Options

Stories from the Sales Frontlines

1104510461048105010512003

Comments

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,973
    The conversation continues and out of nowhere she says, “maybe by next winter we should get one of those but it has to have the bun warmers.

    Seat heaters must be the most asked for option on cars today. Personally I hate them and have never even turned mine on in this car, but man that is all anyone talks about when buying a car "had to get the heated seats...."

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,593
    edited April 2010
    Plus the Sonata is getting a turbo charged version that should be just under the power of the V6 CC for thousands less with much better gas mileage

    Sounds impressive. If Hyundai keeps this up they will actually be able to get more for their cars...they have the content, the reliability, and now the looks.

    Not sure if it will have the "feel of the road" that the CC has.

    The interior of the Sonata is pretty nice. Looks like they tried to jazz up that 1999 C Class....even the door panels look similar.

    image

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,593
    Seat heaters must be the most asked for option on cars today. Personally I hate them and have never even turned mine on in this car,

    The button for the seat warmer is the first thing my wife reaches for when she gets in the car, if the temperature is below 70. I don't bother unless it is below 40. People love them. When I checked the Sonata they have rear seat warmers as an option, and it is standard on the top model.

    People love their bun warmers.....unless you are thick skinned or cold blooded :P

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    I agree with you. Though very popular, I can't see the big deal. It's like sitting in a chair. Your buns warm the seat after about five minutes. Why would you want a seat warmer in a car? My top option on the next car is the back up sensors/cameras. I can see real value in having that option.

    The NAV is nice, but I'm not sure about its accuracy. My sister told me that one of her patients couldn't find their clinic by using NAV. The clinic is sitting on a main highway just beyond the city limits. A friend told me that NAV was like Mapquest in that it gets things mixed up with driving directions. Still, people do like having it as an option.

    I wasn't the least bit interested in Bluetooth until we began test driving these new cars. I do like the idea of hands free communication by just saying, "Call tjc78." It does seem much safer than using your standard cell phone.

    Since 22% of Americans smoke, I found this tidbit interesting. Those owners who have a sunroof will find that it helps to draw the smoke up and away from the cabin of the car. I had never thought of that advantage. My wife doesn't care for sunroofs. I can take them or leave them.

    I like leather as an option and, along with the rear sensors, will want that on the new purchase. As for 4WD, I don't care about it. We don't do off the road stuff and we don't have that much snow. Why pay an extra $1k for it? Day time running lights and fog lights? I do prefer them if they happen to come on the model that we buy.

    I'm just not picky about so many options. Give me the upgraded interior power and light package, leather, and rear sensors. I'll be happy.

    Richard
  • mako1amako1a Member Posts: 1,855
    Could we get some idea what a CC is? I can't even google that and come up with a car brand. Also the MDX was referred to yesterday. Again, what company makes that?

    I know you guys that own them like abbreviations, but us Chevy/Toyota people have no idea what all the letters mean? I'm sure I'm not alone here.

    2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,973
    unless you are thick skinned or cold blooded

    That must be me!

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,973
    edited April 2010
    The MDX is an Acura, The CC is a VW I believe the full name is Passat CC...

    image

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,973
    I'm just not picky about so many options

    The last few cars I had were pretty much loaded except for NAV (I like leather and all the power accessories). I use my cell phone (VZ Navigator) for the NAV and it works great in the rare case I use it. The only feature that I have found to be completly addictive is the "rain-sensing wipers" I love them. I set them on auto and they come on when needed, and adjust the speed for the amount of rainfall.

    Aside from heated seats, the other gimmick I see is the total keyless thing. I have that and really don't see the advantage. I have been leaving my keys clipped to my briefcase but still need to take them off to get into my house.

    Bluetooth should be standard in all cars and there shouldn't be any new phone sold that doesn't have the bluetooth built in. Also the manufacturers should require the dealers to set it up for the customers that way there is no excuse for people holding a cell to their ear while driving.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,593
    , I can't see the big deal. It's like sitting in a chair. Your buns warm the seat after about five minutes.

    So, it's all about "me" is it? :P Not all of us live in the sunny South. Try getting through a Northern winter without bun warmers and see if you can survive.

    Actually, here we need bun warmers and air conditioned seats for the summer...now that would be perfect.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,593
    dealers to set it up for the customers that way there is no excuse for people holding a cell to their ear while driving.

    Saw a deice on a tech report yesterday. It looks like a watch and you wear it like a watch. It has the speaker and mike built in. Can be set to answer without pressing a button. Costs about $70. Just wear it when you drive...if you don't have factory installed bluetooth.

    Thanks for doing the photos of the CC tjc.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Don't be so wussy! :P

    We have lived for years without heated or air conditioned seats!

    "Need" ? I don't think so!
  • fushigifushigi Member Posts: 1,459
    Re: Bun warmers. Granted, this was in December but after having my Outlander for a couple of weeks my wife said they were her favorite feature. For her I can understand why, though. She gets cold easily and will sit & shiver while a car warms up even though ours are garaged overnight.

    Of course, a friend of mine says he can't use them as they make him want to wet his pants. :surprise:

    Re: Nav accuracy. I've not had problems with mine other than what I see in any nav system. Namely, they don't learn your preferences. For instance, when told to favor major roads they do it to a fault, staying on a highway long enough that the last few miles to our house wind up being on roads we would never take otherwise. While that isn't an issue around our house, it can be when going to parts unknown. They need a "preferred route" function that lets you record or specify the way you want to take to get to the highway or otherwise start/end a trip.

    As to not finding certain places, that may not be the nav's fault and can easily be the nature of the roads & addressing schemes used. My wife works in a medical building on a hospital campus. The building's address is on the main road but there's no driveway; you have to take a side road & an access road to get there.

    At the moment I like the running map display and use it for ETA & miles remaining calculations. Volume is muted unless needed. Mine also shows construction zones as well as traffic alerts.

    Re: Rain sensing wipers. Love 'em. They can be fooled when there's too much dust on the windshield after parking for a while but that's minor. I leave mine on pretty much all the time. Along with automatic headlights & climate control it reduces the distractions from the actual act of driving.

    Re: Keyless entry. I leave my keys in my pocket. I enter the house via the garage and we don't generally lock the door from the garage into the house. At work I badge in. I actually handle my keychain more when I use a store's frequent customer card. Mitsu's FAST is something I can easily do without but it is nice when I'm holding a bag to just grab a door handle & have it unlock for me.

    Re: Bluetooth. Especially with voice dialing, BT should be considered a desirable safety item like TCS & ABS. Some may call it controversial and argue against cell phone usage in cars altogether, but let's face it: that just isn't going to happen.

    While driving last week we say a semi driver texting while driving. Well, while drifting as he wasn't doing a good job of staying in his lane. :sick:
    2017 Infiniti QX60 (me), 2012 Hyundai Elantra (wife)
  • jayriderjayrider Member Posts: 3,602
    The heated car seats are nice if you have leather but as far as my wife is concerned, the heated toilet seat I got her 3 years ago continues to be the best gift that keeps on giving. Google toto washlet. You need an electrical outlet near the tank. :shades:
  • jwilliams2jwilliams2 Member Posts: 910
    edited April 2010
    Could we get some idea what a CC is? I can't even google that and come up with a car brand.

    Excellent point. Folks should remember that this site draws thousands of visitors, besides the regulars. If it's a VW CC or a Hyundai Genesis, please identify it as such.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    This is great! Mrs jmonroe is in car hunting mode! Nest thing we know Mr jmonroe will be talking about how nice the dining room would look with new furniture! :D
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,296
    but as far as my wife is concerned, the heated toilet seat I got her 3 years ago continues to be the best gift that keeps on giving.

    Would seem a bun warmer for a toilet seat would be more practical than for a car seat... unless you drive neked. :sick:
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    the heated toilet seat

    Now that could be a shocking experience. ;)
  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    it has to have the bun warmers

    In most cars heated seats can be added. Here, there are several companies that can reasonably add them. If you really want to pay, have the dealer add them. But either way, it may be cheaper than a new car.
  • benjaminhbenjaminh Member Posts: 6,557
    edited April 2010
    Nice looking car. I'm sure it's a blast to drive. But I'm 5'10" and my head hit the roof in the back seat when I sat up straight...You pay a price for that coupe styling...
    2018 Acura TLX 2.4 Tech 4WS (mine), 2024 Subaru Outback (wife's), 2018 Honda CR-V EX (offspring)
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Re: Nav accuracy. I've not had problems with mine other than what I see in any nav system. Namely, they don't learn your preferences.

    Son #1 has a portable nav. I can’t remember the name right now although I know he got it at Radio Shack for his wife a few years ago. I was with him one time when he was using it. He kept saying, “oh, I can take a better route than this” and it kept recalculating. He must have made it do that 5 or 6 times. Finally, when we arrived at the place he was going to the nav said, “your destination is on your right” but it was actually on our left. He said, “I think I confused it when I made it recalculate all those times”. I said, “a while back I was waiting for it to say, “since you seem to know where you’re going…BYE”. :surprise:

    My Genny did learn the route to get me home the way I always go but it took about 4 trips for that to happen but it doesn’t know how to get me to all the way to my correct house number. It still keeps trying to get me to the house about 4 doors down.

    Re: Bluetooth. Especially with voice dialing, BT should be considered a desirable safety item like TCS & ABS.

    I still haven’t programmed in the voice dialing function but it is nice to have hands free answering when the phone rings. That was for you ‘driver’. ;)

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    It still keeps trying to get me to the house about 4 doors down.

    That is a common problem with all Nav systems. My house is across the street from where I live. However, I corrected it by sitting in the driveway and making where I was my home location. It now takes me into the correct garage. My neighbor is happy. ;)
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    If it's a VW CC or a Hyundai Genesis, please identify it as such.

    Will Genny work for the Genesis? :blush:

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • jwilliams2jwilliams2 Member Posts: 910
    Most of us regulars know what your Genny is, but casual visitors might not. Hence the suggestion. In some parts of the country, a Genny is an adult beverage made by the Genesee Brewing Company. :shades:
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    I couldn't agree with you more. I have mentioned this problem before. Who could know all of those letters? A poster wanted me to try out the MDX. I thought that they were talking about a Lincoln. When I went to look it up, there was no such animal. It would be so helpful to mention the car brand in front of the model letters.

    Richard
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    edited April 2010
    This go's to show that what is important to some, others could care less about.

    Heated seats..I start to squirm after the first five minutes.

    Navigation - I really have no need. Maybe if I traveled a lot?

    Rain sensing wipers? To me, that is just a silly thing. I can "sense" for myself if it's raining and it takes zero effort to turn on the wipers!

    Keyless entry -I don't like extra bulk in my pocket. When we got our CRV, I never put the remote on my keychain.

    Bluetooth - I pay attention to my driving and not on the content of a phone conversation. If you call my cell while I'm driving I'll either pull over and answer it or you can leave a message and I'll call you back.

    Texting while driving ANY vehicle much less a semi should be a felony!

    But that's me. Others just HAVE to have things I have no use for.
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    You mean there is a place other than the South? :P

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    That's a wonderful idea! Where can I buy one of those "watches"?

    Richard
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    This is great! Mrs jmonroe is in car hunting mode! Nest thing we know Mr jmonroe will be talking about how nice the dining room would look with new furniture!

    Wise guy huh, just won’t let it go will ya? :(

    OK, I might go for that but I demand bun warmers for those cool days like Thanksgiving when the whole crew shows up after I’ve been outside raking leaves all day while big bird is getting all toasty. How’s that for putting my foot down? :)

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Just wait until Mrs. JM becomes a poster on Edmunds. Talk about the banter between those two! :D I can't wait. I need to talk with her about her dining room. :shades:

    Ducking and running!

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    LOL! There are times when you make my day! :D

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "Since you seem to know where you're going...BYE."

    LOL! What a great response!

    Richard
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    Although the new Sonata is impressive including the interior, some switches and buttons aren't exactly of the same high quality as Honda, Acura or VW and feel really cheap. But you can't expect everything for that low of a price!

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "My house is across the street from where I live."

    I can understand NAV having a problem with that one. :P

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    In some places, a Genny is a bed. Some visitors might think that he drives an RV. :P

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Keyless entry? Agreed. I can stick the key in the door about as quickly.

    Richard
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Exactly!

    You have to have the key in your hand anyway to put it in the ignition!
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    But either way, it may be cheaper than a new car.

    Captain,

    I’m sure you’re trying to help but “cheaper” ain’t what I’m looking for. Zero out of pocket is what helps the most. :(

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Most of us regulars know what your Genny is, but casual visitors might not.

    Well, if they pay their dues, we’ll let them into our “inner circle” OK? Anyone have a problem with that. We don't want to be called 'clickish' do we? And yes I am familiar with the Genesee Brewing Company. :)

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Sometimes having the navigator direct you across the street is a good thing. Nice house.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,973
    J,

    Speaking of your "Genny" did you rebadge yours with the Korean badges?

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    You have to have the key in your hand anyway to put it in the ignition!

    Not so fast there ‘isell’. With my Genny equipped with keyless entry and push button start all you have to is walk up to the car with the fob in your pocket, push a button on the door then pull the handle to get into the car. Once your buns are in the seat you put your foot on the brake, push the start button and you’re on your way. The fob never has to leave your pocket if you don't want it to.

    Not everything works like a Honda. :D

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • fushigifushigi Member Posts: 1,459
    Keyless entry? Agreed. I can stick the key in the door about as quickly.

    Sorry, but not a chance. I grab the door handle and it unlocks. No key or fob in hand. Nothing to fish out of a pocket. Nothing to put away after unlocking it. (Also, no minor scratches around the keyhole.)

    You have to have the key in your hand anyway to put it in the ignition!

    No, the fob stays in your pocket, purse (for the ladies), or wherever you prefer.

    Just grab the handle, open the door, sit down, and turn the ignition (Mitsu isn't doing the push button thing). Here's a somewhat dark video that shows it in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCNwb1VAGMY The fob has the traditional buttons but you don't use them under normal circumstances.
    2017 Infiniti QX60 (me), 2012 Hyundai Elantra (wife)
  • jayriderjayrider Member Posts: 3,602
    Agree 100% with your observations. But to be fair you and I are old school. That stuff adds nothing to my quality of life. Just more things to go wrong.Of course many feel differently. The new prius cockpit is daunting. So much stuff -- would need some serious inservice to deal with anything but start-drive-stop. Rented an 08 and i have to admit watching the mpg in the mid forties was addictive. The new ones lokk like the bridge on the Enterprise.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    One more "feature" I could care less about.
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    edited April 2010
    Speaking of your "Genny" did you rebadge yours with the Korean badges?

    No I haven’t because I’m not so sure I like it but very coincidentally, I was just looking on Ebay last night about this. Those prices are very reasonable compared to what I saw at a dealership when I was on vacation at Myrtle Beach last summer when the CEL came on (false emission signal). While waiting, I went to the show room floor to look at the Genny that was there. The dealer ADM was $1200 IIRC for the whole works (trunk, hood, rim center caps and steering wheel wings plus they had a glossy black center pillar on each side with the word Genesis that looked like it might light up when the lights are on light). For that price I know I don’t like it.

    FWIW, my Brothers wife was so impressed with the test drive my Son gave her last Fathers Day when they were visiting from Del Ray Beach Florida that when the lease was up on her Lincoln Town car they leased a V6 Genny that had the “Wing” package. She said she likes it and when my Brother took the car to the golf club at their development for the first time someone said to him, “what did you buy, a Bentley”?. So I guess it works when you get those crappy Hyundai thingies off of that car. :surprise:

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    One more "feature" I could care less about.

    Do I detect some Hondaism there? :P

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • lrguy44lrguy44 Member Posts: 2,197
    I just thought adding heated seats might save you from shelling out for a new Sonata. Wish you luck with your $0 out of pocket gamble.
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    If you think about it, ask your sister-in-law how she compares the floating ride of her Lincoln Town Car to her new Genny.

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Wrong poster. I made that comment. I watched your video and it was impressive---as long as you don't mind carrying the fob in your pocket. The fob and my keys would bother me in my pocket. Still, that's just me.

    Richard
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,973
    No I haven’t because I’m not so sure I like it

    I didn't do mine either. However, on just about everyone I see (maybe 1 a week) it is rebadged. I think the local dealer must do them all. Mine was a dealer trade so it came with the factory badging.

    As for your Brother's wife I am surprised she likes the ride of the Genesis compared to the ride of the Town Car.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

This discussion has been closed.