http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/ Autoblog Comments for Carmakers reducing options, saving money http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/
Just like the Peugeot I had years ago that, if I had wanted power windows (power door locks were standard), I had to also get cruise control, a sunroof, alloy rims and a whole bunch of other stuff I did not want...)

]]>Mar 31st 2008 6:44PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/Wait for the automakers to tell us it's going to best for everyone.]]>Mar 31st 2008 7:45PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/Mar 31st 2008 10:36PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/
It is always confusing when the option list is 2 pages long and some packages are available or not available depending on area or what options you've already chosen. Very complicated.]]>Mar 31st 2008 6:47PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/Mar 31st 2008 7:52PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/Mar 31st 2008 9:12PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/
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The bad way is how VW and Infiniti have done it, keeping popular items optional and requiring unrelated packages to get them. ]]>Mar 31st 2008 6:53PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/
Toyota was out because their "base price" didn't include the mandatory options package, the cheapest of which was over $700. The packages with some equipment that we wanted were over $1200. The Civic didn't offer a moonroof without going up to the highest trim ($$$$$$!).

I hope Ford doesn't overdo it and end up like Toyota.]]>Mar 31st 2008 7:01PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/
It's a lot harder when it's an "obscure" option that the seller probably has no idea about, and may not be visible on the outside of the car. So I vote for fewer options.]]>Mar 31st 2008 7:08PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/Mar 31st 2008 7:17PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/Mar 31st 2008 7:52PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/Mar 31st 2008 8:30PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/Mar 31st 2008 9:01PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/Apr 1st 2008 9:15AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/id like to think that those of us on this site have better knowledge on what we need in a car. ]]>Mar 31st 2008 9:24PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/Mar 31st 2008 9:24PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/carmakers-reducing-options-saving-money/
Custom-ordering a car is a way around this, but most dealers want you to buy what's on the lot and won't haggle much on a car ordered from the factory with specifically the options you want.

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C'mon, Ford.

(And yes, this is the weekly "bash Ford 'cause they don't bring their Euro cars over here" post.)

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