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Detroit, 10:43 AM
Sun Nov 15
9 posts in the last 24 hours

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    Dsmvwl  Admin  Promote to frontpage Approve user Ban user ×
    Image of HurtsSoGood HurtsSoGood
    11/14/09

    In reply to Ten Most Important Features Car Buyers Want And Why
    Gee, I always thought automatic transmission was an American thing, and that people who drive stick were euro-trash cheese-eating surrender monkeys. #cartech
     Reply
    HurtsSoGood was starred HurtsSoGood was unstarred
    Image of Rockford Brodie and the Masters of the Hooniverse Rockford Brodie and the Masters of the Hooniverse
    11/13/09

    In reply to Ten Most Important Features Car Buyers Want And Why

    So what does the "divide by zero" button do? #cartech
     Reply
    Rockford Brodie and the Masters of the Hooniverse was starred Rockford Brodie and the Masters of the Hooniverse was unstarred
    Image of Mr. M Mr. M
    11/14/09

    @Rockford Brodie and the Masters of the Hooniverse: That's a picture of a BMW steering wheel. As part of BMW's efficiency efforts, a new system has been included which leverages a captive improbability matrix to achieve near-infinite fuel economy. This new InfiniteDynamics technology can be activated with a simple push of that button.

    However, it should be noted that, in testing, the resulting infinite improbability sometimes turned the driver into a peach. But, BMW's technicians are aware of the issue and are working to resolve it as soon as possible. #cartech
     Reply
    mechimike promoted this comment Mr. M was starred Mr. M was unstarred
    Image of Charles_Barrett - Now with Variable-Valve Timing Charles_Barrett - Now with Variable-Valve Timing
    11/14/09

    @Rockford Brodie and the Masters of the Hooniverse:
    The possibilities are infinite...

    /math nerd #cartech
     Reply
    Charles_Barrett - Now with Variable-Valve Timing was starred Charles_Barrett - Now with Variable-Valve Timing was unstarred
    Image of HurtsSoGood HurtsSoGood
    11/14/09

    @Rockford Brodie and the Masters of the Hooniverse: That's the warp drive. #cartech
     Reply
    HurtsSoGood was starred HurtsSoGood was unstarred
    Image of GreenN_Gold GreenN_Gold
    11/13/09

    In reply to Ten Most Important Features Car Buyers Want And Why
    My car has none of these features, thank goodness.

    Oh, and why can't people knee drive with a stick shift? Pfffttt, rookies! #cartech
     Reply
    GreenN_Gold was starred GreenN_Gold was unstarred
    Image of Xelmon Xelmon
    11/13/09

    In reply to Ten Most Important Features Car Buyers Want And Why
    Out of all of these, CC, 4WD, tow hitch, and maybe a sunroof are the things that I see having a point.

    DVD? Leather? F-that, it's gonna get screwed up anyways!

    And automatics? Ich... #cartech
     Reply
    Xelmon was starred Xelmon was unstarred
    Image of Elhigh Elhigh
    11/13/09

    In reply to Ten Most Important Features Car Buyers Want And Why
    The kid's pointing a remote at the DVD player! It's right fucking there! RIGHT THERE! Reach a little farther ya little shit! Farther!

    God DAMN I can see why Americans are getting fat lazy and stupid the GODDAM DVD PLAYERIS RIGHT THE FUCKT THELRE;\

    GETTING PISSED CANT TIPE. #cartech
     Reply
    Elhigh was starred Elhigh was unstarred
    Image of aurora40 aurora40
    11/13/09

    @Elhigh: The screen is right there. Who knows where the actual player is? #cartech
     Reply
    Elhigh promoted this comment aurora40 was starred aurora40 was unstarred
    Image of Elhigh Elhigh
    11/14/09

    @aurora40: You have a point. But not enough of one for me to retract anything I've said. If the DVD player stops working, there's a low-power emergency backup system that works as long as the sun keeps burning: books. #cartech
     Reply
    Elhigh was starred Elhigh was unstarred
    Image of Charles_Barrett - Now with Variable-Valve Timing Charles_Barrett - Now with Variable-Valve Timing
    11/14/09

    @Elhigh:
    You're overlooking the fact that many TV and DVD functions can ONLY be accessed via the remote(s). #cartech
     Reply
    Charles_Barrett - Now with Variable-Valve Timing was starred Charles_Barrett - Now with Variable-Valve Timing was unstarred
    Image of that ain't the way to have fun, son that ain't the way to have fun, son
    11/13/09

    In reply to Ten Most Important Features Car Buyers Want And Why
    I have only the ones I want, so 4/10.

    An electrically, not vacuum, actuated cruise. It's bitchin', even though it's 15 years old, and I've used it more in the 9 months I've had this car than in all the cars previous, all of which had vacuum cruise, combined.

    Leather seats. Kinda requires A/C in most climates, but nice. I likes early-80's GM velour benches, but only if I'm feeling like captain of said yacht.

    Sunroof...mine now requires a hand to help it close, or tilt up, and I'm fine with that. Wish it were glass, not metal, but hey, it's a sub-$3K car...it works, I'm happy.

    Automatic...kinda required for my screwed up left leg, so.... At least mine is sans lockup converter, so one less piece to fail.

    In-car nav?! Nice, but my Garmin is easily updated, and when new features appear, I'm not stuck in 2002 (like with my wife's RX300). This kinda makes me 5/10, but it's not attached.

    I wish for "air conditioned" leather seats in my next ride.

    Wife's car is 7/10, which is fine by me. Don't know anyone who'd use DVD in the rear seat, don't know enough people, period, to have a third row, and I didn't want that ride to have a trailer hitch.

    One last thing...while I have interval wipers, and the OEM 86% coverage single wiper blade, Mercedes engineers, rain intensity is variable and interval speed should be, too.
     Reply
    Edited by that ain't the way to have fun, son at 11/13/09 3:54 PM that ain't the way to have fun, son was starred that ain't the way to have fun, son was unstarred
    Image of FTGDWolverineEdition'09 FTGDWolverineEdition'09
    11/13/09

    In reply to Ten Most Important Features Car Buyers Want And Why

    The most important feature unfortunately car mfs don't offer is this. For all the people that annoy me in my car. #cartech
     Reply
    FTGDWolverineEdition'09 was starred FTGDWolverineEdition'09 was unstarred
    Image of beercheck beercheck
    11/13/09

    In reply to Ten Most Important Features Car Buyers Want And Why
    The press has conditioned me to be shocked there was nothing about an iPod-related feature in this list. #cartech
     Reply
    beercheck was starred beercheck was unstarred
    Image of MaWeiTao MaWeiTao
    11/13/09

    In reply to Ten Most Important Features Car Buyers Want And Why
    Cruise control can be useful on long trips. I wouldn't ever choose heated seats as an option, but my car did have them. I have to admit that on very cold days it's nice having the option, it feels like an upside down blanket or someone farted in your seat before you arrived. Once the car is warm, however, they're completely superfluous.

    AWD can be nice, but it's generally not necessary particularly if you have a FWD car. Most people who think they need it almost never use it. And I've seen people who've managed to get stuck even with AWD.

    Most people don't need trailer hitches or third row seats. It's like overbuying at Costco. People think they need all that excess but in reality they end up taking advantage of it once, maybe twice a year.

    Automatics are convenient, plain and simple. Especially for Americans who seem to consider their cars extensions of their living rooms. Hence the need for the entertainment systems. But then, automatics are becoming increasingly popular in Europe as well. They generally avoided them because they were a pricey option, but that's not so much the case anymore. And then there's the ego to factor into the equation. But I do like a good manual transmission myself.

    I was never a fan of sunroofs, especially the gigantic, heavy, glass canopies becoming popular.

    As for in-car navigation systems, while the integrated functionality is very nice, I tend to find them quite lacking compared to standalone GPS devices. And I can't stand the clutter those systems add to the dashboard, all the extra buttons and this big, distracting screen constantly demanding the drivers attention.

    Well, automotive technology seems to be heading in one direction, towards cars that drive themselves. And at that point cars really will be an extension of your home. #cartech
     Reply
    MaWeiTao was starred MaWeiTao was unstarred
    Image of MaWeiTao MaWeiTao
    11/13/09

    @MaWeiTao: For the record, I despise in-car video systems. If your kids cant stand to be without a tv you're a crap parent and your kids have some serious issues.

    On an interesting note, when I was living in Taiwan I encountered taxi drivers with in car televisions on a regular basis. And on a fairly regular basis they'd enjoy a movie while driving around in heavy traffic. I remember this one time this guy was really into U-571; I was just waiting for him to rear-end someone. #cartech
     Reply
    MaWeiTao was starred MaWeiTao was unstarred
    Image of Ben Wojdyla Ben Wojdyla
    11/13/09

    @MaWeiTao: Encounter NYC taxis, they have back seat fancy-pants touch screen TV's that let you fiddle around while you're ignoring the pee-smell and the wet vinyl floor. #cartech
     Reply
    Ben Wojdyla was starred Ben Wojdyla was unstarred
    Image of beercheck beercheck
    11/13/09

    In reply to Ten Most Important Features Car Buyers Want And Why
    Am I the only one left on the planet who wants a damned radio tuning knob?? I mean, a slider would be okay, too, but....buttons? Why, designers of today? Why? #cartech
     Reply
    beercheck was starred beercheck was unstarred
    Image of FTGDWolverineEdition'09 FTGDWolverineEdition'09
    11/13/09

    @beercheck: I like knobs. #cartech
     Reply
    FTGDWolverineEdition'09 was starred FTGDWolverineEdition'09 was unstarred
    Image of Neener Neener
    11/13/09

    @beercheck: Three of my four cars have sliders and the one's with radios have turn knobs. I love mechanical interfaces...so reliable. #cartech
     Reply
    beercheck promoted this comment Neener was starred Neener was unstarred
    Image of pinkshinyalan is kind of brown pinkshinyalan is kind of brown
    11/13/09

    @beercheck: I remember being so excited when I could get my aftermarket radio with a knob for the volume. Now you want one for tuning as well? What kind of new-fangled crazy technology is that?

    Seriously though, knobs rule. #cartech
     Reply
    beercheck promoted this comment pinkshinyalan is kind of brown was starred pinkshinyalan is kind of brown was unstarred
    Image of that ain't the way to have fun, son that ain't the way to have fun, son
    11/13/09

    @beercheck: I want not only a knob for tuning, but a bona-fide rheostat for volume so I'm not stuck to 30 preset levels!

    4...not loud enough to actually hear while in-motion. 5...too loud to have casual conversation...but I want to hear if any traffic pops up. #cartech
     Reply
    that ain't the way to have fun, son was starred that ain't the way to have fun, son was unstarred
    Image of crustyjoe crustyjoe
    11/13/09

    @beercheck: love big knobs! #cartech
     Reply
    beercheck promoted this comment crustyjoe was starred crustyjoe was unstarred
    Image of Buzzboy7 Buzzboy7
    11/13/09

    @beercheck: Only if the knob has the clicks in it, not if it's the kind that just spins freely, continuously overshoot in my dad's toyota pickup. #cartech
     Reply
    beercheck promoted this comment Buzzboy7 was starred Buzzboy7 was unstarred
    Image of beercheck beercheck
    11/13/09

    @pinkshinyalan is kind of brown: I can't tell you how many hours my employer has paid me to search online for any even somewhat reasonably priced head unit that has a tuning knob (or, again, slider), Bluetooth, and an auxiliary input, preferably behind the dash.

    Bupkis. #cartech
     Reply
    beercheck was starred beercheck was unstarred
    Image of gman1023 gman1023
    11/13/09

    @beercheck: I like knobs, too. I've never driven anything with volume buttons (except of course for those repeaters on the steering wheel), but it would be a maddening experience.

    Just think, it's only a matter of time until your choices are voice controlled volume or an iPod-esque touch screen. Just don't hit a bump while adjusting the volume...

    As for tuning, knobs are by far the best, but seek functions are pretty useful too. I like to have both, just in case. Tuning buttons alone would be hell.
    #cartech
     Reply
    beercheck promoted this comment Edited by gman1023 at 11/13/09 4:50 PM gman1023 was starred gman1023 was unstarred
    Image of SerialThriller SerialThriller
    11/13/09

    @beercheck: Thank you! Nobody is cranking up classic Van Halen with a stupid UP arrow! #cartech
     Reply
    beercheck promoted this comment SerialThriller was starred SerialThriller was unstarred
    Image of mbslrm mbslrm
    11/13/09

    @beercheck: I haven't encountered a car where the volume wasn't controlled by a knob.

    The Honda Fit, however, doesn't have a seperate knob for the tuning. It's very annoying.

    Someone else already mentioned this, but the knobs should be the click-y type coughtoyotayariscough. #cartech
     Reply
    beercheck promoted this comment mbslrm was starred mbslrm was unstarred
    Image of SundaySunday SundaySunday
    11/13/09

    In reply to Ten Most Important Features Car Buyers Want And Why
    Great write-ups, Ben. It's writing like this that brings me back to Jalopnik over every other car-related interweb thingy.

    I especially enjoyed the FWD and DVD blurbs. #cartech
     Reply
    SundaySunday was starred SundaySunday was unstarred
    Image of fstrthnu fstrthnu
    11/13/09

    @SundaySunday: I don't mean to be an ass but I think you meant 4WD, not front wheel drive. I agree with you though. #cartech
     Reply
    SundaySunday promoted this comment fstrthnu was starred fstrthnu was unstarred
    Image of SundaySunday SundaySunday
    11/13/09

    @fstrthnu: Nope. You're right. Should I blame my stubby fingers or the little keys on my netbook?

    Also, it's saying something when I like the 4WD blurb and I own a Colorado 4WD that's never seen more than 10 miles of unpaved road ever. #cartech
     Reply
    SundaySunday was starred SundaySunday was unstarred
    Image of fstrthnu fstrthnu
    11/13/09

    @SundaySunday: but, admit it, its nice to know that IF someone were to force you into an off-road situation, you could at least hold your own. #cartech
     Reply
    fstrthnu was starred fstrthnu was unstarred
    Image of Clown Shoe Pilot Clown Shoe Pilot
    11/13/09

    In reply to Ten Most Important Features Car Buyers Want And Why
    I'm 3 for 10. The original owner of my car special ordered with the sunroof DELETE. Cruise (10) and heated (8) leather (1) seats were standard kit.

    It's my first car with heated seats, and the wife REALLY digs them. #cartech
     Reply
    Clown Shoe Pilot was starred Clown Shoe Pilot was unstarred
    Image of skaycog skaycog
    11/13/09

    In reply to Ten Most Important Features Car Buyers Want And Why
    I have half of those features. The only feature that I would add to your list is a beer tap in the dash. #cartech
     Reply
    skaycog was starred skaycog was unstarred
    Image of smalleyxb122 smalleyxb122
    11/13/09

    In reply to Ten Most Important Features Car Buyers Want And Why
    My truck has cruise control, an automatic transmission, 4wd, and a hitch.

    My Fiero has (non-functional) cruise control, and a sunroof.

    My XJ-S has (also non-functional) cruise control, a sunroof, and leather seats.

    My Checker has an automatic transmission.

    None of my vehicles have heated seats, third row seats, DVD entertainment, or navigation. #cartech
     Reply
    smalleyxb122 was starred smalleyxb122 was unstarred
    Image of Novaload Novaload
    11/13/09

    In reply to Ten Most Important Features Car Buyers Want And Why
    I have cruise control and automatic transmission in the Merc Marquis because it was not an option otherwise --a 3 on the tree would be interesting in that car.
    I hate leather seats for the reasons cited, don't need a buttwarmer, DVD, or the rest. Sunroof would be nice, I guess, but not as an option. The Lincolns and Mercs call themselves the last 6 passengers sedans on the planet (3 in front, 3 in back, that is), which is true, and the Merc's owner's manual forbids towing--not a car to tow things! Although I seem to recall older models of both with hitches. So I score 2/10. As ever, not trendy. #cartech
     Reply
    Novaload was starred Novaload was unstarred
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