Details are important. Which one doesn't interest you?

"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
11/26/2014 at 09:51 • Filed to: Details man! Detalis!

Details are what make something good into something great. It's the reason nobody can ever seem to beat the 3-series at their own game. The comparisons always wax on about how great/fast/wonderful it's latest competitors are, then whine about how big/fat/numb the newest 3-series has become, and then they declare the 3-series to be the winner. The justification always goes something like this: something something something refinement, something something feeling.

There is something to that, because details matter. But do they all matter to you?

What got me thinking about it, was this princess' person's comment on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

I'm sorry, $75K and they couldn't chuck in some LED projector's?

This one has been interesting to me for a while, because I hear a lot of people pining for this headlight type, or that headlight type. I find it interesting because the thought, "Gee, I wish they had used ____ type headlight," has literally NEVER crossed my mind. I just don't give a shit about headlight types.

We just bought a Mazda CX-5 for my wife, and we did not get one with the Technology Package. The Tech Package includes a bunch of things I don't care about, one of which is "Bi-Xenon HID with auto leveling". I don't know what that means, but I do know that I can't spare one flying rat fuck to find out.

What little detail to you now care about?

DISCUSSION (47)

cazzyodo > shop-teacher
11/26/2014 at 09:56

I honestly never thought I would give a crap about having navigation in dash but I'll say this now, it's pretty sweet to not have to look at your phone or have something sitting ON the dash (I can't stand even the smallest obstruction to my view).

Not a deal breaker by any means but it would take some adjusting without it now that I actually go places I'm unfamiliar with (and is also great to discover shortcuts just by having the map displayed).

spanfucker retire bitch > shop-teacher
11/26/2014 at 09:58

It's funny you say that, because while I originally never paid any mind to the headlight types that were used, I now obsess about it in a vehicle. At minimum they need to be some projector or Bi-Xenon HIDs, ideally I'd like LEDs.

Not just for aesthetic purposes - though some manufacturers have done a very good job in that regard - but also for effectiveness when it's dark. Yes, you can get aftermarket lights to replace them with, but I guess I'm just weird like that. A good combination of utility and aesthetic with a nice, modern, advanced lighting tech is actually a detail I've only recently come to care about.

The other is a common issue among most people (especially here, from what I've seen) and that's panel gap.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > shop-teacher
11/26/2014 at 09:58

Not really a detail but I hate people bitching about GM interiors. You bought a Chevy not a 3 series/A4/C-Class just shut up about it.

shop-teacher > cazzyodo
11/26/2014 at 09:59

Heh, I'm one of the stubborn few who refuses to use navigation systems at all.

Jedidiah > shop-teacher
11/26/2014 at 10:01

Panel Gaps,

Rust Holes,

Paint/Body,

Safety,

Reliability,

In dash electronics,

None of those little details really matter to me.

shop-teacher > spanfucker retire bitch
11/26/2014 at 10:01

Yeah, panel gaps are a big one. I've actually found that one starting to bug me more and more on vehicles.

OPPOsaurus WRX > shop-teacher
11/26/2014 at 10:02

top speed. Your never going to see it, they could tell me my car can do twice speed of light and i'd never know if they were lying of not, well except for physics but you get the point

shop-teacher > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
11/26/2014 at 10:02

Yes! I'm completely fine with the mass of grey plastic that is the dashboard on my '06 crew cab Sierra. I paid less than $22k for it brand new, and it's FINE.

Jayhawk Jake > shop-teacher
11/26/2014 at 10:03

Soft touch dash

HOW OFTEN DO YOU PEOPLE TOUCH YOUR DASH?!

Party-vi > shop-teacher
11/26/2014 at 10:03

I do actually care about headlight type. Coming from a 1988 Cherokee with sealed beam lamps to my fancy-ass Bi-Xenon HID auto-leveling lights (which are very nice) I'll never go back to halogens. It's a must-have for me when I consider a new(er) car. I feel bent that Mazda doesn't offer Xenon HIDs on the manual-equipped 6, but then I remember I'll probably never buy a Mazda 6 and all is right with the world again.

cazzyodo > shop-teacher
11/26/2014 at 10:03

I grew up being the navigator for my family...we had maps of every town in the state as we did four seasons of travel sports so I could manage! It wasn't a consideration in looking for a car, just kinda got tossed in as a bonus. Turned out to be useful.

E92M3 > cazzyodo
11/26/2014 at 10:03

Honestly after getting 2 cars with navigation (not on purpose) I've decided to just stick to my phone. For one google maps factors in real time traffic which can save you 30 mins to an hour in some cases. Secondly it routes better. BMW's navigation routing makes a lot of mistakes. I've had it tell me to take an exit, go 1/4 mile, make a U-Turn and get back on the highway I was JUST ON more than once.

spanfucker retire bitch > shop-teacher
11/26/2014 at 10:05

Ohhhhh yeah. I remember you now. Heh.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > shop-teacher
11/26/2014 at 10:08

I want to know why its such a big deal. Really, how often are you staring/touching your dash while driving? Its not a big deal in anything that isn't a luxury car

Alfalfa Romeo > shop-teacher
11/26/2014 at 10:09

In addition to headlights, floor mats. Why would I pay for premium floor mats? I will look at them when I clean my interior, and pretty much no other time.

Also, un-grey pretty please?

cazzyodo > E92M3
11/26/2014 at 10:10

I check routes before I go anywhere and no most of the traffic flow issues so I combine that knowledge with the suggested route. I've also noted that Ford's navigation has performed better than my buddy's Audi, for whatever that's worth. Connects better, routes are more accurate and more efficient. Go figure.

Sweet Trav > shop-teacher
11/26/2014 at 10:12

The biggest detail that is now important to me is a Bluetooth connectivity.

The least important thing to me: Leather. Being a chubby dude, I hate it. I sweat and stick to it. generally interiors mean very little to me, I'm the guy who would order a car with rubber floor mats instead of carpet, cloth seats, the only thing I want is bluetooth and a full gauge package. Also new interiors and gauges and screens are far too bright, i have mine on the lowest setting at night and it still throws off my night vision.

FromCanadaWithLove > shop-teacher
11/26/2014 at 10:13

My M235i doesn't have voice activated bluetooth or bluetooth audio. The button's on the wheel, but I have a base model, so I missed out on "Premium Bluetooth." I can still make calls, but I have to use iDrive or the extended instrument cluster (standard in Canada, option in the US) to find my contacts. I don't really talk or listen to music when I drive, so it's no big deal.

FromCanadaWithLove > E92M3
11/26/2014 at 10:18

Yikes, haha. Glad to hear I skipped on Nav, then.

briannutter1 > shop-teacher
11/26/2014 at 10:22

Exposed fasteners

Kinja'd!!!

duurtlang > shop-teacher
11/26/2014 at 10:24

Things I couldn't care less about:

Cupholders. A car can have 0 cupholders, and I still don't care. I don't drink from open cups in my car, nor am I planning to.

Prestige. I honestly couldn't care less. I'd rather drive an interesting old banger than something bland and new, assuming the old car still fulfills my rational needs. Age is nothing but a number.

shop-teacher > Party-vi
11/26/2014 at 10:25

That's perfectly fine. I'm just wondering what other things people don't care about.

shop-teacher > Jedidiah
11/26/2014 at 10:25

So, you're really picky? :)

shop-teacher > Jayhawk Jake
11/26/2014 at 10:25

Good question!

shop-teacher > Sweet Trav
11/26/2014 at 10:27

I was thinking about rubber mats the other day, because as soon as we bought the new car, covered all the carpet up with weather-tech floor mats. Why even have the carpet then?

shop-teacher > briannutter1
11/26/2014 at 10:27

I wish I had more stars for you!

titsinmymitts > shop-teacher
11/26/2014 at 10:28

Touchscreen infotainment systems.

I bought my Focus ST bone stock—no options whatsoever. Don't regret it at all. The buttons make the system much easier to use than the shitty MFT touchscreen.

Also, lane departure warning systems. I know when I'm departing my lane because I pay attention to what I'm doing when I drive...

shop-teacher > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
11/26/2014 at 10:29

I only touch my dash when I'm cleaning it, or when I'm patting it to tell my truck he did a good job.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > shop-teacher
11/26/2014 at 10:32

I was surprised at how big of a difference HID projectors make at night. I never thought about it either, but it's definitely something that should come as standard on a car that expensive. The biggest detail I pay attention to is weight. I love that the Alfa 4C doesn't even have power steering in order to save weight and I wish that more manufacturers made low weight a massive priority.

Sweet Trav > shop-teacher
11/26/2014 at 10:34

Exactly. its not like you need plush shaaaaaag carpet for your bare feet when you (hopefully) wear shoes and socks whilst driving. I get the concept of a leather wrapped steering wheel and other soft-touch materials where you make contact. its another one of the reasons why it pisses me off when people tap on the plastic dash of GM vehicle and are like its plastic, yes you idiot, the place that you never ever touch is plastic. these cost savings for not wrapping in the whale penis leather make your Corvette outperform a Ferrari for a third of the price.

Rico > shop-teacher
11/26/2014 at 10:35

Navigation system definitely is a non-factor to me, Google Maps/Waze/Any Nav app will always update 100x faster and more intuitive than a built in navigation system, and with bluetooth you can have your car stereo read it out to you just the same.

Lighting packages are different, I opted to NOT get the lighting package on my C Class because in person the coolest part of the headlamp is only on when you are parked (C shaped LEDs) rather than as a DRL so it made it a non-factor.

Rico > E92M3
11/26/2014 at 10:37

Unfortunately I've had Google Maps try to do that to me because it thought I had taken a service road when I was on the main highway not alongside it. But I knew better and just ignored it until it properly routed me.

That being said, Gmaps and Waze will always be 100x more accurate and up to date than any built in Nav software with POIs and traffic/road closures. Having to pay for map updates shouldn't even exist anymore (hell even all brand new Garmin GPSs have lifetime updates for free because they realized Gmaps were eating them for breakfast).

Rico > shop-teacher
11/26/2014 at 10:39

Carpet's exist for the cheapos who think Weathertech floor mats are for suckers. Bought my weathertech mats at the dealer for $80 and they've saved me more than once with gum and poo on shoes.

GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo > shop-teacher
11/26/2014 at 10:40

Dashboards with 'soft-touch' plastic...who on this planet ever touches the dashboard!?!

My other option I can care less about is sun/moon roofs, wish my M3 didn't have one as it would make switching to a CSL carbon fiber roof so much easier.

shop-teacher > Rico
11/26/2014 at 10:42

I live near their factory, so we drove directly from the dealer to their factory direct store to buy the mats.

Rico > FromCanadaWithLove
11/26/2014 at 10:43

This is a silly thing for BMW and any manufacturer to do. Bluetooth receivers are literally pennies on the dollar for manufacturers, it would cost them nothing to have it in the car. This is almost as stupid as cars that have bluetooth receivers but it only supports phone calls and not streaming music, you actually have to pay more to program OUT the feature than it would be to leave it in, all BT receivers support all currently available BT Profiles.

Decay buys too many beaters > shop-teacher
11/26/2014 at 10:45

As it stands, safety. I have no kids so i honestly could care less how many airbags they can cram into a car.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > Jayhawk Jake
11/26/2014 at 10:48

Constantly. The softer the better.

Rico > shop-teacher
11/26/2014 at 10:52

Nice, they are so good. I had already planned on getting mats since my parent's didn't want to get any mats for their car (cheapos I spoke about) and I had to help them clean some dog crap out of the carpets because someone they had riding in the car stepped in some.

Meatcoma > cazzyodo
11/26/2014 at 11:00

Funny story, my wife was stuck on the highway yesterday with hundreds of other cars for a crash. She calls me and asks what to do, I tell her to take the next exit and give her directions to get home. She calls me back 5 min later asking which way to turn. I tell her right and then tell her to use the navigation in the car she just bought. I tell her to "push the nav button, push the home button, see you in 30 min." and hang up.

Jedidiah > shop-teacher
11/26/2014 at 11:06

I like rwd/awd/4wd cars with strong frames. Those are pretty much my only criteria.

cazzyodo > Meatcoma
11/26/2014 at 11:13

That's brilliant haha. Before smartphones my mom would call me and have me boot up the computer, call up whatever map site I wanted and try to figure out where she was and where she needed to go.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > shop-teacher
11/26/2014 at 12:00

The only details I give a flying fuck about are mechanical. Even then I'm not prissy about FWD vs RWD, or V6 vs I6.

Actually, the only thing I truly care about is that a car has ambition. If I feel that people came into work and thought 'hell yeah, I get to do some work on x car today'. I can't imagine people doing that for the 1998 Toyota Corolla, unless they're the engineer equivalent of a trainspotter.

shop-teacher > GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo
11/26/2014 at 12:16

I actually prefer not to have a sun/moon roof (what's the difference between the two?). On most vehicles, they reduce the headroom too much for me to be comfortable.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Jedidiah
11/26/2014 at 12:18

Man after my own heart :)*

*current owned list:

-Alfa 156 V6 - solid car, doesn't fit the mould

-Jaguar XJ40 3.6l - bought for £60 from my uncle after sitting in a field for 3 years

-Triumph Spitfire - ongoing project, overpaid £1000 for it. Should have paid £800 the condition it was in

-BMW E36 325i - bought for £300 from my mate as an MOT failure on rust, handbrake and tyres. Fixed and hooned for 3 months before I pranged it, fixed it and sold it again

-Fiat X1/9 - accidentally bought for £330. Was in the process of fixing it up when a tree fell on it in a storm

-Jaguar XJ40 4.0l - bought for ~£1350 as my first ever running purchase (to replace the 3.6l Jag, same tree that did the X1/9 also did the '40). Daily driven for 10k miles and still going strong

-Citroen BX diesel - bought for £255 for the sole reason that there's a little lever next to the handbrake that means you can raise and lower the ride height at will. Overall it's like an early '80s vision of a spaceship (except imagined by a bit of a pessimist as it's got a 1.9l non-turbo diesel I4). Big rust holes near the front suspension mounts. Nearly finished fixing them then that'll be driven around for a couple of months :)

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > shop-teacher
11/26/2014 at 15:00

Soft touch materials. I give no shits how plastic an interior is as long as the steering wheel, seats, and armrest are nice. Which is why my dad's Silverado's interior doesn't bug me in the slightest with its plastic everywhere.

Headlights. The Safari has sealed beam headlights and they work fine. I don't need auto-leveling HID bi-Xenon whatever.

Infotainment. I don't need a touch screen that controls everything. Give me knobs and buttons and a screen on the radio.

Power. I'm not going racing, as long as it does feel dangerously slow, it's fine. The van has 160 horsepower and weighs like 5,000 lbs and takes 13 seconds to get to 60. It can get to 60 by the end of an on-ramp. That's why I don't understand when car mags complain about 7-8 second 0-60s.

Toys. Sure, bluetooth, heated seats, and Nav are nice, but I don't need them really.

One thing that is important though is a good stereo. Being an audiophile, I have to have good speakers.

bob and john > shop-teacher
11/29/2014 at 05:41

Things that matter to me:

headlights matter to me. after driving with HIDs (even retro fitted) I cant go back to halogens. its not like they are crazy expensive either

dashs: I dont need it to be wrapped in leather....but it has to be high quality stuff. other wise I feel like they just threw a car together for the sake of selling it and didnt actually give a shit. (this may come from the fact that the cars my parents had that were usually at least semi luxury [as far as I remember...I dont think i cared about our 94 tercel when i was 3] list: a volvo, a saab, a lexus and an audi.

decent stero is a must with a plug in for my ipod. I want my tunes!

dont care:

bluetooth stuff.

nav: dont really need it.