OT: Talking Cars Tuesday - Best Feature
I read an interesting theory on why cars today have 8,000 USB ports and are offering wifi. Basically, car companies think they're the new cupholders, which were the new ashtrays. If you get in a car from the 1980s, you'll see that there were ashtrays everywhere. I think the late 80's suburbans had 7. There were ashtrays in doors, in consoles, all over. Then, move to the late 90's early 00's and it was all about cupholders. It was a big deal when Porsche added them. WHAT ARE YOU DOING DRINKING IN A PORSCHE?!?! But they had to. Everyone needed 600 cup holders. Today it's keeping people charged and plugged in with USBs.
That said, what's the best feature(s) in your car that you can't live without for your next one? Big sunroof? Did you recently get heated seats and now you can't understand how you survived winter without one? Android Auto/Apple Car play? What's your must-have in your next car?
Standard transmission.
#SaveTheManuals
#millenialtheftdevice
August 8th, 2017 at 10:02 AM ^
I call it my 3 pedal anti-theft device. Every couple of weeks there are articles about carjackings that are foiled by theives who can't drive stick.
August 8th, 2017 at 10:05 AM ^
One could almost leave their Corvette or Ferrari or what have you unlocked with a sign "I dare you" on the windshield.
August 8th, 2017 at 10:14 AM ^
August 8th, 2017 at 10:20 AM ^
there was an article a few weeks back about a carjacking where the thieves couldn't drive a manual, so they shot and killed the car owner because they were pissed off about it.
August 8th, 2017 at 11:49 AM ^
number one, then power windows, then 4x4 transmission.
"4x4 transmission"? Do you mean four wheel drive?
August 17th, 2017 at 11:59 AM ^
thats what I meant dear friend.
August 8th, 2017 at 10:43 AM ^
Came here to post the same thing. My wife doesn't understand and refuses to learn how to drive them, but for as long as I can still find and afford one, I'll own at least one manual car at all times.
August 8th, 2017 at 12:55 PM ^
My wife and I are actually batting around the idea of getting our oldest daughter a stick shift when she learns to drive (she's only 12 right now, but time flies). One bonus - other kids wouldn't be able to borrow her car ;)
I maintain that my 1991 Jeep Wrangler was the perfect first car (I was 16 in 2003).
It was slow (2.5L 5 speed), but felt fast! It was a convertible, but had 4x4 for snow! It was cheap/easy to fix and learn how to fix. None of my friends wanted to borrow it (including my older sister, who once hit the brake instead of the clutch and was done with it). It had a tiny back seat (which I'll appreciate more as a parent than I did at 16) It got 20mpg no matter what!
now that automatics are so efficent in both acceleration and gas mileage. I do love to drive my stick though.
I also just did a work trip to the Czech Republic and Poland. I'm not sure if there is a speed limit or not, but some guys were easily going well over 100. I had a little 4 banger with a 5-speed transmition and actually had a fun time driving as I had to play with gears a lot to get into the left lane to pass. My mazdaspeed 3 has plenty of power available in 6th gear to accelerate quickly from 80 to 90 without issue, so I don't downshift that much. So even though this wasn't a car with much power, it was actually a fun change of pace and made the driving pretty fun.
Two things that seem very small, and that I never would have paid extra for by themselves, but hate missing every time I have a rental car: proximity keys and auto wipers. Both came as part of a package on the GTI (I have the mid level SE, got it for leather and a sunroof) and I have to say driving through constantly changing rain and playing with the wiper stalk seems so annoying. The wipers are always going too fast or not fast enough no matter where I set them.
I never would have paid extra for proximity keys, but the fact that it never leaves my pocket is so convenient. That little pocket in jeans? Perfect car key size. Rental cars have two, giant keys lashed together that just take up room and are a pain. Proximity key and push button start are wonderful.
As a former Jeep owner I feel shame as to how coddled I am now by technology.
In my current car, my most important feature is the premium sound system (followed by moon roof). In my next car, I need to have bluetooth and an even better sound system. I plan to purchase a Nissan 370, but don't know when. It was going to be next spring, but that might be delayed until 2019.
Heated seats and heated steering wheels are a must for me living in Michigan.
I do like JeepinBen's auto wipers too. I only have them on one vehicles and forget how much I like them until it rains intermittently.
I mean, I was lucky if the wipers worked in my Jeeps. Now if I have to adjust them every 30 seconds I hate it.
August 8th, 2017 at 10:13 AM ^
August 8th, 2017 at 12:58 PM ^
My 14 year old Infiniti has heated front AND rear seats, heated steering wheel, and heated side mirrors. All are SO nice living in Chicago.
In our minivan (Odyssey), love the pull up shades.
One day, I'm looking forward to having a car with Android Auto.
First double-post! Hooray me!
August 8th, 2017 at 10:00 AM ^
Gotta have Bluetooth, but if you want my best "to be" feature is a repeater screen for my iPhone. That way I don't need a map function in the car, i can use the phone and just get a bigger display on the car's screen.
August 8th, 2017 at 10:20 AM ^
That way you can stream live TV while you drive!
Remote starter and review camera
Soon to be standard on all new vehicles. I can't remember if it's MY 17, 18, or 19, but it's happening. Hooray safety!
(But seriously, something awful like 20-30 kids are killed every year because a car backs over them. Cameras should fix that)
August 8th, 2017 at 10:25 AM ^
You would think so. However, my wife hits crap backing up all the time. And she has had a rear camera for at least 7-8 years. Anytime she has to back up it's an adventure! She even has the damn sensors that beep like crazy. it's amazes me!
August 8th, 2017 at 10:44 AM ^
IIRC it is required for all 2018 models
Go Blue!
I like the SiriusXM radio on my Fusion because no more commercials and talkity DJs. Shut the fuck up and play music! I like the Bluetooth functionality, but it's poorly implemented. BT sound quality is awful when using the phone. And when it's turned on it interfere's with app voices (I use Waze a lot). It's such a PITA, that I turned it off.
What can't I live without? Cruise control, remote mirrors, power seats... The standard stuff.
Just never pay full price to renew. Call to cancel, you'll get offered better prices.
August 8th, 2017 at 10:42 AM ^
I am huge Howard Stern addict. Every time I need to renew I give them the old "well, I only listen to two channels, so I guess it's time to cancel...". I think I pay 4.99 a month for it.
August 8th, 2017 at 11:35 AM ^
So true!! 4.99/month seems to eb the going rate...
I once had a 1996 Pontiac Bonneville with a heads up display for speed, turn signal indicators, high/low beam indication. I'd like to see that feature make it's way back into the norm, maybe with simple navigation displayed as well.
August 8th, 2017 at 10:01 AM ^
Here's Audi's. I know GM and Mazda offer them as well.
August 8th, 2017 at 10:37 AM ^
August 8th, 2017 at 12:14 PM ^
Came here to say this. IMO a HUD should be standard on all vehicles and is one of the few devices that does represent a significant safety upgrade for new and older drivers alike.
My daily driver is a 2000 Honda Civic (manual), and for giggles/towing I'm reviving a 1998 Toyota 4Runner... But the first change I made on either was an aftermarket stereo with bluetooth, so I could get Google Music and wife could use Spotify. I cannot stand commercials.
August 8th, 2017 at 10:02 AM ^
Heated Seats and backup camera's. I thought both were ridiculous at first, but now have no idea what I'd do without them.
August 8th, 2017 at 10:03 AM ^
backup cams are wonderful.
August 8th, 2017 at 10:34 AM ^
Yes, exactly. I'm a less-is-more person when it comes to cars but the back up camera is the greatest. I can back into a spot or my garage no problem. It's a necessity, not a luxury. Heated seats are a luxury that I need.
August 8th, 2017 at 10:03 AM ^
August 8th, 2017 at 10:07 AM ^
Just make sure you pick a fast car that can actually get up to 88MPH, not a heavy, slow car.
August 8th, 2017 at 10:22 AM ^
My 88 Suburan did every bit of 88MPH.
August 8th, 2017 at 10:29 AM ^
but could it reach that speed in a mall parking lot?
August 8th, 2017 at 12:01 PM ^
Only if I were being chased by some Libyans.
August 8th, 2017 at 10:14 AM ^
On my new Fusion Hybrid one option stands out to me.
The adaptive cruise control/semi-autonomous mode.
IT. IS. AMAZING.
It makes my morning commute 10,000x easier. It's hard to explain but I arrive less stressed. All I have to do steer and change lanes. Car does the rest including stopping and resuming speed again in heavy traffic. Makes highway cruising so much easier too. Cannot wait for more autonomous vehicle tech.
The added bonus of collison avoidance tech w/ the semi-autonomous mode is wicked cool too. It reminds you how slow human reactions are. Especially the first time the car slammed on the brakes to avoid a collision before I could even move my foot off the gas pedal. Freaky, but awesome.
My buddy has a volvo xc90 or something with semi-autonomous driving mode. He fell asleep for about a minute while driving once (newborn in the house). Scary that he fell asleep, scary cool that his car kept him in the white lines..
August 8th, 2017 at 10:07 AM ^
Power folding mirrors, backup camera and front camera, I also drive a truck
August 8th, 2017 at 10:12 AM ^
That was a weird new one I had in a rental car once. Seemed to work, not sure if I liked it. I'm not sure why they're not as ubiquitous as heated seats.
August 8th, 2017 at 10:27 AM ^
Because seat heaters are just arrays of wire heating elements sewn into a fabric. Cooled seats need a moving fan, ventilation path, and a permeable seat cover. Cooled seats are much more expensive.
August 8th, 2017 at 12:55 PM ^
The ultimate solution to my perpetual swamp ass during the summer driving season. I desperately need this functionality in my next vehicle.