What's your minimum car spec?

Soldato
Joined
29 Jun 2004
Posts
12,957
What won't you settle without?

For me:
- Xenons
- Cruise control
- Heated seats
- Decent Bluetooth connected multimedia system
- Automatic transmission
- Estate

Disclaimer: BTW it's no good saying stuff like "air suspension lol" if all you've ever owned is a Fiat Punto. The list should be based on realistic features which you've used extensively before so know you can't live without.

Edit: On hindsight that disclaimer doesn't make much sense does it :confused:

Edit 2: Sod it. I'm keeping it.
 
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Having been looking at cars and just put an offer in on one. My criteria was...
  • 4dr saloon, decent size
  • FR layout
  • Nice styling (each to their own here)
  • Decent engine power, at least 200bhp preferably 6 cylinder
  • Automatic trans.

Then of course you've got your real basic stuff like
  • Auto AC
  • power steering
  • central locking

Which you might simply take for granted but there are fairly modern cars out there without these things (looking at you, MX5!)
 
For a daily:

Cruise
Climate control
Xenons
Decent stereo with aux or at least the ability to add it in a relatively OEM fashion.
Less than 7s to 60
Parking sensors

For something that's only driven for fun, none of those things are requirements for me.
 
Let's set the bar low....

Circa 100hp
A working car
Air con
Music buttons on the steering wheel
Central locking (my Mrs Fiat 11 reg panda doesnt have this :()
 
Built in navigation
Decent infotainment with multiple connectivity options
Auto/Semi
Xenons or LEDs
Leather
Parking sensors with more than just acoustics (not fussed if graphical representation or a camera however).

This is why I nearly ended up ordering an A6 Saloon over the S3. The size wasn't really an issue either way, neither was the fuel type, but in the end raw performance won out.
 
Automatic Transmission with Manual Override , I.E DSG or CVT
Rear Reversing Camera
Air Con
Decent Infotainment System with Bluetooth Audio Streaming
Petrol (Don't do enough miles to warranty a Diesel)
5 Doors
Electric Windows with lock out
Greater than 25 MPGs

Plus the usual , 4 wheels , steering wheel , central locking etc etc
 
Essentials:
PAS
ABS
Seats you sit in not on.
Not glacially slow.
Remote central locking

Nice to haves:
Cruise
AC
Heated Seats
Parking sensors if the car has a big arse.
 
You're mistaken surely?

AC was an optional extra on my 2010 Clio 200 and it has manual mirror adjusters, also no ambient air temp sensor :D

The mirrors get annoying when parallel parking next to the kerb on the NS but other than that they are fine. It has electric windows and AC which are about all I really can't live without.
 
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Decent power steering, good stability/traction setup, abs, good power delivery where I need it (6 cylinder is nice). Do like some nice seats but not bothered if they are heated or not. Good rear visibility.

EDIT: Reliability a plus and likewise that it doesn't fall apart in a crash should the worst happen.
 
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I wouldn't want another car without proper automatic climate control, parking sensors, xenon headlights, electric seat adjustment, bluetooth with audio streaming, USB / iPod support, and a multi function steering wheel. Sat nav preferably but isn't a deal breaker, but it usually offers a better interface for all the other functionality.

I love having keyless entry and start but I could probably live without them if pushed.
 
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