What vehicle features will you not give up?

[Tennesseer]

Mar 19, 2013 13:35:48 GMT -5 kgb18 said:

When I was buying my last car I had four main requirements that I would not compromise on: 4 doors, roomy back seat, big cargo area, all-wheel drive. Those are absolutely must haves for me.

Tenn, It's interesting you mention "roominess" along with SUV. I found in all of my test drives that a lot of SUVs were really big and yet felt really cramped inside and had very little cargo space.

KGB-seeing it's just me driving the SUV, I don't notice the cramped feeling. Plus I can put the front passenger seat along with the back seats down and with the existing cargo space, I have plenty.

I like sitting high and not having the steering wheel too close to my middle (my height is more from my torso rather than my legs), so in a car, I feel trapped. I'm six-foot so I need the torso room.

[kgb18]

Mid, I WISH my car had crank windows in the back.  It is soooo not fun when my 3 yr old starts opening a window and it's pouring rain outside

My car has a lock for the passenger windows. I started using it when my toddler accidentally opened her window on the highway. She scared the beejeebers out of herself.

Since I bought my Subaru, I've decided that all my cars are going to be AWD.

Same here. I LOVE my Subaru. I'll probably drive a Subaru forever.

[Sum Dum Gai]

I like sitting high and not having the steering wheel too close to my middle (my height is more from my torso rather than my legs), so in a car, I feel trapped. I'm six-foot so I need the torso room.

My FIL has the same problem.  6'2" and it's all in his long torso.  He drives sedans, but picks them almost entirely based on head room.  There are sedans that a tall person can sit in without brushing against the roof, but not many.  They do it with really low slung seats, so switching from an SUV to one of them would probably make you feel like your ass was only two inches above the pavement.

[Waffle]

I avoid leather seats because they are so darn hot in the summer.  AC is definitely a must for me - it's so basic to me that  I forgot to mention it.

[kittensaver]

Mar 19, 2013 13:54:55 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

Can't think of anything.  I currently drive a 10 year old carolla and it's pretty basic.

I do have some wants for my next car.  I want something a bit bigger, with all wheel drive and leather seats.  Basically I'm envisioning a crossover like a Ford Escape or a Toyota Rav 4.  But all of those are wants and nothing I can't say I will absolutely not give up. 

Phoenix - FWIW, I have a Ford Escape and I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE it. I get all the advantages of an SUV without the hulking size. 17-19 mpg, too, which is better than most SUVs (usually 12-14 mpg). It's paid for, currently has 161,000+ miles on it and is still running great (I'm really diligent about regular maintenance). I'm frankly hoping to get it to 300k, fingers crossed, but I'd settle for 250k. When it finally dies I fully intend to get another one.

Of course YMMV. And I'm pretty sure that sooner or later, someone here will chime in and tell you how much they HATED their Escape. Such is life.  

Oh and PS: we are a 2-Escape family

[Tennesseer]

Mar 19, 2013 14:06:04 GMT -5 Sum Dum Gai said:

I like sitting high and not having the steering wheel too close to my middle (my height is more from my torso rather than my legs), so in a car, I feel trapped. I'm six-foot so I need the torso room.

My FIL has the same problem.  6'2" and it's all in his long torso.  He drives sedans, but picks them almost entirely based on head room.  There are sedans that a tall person can sit in without brushing against the roof, but not many.  They do it with really low slung seats, so switching from an SUV to one of them would probably make you feel like your ass was only two inches above the pavement.

When your older (I will shortly be 62), it's also easier on the legs getting in-and-out of an SUV than a compact car.

[muttleynfelix]

My son said that they were driving and the guy next to him gave a sign to crank down your windows. I wondered how many people actually have crank windows anymore (he does).

Me!!

I'm at 192k miles and am DYING to get a new vehicle so I have thought about this a lot. My must haves:
1. intermittant wipers  (mine are broken and it is such a pain to be your own intermittent wipers)
2. cruise control (mine is broken)
3. AC/Heat
4. 4 doors

Want to haves:
plug in for mp3 player
35+ mpg
power locks

and that is about it.  What can I say, I'm easy (and drive a POS right now).    Power windows are no big deal to me.  In fact manual windows are kind of nice in the summer because you can roll down your window before sticking your head in the hot car.

[justme]

Must haves beyond basics:
Power locks/windows/side mirrors
Keyless entry (though next car I'm probably going to go for keyless period)
Cruise control
CD player & usb/audio jack
Max A/C option

Things I'd like but will consider cost (and currently don't have because it was several thousand more at the time):
Steering wheel audio controls
Bluetooth
Heated/cooled Seats
Power seats
On board computer (shows directions, miles left in your tank, tire pressur of each tires, etc)
Automatic headlights
Digital speedometor
Rear A/C vents (so far have owned just cars)

[Phoenix84]

"Phoenix - FWIW, I have a Ford Escape and I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE it. I get all the advantages of an SUV without the hulking size. 17-19 mpg, too, which is better than most SUVs (usually 12-14 mpg). It's paid for, currently has 161,000+ miles on it and is still running great (I'm really diligent about regular maintenance). I'm frankly hoping to get it to 300k, fingers crossed, but I'd settle for 250k. When it finally dies I fully intend to get another one."

The government vehicle our organization has is an escape.  It's pretty nice.  It's a hybrid though and I don't think I'll get the hybrid version. 

It only gets 17-19 mpg?  I thought crossovers got more than that.  The GMC Terrain/the Chevy Equinox got about 30, though I think that might be an overestimate.  That is one of my big fears in getting a crossover of the cost of gas.  Gas has been pretty steady and my commute is short, but you never know when gas prices could be jacked up over $4 a gallon again. 

Anyway, my Corolla has just shy of 120k miles on it.  It runs well but the body and the interior are in fairly rough shape.  In other words, it's not pretty but it will get me from point A to point B reliably.  I don't know if I'll be a good YM'er and drive it until it seizes up, a Corolla properly maintained can last for 300k miles or more.  But I do plan on keeping it for a couple more years.  My rough plan is to get a 2015 model. 

[kgb18]

Basically I'm envisioning a crossover like a Ford Escape or a Toyota Rav 4.

I have a Subaru Outback. It is bigger like an SUV, but not too big and handles nicely. I get about 21 mpg city and around 27 mpg highway, even with it being AWD.

[Deleted]

power locks and windows

satellite radio.  DH gifted it to me for Christmas, but he got a 3 month subscription and since we have DC expenses now I can't justify keeping it.  It expires at the end of the month.  I'm seriously going to cry when it's up.

[kittensaver]

Mar 19, 2013 14:27:18 GMT -5 Phoenix84 said:

"Phoenix - FWIW, I have a Ford Escape and I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE it. I get all the advantages of an SUV without the hulking size. 17-19 mpg, too, which is better than most SUVs (usually 12-14 mpg). It's paid for, currently has 161,000+ miles on it and is still running great (I'm really diligent about regular maintenance). I'm frankly hoping to get it to 300k, fingers crossed, but I'd settle for 250k. When it finally dies I fully intend to get another one."

The government vehicle our organization has is an escape.  It's pretty nice.  It's a hybrid though and I don't think I'll get the hybrid version. 

It only gets 17-19 mpg?  I thought crossovers got more than that.  The GMC Terrain/the Chevy Equinox got about 30, though I think that might be an overestimate.  That is one of my big fears in getting a crossover of the cost of gas.  Gas has been pretty steady and my commute is short, but you never know when gas prices could be jacked up over $4 a gallon again. 

Mine is a 2005. Mileage has definitely improved since that time. But that's still better than a lot of the large and monster SUVs. And yes, I think although mileage HAS improved, it's not yet at 30 (unless it's a wimpy version, 4 cylinders or something). But I could be wrong - I haven't compared cars in quite a while, as you can see.

When you get ready to buy, of course just do your mpg homework

[Phoenix84]

"Mine is a 2005. Mileage has definitely improved since that time. But that's still better than a lot of the large and monster SUVs. And yes, I think although mileage HAS improved, it's not yet at 30 (unless it's a wimpy version, 4 cylinders or something). But I could be wrong - I haven't compared cars in quite a while, as you can see."


That's the other thing, I do plan on doing whatever engin upgrades they offer, like a V6 over a V4.  Even though I'm not interested in a sports car, I do like some power under the hood if I need it. 

[Deleted]

Mar 19, 2013 14:18:34 GMT -5 muttleynfelix said:

My son said that they were driving and the guy next to him gave a sign to crank down your windows. I wondered how many people actually have crank windows anymore (he does).

Me!!

I'm at 192k miles and am DYING to get a new vehicle so I have thought about this a lot. My must haves:
1. intermittant wipers  (mine are broken and it is such a pain to be your own intermittent wipers)
2. cruise control (mine is broken)
3. AC/Heat
4. 4 doors

Want to haves:
plug in for mp3 player
35+ mpg
power locks

and that is about it.  What can I say, I'm easy (and drive a POS right now).    Power windows are no big deal to me.  In fact manual windows are kind of nice in the summer because you can roll down your window before sticking your head in the hot car.

I can roll down my windows with my remote keyless entry.


I don't consider heat a vehicle feature.

clearly when it comes to vehicles I'm high maintenance - all power (windows/locks/mirrors/seats), leather seats, 6 disc CD player, sun/moonroof, and probably a lot more.  the one thing I wish I had gotten on the Pilot (the only option available to add on the model I picked) is navigation.

oh and a/c is a must.  I've never actually driven a car without a/c.

[swamp]

AC, heated seats, interval wipers, leather seats, power windows and locks, remote entry. AWD. 

[Deleted]

My husband wanted to get me a remote start for my birthday, but I don't see the point.  Our cars are in an attached garage that, while not heated, is heavily insulated with 2X6 walls.  We're not going to open the garage door to start the cars and let it fill up with snow and cold while the van warms up.  At work I'd have to go clear across the building and go outside to be within range (maybe).

[muttleynfelix]

I can roll down my windows with my remote keyless entry.

Well la-di-freakin-da.   (j/k)

I seriously just want a vehicle with intermittant wipers. That isn't really a feature either as pretty much every vehicle has them, but if you don't, you miss them. (once again I drive a 14 yr old vehicle with 192k miles and it has been totalled once )

[Sum Dum Gai]

My wife's car has adjustable intermittent wipers... I'm so jealous.  Mine are way too slow, but the slowest continuous wiper setting is too fast and it makes that horrible squeaky noise.  In this area it only rains at one speed and it's right in between where my wiper settings are.  Half the time I end up manually running the wipers for my entire drive.  It's one of those features you'd never really think about when buying a car, but it really is nice to have.

[swamp]

Cup holders. 

[Chocolate Lover]

I think muttley stole my van  I have adjustable speed intermittent wipers, but they only work when they feel like it. 

I just want something made in this century for my next vehicle.

[tractor]

No one really touched on this, so I would say Bluetooth for your phone. I will never buy another car without it. I love to be able to make and take calls without having to hold onto the damn phone while trying to drive. I use mine all the time.

[Chocolate Lover]

Mar 19, 2013 15:06:43 GMT -5 swamp said:

Cup holders. 

I never knew cup holders could be a PITA until my van. They put them right in the freaking way. They pull out from under the AC controls. You can't turn it off/on or adjust without running into your drink. And you are always in danger of knocking it over. Or having it turn over if it's too top heavy 

[muttleynfelix]

Mar 19, 2013 15:21:54 GMT -5 Chocolate Lover said:

Mar 19, 2013 15:06:43 GMT -5 swamp said:

Cup holders. 

I never knew cup holders could be a PITA until my van. They put them right in the freaking way. They pull out from under the AC controls. You can't turn it off/on or adjust without running into your drink. And you are always in danger of knocking it over. Or having it turn over if it's too top heavy 

OMG we do have the same car! (Except we don't because I drive a tiny 2 door and not a van, but close enough).  My car has 2 cupholders and one will hold a 20 oz drink and the other will only hold a soda can.  You are SOL if you want it told anything more. 

[Chocolate Lover]

Mar 19, 2013 15:35:04 GMT -5 muttleynfelix said:

Mar 19, 2013 15:21:54 GMT -5 Chocolate Lover said:

I never knew cup holders could be a PITA until my van. They put them right in the freaking way. They pull out from under the AC controls. You can't turn it off/on or adjust without running into your drink. And you are always in danger of knocking it over. Or having it turn over if it's too top heavy 

OMG we do have the same car! (Except we don't because I drive a tiny 2 door and not a van, but close enough).  My car has 2 cupholders and one will hold a 20 oz drink and the other will only hold a soda can.  You are SOL if you want it told anything more. 

Maybe they're fraternal twins, separated at birth

Mine has 234,000+ miles on it though. lol

[kcladyjane]

Power windows and locks, keyless entry remote (I hate sticking the key in the door or having to hit the lock button before I get out), XM radio, Sync(bluetooth to run the phone through the speakers), cruise control, and sitting up high so I can see out.  This is all base on my Chevy Equinox SUV so I am set!  I used to drive a Mustang and I couldn't see out very well which made it sort of dangerous for everyone else on the road.

[bean29]

I wish my 2012 CRV had Electric/Remote Start and a Homelink.  I can add Remote Start, Homelink is not available for it.  My '03 Ford had the Homelink.  (I want it back--even though I just got rid of the Ford and we never programmed the garage door opener for this house)

I have to have:
Electric Windows/Locks
Air/Heat
Seperate heat controls for Driver/Passenger side of car
Heated Seats
Electric adjustable seats forward/back up down
Leather Seats
USB/remote link for the kids I-Phones I-Pods.
I have the Bluetooth link to my phone too.  I don't think I will give it up, but I will look for the best available - some people have a hard time understanding me.

This is my first AWD vehicle.  I am not sure if it is a must have.  It handles well in snow, but my 2003 Ford Van with Traction Control and no AWD handled just fine too.

I am disapointed in my MPG I get about 23.9 mpg mostly highway driving.

I have cruise control - I never use it.  I said I didn't care if backseat was comfortable, don't expect to get much use out of it.  I have had car for 3 months and only DD's friends have ridden to/from school maybe 3-4 times.  Our last car - the kids were younger and it was very important.

[justme]

Mar 19, 2013 14:31:05 GMT -5 @moneyjenny82 said:

power locks and windows

satellite radio.  DH gifted it to me for Christmas, but he got a 3 month subscription and since we have DC expenses now I can't justify keeping it.  It expires at the end of the month.  I'm seriously going to cry when it's up.

A few times a year they'll send you something in the mail offering you X months for free (and then some deal if you sign up after that). I think it's 2 or 3 times a year.

[MarleyKeezy78]

Mar 19, 2013 13:35:54 GMT -5 @daphne87 said:

Heated seats!

Yup!

[Deleted]

My car is super basic - crank windows and manual locks, etc. - but it is really fuel efficient.  That's the feature I won't go back on.  At some point I'd like to upgrade to something a little nicer, but I wouldn't even consider a car that didn't get at least 25 MPG.  I hate gas stations.

[doxieluvr]

Mar 19, 2013 13:43:22 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

Mid, I WISH my car had crank windows in the back.  It is soooo not fun when my 3 yr old starts opening a window and it's pouring rain outside

It is better to lock the power windows from the driver seat. Crank windows you would have no control over. 

Heated Seats
AWD
Sitting high 

ETA leather seats, keyless entry