The little things that make your car special.
Discussion
With car ownership you start to notice neat touches about your motor that make you smile. I remember the automatic dimming interior light on my company Rover 400 being one of the few things that I actually enjoyed in the time we spent together.
The CTR has a special feature that's pretty cool only if you have your keys in your pocket. After several mintutes it locks its doors presuming you have forgotten - pretty handy.
Anyway - what little things have you noticed about your cars over the years that stick in your mind.
(This is an attempt to move away from the Hello its me threads btw)
The CTR has a special feature that's pretty cool only if you have your keys in your pocket. After several mintutes it locks its doors presuming you have forgotten - pretty handy.
Anyway - what little things have you noticed about your cars over the years that stick in your mind.
(This is an attempt to move away from the Hello its me threads btw)
My Golf locks the doors behind you too and has that little visor, lights dim out too, and more 
The trip computer is quite clever, pull away like a woman (i.e with the hand brake on!) and HAND BRAKE flashes on the trip computer.
If the boot is not closed properly, it flashes up an error message.
Plus the electric windows stop if you jam something in them (never done that in my 156)
Some of these features are of dubious value really. I mean do you really need dampend handles and glove compartment?
I do like the quality of the plastics in the Golf, they really are high quality.
Suppose all these features help contribute to the (almost) 1300 KGs that my car wieghs
edit to add:
Hey Broccers, how long have you had the CTR? (i know that you were waiting for one - I remember you saying that the dealership acted a bit funny when you asked how much longer it will be 'till you get it)
how are you finding it??
What colour did you get again?
>> Edited by toleman on Tuesday 18th June 14:55
The trip computer is quite clever, pull away like a woman (i.e with the hand brake on!) and HAND BRAKE flashes on the trip computer.
If the boot is not closed properly, it flashes up an error message.
Plus the electric windows stop if you jam something in them (never done that in my 156)
Some of these features are of dubious value really. I mean do you really need dampend handles and glove compartment?
I do like the quality of the plastics in the Golf, they really are high quality.
Suppose all these features help contribute to the (almost) 1300 KGs that my car wieghs
edit to add:
Hey Broccers, how long have you had the CTR? (i know that you were waiting for one - I remember you saying that the dealership acted a bit funny when you asked how much longer it will be 'till you get it)
how are you finding it??
What colour did you get again?
>> Edited by toleman on Tuesday 18th June 14:55
I noticed the Golf had loads of nifty gizmos when I took one out Toleman. I agree about the interior feeling high quality - the Civics is not at all, the plastics mark too easily - It arrived at the dealers last week btw but I've been too busy to sort it out till today - pick it up Thursday, oh and its red.
One thing I couldnt live with on the Golf was the Stereo turning itself up and down - it really annoyed me even though I'm sure some would find it useful.
One thing I couldnt live with on the Golf was the Stereo turning itself up and down - it really annoyed me even though I'm sure some would find it useful.
The Civic has a few more features which I like (not all of which are in the manual):
1. when it's raining, put it in reverse and the rear wiper starts up (disconcerting when you don't know it's going to happen; it's just linked to the front wiper being on).
2. the interior light does that fading thing, but also comes on when you turn off the ignition; useful at night.
3. the rear seats have a flap of fabric which covers the join between the seat back and boot floor when they're flipped forwards. Which sounds common, but the Civic's is joined at both ends, so things can't fall down the gap.
4. great big 'Lock Doors' knob on the driver's door, just above the electric window switches - falls perfectly naturally to hand, and I haven't required it yet, but if I do I'll be grateful.
Shame about the bloody seats not returning to where they originally were after being tipped forwards, then.
1. when it's raining, put it in reverse and the rear wiper starts up (disconcerting when you don't know it's going to happen; it's just linked to the front wiper being on).
2. the interior light does that fading thing, but also comes on when you turn off the ignition; useful at night.
3. the rear seats have a flap of fabric which covers the join between the seat back and boot floor when they're flipped forwards. Which sounds common, but the Civic's is joined at both ends, so things can't fall down the gap.
4. great big 'Lock Doors' knob on the driver's door, just above the electric window switches - falls perfectly naturally to hand, and I haven't required it yet, but if I do I'll be grateful.
Shame about the bloody seats not returning to where they originally were after being tipped forwards, then.
My Mercedes has the following niceties:
1) When it's cold, the auto box holds the gears higher so the fluid heats quicker, thus smoother changes.
2) The cruise control adapts to your present driving style (so if you've been booting it, when you resume a speed it boots it too)
3) It has an electronic dipstick.
4) It has self dimming mirrors inside and out.
The Boxster has a nice touch as well:
1) The rain sensor is multi stage - if it's drizzling it wipes now and again, if its pissing down it wipes the screen at the fast speed - great if you're on an A road and a lorry covers you in water.
1) When it's cold, the auto box holds the gears higher so the fluid heats quicker, thus smoother changes.
2) The cruise control adapts to your present driving style (so if you've been booting it, when you resume a speed it boots it too)
3) It has an electronic dipstick.
4) It has self dimming mirrors inside and out.
The Boxster has a nice touch as well:
1) The rain sensor is multi stage - if it's drizzling it wipes now and again, if its pissing down it wipes the screen at the fast speed - great if you're on an A road and a lorry covers you in water.
pjg, you're right about features like that making it into otherwise unremarkable cars. But when you get out of an Elise, or even an Impreza, you *need* the thrills, and the little details that even a basic Fiesta has are the sort of things which feel nice.
If I just wanted those 'special' touches, I'd buy a Citroen C5 or summat... ugh.
If I just wanted those 'special' touches, I'd buy a Citroen C5 or summat... ugh.
The seats in my Corolla impressed me. The side bolsters adjust to squeeze you in and the lumbar support is moveable too. Probably common on newer cars but not bad for a 12 year old shed.
And I do enjoy the electric wing-mirrors. They're great for letching while sitting in traffic
Best 'random' accessory I've heard of was the Nissan umbrella that came with the Pulsar GTi-R. If you find one secondhand with the original umbrella in its holder you know the car has been cherished!
And I do enjoy the electric wing-mirrors. They're great for letching while sitting in traffic
Best 'random' accessory I've heard of was the Nissan umbrella that came with the Pulsar GTi-R. If you find one secondhand with the original umbrella in its holder you know the car has been cherished!
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