Who's into base models?

[supton]

Base models are always the way to go for a car you drive a lot. More reliable and more affordable. If only they would make new pickup trucks like they used to.

I think that depends too--if you drive a lot, you will typically drive the value out of the car quickly. Swapping cars "often" is a pretty big cost--holding onto a car for as long as possible is usually cheaper. BUT many get the itch after a few years. So getting a car that you want, with the features you want, even if it costs more initially, can save money down the line, if it remains the thing you wanted in the first place.

Interesting, I'll have to try a car with it sometime. I assume this is best on 4 lane highways? What's the max distance you can follow at?

It's interesting, I've only tried it a couple of times, and I'm sure each OEM does it differently. I was so-so with my impression on it. It seemed at times to not recognize a car in front of me, which would surprise me. Other times, if I wasn't paying as much attention as I should be, I would realize that I was no longer going as fast as I wanted to be... when I drive w/o adaptive cruise, I typically come up closer to a car, and that's my que to pass. Depending on how close it's programmed, it winds up in this odd zone in my head where I'm too far from that car to pass, but the car has slowed down, and is now going to stay at this distance.

I dislike regular cruise control in our normal rolling 55mph roads, as its so inefficient, applying engine braking down the hills, only to jam on the gas to maintain speed up the next one.... Doing the same average speed, I can get ~20% better mileage using my brain and my right foot.
On flatter drives, I use it in the Outback though. The Focus doesn't have it which I don't really mind as 90% of its driving is local roads.

I know what you're talking about, and rarely use CC on my vehicles (usually only when I spot the nice police officer!). I will say, I think things change when you're talking hybrid and probably EV. Since there's no gear shifting, and there is some recovery of energy, I think it winds up smoother, less intrusive. [But wild guess here, a good driver who can let the speed bleed off going up the hill, only to regain going down, will always eek out a bit more mpg or range.]

 

[Pew]

Interesting, I'll have to try a car with it sometime. I assume this is best on 4 lane highways? What's the max distance you can follow at?

I dislike regular cruise control in our normal rolling 55mph roads, as its so inefficient, applying engine braking down the hills, only to jam on the gas to maintain speed up the next one.... Doing the same average speed, I can get ~20% better mileage using my brain and my right foot.
On flatter drives, I use it in the Outback though. The Focus doesn't have it which I don't really mind as 90% of its driving is local roads.

I love radar cruise control. Max distance on the Mazda is 4 or 5 seconds, my mom's ford fusion was the same. I haven't tried her Subaru's radar CC yet. I use it everywhere though, highway, local roads, etc.

The quality of the radar CC varies a bit between manufactures. Mazda's radar CC will accelerate normally but my biggest gripe is that it will allow your car to get a bit too close before coasting/slowing. I noticed if the closing speed is closer than 3mph, the Mazda will have to brake. It will also come to a complete stop and keep the brakes on for you if you let it. That took me a full year before I tried that though.

The fusion's radar CC was much smoother in acceleration and coasting when coming up to traffic but it also liked to hover 2-3MPH less than my set speed and then take another minute to get up to said speed (so if I had it set to 70mph, it would accelerate normally to 68mph, then take another minute to get up to 70mph.)

Both systems will turn off if the sensors are blocked, dirty, or in extreme weather. My Mazda's radar CC will turn off for under 19mph if there's a very strong glare when driving into the sun and will completely turn off if the sensor in the logo on the grill is blocked by say, snow.

FWIW: I've never had regular CC engine brake for me, only coasting.

 

[dishdude]

The only base model I can see myself buying right now would be a Maverick XL. Most other models I want loaded up, I like having the upgraded stereo, cooled seats, wireless Android Auto, 4 way lumbar.

 

[Ausfahrt]

Currently have 2 daily driver base models in my fleet. A newish base model isn't so basic to me.

I remember when you and I both bought new Subaru Crosstreks at about the same time.

 

[wemay]

Yup, me too.
My wife is the opposite

 

[TiGeo]

Also on my Sportwagen for example, it was purchased with the end-goal in mind so I knew I was modding it and b/c VW MQB platform is a lego....you can add whatever form whichever trim you want ala carte! I have found there is nothing lacking on my car that I want. I added a wireless AA dongle so that is sorted. I am likely going to get some GTI seats that will drop right in to get a bit more bolstering. I've added lots of small bits from other models to get it to where I want it beyond the power/handling/etc. mods I've done.

 

[twouvakind]

My Mk 7.5 Golf R is referred to as "base" with a manual. Go figure.

 

[TiGeo]

My Mk 7.5 Golf R is referred to as "base" with a manual. Go figure.

I know right? I consider cars like that that had no options just "as it was", not a base etc. I think they often refer to it as "base" b/c there were no other trims like on the GTI/Golf.

 

[zzyzzx]

I'm inclined to go out of my way to get a base model just to get the smallest rims, no stop-start, and no automatic climate control.

 

[Shel_B]

The Camry is quite basic. A/C, power steering and brakes, power windows, power mirrors, power driver's seat, and power door locks. I don't care much for leather seats, and heated steering wheel and seats don't interest me as long as the car heater is working properly. A simple AM/FM radio is adequate as long as the sound quality is acceptable.

I wouldn't mind a nice set of alloy wheels, and when it's time to replace the tires I may opt for a set. Oh, the car didn't have a push button key fob when I got it, so when I needed to have a key made I spent a few extra $$ and had one made. That was $$ well spent.

 

[IndyIan]

I love radar cruise control. Max distance on the Mazda is 4 or 5 seconds, my mom's ford fusion was the same. I haven't tried her Subaru's radar CC yet. I use it everywhere though, highway, local roads, etc.

The quality of the radar CC varies a bit between manufactures. Mazda's radar CC will accelerate normally but my biggest gripe is that it will allow your car to get a bit too close before coasting/slowing. I noticed if the closing speed is closer than 3mph, the Mazda will have to brake. It will also come to a complete stop and keep the brakes on for you if you let it. That took me a full year before I tried that though.

The fusion's radar CC was much smoother in acceleration and coasting when coming up to traffic but it also liked to hover 2-3MPH less than my set speed and then take another minute to get up to said speed (so if I had it set to 70mph, it would accelerate normally to 68mph, then take another minute to get up to 70mph.)

Both systems will turn off if the sensors are blocked, dirty, or in extreme weather. My Mazda's radar CC will turn off for under 19mph if there's a very strong glare when driving into the sun and will completely turn off if the sensor in the logo on the grill is blocked by say, snow.

FWIW: I've never had regular CC engine brake for me, only coasting.

I guess every manufacturer implements it differently. I assume the subaru version just uses the eyesight optical system for this function.

The subaru "downshifts" which I guess is easy to do in a smooth and gradual way with the CVT, took me a second to realize what was going on the first time I tried. I'm surprised the many speed autos don't do this too?

 

[Pew]

The subaru "downshifts" which I guess is easy to do in a smooth and gradual way with the CVT, took me a second to realize what was going on the first time I tried. I'm surprised the many speed autos don't do this too?

That makes sense; my previous two cars were a manual so I've never tried regular CC in an automatic before.

 

[TomYoung]

Bring back the footwell air vents. Make available tall, retractable aerials for remote radio reception.
Actually, bring back the cow catcher bumpers...the ones on my '76 Nova were great for enlarging parking spaces. The low "mountain axle" that car had sure helped with that.
How 'bout the roll up blind which many Scandinavian cars had in front of the radiator?

Also, what made suicide doors attractive?
What are, "his and hers shifters"?

His and Hers Shifters was a colloquial name for dual gate Hurst shifters, one gate for normal operation, one for racing. I think they were mostly on Olds cars....

 

[TiGeo]

Wait...one of my favorite things on my Sportwagen....a normal switch-blade style key/no push button!

 

[userfriendly]

I like basic.

Me too, when I'm doing the build & price.

 

[DGXR]

I also prefer the simplicity, reliability and low cost of base models. I don't need much to be happy and get the job done. It was interesting to read the conversation about people being more likely to hold onto a loaded vehicle for longer... the initial cost may be higher but longer ownership period may reduce the overall cost of ownership. Hadn't thought of it like that before.

 

[aquariuscsm]

I like all the gadgets and gizmos. I like them fully loaded Most of the cars I’ve owned have been mid-line trims.

 

[Ausfahrt]

If it doesn't have "three on the tree" then it's not a base model.

 

[andrew_j]

My wife’s previous 2005 Legacy GT wagon 5mt was a base. It was quite loaded up to start with heated seats, power everything , heated windshield / mirrors, alloy 17” rims etc.

The limited only got you Leather power seats and two moonroofs.

 

[TiGeo]

The big one for me on base trims is wheels.....they are often smaller than I would like but a v. easy thing to upgrade. Once you have a reasonable set of wheels/tires, most look at least the same or similar to the higher trims sans some of the features.