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We learend from GM that you can usually move up to a better model that already includes most of the creature comforts you want for the same price as the cheaper model with all the extras.
I want a car or pickup with absolutely nothing extra except an automatic, a heater and power steering Because of Diabetic Neuropathy I need an automatic. Arthritis requires Power Steering and a heater is nice on days when it is below zero. Until about one year ago my motorcycle was my main transportation. With close to five million miles driving in my life I still enjoy the driving experience. I don't need bells and whistles to distract from that experience. Screw luxury. I have a Lazy Boy recliner for that.
If buying new I tend to stick to the basic trim with the biggest engine because options depreciate the fastest. When buying used I buy the top trim...because options depreciate the fastest.
Also things like navigation, backup cam, leather, etc can be added easily aftermarket. And usually a higher quality for less money than a factory package.
They're very important to me because if I'm with my car, I'm going to be driving it and I want to be comfortable. Maybe comfort isn't a big deal to some people and that's fine.
Now if I were one of those guys who just likes to park their car at car shows to look at it then I guess creature comforts wouldn't matter.
And no, I will not use my phone as a navigation device because I'm going to conserve the battery for calls (that's where the creature comfort of Bluetooth comes in) and you can get a ticket for holding a cell phone. Cop isn't going to need to listen to your reason for holding the phone.
If buying new I tend to stick to the basic trim with the biggest engine because options depreciate the fastest. When buying used I buy the top trim...because options depreciate the fastest.
Also things like navigation, backup cam, leather, etc can be added easily aftermarket. And usually a higher quality for less money than a factory package.
does depreciation matter if you keep it from new to the end?
I just plug in my phone and the charge stays ahead of what Waze(nav/speed traps/traffic) and Pandora use. Mounted on a vent clip not being held.
That's what I do. And to be honest, the data usage from Waze/Pandora/Spotify is pretty minimal. I use it for 2-3 hours per day, and never go over my data usage for the month.
Phone stays in the clip, and since I have a ford with the Sync system, everything is voice activated. I just hit a button on the steerting wheel and ask the car to do what I want. I never touch the phone, even for navigation.
I can even send and read (listen) to texts over the car audio without ever touching the phone.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sirtiger
does depreciation matter if you keep it from new to the end?
Not to me. My last car was an Infinti that I bought with 15K miles, and drove it to almost 180K miles before it had a major failure. I enjoyed driving that car right up to the very end, and part of that was some of the creature comforts it had. I got my money's worth from it and that's why I don't feel bad not getting a dime for it in the end. I still have the car, and probably going to just donate it.
Heated seats, memory seats (preferred), synthetic/genuine leather, automatic climate control, cruise control, traction control toggling and 3.5mm connectivity. I don't like the trend of integrating all the systems into a touch screen either, it is not time efficient and nearly impossible to adjust without paying attention. I also prefer 3rd party GPS units or a phone with Waze for nav and certainly for media.
The only thing I want in a car going forward is bluetooth and heated seats. The rest I don't care about.
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