The feature I’d like to see on new cars is affordable prices. When I bought my first brand new car in '72 I paid $2300, about 25% of the average annual salary. Now a new economy car costs $20K, about 60% of the average annual salary. And the total federal tax burden since then has probably doubled, so the cost of the car as a poprtion of total takehome pay has grown even more.
We notice more and more brake lights in cars ahead with no decrease in speed. We suppose this is due to left-foot brakers who leave their brake foot resting on the pedal as they zoom along at 70 mph. We suggest a warning bell, alarm, or light on the dash board to inform the driver of this irritating (and yes, sometimes dangerous) habit! We love your show.
Kathy and Ken Schurzky, Bridgewater, NJ
My Jeep Grand Cherokee has this lights-on feature. It was, however, an optional feature and cost $$$.
“Brake foot”? My brake foot is usually resting on the accelerator.
Variable day night mirrors for side and rearview.
Integrated cell phone jamming device built into the cars computer so no cell phones or wireless devices at all would work within the car when running.
Why doesn’t somebody invent automatic shutoffs for internal lights!!!? Many a battery death has occurred when one of my kids put their overhead light on and my husband (never me, of course) didn’t notice when putting the car away for the night.
a place for a wet umbrella in the front compartment
it would be nice if all cars automatically shut off at red lights and restart upon acceleration. right now only a few cars do this, and that is not enough.
New economy cars cost $20,000? Really?
http://www.hyundaiusa.com/accent-3-door/
http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/fiesta/?gnav=nav:car:ford%20fiesta:home:img
http://automobiles.honda.com/fit/price.aspx
http://www.kia.com/#/rio/explore/360-views-and-colors-exterior/
–
More than one person’s life has been saved because she was able to call for help from the trunk of an abductor’s car. I imagine drunk drivers would like it too since it would be harder for other drivers to report them.
Why doesn’t somebody invent automatic shutoffs for internal lights!!!?
Because it isn’t that hard to turn off the darn lights on your own. How lazy and absent-minded are your kids, and why is it the car-makers’ fault instead of yours?
Actually, this feature is available, but it isn’t standard. My mother’s Toyota Sienna will shut off the headlights and interior lights on its own if you leave them on.
All ten of your standards features are terrific.
I’m suggesting a new option – particularly for geezers, men and women. Cars today offer an incredible number of power features, such as seats, windows, and now rear doors on SUV’s. In many circumstances, driver and passenger doors can be difficult to open and close, such as when you are parked on a slope. Power doors would solve this problem for older drivers who don’t have the strength they once enjoyed. It would be great for disabled drivers, and less muscular riders of all ages.
Thank you for reading!
Larry Schulz
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
larry.schulz@comcast.net
303-475-3532
automatic full headlights! This is standard in Canada and I can’t seem to find it in the U.S. cars. Makes me want to buy my car there!!!
Mary
A jamming device for cell phones that engages when the car is started and taken out of park. Putting the car back in park with the engine running would turn the device off for as long as it was in park.
There could be an optional override button in the back seat that allows the passenger to use a cell phone. In my family that?s where the navigation center seems to be anyway.
A feature I’ve always coveted is an automatic rearview mirror aiming device for shining the poorly aimed and/or high beam headlight of the driver behind me back into his or her face
I love all your suggestions! Here’s another…
My son came up with this idea when he was 8 years old (he’s now 15). We looked into patenting the idea, only to find out that someone already had the patent, BUT…no manufacturers have done anything with the idea (very frustrating).
All cars should have a “U-Turn Signal”! That way, you would know to not turn Right on Red, when you see the car in the turn lane to your right, signaling with the U-Turn Signal. Or, you sit back a little longer and/or leave more room in front of you, after you get the green left turn arrow, if you see the U-Turn Signal blinking on the car in front of you.
We would LOVE to see this feature on all cars and it would be even better, if my son could be created! It was a very advanced idea for an 8 year old.
I have two, although they’re probably better classified as options I’d like to see: (1) a single “crack windows” switch for power windows that would automatically lower all windows about a half-inch for ventilation when parked. (2) A cruise control settable for a specific speed–you would dial in, say, 70 mph, and the car would maintain that speed, without you having to keep an eye on the speedometer and hit the “set” button when you’re at 70. Maybe a thumbwheel on the steering wheel?
IQ test for drivers.