AC for a car needed??? (home, buy, mall)

[Ex-Expat]

I know this is more of a personal preference but am wondering if AC is really needed in a car. I am planning on getting a new truck that I will keep for many years and wondering if the AC will really be worth the extra $1500+. We will have a car with AC. I think there will only be 1-2 months of the year where having AC in a vehicle will be used. I am cheap and any opportunity to save a few bucks is worth it.

So does anybody really need AC in their vehicle?

[eidas]

YES

and I'm probably cheaper than you

[Ex-Expat]

Originally Posted by eidas

YES

and I'm probably cheaper than you

So you understand my dilemma.....pay an extra $1500 for something that I could get by without and would really only be needed/useful 1-2 months of the year.

So I will have to rationalize it and think that over 10 years it is only $150 a year. Still kinda expensive.

Thanks......I think.

[North Beach Person]

What vehicle, even a truck, comes without AC nowadays?

Also remember that AC is also good in the colder months running on MAXAIR to clear moisture out of the vehicle.

[silverfox]

Mr. Cheaps .... You could just stay home when the temps are over 100 degrees.

I assume you will have air conditioning in your home ?????

If not .. take a bus to the mall where they have air cond.

[jj85]

Yes, spending the extra $1,500 would highly be worth it, especially on 100 degree days.
For $1500 you could buy a nice Mazda 626 that has AC, that would be a Dependable/Reliable car.

[Zembonez]

AC is a much needed safety item... even more so on cold damp days. When you click on the defroster, your AC compressor goes to work, drying out the air so all of that condensation evaporates on your windows. You'll love having it three months out of the year for the cool air, but you NEED it for the Winter.

[Sage of Sagle]

Originally Posted by Zembonez

AC is a much needed safety item... even more so on cold damp days. When you click on the defroster, your AC compressor goes to work, drying out the air so all of that condensation evaporates on your windows. You'll love having it three months out of the year for the cool air, but you NEED it for the Winter.

I'm a big +1 on this issue. I've had vehicles without AC and while you can make it work in winter, a vehicle with AC has the defroster work dramatically better. In fact, my AC went out one night driving up I-15 through western MT in the dead of winter and it was actually harder to keep the interior of the vehicle defrosted with a car full of people. So I view it as a good safety feature in the winter.

[MaryleeII]

AC adds to the resale value of your car.

[Ex-Expat]

Thanks for all the helpful replies. I did not realize that the AC would help defrost the windows. I know the AC comes on in my car with the defrost here in Brazil but I thought that was just for the high humidity here.

Now I know the extra $$$ will be well worth it. Thanks again.