Online Car Configurators

"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
04/27/2014 at 21:00 • Filed to: None

We all do it; get bored, go on a manufacturer's website, and use their configurator to build a car that we most likely can't afford. I know I'm guilty of it and I guarantee you all are as well. Now I can't be the only one who thinks certain manufacturers do online configurators better than others.

BMW's online configurator, for example, is probably one of the best ones around.

It shows you the visual changes certain items make to the car. There's also a list on the side that shows you the base MSRP, added options and their cost, as well as a total MSRP. It's very comprehensive and easy to navigate. If you hover over an option, it gives you a detailed explanation as to what it does. You have the option of a 360 degree view of the outside, or a 360 degree view of the inside. Like I said, one of the best ones around.

Dodge's on the other hand, could use some improvement.

At first, it looks promising. You get a large image of the car and the color changes depending on which you select. Then when you select an interior color, an image of the interior comes up in the correct color. Once you get to the options list though, things start to fall apart a bit. The image doesn't show any of the modifications the options you select do to the car, which you think it would given all the visual packages Dodge offers on all their cars. I find myself having to google pictures of cars with the option packages to see what they look like. So Dodge; time to update your configurator.

There's a few more good ones around. All the GM company's configurators are pretty good, as well as FoMoCo's. Ferrari's is on the same level as BMW's, except it doesn't give you option prices or a total price (which I'm always curious to know.) Audi's new configurator is good, but there's no 360 option for the interior or exterior, and it locks up for me often.

There's plenty of not-so-good ones around too. Honda's is just about the same as the Dodge/Jeep/Chrysler/Fiat configurator. Toyota's isn't that great, nor is Lexuses. Kia and Hyundai's doesn't even give you a picture of the interior color you choose sometimes, even for their higher tier luxury cars. It's 2014, I feel like these kind of configurator are just unacceptable when other companies have had great ones for years.

DISCUSSION (39)

Flat Six > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/27/2014 at 21:04

The Porsche configurator is a evil trap from which many never return.

WhiskeyGolf > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/27/2014 at 21:05

I love BMW's configurator, but I hate that it requires Java.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Flat Six
04/27/2014 at 21:06

That's why I never configurate Porsches. I'd spend about 200 hours on there.

CAcoalminer > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/27/2014 at 21:06

Great read. I have always loved Porsche's Configurator mainly because it shows you all of the changes and lets you even configure limited edition models like the 918 and, in the past, the GT3 RS 4.0 and GT2 RS.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > WhiskeyGolf
04/27/2014 at 21:08

I need Java for some online games I run, so it has no effect on me.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/27/2014 at 21:08

Want to talk about bad? Go on Toyota!

Kinja'd!!!

All it does it try to find you an exact match in local inventory. Small pics, slow, it sucks!

Volvos on the hand is nice since you always see a big pic of your car

Kinja'd!!!

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
04/27/2014 at 21:11

Toyota's look different for me. But I like Volvo's, it makes a lot of sense. Definitely made by a Swede.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > CAcoalminer
04/27/2014 at 21:12

Porsche's is great. I'd be stuck on it forever if I get on there.

twinturbobmw > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/27/2014 at 21:15

Mini's is pretty good too. However there aren't too many options now since the new Cooper was released (somewhat) recently and there aren't nearly as many options. The old one you could configure in tons of ways.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > twinturbobmw
04/27/2014 at 21:17

I could spend an hour configurating one car on the Mini site before the new model was released. There were a ton of options to choose from, it made it a little hard to choose.

Tom McParland > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/27/2014 at 21:19

Excellent write up...I am super guilty of this but at lease sometimes I am building cars for clients. I agree BMW is one of the better ones. Porsche used to be better but somehow regressed.

twinturbobmw > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/27/2014 at 21:21

I would always do gray with black/red interior and some combination of JCW parts.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/27/2014 at 21:25

Thats why I love Volvos so much.. it is so clean and straightforward

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Tom McParland
04/27/2014 at 21:34

Kia's has gone backwards as well. They used to show the effects of options and an interior that was actually the color you chose. Then Kia redid their website and messed it all up.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > twinturbobmw
04/27/2014 at 21:35

Mine would always end up being a blue Cooper S with a white roof and stripes. Then checkered flags on the mirrors and roof. Some JCW parts would be included in places.

jkm7680 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/27/2014 at 21:38

Bmw has one of the best. Audi, and Maserati also have damn fine configuration tools.

Now Subaru on the other hand, shows the wrong model. For instance it'll show me a picture of the Wrx Limited for a base Wrx. Which pisses me off slightly.

jkm7680 > Flat Six
04/27/2014 at 21:39

Day 100: I still can't configure anything I can afford.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/27/2014 at 21:39

Best configurator: Rolls Royce. As customizable as you want, and they don't post prices, so I'm free to assume that the Drophead Coupe I've just spec'd to my exact personal taste will only costume $5000 or so.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > jkm7680
04/27/2014 at 21:40

I've noticed that on a few configurators. Ford's does that for certain models in certain colors with certain options. Like I'll be configurating a FiST and it'll show a base model in black, but if I add the dark grey wheels, it'll show an ST.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
04/27/2014 at 21:41

Rolls-Royce's is on another level, but I wish it would show prices. Same complaint as the Ferrari configurator.

extraspecialbitter > jkm7680
04/27/2014 at 21:43

I was just gonna post about Audi's. I find it annoying as hell. Big ass pictures with plus signs everywhere that all lead to the same place.

jkm7680 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/27/2014 at 21:43

Same! I noticed that the grey wheels wouldn't show up on my weekly lusting.

At one point it kept directing me back to the regular Fiesta Sedan instead of the ST. With Audi it's pretty consistent though, all of the options come up. The views are shitty though, and there are no 3d goodies.

yamahog > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/27/2014 at 21:44

So I heard from a coworker that sales/marketing also collects data on the configurations generated to help determine market interest. Not sure how true that is, but if so... Make em all manual :)

jkm7680 > extraspecialbitter
04/27/2014 at 21:45

Check out Audi.co.uk's configurator.

It's leaps and bounds better. The American website used to be like it.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > jkm7680
04/27/2014 at 21:45

The views on the Audi config are pretty meh, but it shows you everything at least.

jkm7680 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/27/2014 at 21:46

Yeah, It's all there. Just in a fucky way.

Audi.Co.Uk has a much better configurator. Like the old American site.

extraspecialbitter > jkm7680
04/27/2014 at 21:51

YES! I like mucho. Dank!

Kickplate > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/27/2014 at 21:53

Audi/VW are really good. The slightest details are added to the imagery. Like when you add a nav system, it's shown versus no nav. Jeep/Toyota/Hyunida/Kia/Hondas aren't so hot. With Jeep, you rarely see the items you've added in the image. And that really sucks.

Vicente Esteve > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/27/2014 at 21:55

I absolutely hate it when automakers get their configurations wrong. This is the client making an important decision about what car he will dump his had earned (or stolen) money. I think it could be a deal breaker for anyone since you make an idea of the car you want in your mind, and not being able to physically see it makes you think the company just doesn't care. Also, who wants to go from dealership to dealership asking for a specific car to be answered by the salesman that its in another state and showing you something completely different. Having elaborate configurators may be harder for the brands, but helps a whole lot for the consumer. People just don't feel like dealing with the dealers when all the info can be had in their living rooms and being able to see the exact car you want and imagining yourself in it as your eyes stare at the screen is what could probably make the customer pull the trigger.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Vicente Esteve
04/27/2014 at 22:10

This, so much this. If I'm seriously considering a certain car and I can't see what certain options I could be spending thousands of dollars on, it's kind of a deal breaker. If you can't even be bothered to show me a picture of a certain interior color, I really can't be bothered to spend my hard earned cash on your product.

Vicente Esteve > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/27/2014 at 22:19

Exactly! Why can't all automaker make easy to understand, and clear configurators. I mean, If I would spent 70K on a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 for gods sake let me see the car WITH the Panoramic sunroof $2,000 Dollar option. or AT LEAST from the back!

julienjj > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/27/2014 at 23:10

I think that the BMW one suck. I build a car, chose colors, package etc. then I get to the point that whatever choice I did before prevent me from having it has a manual.

I like the audi one better. Choose model, choose tranny then colors & whatnot.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > julienjj
04/27/2014 at 23:12

I've literally never had this problem. I guess I don't pick options that effect that.

darthd > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/27/2014 at 23:55

It's because of your market. If you're from the southeast US you're a dumb redneck who buys a toyota off the lot. You don't deserve to configure the car to your liking -.-

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > darthd
04/27/2014 at 23:56

Can't tell if joking or...

RJP > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/28/2014 at 01:01

READ THIS http://rossp.kinja.com/which-911-woul…

Nick George > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/28/2014 at 01:29

Tesla has an awesome configurator for the Model S. http://www.teslamotors.com/models/design

Kinja'd!!!

darthd > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/28/2014 at 08:05

That must be how Toyota views people from the southeast. Even though i'm sure there's marketing data to prove that people from the south never use the configurator. But they're definitely never going to use it if it's not available to them.

anon-sxmcyecofnu1eocpqsk9iq > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
08/07/2014 at 21:07

I just hate PACKAGES. "Hey, you need this $2000 Sport trim to get this color inside your car!" Then, "Whoops! You can't pick that exterior color with the $2000 Sport package! Also, if you want these rims, you have to have the $3500 Navigation Luxury package!

Still waiting for a damn configurator where you can choose things you want one-by-one instead of having to get expensive packages you don't want just to get little things you *do* want.