right? So I locked the door, pulled the door handle and the door remained locked and closed. Whoa. Embaressing.. Safety feature? Not really..

Now obviously it doesn't take much effort to unlock the door and then open it.
However, in a similar line of reasoning, it doesn't take much effort for a fit person to walk an entire circle around your car before getting in it each time. But tell me, are either of these extra steps really necessary?

I'm a software programmer by trade and trained to realise that if a repetitve action that someone needs to perform several times a day can be completed in two mouse clicks instead of three then that is a clear improvement in efficiency. Why should my car be any different?

jasonrxeight

if you pull the handle the door unlocks, whats the point of locking the door? infact I think thats a hazard, what if you have a kid and he pulls the handle when you driving? I know some older Fords are like that and I dont like it at all. and I dont like the autolock when you start driving.
if you are lazy like that, dont drive. hire someone. gee. what have technologies have done to us people.

React

The point of locking the door is so that people on the outside cannot get in. Not so that a person in the drivers seat cannot get out.
Haven't you ever played Grand Theft Auto and wondered why it's easier to pull someone from their car while they're stopped at traffic lights than to just get a cab? It's because no-one in that game locks their doors!.. Sure, I know this is a game, but unfortunately nasty things like these happen in real life too, so it's a good practice (provided you're not lazy) to lock your door when you know no-one on the outside should be opening it.

And yes, your example of a kid "accidentally" pulling the door handle of a locked door and falling out is actually a good point on safety. That's why in the old Ford I drove, only the drivers side door has this feature, not all the doors which kids might be using. Generally, I've found, at least in my experience, the person driving the car is at least smart enough not to accidentally pull the door handle while driving and fall out. Also it's pretty darn hard to reach the front door handle from the back seat of our RX8's so I don't see that being a problem either.

I really enjoy driving my RX8 almost every day and I'm sure you'd agree that hiring someone to drive it for us would take away half the fun of owning it. That said, if there's anything my car can do to be more convenient, I'm all for it.

PS: love your signature pic, very artistic