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I Could Get Used to This - 2015 Kia K900 Long-Term Road Test
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I Could Get Used to This - 2015 Kia K900 Long-Term Road Test
If I were buying a new car I would want heated seats (no surprise), a rearview camera (soon to be standard) and a head-up display. This last one has only just made it onto my list after traveling several hundred miles in our long-term 2015 Kia K900.
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Lockers and a remote disconnect sway bar. Oh, and heated seats.
(I was spoiled by all that on a recent trip to some AZ mountains in my Wrangler Rubicon)
I know the latter is pretty much standard on all but the most basic cars these days. But I have been driving a 1972 MGB-GT for the past couple years and it has really reminded me how much I enjoy the simple convenience of hitting a button to unlock my car, particularly in the winter.
This year's winter beater is a '91 S-10 Blazer 4x4. It has power windows and locks, but no remote. I may spend the $50-60 for an aftermarket upgrade. I really miss the heated seats from my Forester and Jetta, particularly after last winter.
I've nver had HID's. But I am always impressed by the quality of the lights on cars that pass me at night with them. They just seem like a worthwhile safety upgrade.
My mom's 2013 Tiguan has keyless entry and ignition, and while I didn't initially think that it would be that big of a convenience, I really appreciate it whenever I drive her car. It makes unlocking and starting it easy and quick, especially if you've got items in your hand. My only complaint is that you can't start the car and then lock it from the outside with the key on your person unless you do it manually with the hidden keyhole on the door, which is something I do when it's particularly hot or cold and I want to keep the interior comfortable.
Adaptive cruise would be nice, but it isn't "must have" since I've managed without it. A rearview camera would be great but it would really only be a must have on a larger car. Head up display would be great, but I think we're years away from them being available on more affordable cars.
I like what Mazda has done with connectivity and media choices on my new 3, but it could be better still (and since Mazda can add features via programming it probably will get better). To that point I'd like my next car's media system to just be a conduit for the phone or whatever media/app devices have bene devised in the future. Just give us a plug in port or Bluetooth and some good speakers and let us control the rest.
And the last one might not be possible the next time I buy a new car but it's as much a must have as anything for me: a manual transmission. As good as modern automatics are, I just need that extra level of engagement when I drive. Yes... even in traffic. Will anyone be making them (for something I can afford or want) next time I am in the market? Tough to say.
I thought the HUD on my 3 was dumb (and I still think it will be the first thing that breaks; the fact that the screen raises and lowers is just so superfluous) but I've grown to really like it for all of the reasons Donna cited. I wouldn't call it a must have, but it sure is nice to have the speed, cruise and NAV info right in front of you.