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Post by librarylady on Apr 25, 2016 13:50:37 GMT
FWIW--if you have a Ford product, do NOT ask the dealer to upgrade the GPS system. The dealer will charge an outrageous price.
Go directly to the SYNC site, and purchase the upgrade from them. It was under $100 when we last did it--dealer wanted $$$$
I think the dealer charges for the hours it takes to download from the disc (as if someone just sat there for that). I put it in the car to download and did other things, then came back and checked the progress.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Apr 25, 2016 13:57:28 GMT
My must haves were back seats that fold COMPLETELY flat, enough drink holders in the front so I have a spot for a drink AND an frozen custard from Culver's, and a place for my purse without having to put it on the floor or the passenger seat. I ended up making concessions on the last two and it drives me nuts daily. Now of the options that came with the Escape we bought (got a great deal because it was slightly used, but it was loaded) that I couldn't live without now that I have them: Backup camera. I'm short and have trouble seeing out the back anyway, and when the car is packed to the gills it's nice to still be able to see behind me. Heated seats. I live in MN too, and even though my car lives in a heated garage it's nice to fire up the heated seats after it's been sitting outside at someone's house or in a parking lot in the snow for a while. Blind spot sensors. This is something I never would have thought I needed until I had it. There's a little light on the side mirrors that turns on and tells me if someone is in my blind spot on either side. SO nice! ETA: Push button start is really nice. I keep the key fob in my purse and never even have to think about it. Just be sure you memorize your door entry code as soon as possible after you get a vehicle with it. I accidentally locked my purse in the car a couple weeks after getting the car and didn't have the code memorized yet. I threw my purse and shopping bags on the front seat, closed the door, went to open the back seat door to put DD in her car seat and the doors all locked themselves on me. My phone was in my purse, which was IN the car so I couldn't even call anyone. DH was on his way out of town at the time, so all I could do was go into the store I was just shopping in, call DH (because with cell phones now, you never know anyone's phone number by heart anymore) and he had to call around to find someone who could come help us get home to get the other key fob and back to the store to get the car. Huge, and avoidable, PITA. Since we're talking options, these are the things I wouldn't waste my money to have: In-car navigation. Ford Sync is totally WORTHLESS. I get better maps and navigation from my phone, and better dialing assistance from Siri. DH tries and tries, and it never ever works. There is one person he tries to call through the car and he can't get it to ever work right. Double click on the phone's home button, "Siri, call so-and-so" and it comes right up. I don't understand why it never works through the car. Now I just laugh at him every time he tries it because I just KNOW it won't work. The worst part was, we didn't even have the car for a year and Ford hit us up for new maps for it--for $149! Thanks, but no thanks. I could buy a brand new Garmin with lifetime maps for less than that. I like having the map on the screen in front of me, but the navigation is hopeless. Sun/Moon roof. Not my thing, but if you're getting a van it's probably not an available option anyway. I never ever open it up. Bluetooth wouldn't be a deal breaker for me, like others have said it drains the battery on your phone really fast. Park assist. I've never used it once, and probably never will. I know how to parallel park all by myself, and with the backup camera it's even easier. I hope you end up getting something you love!
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Post by crazy4scraps on Apr 25, 2016 14:10:49 GMT
We've been very casually looking for a different vehicle for the past few months trying to figure out what I want next. I think my must haves are: Leather seats-absolutely not negotiable Bluetooth Backup camera Remote trunk opener My would like to haves: Good interior lighting with possible lights in the cup holders Heated seats in the rear Absolutely don't need but don't care if it's included: Sunroof. Am I the only person in the world who NEVER uses the sunroof?! LOL. Sing it, sister! I never use mine either! Not only does the extra sun coming in through the roof in the summertime make the interior of the already hot car even hotter, but I hate having my hair blowing in my face and eyes while I'm driving.
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Post by ntsf on Apr 25, 2016 14:20:28 GMT
I would focus on reliability..a honda or toyota...something that has a known track record that will last ...
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Post by bosoxbeth on Apr 25, 2016 14:21:48 GMT
Heated seats Auto start on the keychain thingy so you can click and start the engine on cold nights leaving work Bluetooth
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tincin
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,378
Jul 25, 2014 4:55:32 GMT
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Post by tincin on Apr 25, 2016 14:23:58 GMT
Keyless entry Remote start
Those are my two must haves.
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Post by katlady on Apr 25, 2016 14:57:17 GMT
Until I had one I didn't think a backup camera was a necessity. Now, it is a must have for me. That thing is great. I backup into spaces, so now it is so much easier to tell how much farther back I can go. It is also great for backing out of spaces when I can't see because of the bigger cars next to me. I also like having a built-in map so I don't have to pull out my phone. And I like that the system displays what street is coming up above the radio info. Having keyless entry and start is fine, but I can never find my keys when I get home to get into the house.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Apr 25, 2016 15:01:40 GMT
I think in the US all cars are required to have the back up camera. I also think all come with bluetooth wired in now. Our son purchased a "no extras" Escape (2015) and it has both of those features. For me, having a built in GPS map system is a "must have." We do many road trips and that feature, with the 6" screen in Ford products, has become a must have. It beats the small screen of a phone. We drive to Canada twice each year and it is a must have for the cross country drive. I like the heated seats, but we live in a moderate climate, so that is not a must have for me. I don't believe that is true. This is a 2015 and does not have the camera or Bluetooth. I don't believe all of the 2016's do, either.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Apr 25, 2016 15:03:47 GMT
I would focus on reliability..a honda or toyota...something that has a known track record that will last ... The only used Honda or totota's I have found are quite a bit older and have a lot of miles. Otherwise I would be interested in them.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Apr 25, 2016 15:04:08 GMT
I would focus on reliability..a honda or toyota...something that has a known track record that will last ... The only used Honda or Toyota vans I have found are quite a bit older and have a lot of miles. Otherwise I would be interested in them.
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Post by Meri-Lyn on Apr 25, 2016 15:18:50 GMT
I thought back-up cameras were a requirement, but I just did a search, and it doesn't go into effect until 2018. So you can probably get one without it, but they are going to get fewer and fewer. I'm glad to have it, and bluetooth, so I would get that again.
I'm big on the climate control seats for my next car. I'd love the memory seats too, as DH drives my car quite a bit and he's a good foot taller than me.
A sun-roof is nice, I had never had it before, so I took advantage of it when I had it in a rental car recently. But I think the novelty would wear thin on me, after a while and make it not worth the cost. Let's face it, down here, there would only be a short window of time that I could actually have it open before the humidity would get to me.
One thing I do miss with this car, that I had with my old car is the keycode entry. I use to use it when I'd go to the park for a jog, and not have to worry about carrying my key around. I'd love to get that back with the next car.
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927
Jun 25, 2014 20:06:48 GMT
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Post by freebird on Apr 25, 2016 15:22:05 GMT
We like to buy brand new at the very beginning or end of the year. Seem to get great deals then trying to move stock. Having said that I bought my car last June and still got a good deal.
I REALLY like having the back up camera now but I could live without it. I MUST have A/C. I Perfer an automatic if I can (which I have now). Leather seats have been awesome and we love what we call "kazoo air" (air conditioned seats) but I could live without all of those.
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smartypants71
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,815
Location: Houston, TX
Jun 25, 2014 22:47:49 GMT
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Post by smartypants71 on Apr 25, 2016 16:04:04 GMT
My absolute must-haves are:
Bluetooth USB port Satellite radio backup sensors
I have blind spot assist which was great for a while, but i don't really pay attention to it anymore. I just look where I'm going. Plus, it doesn't work well in the rain or at dusk sometimes. I don't use the backup camera either, but I have a small car, so I'm guessing most people would want that on a van.
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Post by mari on Apr 25, 2016 16:16:42 GMT
My biggest need is that the car is comfortable for me to drive. I prefer smaller cars. I prefer American-made cars (both of my prior cars were Chevys).
I need a USB port to plug in my phone/iPod and play music. I need a cigarette lighter to charge things, like my gps.
I need power windows/locks and remote start.
I need a decent sound system. Bonus points for Bluetooth.
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Post by gmcwife1 on Apr 25, 2016 16:17:05 GMT
I don't think I have a must have list. I thought I wanted to always have a sunroof, but the last car we bought doesn't have one. I do miss it a little, but due to the price, it was fine not having it.
I think for me it's more about comfort and then use. For our SUV we wanted it big enough for a dog crate and for our Jetta we wanted a car that was small enough to tow behind the RV.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Apr 25, 2016 16:21:12 GMT
I won't own another car without a backup camera until my kids are out of the house - particularly if it's a minivan or SUV. I spend way too much time in soccer/pool/ballet parking lots with small children. Way too many of them are oblivious. My daughter's dance parking lot in particular is an absolute nightmare.
ETA and I wouldn't pay for a dvd system no matter the age. It's going to be way cheaper just to throw a mini iPad back there for longer trips and you won't have to deal with the expense of a built in system and the fact that it'll be obsolete and a potential maintenance nightmare immediately. We bought a cheap portable DVD player when our kids were little - now there's lots of better options than a built in system IMO.
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Post by cindyupnorth on Apr 25, 2016 16:22:27 GMT
My must haves would be -HEATED seats. absolutely -remote starter -lots of cup holders. We are forever trying to put things places, and esp in the back seats. -storage for moving kids back and forth to college, games, etc.
What's the big appeal of Bluetooth? and don't you have to pay extra for that??
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Post by anxiousmom on Apr 25, 2016 16:31:33 GMT
I REALLY like having the back up camera now but I could live without it. I MUST have A/C. You know, my a/c has been out since last summer. I kept meaning to take it in and getting it charged, but kept forgetting. It gets pretty warm down here and you would think that I would notice it more in the car, but with the windows down, it wasn't that bad. It always surprises me when I remember that I forgot.
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eastcoastpea
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,252
Jun 27, 2014 13:05:28 GMT
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Post by eastcoastpea on Apr 25, 2016 20:24:52 GMT
Air conditioning. I don't need all of the other "bells and whistles."
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 29, 2024 16:23:16 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2016 20:31:00 GMT
Bluetooth Heated seats Leather interior Backup camera
No interest in a built-in video system. I also don't care about built-in GPS because I always use my phone, but generally speaking it's bundled with the other things that are requirements for me. Remote start is not something I care about, but I don't live in a cold climate.
I see some listing A/C. Can you even get a car without it anymore? I don't remember the last time I saw a car without it.
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inkedup
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,837
Jun 26, 2014 5:00:26 GMT
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Post by inkedup on Apr 25, 2016 20:37:55 GMT
I recently purchased a new vehicle that has all the bells and whistles. I have a backup camera and blind spot detectors and love those features. Another feature I really like is programmable driver settings. My husband and I are very different in height and it's nice to be able to set my mirrors and seat with the touch of a button if my husband has used my car.
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Post by cmpeter on Apr 25, 2016 21:36:12 GMT
For me:
Something from the Honda/Toyota/Nissan family
Back up camera
Heated leather seats
Bluetooth (I use it frequently for work calls). No issues with the battery because I plug my phone in and it charges while I drive)
Navigation (phone works but it's small and I like the bigger screen).
USB ports
Lots of cup holders.
I don't care about DVD. Love and use my sunroof.
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Mary Kay Lady
Pearl Clutcher
PeaNut 367,913 Refupea number 1,638
Posts: 3,082
Jun 27, 2014 4:11:36 GMT
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Post by Mary Kay Lady on Apr 25, 2016 22:03:27 GMT
Right now we are trying to decide between three-- 2015 caravan with no Bluetooth, DVD, navigation or camera. 30,000 miles. It is priced slightly lower than we have seen elsewhere. 2013 town and country with heated leather seats, DVD, camera (not sure about navigation). 30,000 miles. Or 2015 caravan with 17,000 miles, leather seats, no DVD (but they could add it since it already has a track to put it on), Bluetooth, camera. Same price as the town and country above. The payments would be $60-70 more per month for the second and third options. Last summer I had to replace my van. I decided to buy a hatch-back. I shopped for 2 weeks before I finally settled on a Honda Fit. My suggestion would be to see if you can borrow each of the vehicles that you're considering buying. Drive each one for several days and see how it feels for you. There were some cars that I knew within a day that they wouldn't work out for me. I shopped at several dealerships and borrowed the cars from each one. I did have to have proof of insurance and let them make a copy of my license. Driving the actual car that you're considering is the best way to find out if it will work out for you or not.
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Post by jojam on Apr 25, 2016 22:30:20 GMT
Back up camera, heated seats.
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Post by kckckc on Apr 25, 2016 22:46:19 GMT
Reliability would be my number one consideration - which would mean a Honda or Toyota.
I have a backup camera and really like it.
I have bluetooth, but I don't use it very often - it wouldn't really matter to me if I didn't have it.
I don't care about heated leather seats, and would actually prefer not to have a DVD player or a sunroof.
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janroe
Shy Member
Posts: 41
Jun 26, 2014 0:57:00 GMT
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Post by janroe on Apr 25, 2016 22:47:54 GMT
Heated seats....Canadian here. .....and a car starter of course.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 29, 2024 16:23:17 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2016 23:24:34 GMT
In addition to initial costs, you should consider resale potential. For instance, I would not buy a car today without out electric windows. Things I insist on but others might see as "fancy extras": - leather (or vinyl) seats (I dislike cloth seats immensely)
- Bluetooth
- USB ports
Along with the leather/vinyl, I then also really needed a heated driver seat
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 29, 2024 16:23:17 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2016 23:26:04 GMT
Absolutely don't need but don't care if it's included: Sunroof. Am I the only person in the world who NEVER uses the sunroof?! Me!!!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 29, 2024 16:23:17 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2016 23:30:51 GMT
I think in the US all cars are required to have the back up camera. I don't think this is true. I just bought a 2015 but looked at 2016's and there were definitely many cars without backup cameras or even sensors.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 29, 2024 16:23:17 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2016 23:34:46 GMT
My new car is a year old this month and the only "must have" that I had on my list was leather seats. I've had leather seats for the last 17 yrs and there was just no way I could go back to cloth.
Blue tooth, navigation, multiple view back up camera are all nice options to have, but none were a MUST like leather.
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