Something that I’m comfortable in. I’m short, so I have problems seeing over the dashboard, and fat, so I have problems being comfortable. I have problems getting in and out of cars because of arthritis (which I had before I gained weight, so spare me the lecture), so I’d like something that made it easier to get in and out. Some manufacturers have already made the shoulder harness adjustable for height, and I found out how nice it is to ride around without a strap digging into my neck. Until we all become standardized Barbies, I think that most cars should have straps that adjust by height. I’d love to have a gamepad/joystick instead of a steering wheel, but I don’t think that’s going to happen any time soon.
I’m pretty happy with my car’s drink holders and storage bin between the front seats. I’m also happy with the pockets on the bottom of the front doors, very handy for keeping a map or directions in there.
Good idea Lynn, to do away with the awful driving positions dictated by a few people the design team had in mind. A steering wheel that tilts and slides, seats that move up and down, in and out with lumbar support on all models in the range.
A bit more room for my foot beside the clutch would be nice too
I want the technically cutting edge elements of cars like BMW, Mercedes, Porsche and Lexus available in an North American made car… and at a reasonable price. Is that asking so much?
Seriously, some of the stuff that’s out there (foreign and domestic); dynamic roll stabilization, hybrid technology, navigation, airless tires, communications management, accident avoidance, On-Star, etc. is amazing. Now, just make it more affordable.
Word. Though I’d like it to burn diesel instead of gas, and be capable of burning biodiesel. And have the option of forgoing power windows, &c, to keep it under $25k.
My subaru does that. I bought a gallon of fluid, popped the lid, poured the whole thing in, and tossed the container into the nearest receptacle. “How nice” I thought.
I’m all for the small hybrid station wagon - with AWD.
I want a plug-in so that I can use solar panels at home to charge it–or at least help charge it. Then when I need power it can change to the gas engine.
I want a car manufactured in the U.S. I’d pay extra for that. Our economy isn’t very good, and I like to help it.
I’d love to get a decent 4WD or AWD vehicle that can tow 10,000 pounds or carry a 2,000 pound load in the bed, but still gets good gas mileage when I’m not towing 10,000 pounds or carrying a ton.
I want enough room to sit my seat up straight without taking my hat off, and still not hit the ceiling with my head when I hit a pothole in the road (I can’t do this in the current Chevy or Dodge 3/4-ton pickups).
I don’t want diesel. I just can’t see how anyone could subject the folks around them to the smell and the noise. Biodiesel would be okay if they could reduce the noise level.
I live in Nevada and would like a small fridge-type compartment in the trunk so if I do not go straight home from the grocery store, milk and butter and other products won’t go bad - and for long drives, would always have a cold water or Diet Coke in the car…ideally, this fridge would be powered by the solar panels on the roof of the car as, lordknows, there is enough sun to keep that solar panel fully charged year-round.
Also, a miniature radar system that extends maybe a mile or two in all directions…so you can see if some car is zooming down a street in your direction at 100mph. You might then be a bit cautious at the next intersection to make sure the idiot slows down or stops, or at least be aware someone is coming in your direction at high speed. Might save some lives for those asshole drunk drivers who barrel through an intersection without even slowing down. If nothing else, it would warn you if an emergency vehicle is coming and you could pull off to the side of the road or whatever.
I want
[ul]
[li]a car that I fit in. I’m 6’6", and of all the cars I checked, precisely 2 fit me. (Hello Chevy Malibu).[/li][li]Fuel efficiency in the +60mpg range. Totallypossible.[/li][li]A 1/8" line-in to the stereo, so I can play my mp3 / laptop / whatever sound over my car stereo like I should be able to do now.[/li][/ul]So long as it’s got a good safety rating, you can pretty much do whatever you have to to make this happen, and I’ll buy it anyway.
a periscope so I can see what’s happening in traffic in front of the large, black-windowed vehicle in front of me
windows that don’t allow any frost or snow to accumulate on them (actually, add the whole car to the “no snow” idea)
tires that I can adjust from the cockpit from bare pavement to glare ice to thick snow
a led message board on my back bumper on which I can type messages to the guy tailgating behind me - okay, that one would probably get everyone into trouble, but wouldn’t it be fun to be able to tell other drivers what you think of them?
(DMark, on our spring road trip to Vegas, the Vegas drivers were easily the worst drivers we encountered from here to there. The Salt Lake City drivers were gunning for the pedestrians, but the Vegas drivers were…just plain frightening. And those suicide left turn lanes sure don’t help that much, I’m guessing.)
Hey, I lived in LA for over a decade and Las Vegas is a stroll in the park compared to that madhouse…last time I went to LA by car, it only took me two blocks driving down Santa Monica Blvd and I was screaming and cussing like a rabid sailor at the idiot drivers. Plus, another problem here is that very many tourists arrive by plane and rent a car and off they go…and it ain’t easy driving here if you are a local, let alone if you are a tourist with 12 hours of jet lag behind you.
Speaking of which, when is your next trip down here? Would love to see you and Mr. Featherlou again!
I want a Smart ForTwo, but with a 0-60 in the 6 second range instead of the 10-15 it has right now. It would be nice if Toyota made it, so I wouldn’t have to do much maintenance. The Endo is close, but I don’t think the Endo will park nose-in in a parallel space.
One that flys…and let’s me know when my tea is ready…in my dashboard…everything else is already…here… plus with all the unheard of… addt’l features out on the market today.
I have always considered LA the worst place in the States to Drive and I go to NYC often. My Last visit reminded me of everything I hate most about LA Driving. I was also cursing like a rabid sailor at the idiot drivers. I think part of the problem is NYC, Rome and London have reps that Tourist should not attempt to drive in these cites, use mass transit. LA has never established this rep or the mass transit, so people attempt to drive. It gets very ugly.
I think you missed the point of the Op, but I hope we can get cars like this in our lifetime, I just doubt it strongly.
