Cars....

[poltr1]

Last week, athenawindsong and I were discussing what features we'd like to see in cars. We both agreed that the foldaway seat was an invention whose time has come. Instead of having to haul out HEAVY seats, they just fold away. The engineer(s) who designed them should get some type of award.

There are some features on the Buick Lucerne that are very nice. Hopefully they'll trickle down to the rest of the GM line. I don't see myself buying a Buick in the near future; I'm not old enough. (My perception of Buick owners are older people (i.e. retirees and pensioners) and people of color.)

Here's what I'd like to have installed in my next car:
- Built-in defrosters for side mirrors and windshield
- Heads-up display (was attempted years ago but didn't catch on)
- Five-point seat belts (just like the race-car drivers use) and bucket seats
- Seat heaters (and coolers) - already used in the Saab line
- Hybrid engine or one that takes E85 (85% ethanol)
- Selectable V4/V6 (a V6 engine that can selectively shut off the fuel injection and sparking of two cylinders) (good for climbing hills, but adds weight to the engine. Is this feasible or even practical?)
- Turn signal lights on side mirrors (already used on pickups and SUVs)
- Radar sensor in front (and automatic braking) so I don't inadvertantly rear-end another car or a wall

What would you like to see on cars?

[Coming soon: Wither GM?]

[Updated 02-Mar-06 15:33 EST] Added subject line.

Comments

[bikergeek.livejournal.com]

OnStar is rather ... Big Brother-ish for my tastes. GPS and a remote-activatable microphone in the passenger compartment? No thanks.

[redaxe.livejournal.com]

Yep. My GPS should report to me, and nobody else, but should be linkable AT MY NEED into someone else's system. It would be nice if AAA offered that service.