If you could build a perfect car

I never gave it much thought until lately, when it started costing me 20.00 Cnd to not even get a quarter of a tank.
Though, I do think that size matters and I don't want to go for something too tiny. Since it's a dream car, and real factors concerning wish list items vs total price are not an issue here, I'd suggest that my car be somewhat roomy. I want enough trunk space to actually hold items I occasionally travel with, like sleds, televisions, and random furniture that gets shuffled around. I wouldn't mind storage space that holds cds, tapes, etc., to be less modified. For example, I'd rather my CDs sit together in a flat area, than have individual dividers between them all. When you're flying on the highway, it's a pain in the arse to fiddle around with slots and all.
I want it to look cool and not dowdy. I want it to be affordable to drive, not be a planned consideration. Mind you, this is what gets us into trouble, so environ-conscious it must be as well. I can't exactly articulate what a vehicle like this would need to be less harmful to the world around us, but if it's my dream car, it should just be that way.

Oh, but I like 4 wheel drive, and I actually find it necessary during my winter driving.

Color? None, thanks. Just black.

Great topic. If I could build a perfect car it would be very close to the new Toyota Camry!

American Muscle. At least 500 cubic inch engine generating over 400 horse power. Hybrid. 50 plus miles to the gallon. Moon roof, Power steering, four cup holders on front,Power everything, gps system that can talk.

 

1. Other color choices.

2. Another cup holder in each front door.

3. Automatic.

4. No CD changer, but definitely the mp3 jack. Controls on the steering wheel.

5. Heads up display projected onto the windshield.

6. Pass on the heated seats.

7. Coin dispenser outside the arm rest until auto-passes are standard. Michigan is spoiled there.

8. I have found temp/direction info on the rear-view useful on road trips.

9. Auto-dimming rear-view.

10. Full-sized spare (SUV bias).

11. Remote start.

12. Headlights on by default. Stupid package mistake with regards to current vehicle given what I paid for after-market.

13. Regular seatbelt option.

 

1965 GTO...metallic emerald...black vinyl roof...black leather interior...389 cubic inch engine...three deuces...four speed...positraction...American mags...and a wide open road. Perfect.

What I am buying, except in Black and it would run on Water.

1) 69' Camaro Convertible with a more modern look (like they did the Mustang) in Ferrari red with 2 white racing stripes
2) cup holders that actually fit or hold cups and bottles
3) storage compartments in any area not being used for things like CD's & DVD's, u a small umbrella, tools, sun glasses, etc.
4) bucket leather seats
5) old fashion looking digital gages
6) tinted windows that can go from light to dark at my choosing
7) keyless ignition and doors
8) a Viper security alarm system or next best thing
9) "At least 500 cubic inch engine generating over 400 horse power. Hybrid. 50 plus miles to the gallon." (thank you Moderateman)
10) bigger and widder rims and tires in the rear
11) manual transmision with shifter on stirring wheel
12) hard drive based stereo with a screen for mp3 and videos
13) video screens on back of front seats.
14) GPS
15) controls for A/C, stereo, cruise control and cell pone on steering wheel for easy access
16) airbags everywhere they can put them
17) "temp/direction info on the rear-view useful on road trips." (thank you Nakor)
18) night vision, speed, gas and GPS displayed on the front window

I know there are a few more things I can't think about at this moment. I'm asking for too much ain't I? .

OK I take it back, it doesn't have to be a 69' Camaro. It can be just like this one:



2009 Camaro Concept.

i'll get another perfect car (at least one that "pursues perfection") when i trade in my Lexus and get another. the thing that keeps me from doing that now is the fact that my ES has been perfect over the years...only oil changes and a little wear n tear mainenence. and everytime i go look for a new one, i get harshly reminded of how good it is not to have a car payment. something i had from the 80's till i paid this car off years back.

the only thing i might change about it is for it to be built on a spaceframe, like some saturns. then they could wrap in those polymer panels that can look showroom good 15 years later with nothing more than a washing. but that would probably take away from the "tightness" of the vehicle. but who knows, those lexus and toyota engineers are damn good when they put their minds to something.

of course, if it ran on anythign that wasn't a fossil fuel, that is always a plus.

and i agree with karma. i prefer cloth over leather most of the time. but that's not an option on a lexus. and redoing the interior would kill the great resale value.

on my next car i think i will consider getting a remote starter. i've gotten one for the wife in her last 2 cars and they are cool. especially on severely hot or cold days.

a navigation system. got one of these gor the wife too. they rock.

And spontaneously cracking windshields...hmm?

well, the good folks at lexus haven't developed the non cracking windshield...granted...lol...wait a sec,,,windshields are kinda a wear n tear item. now, if ya wanna argue that...be my guest.

depends on where you live. Out here we get a lot of thrown rocks that can wreck a windshield in short order. But I'm finding the Suburban puts me high enough offa the ground that most of the thrown pebbles bounce harmlessly off the grill or front bumper...they don't even make it to the windshield.

I can't even imagine driving a Lexus out here (although when I get the money I'm getting a Jag...lol)

ya gotta love a jag.

And the car. My Tacoma was a rock magnet! My wife's Cherokee never had a nick! And we live in the same place!!!!!

I have found temp/direction info on the rear-view useful on road trips.

That one I would add to my list, too. Most of the time I don't need the compass, but in unfamiliar settings it would be nice. The temp is also nice so you know if there could be ice (which happens a lot in Michigan)

on my next car i think i will consider getting a remote starter

I had thought about that, but I never minded just walking out to my car and starting it if it wasn't already in the garage. Plus, it's another thing to break. I think that my perfect car would only have the gadgets that I would use every day. You may say "heated seats every day"? Well, having arthritis and cracked vertebrae in my back makes me crave heat for comfort, so I would probably use it even in the dead of summer.....while either the a/c was pouring on my or the top was down on the convertible.

BTW:  I have found that almost perfect cars are as hard to get as perfect ones!  Arrrggggg!!!!!!

[B]I had thought about that, but I never minded just walking out to my car and starting it if it wasn't already in the garage. Plus, it's another thing to break.

my cars are garage kept as well. but in extreme temps, it helps. not to mention when one is outside the house. like starting the car from the office and having it warmed up or cooled down by the time ya get there.

And the car. My Tacoma was a rock magnet! My wife's Cherokee never had a nick! And we live in the same place!!!!!

Cherokee's have a very flat Windshield.  My Mom had the same problem.  I had a Monte Carlo that I called "Chippy".  It had about 20 stone chips in the windshield by the time I got rid of it.  That was a stupid car.  I think I even wrote an article about it.......yep: http://karmagirl.joeuser.com/index.asp?AID=1983

I guess they just don't make 'em like they used to, which is why I'd prefer a nicely restored older car than today's overcomplicated, overpriced, over doo-dadded pieces of shiite, regardless of the meaningless status symbol some snooty jerks associate with their brand name.

oh, the flattery...lol

i can't speak for others. but i got my lexus when i was managing in a car dealership. it wasn't a lexus, btw. but i was involved with alot of trades, we bought even more at auction, and always impressed with them. when i researched them, i learned that they were the most reliable mass produced car out there. so, i tried one. and i never regretted it.

others may think of it as luxury and snooty...and that may be true. but to me, i choose them over other brands based on durability. i drive cars hard, and am horrible at maininence. that's why i use synthetic oil. for the extended life. there are years i put way over average mileage on my car, and no car has ever kept on just drivin down the road, no matter how tough i was on it, like my lexus has.

and durability is usually the biggest factor in many of my purchases. i bought a house with a poured concrete foundation vs. a block. why? durability. i buy and reccomend yamaha components when dealing with home theater. because of durability. my 1st generation 5.1 receiver that is over 10 years old now hasn't been turned off more than a handful of times in those years. it doesn't even get hot.

i buy many of my other products based on their "built to last" factor because i know that i can be rough on things i own. and i expect them to deliver. i'll pay a little more now if i am confident about it's odds on doing the job and surviving the experience.

Reply By: KarmaGirl

!  Yep!  I have owned a Bug, and the rest are Toyotas.  And Chippy is the name!  This time (if Mason comes through), I am getting another toyota, but a higher riding one.  I replaced the windshield last fall, and within a week, - tick - another ding!  That one did not spread fortunately.

Chippy, I like that!  Hopefully my next one will be Butch or Fred.  Not Chippy!

I would have to say:

The cup holders would not be flimsy little grip rings but something substantial.

The car must be fully automated, with sensors and on board computer, capable of voice recognition and following voice command. I want to be able to get into the car, state where I wish to go and the car does the rest while I watch the news or the world go by. The car must be fully auto piloted at my request. The computer voice could be that of "Jack Bauer" with an option to switch to squeaky "Magnum"

The ability to fly in good weather.

Become a leisure boat on command to go fishing on a lazy day.

The abilty to teleport for long distances.

hahaha I could get into this in a big way, fun.

and definiely not a "rocky!" but if it's a sweet ride, "candy" might be appropriate... 

and definiely not a "rocky!"

*Groan* Bad Pun!  bad bad bad!

Loved it!

thanks guy. i like that you can put politics aside to enjoy a poor quality pun.

take care:)

that might be true, except i was in the car business at the time, and it was an "inside" deal.





you deem in your wisdom, that lexus's now suck, because my windshield got a crack in it and did exactly what it was supposed to do (not shatter in my face). and the only way lexus can be a "quality car" is if they start making their own glass, with technology not yet developed instead of buying it like every single car manufacturer does from companies like PPG and Du Pont.

the lexus design gives me great visibility. i never get glare in my eyes because of the careful design. and i almost never wear sunglasses, nor do i need to in my lexus. 2 very important safety features. not to mention convenience.i'll take that and the fact that the windshield won't shatter in my face over your objections any freakin day.

and i do allow people who work for me and such to drive my car on occasion. so, it is very possible that something struck my windshield and i was just never informed.

also, my car had to be "street parked" for a few weeks in the spring when a) we had some work done on our driveway / garage. and when we had some landscapers put a mobile dumpster in our driveway to handle the hauling of trash from a couple different jobs around the house.

vandalism is certainly a possiblility there. as are other factors.

give it up lil girl...the flattery is nice and all. but at least have a leg to stand on, lol.

just more of yer hate campaign...and it's so transparent, like safety glass.

but by all means, feel free to try to trash lexus's reputation for our own petty and obvious motives.