0
guineapiggie101

Necessary "extras" in a new car

Recommended Posts

I'd hesitate to buy a car without A/C (of course, I live in Houston).
Otherwise, it's pretty much all negotiable. Even power door locks (which I'll admit to loving).

Sunroof is nice sometimes, when it's not, it's not; just adds heat and noise.

Leather is nice, but can be hot.

I'd rather not have a GPS -- I much prefer maps.

I can't imagine why I'd want it bluetooth enabled -- I'm not a big fan of cell phone conversations for distraction reasons, not because of the handheld.

I loves me a hatchback or station wagon -- at the very least a back seat that opens into the trunk so that I can carry lumber. To go with that, a trunk that's easy to tie down when I carry lumber.

And owner-maintenance things should be easy to do -- my current car has unusually difficult windshield wiper blades to replace.

Wendy P.
There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
A/C
Cruise Control
Power doors and locks
CD Player

My Jeep is a 2003 model, so maybe I just have low standards.
She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Quote

For those of you who would buy a new car, what are the "extras" that you would consider as something you would "need".

- sunroof
- leather interior
- be Bluetooth enabled
- built in navigation system
- etc..



I love leather seats. My next new vehicle will have air conditioned seats. I don't care if it has four wheels, as long as it has A/C seats.:P
What you say is reflective of your knowledge...HOW ya say it is reflective of your experience. Airtwardo

Someone's going to be spanked! Hopefully, it will be me. Skymama

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Quote

Quote

For those of you who would buy a new car, what are the "extras" that you would consider as something you would "need".

- sunroof
- leather interior
- be Bluetooth enabled
- built in navigation system
- etc..



I love leather seats. My next new vehicle will have air conditioned seats. I don't care if it has four wheels, as long as it has A/C seats.:P


My dad bought a new truck last year. Nobody told me that it had A/C seats the first time I rode in it. That was an extremely bizarre feeling.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Quote

My dad bought a new truck last year. Nobody told me that it had A/C seats the first time I rode in it. That was an extremely bizarre feeling.



That's gotta be nice on those long trips when your back gets all sweaty.


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Rap is to music what etch-a-sketch is to art.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
I'd skip the built in navigation system - I already have one on my phone, which is with me pretty much whenever I'm in the car. That technology may continue to evolve and I figure I'll be more likely to upgrade my phone (or its apps) than anything in my car.

I second the rain-sensitive wipers; my 2001 Passat that I'm currently driving has them, and it's one of those things I didn't know I needed till I had it. Then again, since I've owned it, I've lived in Seattle and the Bay Area, both of which get more rain than Southern California.

If I were buying today I'd get an input jack so I could connect an MP3 player. I have one that was retrofitted to my car, but having one built in would be nice. I'd also want the sound system set up for satellite radio; with how little I drive now I probably wouldn't bother paying for a subscription, but it'd be nice to have the option if my driving patterns change significantly.

I've had a sunroof on my past two cars (one I bought in 1992 and drove till 2000, and the one I have now, bought in 2000). I like 'em but I can live without them, too. I also have leather seats and one thing I've really noticed is that they maintain their "new" look a lot longer than cloth seats.
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Quote

What about a roll cage requires a track while wearing a helmet? What about Cruise Control requires a track?



These two things "roll cage" and "cruise control" are mutually exclusive, and yet you want them both on a car at the same time? No I am afraid that makes no sense.

Since you say you have a roll bar and you properly posted a roll rage reference, I have to assume you know what a roll cage is. Roll cages are NOT street legal (at least not where I live) because if you bash your unprotected head into one of the bars you can knock yourself silly (or worse). Therefore the only place you will ever see, ever need a roll cage is for a car prepped only for track use while you are wearing a helmet. I guess you could drive around the public roads wearing a helmet, but to drive a roll cage equipped car anytime without a helmet is just asking for it.

Cruise control is fine to use on the highway to save some gas, but since you want a roll cage for a car that can only be used on the track, why would you want cruise control? Cruise control is the last thing you want on a track car. Cruise control for a street car? yes, but not a track car.


Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Quote

I'd skip the built in navigation system -

I like having a portable GPS so you can take it on trips. Rental cars are where I need my GPS, hopefully preloaded with all the motels, DZ's, etc.

I, too, keep cars for years. I'd hate to have a 11-12 year old "state of the art" navigation system stuck in the middle of my dash. After over a decade of advances, a Ouija board or deck of Tarot cards would probably be better. :D

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Remember when cars and trucks were easy to maintain yourself and cheap to fix if you needed to take it in? Nowadays you get charged $100 and up for mundane bullshit that didn't even exist back then.

If the vehicle has manufacturer-installed cruise control, good. If you don't have it, don't add one on. They're shit. I had a vehicle with one screwed onto the steering column that when engaged, was adequate on flat roadways, but slowed a lot on uphills and sped up on downhills, THEN stayed at the higher speed once you leveled off! I got a speeding ticket once because of that. >:(

Of course, that was 20 years ago. I dunno how much better these after-market products are, but I'd still rather drive without CC anyway. I stay alert better.

You can never have too many built-in cupholders. :D Gone are the days when cars had ash-trays, manual everything, etc.

All I need are cup-holders and a loud-ass horn. :P

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Quote


Yeah, I don't want to leave Korea... Our hoppdie had an electrical problem that was affecting the power windows and A/C. Cost us a whopping $100 for the guy to chase wires for three hours and fix the problem.

Wow, compared to the $300 we spent for 1.5 hours of electrical work on our minivan? :S We should've flown your mechanic over. That was after $500+ replacing misdiagnosed parts that were just fine. [:/]


Quote

And I'm with the OP, I want leather seats (and I'm from the south). I hate the way cloth seats smell after a few months to a year of owning the car. The trick is to go for the tan leather, not black, and to keep a towel handy on sunny/hot days.

Our car seats are okay. But some of those skanky fabric chairs in the control room? Yeeeech! I had to swap mine out last night 'cause of the smell in it. Nothing like fear sweat to stink up the room. :S:D

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Quote

My Jeep is a 2003 model, so maybe I just have low standards.



My 1999 Jeep Wrangler has no amenities, nada. No power nothing. No power windows, no power locks, no a/c, no cruise control, no fancy navigation or movie playing gizmos. Heck I don't even have a carpet on the floor, it is just steel. No automatic transmission, only a 5 speed manual transmission. Now to tell you the truth I don't need any amenities in my Jeep. Jeeps are supposed to be raw and simple. It's a Jeep thing. ;)

Now my 1997 911 has some amenities. It does have power windows, power locks, cruise control and A/C. It had leather seats, it has a sunroof that I now wish was not there because it adds weight. It does not have a CD player, it has something better. It has an MP3 player hookup.


Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Quote

Quote

A/C
Cruise Control
Power doors and locks
CD Player

My Jeep is a 2003 model, so maybe I just have low standards.



What's a power door?



Not sure exactly what she is referring to, either power windows or power locks. But some vehicles have doors that open and close with the click of a button. Our 2005 Honda Odyssey's sliding doors on both sides are automatic doors in that regard. Sure helps a lot when you have kids.
"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Quote

My first car had an AM radio and heat. That was about it. No automatic transmission, no A/C, no power windows, no power locks. The last one I bought came standard with A/C, CD changer, a navigation system, power everything. How times change.



My first car was a 1964 Buick Special. Big ass light green monster, bench seats and a giant steering wheel. :D

It was sort of tricked out for its time though - power steering and air conditioning. Everything else was manual. It only had AM radio too, but dad installed an FM radio (aftermarket) under the dash (below the ashtray).
"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Quote

Quote

I'd skip the built in navigation system -

I like having a portable GPS so you can take it on trips. Rental cars are where I need my GPS, hopefully preloaded with all the motels, DZ's, etc.

I, too, keep cars for years. I'd hate to have a 11-12 year old "state of the art" navigation system stuck in the middle of my dash. After over a decade of advances, a Ouija board or deck of Tarot cards would probably be better. :D


I love my portable GPS... but it has a little something extra built into it:)

http://www.amazon.com/Escort-Passport-iQ-Widescreen-Navigator/dp/B0049H8VKQ

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Just bought a new car so here's my .02

I went with the premium package that includes leather, sun/moon roof, roof racks, XM radio, etc. All the necessary interior gadgets and amenities excluding navigation (Garmin works fine for me) and entertainment.

Here in the great northeast I find a remote starter to be invaluable. Aftermarket purchase and install is under $300 and well worth it.
"Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Quote

Quote


My first car was a 1964 Buick Special. Big ass light green monster, bench seats and a giant steering wheel. :D

Remember how big those back seats were?:);)


Hells Yeah! Never got to christen it properly though. [:/]
"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

0