Sound off: What is the most oversold and useless car feature/characteristic currently on the market?

Push start ignition on cars that still require you to put the key in and turn.

NAV units! $1000 to read a map for you.

Cassette Tape players. I haven't even seen a tape in 10 years.

As much as I hate to rip BMW, the seatbelt assist arm.

Navigation system are useless and cost $2000 plus as an option. The new cell phones will now incorporate GPS systems as part of their package. Why pay the $2k when I may get it on my cell phone. It is also unreliable when it comes to problems - just ask BMW 7 series folks ;)

Run Flat Tires! NOISY, harsh riding, low tread life, $300. to fix a flat (must be replaced), tires not available when you need one in the middle of Montana/Wyoming, replacement tires not available period.

What are the folks thinking who buy cars with these tires?

Jim

Infared vision. Automatic headlights and wipers. Daytime running lights. Carbon fiber accents in two ton vehicles "to save weight." Sonar controlled cruise control. And any FWD "performance car."

Daytime running lights, really doesn't help in visibility. How hard is to see that a 2 ton vehicle is coming at you in broad daylight?

Daytime running lights are not made to help visibility. They are made to prevent daytime head-on and front-corner collisions by increasing vehicle conspicuity and making it easier to detect approaching vehicles from farther away.

I'm with Jim - run flat tires are great for little women who live in dangerous cities, but for the rest of us, they suck.

Automatic wipers are actually pretty cool and on my car (XJ8) they worked quite well.

SUVs. Noone needs them and they're just hogging out roadways and increasing our dependence on foreign oil. You have people or junk to haul, get a station wagon, they're much more practical and they don't turn into a tank in an accident and kill everyone around them.

SPORT PACKAGES... these different pieces of plastic dont do anything, they are usually above 2000 euros, they are harder to replace and more expensive, the car is not any more sportier because of them and usually they spoil the cars look and they dont anything to the price when u sell the car

NAV Systems. I have an 8700c with Google's free mapping software and I can navigate with the best of them.

Okay, so it's still costing me $40 for the data package, but it's cheaper than a NAV system.

infra red for sure. tv in car that turns off when you move. auto wipers. adaptive cruise control. if you're too lazy to look at the road ahead you shouldn't be driving. and it costs so much. sport packages too, on cars like an x5 or ml. increase fuel consumption and co2 emissions, makes the ride harsh. increases the top speed by about 15 mph (on the x5) but who can go at 140, ever? buttons on the steering wheel to change gear, why not just use the shifter?

Wheel rim packages that cost over $1,000

Simple, cupholders.

refrigerated glove boxes, who thought of that?

I agree with CarNut - sports "appearance" packages are pretty worthless. Added weight with a heftier price tag especially if you're driving, say, a Camry - no sports package can help you there, my friend.

OK, I wouldn't pay over $1k for a Nav in a new car and I know maps work, too; but navigations systems aren't worthless. I enjoy my Magellan 3000T. It's not a dealer installed option, I know. Maps work, too - I know. But most maps I've read don't tell you which streets are one way in metro areas. It has saved me lots of time in NYC & SF. I can also get phone numbers to call for reservations on the go. And it plays MP3's, WMA's, etc, etc.

thing is plano, in family cars, those things are useful. but not when they cost more than buying a mini fridge and putting it in the car. i did that when i drove to spain.

Rupert, you got a point. All mine does is keep the owners manuals and insurance cards cool.

well....it could stop the paper going mouldy?

Intergrated cell phones

How about massage seats, iceboxes, and other luxuries for the REAR seats, unless you're a Maybach, Bluetooth phone kits that don't synch with most Bluetooth phones, a dozen or more speakers and ultra-high-fidelity sound, most of which is covered up by road noise, touch screens that deactivate unless the car is at a complete stop, and that stupid legal disclaimer you have to acknowledge every time you get in the car.

I dont know what most of you drive, but this article is ridiculous. I have many of the options that people say are useless, and i disagree. All luxury options are there to please customers. If you dont need the option, just dont get it. One mans crap can be the next mans gold.
Have any of you ever bought a good used car, but where upset that certain options werent there like a sunroof, or leather seats, or power windows or locks? its the same thing. someone can find use in one thing and another person thinks its pointless.
The more options the better.

I'd have to say pretty much every feature costing more than 1k in the new s class--o wait, thats all of them. Nice try but lex still owns with the technology. The s550 is just loaded with every bit of bs you don't need. Sorry mb, im just not sure im ready in this day and age to take my foot off the pedal and let the car take over on the highway.

iamdabest1,
I understand your point but you almost have to special order any car that doesn't come pre-loaded with this crap. Every car in the dealership is several thousands more than the base price because it is overloaded with useless stuff. I have don't know what some of the buttons do on my dashboard. I don't care but I am sure I paid for them.

Let's see...I don't know about 'oversold' but here are some things that I think are just straight useless.

HID Lamps - Sure they look cool, but how much brighter are they? They're hell for oncoming drivers. It's like having permanent high-beams.

Automatic Climate Control - Flipping a few extra switches or turning a couple more knobs won't kill you...and if you're worried about the whole taking your eyes off of the road risk...just wait until you hit a stop sign or a light.

Heated Steering Wheels or even Heated Seats - Just rub your hands on the wheel...or just stay put in the seat for five minutes. Your tush should be able to warm it soon enough. "Cooled" seats...I can understand. Not like you want to throw ice on the upholstry in the summer...

Auto-Dimming Rear-View Mirrors - In all of my experiences...they just seem to turn everything green and they don't help much with the glare.

Automated Manual Transmissions - Unless smooth, lightning-fast shifts engage as soon as you hit the stick...say, like Ferrari's F1 system...I think they're somewhat useless. They say that the time between when you hit the stick and when it actually shifts makes up for the disengagement and engagement of the clutch...whatever, I think it's pointless...


That's all I've got for now.

Panoramic Sunroofs - Heavy, expensive, and they look tacky when they're retracted. I mean do you really want a stack of glass hanging off the roof of your car?

Oh yea...and the new Mercedes S-Class...that car damn near takes the driving out of driving.