What are options YOU MUST have on a car?

"SlickMcRick" (slickmcrick) 05/05/2015 at 23:19 • Filed to: None

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I’m not to picky with this new fangled mess though I must admit back up cameras are quite nice to have at times. Especially when you had 20% tint all the way around the car except the front windshield that was 50%, and you’re backing up in the farm area of NC with only rancher homes and those ditches right in front of them. Maaaaan it saved my bacon that day.

But honestly I realized I really don’t need much to make me happy. In my younger days I didn’t even need these but as I’ve gotten older I’ve come to cherish them. And that’s A/C and Cruise Control. Try driving from DC to NC and then NC to upstate NJ without it. A terrible time that was. Also with the way these past few summers have been you’d be crazy to ditch A/C for weight savings unless you DD a racecar.

So what are your must have options?

Bandit > SlickMcRick 05/05/2015 at 23:23

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An interior that doesn’t rattle too much when you drive over bumps, functioning electrics (lights, windows, stereo, etc), and power windows... My standards are really low. I removed the AC system from my car because it was half missing and totally broken.

dogisbadob > SlickMcRick 05/05/2015 at 23:26

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sunroof, cupholders, 4 doors, visibility

ranwhenparked > SlickMcRick 05/05/2015 at 23:27

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I guess maybe a/c, central locking, and leather (or high grade vinyl) seats. But, all of those are completely negotiable for the right car, which I will know when I see it.

Basically, I don’t really think there’s anything that I MUST have on a car that I’ve made up my mind I really want because for reasons.

Cherry_man1 > SlickMcRick 05/05/2015 at 23:28

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V8 RWD PS and PB. Boom done.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > SlickMcRick 05/05/2015 at 23:28

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I need a manual trans, AC and some way too hook my phone up to the stereo (either a tape deck + adapter or an aux jack)

Vicente Esteve > SlickMcRick 05/05/2015 at 23:28

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Sunroofs.

They are a MUST, and should be able to open as well.

Alex from Toronto > SlickMcRick 05/05/2015 at 23:29

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Backup Camara

Cars these days are getting so much bigger then they were 10 years ago,its nearly impossible to see out the back so its a nice feature to have.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > SlickMcRick 05/05/2015 at 23:29

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A decent sound system, which is ironic because of of my cars doesn’t even have a radio. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but just something I can listen to my own music with. A/C is also big on new cars (it doesn’t bother me in the 2002 at all), and I love a sunroof but it’s not necessary.

Other than that, I prefer a manual. That’s about it.

SlickMcRick > Bandit 05/05/2015 at 23:30

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Mmmm power windows... Those are great things to have. A/C is a must for me now because one summer I nearly died from the heat. I was in my 90 Escort that could only be charged on R12. Unfortunately all the A/C lines were rusted through so I couldn’t even retrofit it for R134 either. Cooked like an egg in that car and got stuck in a 2 hour back up of traffic on my way home from NJ. Finally pulled up to my house and sat in the car for 10 minutes as I sweated so much I became one with the heat. Also didn’t help my car broke down from overheating so I had to find another way around with less traffic and have the heat on full blast on a 95+ degree day so I could draw heat from the engine bay. I hated all life at that very instant.

SlickMcRick > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 05/05/2015 at 23:32

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Manual definitely preferred. Before I had a sunroof I couldn’t see what the hype was about. Definitely and added bonus. Radio is a good call. I love listening to my car sometimes but music is essential to my day.

SlickMcRick > Alex from Toronto 05/05/2015 at 23:34

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It definitely has it’s uses. It’s not just the cars are getting bigger it’s also the profiles of the cars. The rear decklid tends to be so high up and rear window at such steep angles that you can barely see anything.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > SlickMcRick 05/05/2015 at 23:34

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None? I’ve been eying a car that is carbureted, manual steering, manual drum brakes all around, manual seats, crank windows, manual locks, no clock, no AC, no TC, no ABS, 3 on the tree and AM radio as my DD. Less is more. Less to go wrong and easier to work on when something does go wrong.

SlickMcRick > Vicente Esteve 05/05/2015 at 23:35

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Currently my sunroof is duck taped shut. I’ll look into it eventually but first I must figure out why my radio quit on me. It’s not the fuse, already checked that.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > SlickMcRick 05/05/2015 at 23:35

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AC, and if I am stuck with one vehicle like I am now, great ground clearance and 4WD.

SlickMcRick > dogisbadob 05/05/2015 at 23:36

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Visibility and cupholders. Cupholders are grossly underrated. I hated having to carry everything in bottles in my first car. Always had to order bottled drinks with my subway or just pour the fountain drink into an empty water bottle I had.

SlickMcRick > Cherry_man1 05/05/2015 at 23:36

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My you’re easy to please.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > SlickMcRick 05/05/2015 at 23:37

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I’m honestly not sure. Every car I’ve had has had only ONE option I’ve absolutely loved from each one, with the rest being bonuses, the three options being:

1. Sport seats-944

2. Heated CLOTH seats-Astra

3. Bluetooth media/or someway to connect phone to car radio-Focus ST

Beyond these, I’m not very picky because all of my cars have been the base models(save for the Astra, that was top trim/XR, but was lacking the leather seats.

Mike > SlickMcRick 05/05/2015 at 23:38

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A/C for the summer, heater for the winter, suspension that doesn’t ENTIRELY break your spine when you hit a pothole (yay Michigan!), etc.

Aside from that, I’m only really anal about having some means to shift. Ideally, just give me a bloody manual. But if I must drive an automatic (like right now, where I’m the only one in my family who knows how to drive stick), give me some means to shift it. Paddles, manual mode, whatever. But don’t pull a Honda and force me to hope that the computer knows what I want to do, because 8 times out of 10, it managed to fuck up.

SlickMcRick > ranwhenparked 05/05/2015 at 23:39

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Well if you consider any leather A/C has to be part of the package. I see what you’re saying though. Unfortunately not sure I can back off my options especially cruise control. I like to travel and it makes life so much easier.

SlickMcRick > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 05/05/2015 at 23:39

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Wow, ummmmm guess we can say you’re open to almost anything. What do you currently have your eyes set on?

JGrabowMSt > SlickMcRick 05/05/2015 at 23:40

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I live in Northern NJ, but I hardly ever use cruise control.

What do I really look for? Moonroof, power windows, functional radio of some kind, and a fully working dash.

I honestly rarely use AC at all, even on the hottest days. Only when my girlfriend turns it on really. In the Magnum I open the moon roof and crack the rear windows for the perfect breeze, in the SL I drop the top. I like having music going, and I’ll settle for whatever kind of radio I can get, because I know I can either find a station I can stand, or pack some CDs or a bluetooth cassette adapter. Need power windows so I can roll them up and down without leaning over or doing anything crazy.

Another bonus is having a mostly quiet car. By that I mean it doesn’t rattle or creak or sound straight out of a horror movie. I don’t like strange noises or smells that randomly come and go. Exhaust can be loud, but it has to be intentional.

Otherwise, gas pedal, steering wheel, brake pedal, manual trans is nice but not a requirement*, radio, power windows, working dash and a moon roof. Color me happy.

*not everything had a manual option, no reason to discount all those cars before trying them out

BeaterGT > SlickMcRick 05/05/2015 at 23:40

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Manual and Radio (or V8)

SlickMcRick > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 05/05/2015 at 23:41

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I’ve never owned or driven a vehicle with 4WD. I’ve also never driven a vehicle off road. One day I shall rectify that. Hopefully some day soon.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > SlickMcRick 05/05/2015 at 23:41

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1963 Nova. Cause my 1992 Grand Marquis is just too new.

ranwhenparked > SlickMcRick 05/05/2015 at 23:42

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It does, and I do use it, but kind of intermittently. Eg, I’ll stop for fuel and forget to turn it back on for an hour or something, eventually switch it back on, but then kind of reflect on whether I’d really miss it if I didn’t have it at all. My first car didn’t, and I don’t think I ever touched it on either of the two that followed.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > SlickMcRick 05/05/2015 at 23:44

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Well, if your ever in my neck of the woods(or the other way around), I’ll let you rag on my old Toyota through some ruts lol.

SlickMcRick > Mike 05/05/2015 at 23:44

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I feel you in more ways than one. 5 out of 6 people had a license and unfortunately we only had one car to get around with at the time so I settled for an automatic. Never again, y’all either learn how to drive manual or share the other car. And I must agree about the automatic transmission. Give me some fun with it. Putting it in drive and just going is quite dull.

Bandit > SlickMcRick 05/05/2015 at 23:44

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Oh yeah, I should have added a functioning cooling system! I had to drive around most of last summer with the windows down and the heat full on when driving my truck.

SlickMcRick > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/05/2015 at 23:45

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Heated cloth? Don’t know why but I always felt those would catch on fire. Did you have the 5 door or 3 door version of the Astra?

SlickMcRick > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 05/05/2015 at 23:45

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The AUX cord is a gift from the GODS!!!!

SlickMcRick > BeaterGT 05/05/2015 at 23:46

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I need to get a V8 in my life. Haven’t had anything larger than a 2.2L 4 banger in my ‘93 Accord

jkm7680 > SlickMcRick 05/05/2015 at 23:47

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Haha, so I’m not the only one. My A4 has these cute pretend cupholders that only hold two sides of the drink so I’ve got to get bottled drinks only. No extra limbs between shifting and steering to hold on.

SlickMcRick > Bandit 05/05/2015 at 23:48

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I don’t think a functioning cooling system should be an option lol. I’m sure those came standard and your truck doesn’t like you.

jkm7680 > SlickMcRick 05/05/2015 at 23:48

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None, everything besides vital car functions are luxuries. I like me bare bones.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > SlickMcRick 05/05/2015 at 23:49

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It really is, but TBH I’m simple. I prefer no airbags (I have none), no power steering (in fact when mine croaks I’m converting it to a manual steering rack), no ABS (Mine is stupid and only in the rear and one day I will find a way to disconnect it). The less complication there is with the actual inner workings of the vehicle, the happier I am.

BeaterGT > SlickMcRick 05/05/2015 at 23:50

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There is no joy like slamming second gear in a Camaro/Firebird. Put it on your bucket list.

SlickMcRick > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 05/05/2015 at 23:50

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I believe your Grand Marquis can be registered historic if I’m not mistaken. That Nova is definitely an upgrade. Keep the GM though, it’ll be nice to switch up and relax in early 90s creature comforts every now n then.

SlickMcRick > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 05/05/2015 at 23:54

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Power steering is somewhat overrated. I loved my 92 Civic Si without P/S. It was much more communicative and felt very planted. ABS is also nice but mainly to those who aren’t really into cars. It’s a good system but nothing that I really need.

SlickMcRick > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 05/05/2015 at 23:55

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You’re leaving Florida, mind if I ask where you’re heading to?

SlickMcRick > BeaterGT 05/05/2015 at 23:55

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I was thinking more of heading towards a Fox Body but I’m still open. I’ll see what life hands me at the end of the year.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > SlickMcRick 05/05/2015 at 23:56

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The Lexington, SC area.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > SlickMcRick 05/05/2015 at 23:56

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5 door. And it sure as hell surprised most people who sat in the front. It was the best thing in the winter, they did feel like they would catch fire, but that’s what was so great about them!! They were perfect year-round! it’s the one of two options I wish my ST had.

SlickMcRick > JGrabowMSt 05/05/2015 at 23:58

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I try not to discount all automatics. Some can be quite enjoyable actually just as long as there is a sport mode or some way I can manually select all of my gears.

WhereAreMyPants > SlickMcRick 05/05/2015 at 23:58

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In order of priority:

Stick

Anything other than fwd

Cloth seats

Sunroof (if the roof doesn’t fold)

Ass warmers

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > SlickMcRick 05/05/2015 at 23:59

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Hmm...

Sunroof

A/C

Good stereo

Decent power/weight

Cupholders that can actually hold cups

Cloth upholstery (not 100% must have, but preferred)

Four seats

Automatic transmission

Power windows and locks, with a damn fob

That doesn’t exactly narrow the list that much.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > SlickMcRick 05/05/2015 at 23:59

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The only thing I would change about my pickup would be to have power steering. Parking can be brutal without it. And 3-point turns take about 45 minutes to complete.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > SlickMcRick 05/05/2015 at 23:59

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A/C & telescoping steering wheel. I cannot live without either of those.

Others that are high on the list but can live without is Cruise and bluetooth. All the rest I don’t really care much for.

Vicente Esteve > SlickMcRick 05/06/2015 at 00:00

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Check the radio, its higher in importance IMO.

SlickMcRick > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/06/2015 at 00:01

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It seems many people have had a cupholder dilemma. Either they’ve had none at all or the ones supplied are rendered useless even for a happy meal cup.

SlickMcRick > Vicente Esteve 05/06/2015 at 00:05

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That’s the next step. Need to get a trim removal tool and I’ll be good to go. Just two clips hold the plastic surrounding the unit in. If it’s just the radio face I’ll gladly replace it. It has bluetooth but no AUX port, CD Player and sucks at picking up radio stations.

SlickMcRick > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 05/06/2015 at 00:05

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Better give Denver a heads up. He wants to get rid of the PS in the Ranger.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > SlickMcRick 05/06/2015 at 00:05

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The cupholders in the E36 are SO BAD. We’re talking can even hold a can of Coke bad. I have to buy everything in bottles (which at my gas station small bottles are more expensive than a 32 ounce fountain drink by about $1.00) and hope the dont rocket off the passenger seat while I drive. I will always test the cupholders in a car before I buy it for now on.

SlickMcRick > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 05/06/2015 at 00:06

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Ohhhh Telescoping steering wheel. That’s a solid one right there. Didn’t even think of it. Definitely an often overlooked feature.

Cherry_man1 > SlickMcRick 05/06/2015 at 00:07

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Beggars can’t be choosers.

SlickMcRick > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/06/2015 at 00:11

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Lesson learned the hard way I see lol. Those Germans smh. BMWs cupholders are notoriously bad. Check out these from the E60 5 series. Each turn must be made with extreme caution.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > SlickMcRick 05/06/2015 at 00:13

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To his credit, the PS in that gen ranger is sloppy as hell.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > SlickMcRick 05/06/2015 at 00:13

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Yeah I always have a hard time getting comfortable without it. I can’t explain why but I’m 5ft4 and I drive like I’m over 6ft tall. I have the seat most of the way back so I can get my legs comfortable but once my legs are in the right spot I can’t reach the steering wheel. A telescoping steering wheel fixes all that.

I really would like to find out why I drive like that. I have short legs (26” inseam) but yet my knees cramp up big time if I sit any closer.

Milky > SlickMcRick 05/06/2015 at 00:16

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RWD, other then that I don’t really care. The more things are dissimilar the more I like them.

M54B30 > SlickMcRick 05/06/2015 at 00:17

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I think of this more along the lines of “what do i choose to not live without?”

I will pick Xenon over halogen, every single time. I cannot fathom paying $300+/mo and not having heated seats (i live in south dakota, they’re niiiiice at -50°). If heated steering wheel is an option I will try hard to find a way to get it. The Sedona we have been pricing has a heated wheel option, but comes with terrible second row “lounge” seats, ergo the con is higher than the pro of getting it. I need cruise control for the boring highway stretches.

SlickMcRick > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 05/06/2015 at 00:17

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don’t worry I’m not much taller and only have a 28” inseam. I like to sit a fair distance away but I want the steering wheel as low as possible and not pulled all the way out. I have longish arms for someone that’s a smidge over 5’5”

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > SlickMcRick 05/06/2015 at 00:18

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That’s how the cupholders in my Aunts E90 are. Those are bad, but this one they had as an option in some cars is so much worse.

Not only does it probably still suck, it's ugly as all hell at the same time!

SlickMcRick > M54B30 05/06/2015 at 00:20

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I’ve never been to the Dakotas and honestly often forget they exist. If it wasn’t for that dumb “50 Nifty United States” song they made us sing back in grade school and Static Shock I probly would have never heard of them. Also I had NO idea it got that cold there. They make it seem as if only Minnesota gets that temperature. Xenon headlights are amazing up until it’s time to replace a bulb. The prices are ludicrous.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > SlickMcRick 05/06/2015 at 00:21

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Manual transmission

SlickMcRick > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 05/06/2015 at 00:22

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Actually those are pretty good. I’ve done amazing things in a 135i w/sport package and never spilled a drop. But of course they always work best with BMW bottles or coffee cups.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > SlickMcRick 05/06/2015 at 00:24

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I’m built like a T-Rex Short arms that can’t reach anything.

wiffleballtony > SlickMcRick 05/06/2015 at 00:31

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A/C and a V8. That is all.

Stephen the Canuck > SlickMcRick 05/06/2015 at 01:08

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My requirements are simple. Power windows and locks. A/C. I can always add in a USB adapter for the stereo, so I do want that, I’ll just get it somehow.

There’s some things I refuse to have in a car, like a sunroof or leather seats.

Tohru > SlickMcRick 05/06/2015 at 01:19

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Cloth seats. I’ve owned one vehicle with leather, and I hated the seats.

Things that are very very nice to have, but that I’ve done without: AC, power windows, power steering, cruise control.

Mike > SlickMcRick 05/06/2015 at 01:48

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Dull and flat-out dangerous at times. I ended up in quite a few dangerous situations (mostly on on-ramps) because my damn Civic couldn’t figure out how to pick a gear. Either it would refuse to kick down and I couldn’t get up to speed in time, or it would hold it in gear up to the redline and refuse to shift. I loved the rest of that car, but the slushbox that it came with gave me an amazing amount of trouble.

Thankfully, the Mazda that replaced old Serenity, while still being an automatic, has a nice sequential manual mode that is generally quick enough for my tastes.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > SlickMcRick 05/06/2015 at 05:41

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Manual. That’s pretty much it.

I don’t like sunroofs though. If I was in the market for a perfect example of any car I want it wouldn’t have a sunroof...

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > SlickMcRick 05/06/2015 at 06:21

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Middle armrests (got those), good stereo system (sadly don’t have one), sunroof (got it), I learned to like cupholders when I began to drink gallons of coffee, but I don’t have any because old German car!

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > SlickMcRick 05/06/2015 at 08:27

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Fortunately you don’t have to replace them all that often.

Gas discharge lamps generally last longer.

thebigbossyboss > SlickMcRick 05/06/2015 at 08:32

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Rear defrost. You don’t realize how much you miss it until it’s gone. Radio. Radio is key. Luckily my car has one.

thebigbossyboss > SlickMcRick 05/06/2015 at 08:35

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In my tempo I just used to hold the drink in my lap. skills.

thebigbossyboss > jkm7680 05/06/2015 at 08:36

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Man. Use your thighs!!! That’s what I used to do haha.

twochevrons > SlickMcRick 05/06/2015 at 09:35

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There are very few options that I truly can’t live without – after all, one of my cars has manual steering, unpowered drum brakes, no heater, no locks (central or otherwise), and no radio. It might not be the greatest thing for road trips or highway driving (4000rpm at 70mph... yay), but I’m quite happy driving it around town.

There are definitely some options that are seriously nice to have, though — my 850R has spoiled me somewhat, giving me this wishlist:

Heated seats

Block heater

Sunroof (if it’s warm enough that I don’t need the above two options, I’m going to catch some sun, damnit!)

Automatic climate control (so long as it actually works well and has a sensible interface)

Cruise control

ABS

Traction control (preferably with a switch to turn it off)

Decent (preferably factory) radio with some means to connect an audio player

M54B30 > SlickMcRick 05/06/2015 at 12:13

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I haven’t had to replace them on my 13 year old / 165k mike 5 series yet, knock on wood.

I totally forgot about the Dakotas to, until the Air Force said “hey, boy, how ‘bout you get in touch with your outdoorsy side?”

I didn’t have an outdoorsyside :(. Full disclosure - 2 years later and my wife and i love it here

jkm7680 > thebigbossyboss 05/06/2015 at 16:49

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Nope, haha. Looks too weird.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > SlickMcRick 05/06/2015 at 16:57

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I think 25 years in my state. But I would keep it as my winter beater. The Mercury doesn’t really have that much over the Nova.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > SlickMcRick 05/07/2015 at 01:01

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Ive driven a ranger of the same vintage as mine with no PS, Its kind of annoying in parking lots, but its really not that bad. But once you get above 25mph, manual steering adds so much steering feel, its great

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > BeaterGT 05/07/2015 at 01:02

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Not necessarily a V8, but a large displacement V6+ would do that. My 4.0 V6 acts like a tiny V8 when you punch it

Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder > SlickMcRick 05/08/2015 at 06:48

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Man I would love to have power steering in my Celica, it really makes a car feel older when it doesnt have it.