Re: Beware of high tech running amok

>
>1) central locks.  I don't mind using a key, but it is nice when both
>doors and the hatch unlock with only one action.
>2) Inside trunk release.  That way I'm not fumbling with my keys in an
>unfamiliar parking lot, and God forbid I drop them and they roll under
>the car.
>3) Heated rear view mirrors.  Sure, the rear window defroster is nice,
>but that's only 1/3 of my rear vision.  Gotta have the mirrors too.
>Esp. if they're iced over and I'm scared to scrape them for fear of
>busting the power adjuster.
>4) Remote mirror adjusters.  Almost too common to mention, but how
>else do you adjust the pass. side mirror without a helper?  PITA if
>you share the car with someone much shorter or taller than you.
>5) Heated leather seats.  Leather because I'm a slob and will destroy
>cloth; heated because, well, have you ever sat your butt on 15 degree
>leather?
>6) Automatic temperature control.  I thought this one was really
>wussified until I bought my 944; now I love it.  I'm always
>comfortable in the car.  My entire interaction with the HVAC system is
>selecting "defrost" or "not defrost" and "air conditioning" or "not
>air conditioning."  No setting it to "hot" when you get in the car,
>then fiddling with it after the car warms up so you're not *too* hot,
>etc...
>7) Good headlights.  Sadly this makes the list simply because most car
>headlights SUCK.  The 944 now wears E-codes and a relay harness; I am
>truly spoiled now.
>8) rear wiper/washer.  I have owned a lot of hatchbacks and all have
>had the rear wiper/washer EXCEPT the 944, and now I miss it... got
>most of the parts scrounged to add the rear wiper but sadly ****sche

>didn't have a rear washer option.  Am thinking of trying to rig
>something with VW parts if I keep the car long enough.
>
>well, there's my list anyway...
>
>nate

All good - I'll add a couple must haves for me:

I'll second the good headlights - every one of my 5 cars has e-code
headlights 
installed. It's dark here more than 16 hours a day in the Winter, and I
want a 
s****ting chance of seeing that random Moose before I hit it and kill him
and 
myself.

9. Headlight wash/wipe - absolutely critical in a sloppy Maine snowstorm -

both of my daily drivers and one of my convertibles are so equiped. The
other 
two cars never play in the snow. You can't NOT take a Saab Convertible out
in 
the snow occasionally - they get snippy. :-)

10. Snowtires - so very necessary on the daily drivers. All season tires
suck.

11. A hatch - I don't get sedans, they are so impractical. Give me either
a 
Wagon or at least a hatchback. Though I do make exception for my '86 535i.
:-)

Personally I would rather have top quality German plastic substances on my

seats than leather. The seats in my Mercedes are 20 years old and
absolutely 
look like new. And are no more or less comfortable than the leather in the

other cars. Zero maintenance too.

Kevin Rhodes
95 Saab 900SET 3dr -perfect winter car? I have no use for AWD.
'92 Saab 900T Convertible - summer and winter fun
'88 Mercedes Benz 300TE - perfect load lugger, possibly the high point of
car 
evolution, just does everything well.
'86 BMW 535i 5spd - just because it is a classic, sleeps through the
winter
'74 Triumph Spitfire - ye olde Britishe crocke, sleeping next to the BMW, 
waiting for warm summer evenings