If you were new vehicle shopping, what are your must haves

[Tyler Durden]

To say I am innundated by the choices vehicle options would be an understatement.  I am leaning towards a truck, maybe an SUV.  This is my basic list so far:

1.  4X4 ( or if a crossover SUV maybe front wheel drive)

2.  4 seats or 4 doors (packing two weimaraners into my 2 seat F-150 sucked)

3.  bucket seats in the front

4.  Cruise

5.  Air conditioning

6.  AM/FM radio

I am towing anything... Don't have horses, a boat, a Seadoo.

So what other things do you like features-wise in a vehicle?

Thanks!

[Magoo541]

For a brand new vehicle I'd have to add Bluetooth, IPod connectivity and more than 1 12v connection.

[Bic]

Sirius/XM satellite radio, in  case you're in those places that can't get Rush,Hannity or Beck.

[JdePietro]

This may sound stupid but...

Jeep, Jeep and oh yeah it has to be a Jeep. Open air, steel frame, real 4wd that has not been wussified to appease the soccer moms and its just a beautiful icon of Americana. Get yourself a Sahara Edition and you get all kinds of goodies but really just test drive one and tell me there isn't something special about this American made SUV.

Yes, yes, I know they are Italian owned but the Italians are awesome! What other company has brought some of its production back from mexico? 

[MikeBjerum]

They don't make a new car I want anymore!

I don't need more electronic gadgetry and entertainment in the vehicle than I use at home.

I also do not want or need all the computer controlled braking, acceleration, 4wd, differentials, etc.

My '76 k2500 with a 400 small block and got 15 mpg on the highway.  My '05 k1500 with a 5.3 gets 15 mpg on the highway.  I step on the brakes today and the anti-locks start cycling and I slide, but back in the old days I could pump the brakes and stop.  In fact that is what I do today.  Used to be if I needed more traction I just reached down and pulled a lever.  If it didn't engage ... It always engaged!  Today I need to push a button on the dash and wait for heaters and motors to engage.  Then, if everything is working and I haven't torn a 16 ga wire off in the field, the anti-locks start cycling to gain "ultimate" traction.

The only thing, and I mean only thing, I can say I like better in our new vehicles that I didn't have in 1980 is heated seats cold weather startability - Fuel injection does have one benefit.

[Sponsor]

[kmitch200]

If you were new vehicle shopping, what are your must haves

A Toyota emblem.
Think about the TV coverage of 3rd world sh!tholes that are in the midst of a civil war, the trucks you see with the AA guns mounted in the bed are Toyotas.
The show Top Gear tried to kill one, it never died.
My Toyota trucks have been virtually bulletproof.  You can find better gas mileage in its class but nothing that is more worry free.

One family member likes their GMC Acadia. Seems nice but still too new to know if there are any issues with it. A no sale for me 'cause that ones not 4WD.
(on edit: I don't know if that family member has AWD-it's still a no sale because I hate OnStar!)

[Solus]

Getting old here and back trouble is setting in.

Drive a 2000 Camaro Z28...and my only requirement in a replacement is the best gas mileage reasonably available and some thing I can get up into and down out of instead of down into and up out of.
 

[Bic]

Sirius/XM satellite radio, in  case you're in those places that can't get Rush,Hannity or Beck.

I'm reminded by 'she who must be obeyed' and has XM in her car, that Rush isn't on XM....maybe Beck too for all I know, my truck is too old to have XM, but Fox have their own channel!

[Tyler Durden]

I also don't like OnStar.

I also don't like companies who took bailout money.

[Big Frank]

An SUV built on a shortened truck frame, not some wussy "crossover". 
4 doors & seats 5-6 adults.
Push button 4x4.
All the normal conveniences like cruise and A/C.
CD player with XM radio.
Towing package.
Preferably cloth seats.