What are the coolest options that never caught on?

Kinja'd!!! by "mkbruin, Atlas VP" (mkbruin)
Published 10/31/2017 at 16:07

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STARS: 6


I’ll start with a few obvious ones:

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Replies (75)

Kinja'd!!! "CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever" (carsoffortlangley)
10/31/2017 at 16:11, STARS: 17

In North America?

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Kinja'd!!! "Wacko" (wacko--)
10/31/2017 at 16:13, STARS: 3

Lazy americans can’t even do that them selves

Kinja'd!!! "HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
10/31/2017 at 16:13, STARS: 3

Funny that at least three of these are Daimler Chrysler.

Kinja'd!!! "Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now)" (bman76-4)
10/31/2017 at 16:13, STARS: 0

Came for XUV, was not disappointed.

Kinja'd!!! "HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
10/31/2017 at 16:14, STARS: 2

but...

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current 4Runner

Kinja'd!!! "HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
10/31/2017 at 16:15, STARS: 7

This one I honestly don’t get at all. WHY DON’T ALL FAMILY ASPIRATION CARS HAVE THIS!!!

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Kinja'd!!! "Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
10/31/2017 at 16:16, STARS: 1

Big versions of a city car.

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ETA: Oh wait, you said “cool”..Oops. lol

Kinja'd!!! "HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
10/31/2017 at 16:16, STARS: 2

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This was a bad idea from start to finish.

Kinja'd!!! "gin-san - shitpost specialist" (gin-san-)
10/31/2017 at 16:17, STARS: 1

I think that these are all solid options except for that sliding cloth roof. It just looks so inelegant and a nightmare for leaks. Kinda makes sense given that a lot of cars have options for the panoramic glass roof anyway.

Kinja'd!!! "HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
10/31/2017 at 16:18, STARS: 8

p.s. it was a volvo thing first.

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Still on some Volvos

Kinja'd!!! "Sam" (samwellington)
10/31/2017 at 16:19, STARS: 2

Just so I understand, those are factory standard booster seats? That’s a great idea.

Kinja'd!!! "Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori)
10/31/2017 at 16:20, STARS: 5

The Aztek with tent + air mattress + compressor.

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Actually decent phone holders and chargers

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Kinja'd!!! "shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
10/31/2017 at 16:20, STARS: 2

Yep, factory standard. Makes me wish I could afford a new Volvo.

Kinja'd!!! "2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered" (2fast2furiousfc3s)
10/31/2017 at 16:21, STARS: 2

At that point youd rather buy an avalanche, but this was back when gm had an answer to all the markets that nobody cared about

Kinja'd!!! "HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
10/31/2017 at 16:22, STARS: 0

i know right? that single handily almost made me buy a Volvo

Kinja'd!!! "Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
10/31/2017 at 16:22, STARS: 1

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How long did it take GM to realize that this might come in handy on all trucks, not just the Avalanche?

I’ll admit, I was skeptical at first. But having to swing your foot up four measly inches lower does make a difference after all. Is there a patent or something preventing other manufacturers from doing this?

Kinja'd!!! "HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
10/31/2017 at 16:22, STARS: 1

optional actually, but factory yes.

Kinja'd!!! "Takuro Spirit" (takurospirit)
10/31/2017 at 16:23, STARS: 2

The 1995 Neon would like to know how long Volvo has had it

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Oh, and apparently it’s been an option in the vans since ‘92?

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Kinja'd!!! "2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered" (2fast2furiousfc3s)
10/31/2017 at 16:23, STARS: 1

I honestly didn’t know that Patriot with the Fiat convertible looking roof was a thing, im gonna need one of those for absolutely no reason

Kinja'd!!! "Takuro Spirit" (takurospirit)
10/31/2017 at 16:24, STARS: 0

I know a guy that bought one.

Used.

And 2WD.

Kinja'd!!! "HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
10/31/2017 at 16:24, STARS: 3

https://www.media.volvocars.com/global/en-gb/media/pressreleases/161935/volvo-cars-celebrates-25th-anniversary-of-the-integrated-booster-cushion

Kinja'd!!! "Takuro Spirit" (takurospirit)
10/31/2017 at 16:25, STARS: 1

Oh snap

Kinja'd!!! "B_dol" (bdolan40)
10/31/2017 at 16:25, STARS: 3

Delete options - e.g. sunroof delete, power seat delete. Give me the purest version of the car, so hard to find on the used market.

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Kinja'd!!! "HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
10/31/2017 at 16:26, STARS: 0

ew.

Kinja'd!!! "The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock" (jukesjukesjukes)
10/31/2017 at 16:29, STARS: 2

Front seat with the ability to fold flat.

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It’s the one thing I miss about my old Vibe. The hard plastic with tie down slots was also nice.

Kinja'd!!! "bhtooefr" (bhtooefr)
10/31/2017 at 16:32, STARS: 1

Came here to post the Aztek.

Kinja'd!!! "HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
10/31/2017 at 16:34, STARS: 4

Gen 1 RAV4 seats were designed to mesh together to form a bed. It wasn’t a level bed, but it was shockingly comfy once you found the right possition. Many a naps on those bed/seats.

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Kinja'd!!! "Steve" (pankowsj)
10/31/2017 at 16:35, STARS: 0

The Ridgeline had (might still have) a cooler integrated into the bed... Thing could hold an entire butchered deer... and kept it cool.

Kinja'd!!! "Kiltedpadre" (kiltedpadre)
10/31/2017 at 16:38, STARS: 1

I have a request in to a local junkyard to be notified if a truck with this style of tailgate comes in. I have a 2006, and I’ve been told it’s a direct bolt on replacement.

Kinja'd!!! "My citroen won't start" (lucasboechat)
10/31/2017 at 16:39, STARS: 0

Funny thing is all of the cars you pictured were terrible. They needed these cool gimmicks to sell. The carmakers (Chrysler) could have spent that money making the cars less shit, but instead it went into TV INFOMERCIAL QUALITY PRODUCT R&D.

Because the people who bought these cars because “The trunk opens in a funny way!” or “I can store my Bible inside the seat! Under my farts!” are the same people who bought these:

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But alas, this is my cool option that never caught on:

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Kinja'd!!! "Klaus Schmoll" (klausschmoll)
10/31/2017 at 16:43, STARS: 0

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My mum’s GW 626 had that feature. ONLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE!!! It was a comfy bed, and I’m pretty tall, but the driver’s seat didn’t quite fold down that far for no particular reason.

Kinja'd!!! "feather-throttle-not-hair" (feather-throttle-not-hair)
10/31/2017 at 16:45, STARS: 0

The second gen ridgeline apparently has speakers built into the bed for tailgating.

Kinja'd!!! "Die-Trying" (die-trying)
10/31/2017 at 16:46, STARS: 2

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1969 buick sportwagon dual action rear gate..... i wonder if anyone else here is old enough to remember its sorcery?......

Kinja'd!!! "Klaus Schmoll" (klausschmoll)
10/31/2017 at 16:50, STARS: 0

I don’t really get why people fap so hard over sunroof deletes. I know, extra weight where you absolutely don’t want it in a car, structural integrity... but will anyone actually feel the difference?

Kinja'd!!! "Funktheduck" (funktheduck)
10/31/2017 at 16:55, STARS: 0

“Naps”

Kinja'd!!! "Funktheduck" (funktheduck)
10/31/2017 at 16:59, STARS: 1

My desire for no sunroof has nothing to do with performance. I just don’t want it. Keep the car long enough and it will break and/or leak.

Kinja'd!!! "Wacko" (wacko--)
10/31/2017 at 17:01, STARS: 4

Son this is where babies are made

Kinja'd!!! "razorbeamteam" (razorbeamteam)
10/31/2017 at 17:05, STARS: 2

I remember seeing the advertisement for that where they put a large plant in the back, and I was like “aside from plants, what else would you need that for? really useful for plants though”

Kinja'd!!! "Funktheduck" (funktheduck)
10/31/2017 at 17:06, STARS: 0

Doesn’t Ron Howard name his kids after where they were conceived? I think I remember him telling a joke about that and wanting to name his youngest after the car they were in

Kinja'd!!! "razorbeamteam" (razorbeamteam)
10/31/2017 at 17:06, STARS: 3

Can confirm, this was my first car. Many “naps” were had.

Kinja'd!!! "WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
10/31/2017 at 17:07, STARS: 1

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OK, the first one still seems insane to me, but how about swivel bucket seats?

Kinja'd!!! "Cash Rewards" (cashrewards)
10/31/2017 at 17:12, STARS: 2

Why does that baby have the face of a 30 year old?

Kinja'd!!! "Takuro Spirit" (takurospirit)
10/31/2017 at 17:13, STARS: 3

Babies used to smoke in the 90's. In the womb.

Kinja'd!!! "Klaus Schmoll" (klausschmoll)
10/31/2017 at 17:21, STARS: 0

OK, I can see reason behind this.

Kinja'd!!! "Nibbles" (nibbles)
10/31/2017 at 17:26, STARS: 0

Can confirm, those phone holders are the bess

Kinja'd!!! "B_dol" (bdolan40)
10/31/2017 at 17:27, STARS: 0

A small part of me likes it aesthetically in a performance oriented car, but it also adds considerable weight and yet another possible repair item in older cars I often look to buy.

In a DD, yes I often enjoy opening it up to the outside air and breeze.

Kinja'd!!! "Nibbles" (nibbles)
10/31/2017 at 17:27, STARS: 1

I wouldn’t doubt the patent. I long for this every time I have to get in the bed. Best idea

Kinja'd!!! "Wacko" (wacko--)
10/31/2017 at 17:34, STARS: 1

So hammerheadfistpunch’s kids name should be rav4

Kinja'd!!! "Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori)
10/31/2017 at 17:38, STARS: 1

Right!? Got them in a rental 1500 and almost wanted the truck because of them. Only functional phone holder I have ever encountered.

Kinja'd!!! "Kiltedpadre" (kiltedpadre)
10/31/2017 at 17:55, STARS: 1

Bumper not tailgate, but you knew what I meant.

Kinja'd!!! "interstate366, now In The Industry" (interstate366)
10/31/2017 at 18:07, STARS: 0

People have tried and tried and tried...

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Kinja'd!!! "Discerning" (discerning2003c5z)
10/31/2017 at 18:26, STARS: 0

GM kept that option through the mid 90's in the B body.

I would say it did catch on (at least for GM). But then wagons died. Thanks, minivans.

Kinja'd!!! "DarrenMR" (darrenmr)
10/31/2017 at 18:29, STARS: 1

Recently picked up a mint ‘07 Volvo S60R. Where the Oh Shit handle is for the drivers seat there is, in its place, a sunglass holder.

Kinja'd!!! "cmill189 - sans Volvo" (cmill189)
10/31/2017 at 18:29, STARS: 2

I dunno if this counts since GM made them so long...

Astros and Safaris had little coolers on each side by the 3rd row seat. They even had little drain holes. I always thought was super cool when I was a kid.

Kinja'd!!! "EL_ULY" (uly)
10/31/2017 at 18:45, STARS: 2

On the early 2000's Ford Super-Duty trucks, the center console had a clip board type thing by the handle to open it.

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That thing was PERFECT for people at work! Receipts, packing list, invoices, etc. were always right where you needed them.

Kinja'd!!! "SpeedSix" (speedsix)
10/31/2017 at 18:59, STARS: 0

Thanks, never had looked that one up before.

Kinja'd!!! "CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
10/31/2017 at 19:06, STARS: 0

Mostly about light and leak issues. Extra glass and sunlight = heat and just like T Tops, sunroofs will leak.

Kinja'd!!! "facw" (facw)
10/31/2017 at 19:26, STARS: 0

I saw that when looking at parts for my S60: https://www.ipdusa.com/products/4859/115208-sunglass-holder-light-gray

I always just throw my glasses in the hole where the car phone keypad would go.

Kinja'd!!! "RutRut" (RDR)
10/31/2017 at 19:39, STARS: 0

Unbearably loud. Like you might as well just get a Wrangler with an old soft top bad.

Kinja'd!!! "Mechanically" (leegates)
10/31/2017 at 20:02, STARS: 1

That’s lovely. What manufacturer?

Kinja'd!!! "Mechanically" (leegates)
10/31/2017 at 20:06, STARS: 1

Our ‘91 Olds Custom Crusier did that.

Mind you, the glass lifted up, not rolled down. But getting into the wayback seats was easier when swinging the tailgate out sideways. But, drop it like a pickup and you had an awesome rest for the ramp we tried to ride our bikes down to gain a little extra driveway speed.

Kinja'd!!! "Mechanically" (leegates)
10/31/2017 at 20:10, STARS: 0

My sister dailys a Vibe. She has summers off, and tours the National Parks like a pro.

Front seat folded gives her plenty of room to sleep. A tarp goes over the whole thing for rain and dew protection, and we built custom bug nets for the windows and sunroof that are held on with magnets, for ventilation.

We call it the Pontiac CarV. It’s awesome, and folks in massive RVs parked next to her always come chat her up. Pretty cool way to see the world on a budget.

Kinja'd!!! "WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
10/31/2017 at 20:14, STARS: 0

The blue car? I think it’s ‘60 Desoto.

It is pretty—

Kinja'd!!! "Die-Trying" (die-trying)
10/31/2017 at 20:14, STARS: 1

i had gotten used to all the ones that didnt have the feature, especially when they went to the clamshell.. its downright impressive that they had managed to keep it around for so long, and i am surprised i hadnt seen more of them.......

Kinja'd!!! "Cash Rewards" (cashrewards)
10/31/2017 at 20:52, STARS: 0

It’s why we had ‘Lights’. For womenfolk, and babies.

Kinja'd!!! "2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered" (2fast2furiousfc3s)
10/31/2017 at 21:47, STARS: 0

Honestly it’s a Patriot, everything is bad compared to an old wrangler, only reason I’d get one would be for how cheap Patriots are and the novelty of that specific option. Not that I’m getting a Patriot, rather a Ridgeline anyway

Kinja'd!!! "Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection" (itsalwayssteve)
10/31/2017 at 22:28, STARS: 0

Came here to post this. It’s a really good idea and well executed in the 4Runner. 200kg limit too so it holds up.

Kinja'd!!! "If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
10/31/2017 at 22:32, STARS: 2

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1st gen Honda CRV- the trunk floor turns into a picnic table.

Kinja'd!!! "HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
10/31/2017 at 23:02, STARS: 0

It’s no tailgate but it slides in and you can put a fridge on it for way better access in both cases

Kinja'd!!! "carcrasher88" (carcrasher88)
10/31/2017 at 23:14, STARS: 0

Honda Fit has this too, and so did the Element.

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Kinja'd!!! "carcrasher88" (carcrasher88)
10/31/2017 at 23:18, STARS: 0

Yeah, Avalanche executed the SUV/Truck thing better. Swing-out tailgate was carried on by Honda with the Ridgeline, though.

Kinja'd!!! "carcrasher88" (carcrasher88)
10/31/2017 at 23:21, STARS: 0

Nissan Xterra had it as well, and that’s an SUV.

Kinja'd!!! "carcrasher88" (carcrasher88)
10/31/2017 at 23:25, STARS: 0

Certain Honda models have this, including, if I recall properly, the Fit and HR-V.

Kinja'd!!! "gmporschenut also a fan of hondas" (gmporschenut)
10/31/2017 at 23:33, STARS: 1

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honda took it and improved.

Kinja'd!!! "pip bip - choose Corrour" (hhgttg69)
11/01/2017 at 07:30, STARS: 0

radio delete?