Stupid 'option' items on new cars
Discussion
I'm sure we're all fans of those elusive factory options, either searching for a car with the right spec, or retrofitting must haves, but is it just me that gets annoyed by utterly moronic items which have become optional?
I mean years ago central locking was optional, then many cars had central locking and remote was optional, now there are pretty much no cars that dont have remote central locking, as it's a customer expectation and so cheap to implement.
Same with electric windows, even cooking spec models have them now, as I assume tooling up manual winders and introducing the change on the production line is more costly than any saving.
So why then to we have new saloon cars with 'optional' folding rear seats? Saloons are useless at the best of times, but fixed rear seats destroys any sense of practicality.
Most manufacturers pre-wire their cars for additional features. Some require extra hardware, like heated seats, but why is cruise control ever an option now? Why specifically tool an additional indicator stalk and then not fit it to some models for the sake of a couple of momentary contact switches?
Years ago my nova had an intermittant contact switch for the fogs and the heated screen, which dropped out when you turned off the ignition, why then modern cars with plain old switches which leave the screen or fogs on for days on end?
Climatronic in VWs is another good example.....
I mean years ago central locking was optional, then many cars had central locking and remote was optional, now there are pretty much no cars that dont have remote central locking, as it's a customer expectation and so cheap to implement.
Same with electric windows, even cooking spec models have them now, as I assume tooling up manual winders and introducing the change on the production line is more costly than any saving.
So why then to we have new saloon cars with 'optional' folding rear seats? Saloons are useless at the best of times, but fixed rear seats destroys any sense of practicality.
Most manufacturers pre-wire their cars for additional features. Some require extra hardware, like heated seats, but why is cruise control ever an option now? Why specifically tool an additional indicator stalk and then not fit it to some models for the sake of a couple of momentary contact switches?
Years ago my nova had an intermittant contact switch for the fogs and the heated screen, which dropped out when you turned off the ignition, why then modern cars with plain old switches which leave the screen or fogs on for days on end?
Climatronic in VWs is another good example.....
Taking your cruise control example, Why give something away for free when they can charge for the feature. It may only be a 50p stalk and activating a bit of code in the ECU, but it provides a tangible benefit for the customer, so it's worth charging for.
I imagine that without people purchasing options, most car companies wouldn't make any money.
I imagine that without people purchasing options, most car companies wouldn't make any money.
alistairolsen said:
Most manufacturers pre-wire their cars for additional features. Some require extra hardware, like heated seats, but why is cruise control ever an option now? Why specifically tool an additional indicator stalk and then not fit it to some models for the sake of a couple of momentary contact switches?
Because they can charge MORE for it. It's all about mix and revenue.I dont mind paying extra for additional options such as larger wheels, or xenon lights (which are expensive to implement) or a sunroof (which clearly not everyone wants), but certain things IMHO are just basic features that one expects to have and certainly until recently I never considered the idea of a saloon coming with fixed rear seats simply because it was an option. BMW 3 series for example and if I went to collect a new car and found I had to wander around and individually unlock the doors I'd simply walk away.
It just means you find a used car you like which comes with the bits you want (for example msport spec with xenons, but then find its got fixed seats for the sake of about £3 cost, because a lease company is never going to tick the £300 option.
It just means you find a used car you like which comes with the bits you want (for example msport spec with xenons, but then find its got fixed seats for the sake of about £3 cost, because a lease company is never going to tick the £300 option.
I think "premium" brands are particularly bad at this, especially the Germans. You can buy a top of the range AMG\M\RS or even a Porsche and it will often have stuff missing that you get for free on a Fiesta.
Asking people to spend 30% over and above what is an already expensive and allegedly "top spec" car is a p*sstake IMO. The problem is this disease has spread, even Lexus who used to be the king of chuck everything at it including the kitchen sink are doing it. I managed to spec up an extra 20% of options on a Lexus configurator a few months ago on stuff that they'd happily have included as standard a few years ago.
Asking people to spend 30% over and above what is an already expensive and allegedly "top spec" car is a p*sstake IMO. The problem is this disease has spread, even Lexus who used to be the king of chuck everything at it including the kitchen sink are doing it. I managed to spec up an extra 20% of options on a Lexus configurator a few months ago on stuff that they'd happily have included as standard a few years ago.
alistairolsen said:
but certain things IMHO are just basic features that one expects to have and certainly until recently I never considered the idea of a saloon coming with fixed rear seats simply because it was an option.
You're entitled to your view but others want the increased security of fixed seats so respect their view as well.TA14 said:
You're entitled to your view but others want the increased security of fixed seats so respect their view as well.
Having the option to select fixed seats is one thing. Expecting to pay for cruise control or air-con on an (allegedly) well-spec'd variant is something different altogether. I didn't mind paying to have go-faster stripes over the MINI's bonnet, but I wouldn't have wanted to tick a box just to get a radio in the car.
alistairolsen said:
I dont mind paying extra for additional options such as larger wheels, or xenon lights (which are expensive to implement) or a sunroof (which clearly not everyone wants), but certain things IMHO are just basic features that one expects to have and certainly until recently I never considered the idea of a saloon coming with fixed rear seats simply because it was an option. BMW 3 series for example and if I went to collect a new car and found I had to wander around and individually unlock the doors I'd simply walk away.
It just means you find a used car you like which comes with the bits you want (for example msport spec with xenons, but then find its got fixed seats for the sake of about £3 cost, because a lease company is never going to tick the £300 option.
A friend recently got a 335d estate on lease. He originally wanted a saloon 320d with folding seats but after adding the option, the monthly cost increase meant that he could spend a small amount more and get a 335d estate, which comes with the folding seats as standard.It just means you find a used car you like which comes with the bits you want (for example msport spec with xenons, but then find its got fixed seats for the sake of about £3 cost, because a lease company is never going to tick the £300 option.
Pints said:
TA14 said:
You're entitled to your view but others want the increased security of fixed seats so respect their view as well.
Having the option to select fixed seats is one thing. Expecting to pay for cruise control or air-con on an (allegedly) well-spec'd variant is something different altogether. Truckosaurus said:
On my leased Volvo V60 I spitefully selected no options in order to get the lowest lease price.
I suspect there is still an orange V60 with no DAB, Satnav, foglights or parking sensors sat unwanted on a used car lot somewhere.
If the price was right i'd buy it. All those things are far from necessary.I suspect there is still an orange V60 with no DAB, Satnav, foglights or parking sensors sat unwanted on a used car lot somewhere.
Alex@POD said:
I can't say fixed seats in a saloon have ever bothered me. I can imagine in a 3 series, anything big enough to require folding the seats won't fit through the boot opening anyway!
My old S60 had folding seats and would take a bike easily. BMW in there infinite wisdom decided to make folding seats an option on saloons yet standard on coupes. Truckosaurus said:
On my leased Volvo V60 I spitefully selected no options in order to get the lowest lease price.
I suspect there is still an orange V60 with no DAB, Satnav, foglights or parking sensors sat unwanted on a used car lot somewhere.
The bottom of the range V60 didn't come with Bluetooth. While searching for mine I saw quite a few with cheap plastic mobile holders and cabling hanging out of the dashboard. Why not spend the tiny amount extra and spec Bluetooth, instead of making a mess of the vehicles interior?I suspect there is still an orange V60 with no DAB, Satnav, foglights or parking sensors sat unwanted on a used car lot somewhere.
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