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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Cars..must have features..whats yours?

226 replies

Clemfandangos · 08/01/2022 10:34

My must have feature in a car is having manual windows....having been trapped in an all electric car this is vital. My dh thinks I am mad. Aibu?

Whats your must have feature? We are buying a " new" car!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
daimbarsatemydogsbone · 08/01/2022 13:02

Those minis had a very different version with visible silver strips and they weren't fitted to production cars, but of course there is very little new under the sun.

SilverOtter · 08/01/2022 13:03

Mine has heated seats. I discovered this after two years of owning it😂

They are rather lovely though - I'd definitely want heated seats in any future cars!

BellaTheDarkOverlord · 08/01/2022 13:05

Bluetooth for music.
Heated seats
Cruise control
Automatic

Mine has a manual foot brake as a handbrake. I love it.

BogRollBOGOF · 08/01/2022 13:07

Seeing out of the windscreen/ side windows AND being able to reach the pedals without leg cramps. As I don't want a small car, this is a surprisingly restrictive request as big cars are not routinely ergonomically designed for short women drivers.

I like manual. I feel more engaged and in control than in an automatic. I've never got round to trying my cruise control Blush

I miss sun roofs.
I prefer simple heating controls to "climate control". The thermostatic adjustment always seems uncomfortably inconsistent. I like the max windscreen clearing function.
I missed the cassette player when I got my previous car, but am now happy with USB & bluetooth audio.

I would not go for leather seats and hate heated seats as my the time my backside registers the heat it's too late, I'm sweaty.
I dislike drug dealer windows and they would put me off a car.

nalabae · 08/01/2022 13:07

Leather
Heated seats
AC
Auto
Bluetooth

Kenneldogsrock · 08/01/2022 13:07

Heated windscreen

etulosba · 08/01/2022 13:27

No I am right - you are wrong.

Oh, for goodness sake!

I bought a 1972 Range Rover in 1997. It has a heated windscreen.

Ford acquired Land Rover in 2000. Land Rover had been fitting heated windscreens to Range Rovers, Discoveries and Defenders for years before that. They were not the only company either.

littledrummergirl · 08/01/2022 13:28

We got a new second hand car in the summer. I was saying to dd the other day that I don't know which I prefer, the heated seats or the heated windscreen.
My next car must have these.

thegcatsmother · 08/01/2022 13:53

Manual gearbox, flat boot (no lip), heated rear windscreen, CD autochanger or a radio

daimbarsatemydogsbone · 08/01/2022 14:49

@etulosba

No I am right - you are wrong.

Oh, for goodness sake!

I bought a 1972 Range Rover in 1997. It has a heated windscreen.

Ford acquired Land Rover in 2000. Land Rover had been fitting heated windscreens to Range Rovers, Discoveries and Defenders for years before that. They were not the only company either.

There is no possible way a 1972 Range Rover had a heated windscreen as an original fitting - that's just nonsense. I'll concede that Ford didn't buy LR until 2000 so LR were licensing the quickclear screens from Ford's patent prior to that, but Ford started fitting them in 1985.
I've seen a lot of 1972 Rangies and never seen one with a heated windscreen - but I will accept you may have had one with retro fitted screen from a later model - but LR were not fitting them in 1972.

I can't find you any links but I will cite as references the books "Original Range Rover" and the Haynes Book of lies for the 1972 models, niether of which mentions heated windscreens.

Shade17 · 08/01/2022 14:49

For a daily driver:

0-60 sub 5 seconds
Great stereo
Heated seats/steering wheel
Automatic

BigYellowHat · 08/01/2022 14:53

@Clemfandangos see where you’re going with the ‘trapped in a car situation’ as this is my worst nightmare too. However, there is a kit you can buy on Amazon for about £8 which has a special hammer for the window which will shatter the glass and seatbelt cutter. We have two in the car.

As for must have features it’s Apple Car play, USB sockets and a windscreen dehumidifier thing.

daimbarsatemydogsbone · 08/01/2022 14:54

@etulosba

No I am right - you are wrong.

Oh, for goodness sake!

I bought a 1972 Range Rover in 1997. It has a heated windscreen.

Ford acquired Land Rover in 2000. Land Rover had been fitting heated windscreens to Range Rovers, Discoveries and Defenders for years before that. They were not the only company either.

Are you sure you aren't getting confused with the heated rear window? That was first offered on a Range Rover as an option in Oct 1972 www.range-rover-classic.com/Home/land-rover-brochures/range-rover-1970-s, but there was no factory front screen at that time.
comfortablyfrumpy · 08/01/2022 15:12

@BeBraveAndBeKind

Easy access to the front and rear bulbs if they need changing. I resent having to pay someone else to fit new ones when, with the right access, I can do it myself. I had a Renault where the whole of the front bumper had to come off just to fit an indicator bulb!
Same! I am way too tight to pay to have a bulb changed, and do resent having to take the bumper off to do it (looking at you Vollswagen).

I honestly don't like having you many fancy things in a car - it is just more to go wrong. Lordy, I sound like my Dad!

I like a practical boot space and also prefer a colour which doesn't show the dirt Smile

daimbarsatemydogsbone · 08/01/2022 15:13

@applesandpears33

Parking censors or camera.
Parking censor You can't park there - it's indecent.
ISpyCobraKai · 08/01/2022 15:14

Automatic.
Heated seats!

ChurchlightJane · 08/01/2022 15:15

Air con.
Cup holder.

MaybeHeIsMyCat · 08/01/2022 15:18

Manual
Petrol
Cheap insurance

That's about it Grin
I work for a luxury car brand but drive a 2014 VW which is apparently "ancient"
Currently doesn't have working AC (needs investigating), it's a manual and doesn't have heated seats/cameras/anything exciting

What it is, is reliable, cheap to insure, I have owned it since new so full service history, small so can be parked anywhere and uses v little fuel
I would LOVE a new luxury car but I can't afford £££ insurance so it'll have to wait

lampygirl · 08/01/2022 15:24

Heated everything - seats, steering wheel, windscreen

Fits a bike in the back whole, ideally with a flat loading boot, not a lip.

200+ BHP and ideally RWD. Not too fussed about 0-60 but 55-80 acceleration is important for pulling onto and off motorways etc.

I prefer the low end torque of a diesel but guess with the move towards electric I’m going to have to get over this at some point. Won’t buy a petrol voluntarily though.

Yummmg · 08/01/2022 15:28

Air con and heated seat

AmberGer · 08/01/2022 15:35

Electric folding wing mirrors.
I live on a narrow road.

CatAlice · 08/01/2022 15:37

Heated seats. Nothing else matters.
I like being in a cold car on a hot seat Grin

LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 08/01/2022 15:38

Heated seats.

Air con.

Nidan2Sandan · 08/01/2022 15:40

Heated seats
Bluetooth
Automatic boot

daimbarsatemydogsbone · 08/01/2022 15:41

@AmberGer

Electric folding wing mirrors. I live on a narrow road.
Why do we still call them wing mirrors when they have been door mirrors since the 80s
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