Topic: 10 dumbest options for your car?

[dr_spock]

Although not options in a car (neither are some of the ones he listed), cup holders, an ashtray and cigarette lighter are all causes of distractions from what people should be doing in a car in the first place...driving.

That's interesting as I have all of those in my car and none of them distract me from driving.

Hmm, maybe you're focusing too much on the task of driving when you're driving.  It must be lonely to be an ashtray in your car.   

[Mitlov]

Although not options in a car (neither are some of the ones he listed), cup holders, an ashtray and cigarette lighter are all causes of distractions from what people should be doing in a car in the first place...driving.

My wife and I both carry one-liter Nalgene bottles of water with us wherever we go.  My wife's truck has two big cup-holders, each of which can hold a bottle in place.  When I'm driving in her truck, the water bottle stays in one place.  My car has one cup-holder that's way too small to hold much of anything.  While driving my car, my Nalgene rolls around the passenger foot-well.  Which sounds more distracting to you?

Not all features in a car are necessarily used while the car is moving.  Take map lights, for example.  But that doesn't mean that they're "dumb options."

[sparky]

My Suzuki came with a thin, rather slippery steering wheel rim. I found it uncomfortable after the thick, grippy rim on my previous car. So I bought a nice, thick, rubbery cover. It gives a comfortable, secure grip. It fits properly, Kenzie, so it doesn't "slip". It's probably safer than the bare wheel.
And I loved the giant sunroof on my X-Trail.

[safristi]

"GIANT SUN" roof.that must contribute to Glowballs Warming...............

[Roddy]

I agree with all except leather and paint protection. The 3m protection is definitely a good thing to have in northern conditions where there is going to be gravel thrown at your car from other cars on the road.

As far as leather goes, there aren't too many fabrics that will stand up as well as decent leather for a vehicles interior. Leather is also very easy to keep clean and maintain.

[99 Silver]

I think that push button starting is great. 

I just leave the fob in my pocket when out, and I don't have to pull out the phone and wallet when I get to the car.  It probably saves my wife five minutes a day by not having to dig through her heavily loaded purse.

[ovr50]

I think that push button starting is great. 

I just leave the fob in my pocket when out, and I don't have to pull out the phone and wallet when I get to the car.  It probably saves my wife five minutes a day by not having to dig through her heavily loaded purse.

Ditto, I really like the push button start/stop and the Comfort Access system. 

[gosteelerz]

Curiosity question.  If your car is parked in close proximity to where you sit at work, can someone enter your car and start it with a push of a button?  I read somewhere that this is a bit of an issue with Nissans.
 

[blur911]

Curiosity question.  If your car is parked in close proximity to where you sit at work, can someone enter your car and start it with a push of a button?  I read somewhere that this is a bit of an issue with Nissans.
 

Skip forward about four and a half minutes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqzJn0p6MM8

[Juke1]

Curiosity question.  If your car is parked in close proximity to where you sit at work, can someone enter your car and start it with a push of a button?  I read somewhere that this is a bit of an issue with Nissans.
 

Nissan?  No, back away a few feet, no go.  If you read such somewhere, back it up.

[airbalancer]

Curiosity question.  If your car is parked in close proximity to where you sit at work, can someone enter your car and start it with a push of a button?  I read somewhere that this is a bit of an issue with Nissans.
 

Nissan?  No, back away a few feet, no go.  If you read such somewhere, back it up.

I read that is you press the 3rd button remote on Nissan they exploded into a million parts

[Juke1]

Curiosity question.  If your car is parked in close proximity to where you sit at work, can someone enter your car and start it with a push of a button?  I read somewhere that this is a bit of an issue with Nissans.
 

Nissan?  No, back away a few feet, no go.  If you read such somewhere, back it up.

I read that is you press the 3rd button remote on Nissan they exploded into a million parts

....it would be handy if the 3rd button could delete dum post

[Jaeger]

I generally see things Kenzie's way, but not here.  I think half his list is ill-conceived.

2. Fog lights

On more than one occassion I have been driving in heavy snow or rain and have been grateful to have the low, wide beam of the fog lights to help me see the lane markers.  My last 5 or 6 cars have had them and I don't see that changing going forward.

3. Sunroofs

Never had one leak and I like the added ventillation when weather allows and the extra light in the cabin whenever I want.

4. Leather upholstery

If you have kids or pets - you want leather.  On the drive home, little Billy spills his sippy cup of apple juice and little Suzy projectile-barfs all over the back of the driver's seat.  You want to clean that off cloth, or leather?

6. Transponder ignitions

Best thing since sliced bread for sure.  Can't imagine going back to the Flintstone-era routine of jamming a key into the steering column and cranking on it.

Jaeger

PS - as to the rumor-mongering on Nissan keyless entry / ignition - if the key isn't within about 2 feet of the door (i.e. - in your pocket, purse, briefcase etc) it won't open.  I don't know too many people that sit that close to their car doors at work.

[Juke1]

I don't know too many people that sit that close to their car doors at work.

...and if we did sit that close, the would be thief risk getting hurt...we do like our Altima's

[Pleem]

I agree with his list and the justification for each item.  But then, I'm getting old and cranky too!   

[gosteelerz]

Curiosity question.  If your car is parked in close proximity to where you sit at work, can someone enter your car and start it with a push of a button?  I read somewhere that this is a bit of an issue with Nissans.
 

Nissan?  No, back away a few feet, no go.  If you read such somewhere, back it up.

I read that is you press the 3rd button remote on Nissan they exploded into a million parts

....it would be handy if the 3rd button could delete dum post

I hope you don't mean my post, I was merely asking a question based on what I recall reading somewhere in the past and I thought it was a Nissan.  If I had back-up I would not have asked.

Dumb has a b BTW, here is the back-up
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=dumb

[Juke1]

Curiosity question.  If your car is parked in close proximity to where you sit at work, can someone enter your car and start it with a push of a button?  I read somewhere that this is a bit of an issue with Nissans.
 

Nissan?  No, back away a few feet, no go.  If you read such somewhere, back it up.

I read that is you press the 3rd button remote on Nissan they exploded into a million parts

....it would be handy if the 3rd button could delete dum post

I hope you don't mean my post, I was merely asking a question based on what I recall reading somewhere in the past and I thought it was a Nissan.  If I had back-up I would not have asked.

Dumb has a b BTW, here is the back-up
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=dumb

he he....that's a frenchman spelling....BTW, no I did not mean your post.

[gosteelerz]

Fair enough, not exposed to much Francophone spelling in this part of the province, except for road signs. 

[RWS]

The most dumbest and frustrating item is the sun roof! Quickly becoming a standard feature and NOT an OPTION!! If I want fresh air I will roll down a window. It is a great feature if you (1) love looking straight up through a small opening (2) never experience hail (3) appreciate additional unnecessary maintenance expenses or (4) are under six feet tall.

I am becoming very frustrated with car manufactures that require you purchase a sun roof if you want a certain model or other features that sun roofs are bundled with. If I position the seat on the floor and tilted myself way back my head just brushes the sun roof ceiling. (Sun roofs remove 2 to 3 inches from the ceiling height.) A spine crusher on a hard bump.

I refuse to accept this any more. For me any product that has a sun roof will not be considered when I my lease comes up. There will be

[RWS]

The most dumbest and frustrating item is the sun roof! Quickly becoming a standard feature and NOT an OPTION!! If I want fresh air I will roll down a window. It is a great feature if you (1) love looking straight up through a small opening (2) never experience hail (3) appreciate additional unnecessary maintenance expenses or (4) are under six feet tall.

I am becoming very frustrated with car manufactures that require you purchase a sun roof if you want a certain model or other features that sun roofs are bundled with. If I position the seat on the floor and tilted myself way back my head just brushes the sun roof ceiling. (Sun roofs remove 2 to 3 inches from the ceiling height.) A spine crusher on a hard bump.

I refuse to accept this any more. For me any product that has a sun roof will not be considered when I my lease comes up. Enough is enough!