Car features you would like to see

[Robert Hall]

I wasn't sure where to post this, but it could be an interesting thread..i.e. features in a new car that no one offers currently today.

While driving around earlier today, I realized that I'd really like to have TiVo capabilities for car audio...that is, the ability to pause live radio, back up, record it, play it back, etc. I do listen to a fair amount of talk radio (NPR and Air America) and inevitably, I don't hear an entire broadcast because of timing (or running errands--hop out of the car for 15 min, come back and have missed 15 min of a broadcast). No car maker offers features like this currently that I'm aware of.

Edited August 22, 2007 by moltar

[Flybrian]

While driving around earlier today, I realized that I'd really like to have TiVo capabilities for car audio...that is, the ability to pause live radio, back up, record it, play it back, etc. I do listen to a fair amount of talk radio (NPR and Air America) and inevitably, I don't hear an entire broadcast because of timing (or running errands--hop out of the car for 15 min, come back and have missed 15 min of a broadcast). No car maker offers features like this currently that I'm aware of.

Cadillac CTS has Time-Shift that can pause and replay radio onto its 40-gig hard drive.

[Robert Hall]

Cadillac CTS has Time-Shift that can pause and replay radio onto its 40-gig hard drive.

Interesting..I'll have to read up on that... I think the Ford Sync system that is coming may have such capability also..

[Drew Dowdell]

I'll answer for 68.

Pillarless hardtop coupe

BOF-Pushrod-RWD-Manual

For me:

I want my car to have a wireless card in it so that I can pull the car into the garage and sync it with my iTunes, download NAV updates, update my contact list, my to do list, and calendar. I should also be able to enter a start and end point into my computer and have that routed by the NAV for me similar to google maps.

oh yea... and I want a Dynaflow

and a pony.

[Camino LS6]

A line-item veto for options.

[balthazar]

Yeah: an ala carte option list. And a horn ring. And less than 200 lbs of plastic- NO ONE offers that!

[Robert Hall]

Horn ring..wow... I can't recall when I last saw one of those on a new car..I wonder when those went away..'70s?

I like the ala carte option approach..too many cars have packages that may have one or two things that I want in the package...

[CaddyXLR-V]

Well one option I want is cooled and ventilated seats, but it's already available on some cars. (I live in Arizona)

Dimming windows, like the sunglasses that dim when you go outside. So if the car is off, and it's hot outside, the windows would get very dark. If your driving through a parking garage or driving at night, they would lighten.

Edited August 22, 2007 by CaddyXLR-V

[Robert Hall]

Well one option I want is cooled and ventilated seats, but it's already available on some cars. (I live in Arizona)

I'd like to see that option more often also..here in Colorado, cooled/vented seats would be equally useful as heated seats.. I use my heated seats in the winter, and would love to have cooled seats for summer, esp. since I don't have a parking garage at work anymore.

Dimming windows, like the sunglasses that dim when you go outside. So if the car is off, and it's hot outside, the windows would get very dark. If your driving through a parking garage or driving at night, they would lighten.

Hmmm..interesting..I wonder if that technology for glasses lenses (photogray/photochromic) could be used on large glass surfaces like car windshields..

[Flybrian]

Heads-up displays and cornering lamps. Cars do offer these, just far too few of them.

I would also like the Tweel

[Robert Hall]

Heads-up displays and cornering lamps. Cars do offer these, just far too few of them.

I would also like the Tweel

It's odd cornering lamps never became more widespread..I think they've been around since the '60s..I've driven a few cars with them, they really do work.

Edited August 22, 2007 by moltar

[Drew Dowdell]

and I want my fender turn-signal/headlight/highbeam indicators back!! :cussing: :cussing:

and a pony

[thegriffon]

360deg surveillance cameras to record which a— hit/keyed your car while it was parked.

[91z4me]

Sliding doors on the other vehicles besides minivans. They save space and allow for larger doors w/ out worrying about door dings. GM has had a few concepts, Insignia for one, but nobody but 1 Euro company I have seen has offered it to the public.

[Z-06]

I would also like the Tweel

God Ugly tires and wheel combo. Ugly just like French cars. The concept may be good, but please it needs some aesthetics work.

Although Donk guys will love it.

[Dsuupr]

There are a few things I wish they would offer on mass produced vehicles;

1. Rear seat trays, like those used on airplanes

2. Being able to connect to your home computer (wireless) for updates & music swapping

3. A window in-between the front seat and back seat (like limos) so one doesn't have to listen to your kids or their CD / DVD

With that, I also wish a manufacture would build a car lineup that was back to the basics. A complete lineup that had all the modern crap taken out. A "pure" car. This would reduce weight, increase gas mileage, save money, and allow people to concentrate on driving vs. playing around with buttons and watching TV while driving. Yes it would have options like an AM/FM CD player, power windows, etc.

Edited August 22, 2007 by Dsuupr

[toesuf94]

8-track tape player

Actually HUD on all cars...and a cell phone blocking system that only allows you to use the car phone hands free or not at all.

And would somebody please get Oldsmoboi a pony!

[Hudson]

How about machine guns mounted behind the grille so I can get rid of all of those bad drivers in front of me. Robocop Vigilantism!

Edited August 22, 2007 by Hudson

[Sixty8panther]

I'll answer for 68.

Pillarless hardtop coupe

BOF-Pushrod-RWD-Manual

I already HAVE Dynaflow... and you did a good job on my list.

SOmeone once told me a picture is worth a thousand words...

[Intrepidation]

How about an actual NAV system in one of GM's midsize cars?

Class-leading instead of class-lagging interiors from the domestics? No none of them offer that!

How about real metal interior bits instead of plastic? I can buy a can of soup made with real metal for less than a dollar...why is it so hard to put some metal in interiors?

[Dsuupr]

I want a button that fries the computer of the car in-front. To be on the safe side, make sure it only nukes Asian makes, or any country that is not a fair trader with the US.

[VenSeattle]

How about an actual NAV system in one of GM's midsize cars?

Done... x3:

Pontiac Grand Prix:

Saab 9-3:

Cadillac CTS:

[Oracle of Delphi]

Done... x3:

Pontiac Grand Prix:

Saab 9-3:

Cadillac CTS: