Want to choose discrete options, not packages

Just because they aren't required doesn't mean you can't have them.
My DRLs don't bother me since I'm not looking AT the front of my
vehicle. Not to mention that my car also helps to keep me from being
forgetful (not lazy) when I have to have my wipers on, my state
requires headlights when using wipers, my car turns the headlights on
when the wipers have been on for 30 seconds and then off when the
wipers have been off for 10. This isn't a DRL feature, but it's
another whiz-bang, golly-gee electronic gizmo that wasn't on vehicles
years ago yet is a nice safety feature.

 

I did several 600 mile trips in a car that cost me $1, does that count?

 

You beat me. I paid $15 for one of mine. (but it was a convertible). Took
a couple of lengthy trips.

 

I took a few trips in a VW micro bus when I was a kid in the late 60's -
does that count?

 

Did you make it home again? LOL

mike hunt

 

Speed-sensitive radio volume level control is another one. GM goes
overboard with the useless gimmicky stuff. Since most (if not all) are
not options, one can't order a vehicle without those annoyances.

 

Useless. A standard cooler is more practical since it's portable.

 

It is only useless to someone who refuses to use it. How can it be an
"annoyance" if you have it turned off?
Actually, it's one
of those "gimmicks" that works very well.

Dave

 

Bullcrap. I want two options on a Buick Lucerne, but each comes in a
package. Try to get just the remote starter. Or just heated, but not 8 way
seats.

 

Edwin,

You've run into what I call "the tyranny of the wiring harness" )
GM didn't want to make 2 more wiring harnesses for the seats - one of
the 8-way adjuster w/o the heated seats and one with both. Since the
8-way seats is the more complex, they put the wires for the heated
seats in that harness. Soooooo, you get stuck with both.

Saves GM money, even if it cost you. The manufacturers could
eliminate a lot of that if they went to logic-level control (called
"multiplex wiring") but I think they are afraid of the complexity
servicing such a system involves (look at the wiring diagrams for a
Cadillac Allante if you want an example). Multiplex wiring could
eliminate half the wiring in the average car if it were done correctly
(and probably 50~100 lbs of weight) but without the proper training
and equipment it would be damn near impossible to troubleshoot
problems.

Regards,
Bill Bowen
Sacramento, CA

 

Agreed. I like it in my car.

 

Every manufacture could build a base no frills car. if the wanted. The only
reason they do not is because nobody would buy such a vehicle. Evan manual
transmission cars sell poorly. The best selling model, in most every brand,
is generally the one with the most standard equipment or the one just below
it.



mike hunt

 

You might want to take a look at the Lincoln Zephyr. Heated seats are
standard and remote starter is a dealer installed $400 option.

mike hunt

 

Having confused a bunch of newsgroups with some carmakers corporate
offices On Thu, 18 May 2006 15:10:03 -0700, Nomen Nescio

 

The harness makes sense, but what does it cost? Adding an extra $20 for the
more complex harness, even if all is not all used, is better than paying for
a $300 or $500 option that I don't want.

 

I may take a serious look at that and the Milan. You get the same major
features in the Merc for about $4k less.

I just spent another $846 on the Buick yesterday and I'm even less enchanted
with Buick right now. That makes $3700 in the past five months. Guess I
should have dumped it 5 1/2 months ago.

 

But, using your hypothetical numbers, if less than 1 in 20 people pay
money for that, let's say, $400 option, then you were subsidized by
everyone else, and the bottom line of the company is damaged either by
absorbing the cost difference *OR* raising their price and putting
themselves at a price-competitive disadvantage to appease you, Mr.
One-In-Less-Than-20.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

 

What did you have done to it Edwin?

 

Not quite. The only time the more expensive harness is used, is when either
option A or option B is chosen. If no option, or options C, D, or whatever
is chosen, the standard harness is used. What happens is that when I choose
that $390 option, it becomes $400 as a stand alone to pay for that premium
harness. If I choose both A and B, I come out ahead 10 bucks. Or GM" does
depending on how they price. Better than having to pay $800 for an option I
don't want.

 

Big expense was the transmission at $2600. The spark plugs ($48 plus labor,
+ $10 for a wire that broke in the process) is a normal wear item. I don't
mind that. A front wheel bearing was shot. No, you don't replace the $10
bearing, but a $311 hub assembly that includes two casting, bearing ABS
sensor, spline, all of which are still good. Front rotors that were warped
in less than 50k miles and cannot be turned, and an oxygen sensor for $111.

Rotors are made cheaply to save weight but do not last like older ones.
After replacing the O2 sensor and plugs, fuel mileage is still the same so I
see not real benefit. The air pump is making some noise when cold. That
will be about $50 if it does go too.

NOT done are the rear window lift (I have it propped closed with wood) and
the heated seat. Instead of replacing the $15 heating element, they want
$570 for a new seat bottom.

Just adds up to a lot of stuff over the past couple of years. Maybe other
cars are crap too, but this does not seem to be as well made as it could be
and parts are now very expensive assemblies to be replaced. . I have more
repairs in this than my last three cars combined, and less miles than they
had. Now 113k in five years.