[Tarleton]

shit like power windows, air conditioning, a radio/cd player, power steering, etc. are all STANDARD now, right? They are ALL considered standard features for just about every single 2014 model, regardless of the manufacturer. Correct or not necessarily?!

[WestIndianArchie]

(06-09-2014 08:40 PM)Tarleton Wrote:  

shit like power windows, air conditioning, a radio/cd player, power steering, etc. are all STANDARD now, right? They are ALL considered standard features for just about every single 2014 model, regardless of the manufacturer. Correct or not necessarily?!

2014 Kia Rio LX, power windows and doors are optional.

Usually on low end cars, creature features are optional.
Power steering and AC don't tend to be optional though. Power steering is a safety issue, and not having AC would make the car hard to sell in 2014 anywhere in the country.

WIA

[weambulance]

Even if it isn't standard, I'd bet 99% of the cars on the lot will have the basic features everybody wants. You'd probably have to order a car from the manufacturer to get one without power windows, locks, etc.

[Mage]

You can always remove these things yourself if you want to complicate your life.

[Katatonic]

You never know what is supposed to be standard or not. I thought ashtrays were standard in all cars. I bought a Mustang and was driving down the road from the dealership and went to butt my cigarette, and where the ashtray was supposed to be there was a fucking felt lined change dish.

[Faust]

I've never heard of a car being sold without air conditioning.

[HawkWrites]

With the way the weather has been (at least out here) wouldn't you at least want air conditioning? On top of that, power windows just ensure better usability for the lowering and raising of your windows so you're not trying to roll them up/down manually as you drive. These seem like good things intended to make life easier to me.

-Hawk

[Atlantic]

If you have to consider if you can afford AC and a radio maybe look at a higher spec car for the same price thats a few years old.

Dangerandplay had some good info on this in one of the podcasts. I think it was either 20 tips for 20 year olds or the personal finances one. Both are worth a listen either way.

[WD-40]

(06-10-2014 12:45 AM)HawkWrites Wrote:  

On top of that, power windows just ensure better usability for the lowering and raising of your windows so you're not trying to roll them up/down manually as you drive.

I drive a stick without power windows and have to deal with a lot of toll plazas.

Eventually the movements just went into muscle memory and I was able to quickly roll up the driver side window while upshifting to accelerate away from the plaza. Sure, it was an annoyance in the beginning, but now, I don't even notice that I don't have power windows, to be honest.

[Hotwheels]

(06-10-2014 12:40 AM)Katatonic Wrote:  

You never know what is supposed to be standard or not. I thought ashtrays were standard in all cars. I bought a Mustang and was driving down the road from the dealership and went to butt my cigarette, and where the ashtray was supposed to be there was a fucking felt lined change dish.

Most don't have normal ashtrays or lighters anymore. Has been that way for years. Actually I'm not familiar with any car that does have an ashtray any longer.

Hell, in the late 90's the dealer had to order a "smokers package" on most GM's that was nothing more than the lighter (they all came with the 12 volt outlet) and an ashtray that fit in one of the cup holders.

[The Beast1]

I like the differences in the 80s and 90s between normal cars and luxury cars. When you got into a mid 70s or 80s Benz you knew you were riding in awesome. A Ford or Honda of the similar era? Ha!

Nowadays, all cars have pretty standard luxuries and luxury cars have weird things in them like seats that rotate and entertainment computers.

I honestly do not like car entertainment machines. They're all stupid complicated to use. You'd think they'd be able to mimic most tablet machine functionality. Nooo, gotta make it a whole new experience.

[Hotwheels]

It's getting to the point where other than somewhat higher quality interior materials and "sporty" driving dynamics there isn't much difference between a loaded Malibu and a well optioned 3 series. The badge is the thing driving the purchase, not the amenities.

Hell, the current 3 series is actually less sporty than previous models as they are aiming for a wider demo. The 1999 thru 2006 E46 chassis is considered the best driving with following models being detuned for a more comfortable ride. Note a lot of women buy lease them now.

The manufacturers have to come up with more and more superfluous options for the higher end models to differentiate them from what you can get in a decked out family truckster from the mainstream brands. I mean when your Chevy Equinox will read your text messages out loud for you what more do you really get with a luxury model?

I met a guy that bought one of the new Impala LTZ's over a new XTS as the Chevy had everything he wanted and was 20 grand or more less than the Caddy. He even traded a Caddy on it.

Like Frenchie says, there isn't a huge difference anymore unless you are a connoisseur of fine automobiles. Most are not, they just want the badge.