If you could build a perfect car

what would it be?

Published on May 23, 2007 By KarmaGirl In Misc

I have always been interested in cars. Up until about 7 or 8 years ago, I could tell you what any car was that I saw. Unfortunately, too many cars look the same now, and that has made it a lot harder to tell what they really are.

Lately I have been thinking about what my "perfect" car would be if I could just make one myself. This is what I have decided so far:
1) It would have the body of a 1970 convertible VW Karmann Ghia, only a bit bigger so that it could have a real back seat
2) The interior would be minimalistic, but would include:
   a) cup holders (2 front, 2 rear)
    heated cloth seats (I don't like leather)
   c) An in dash cd changer + mp3 player jack
   d) an arm rest with storage
   e) all the gages (tach, oil pressure, temp, etc.)
   f) it would have 5 point harnesses
3) It would be a manual transmission
4) It would be front wheel drive (never really needed anything more)
5) It would be a hybrid
   a) It would be able to be plugged in to charge
   It would have enough batteries to go 45+ miles on one charge
   c) The fuel engine would kick on after the batteries depleted and charge them using a small diesel
       engine
6) It would have all season radials in a common size mounted on alloy wheels
7) It would have cruise control
8) It would have power locks and windows
9) It would be a creamy yellow color with charcoal interior

That is about it.

So, what would your car be?

Comments (Page 1)

crimson

on May 23, 2007

I never gave it much thought until lately, when it started costing me 20.00 Cnd to not even get a quarter of a tank.
Though, I do think that size matters and I don't want to go for something too tiny. Since it's a dream car, and real factors concerning wish list items vs total price are not an issue here, I'd suggest that my car be somewhat roomy. I want enough trunk space to actually hold items I occasionally travel with, like sleds, televisions, and random furniture that gets shuffled around. I wouldn't mind storage space that holds cds, tapes, etc., to be less modified. For example, I'd rather my CDs sit together in a flat area, than have individual dividers between them all. When you're flying on the highway, it's a pain in the arse to fiddle around with slots and all.
I want it to look cool and not dowdy. I want it to be affordable to drive, not be a planned consideration. Mind you, this is what gets us into trouble, so environ-conscious it must be as well. I can't exactly articulate what a vehicle like this would need to be less harmful to the world around us, but if it's my dream car, it should just be that way.

Oh, but I like 4 wheel drive, and I actually find it necessary during my winter driving.

Color? None, thanks. Just black.

adnauseam

on May 23, 2007

Great topic. If I could build a perfect car it would be very close to the new Toyota Camry!

Moderateman

on May 23, 2007

American Muscle. At least 500 cubic inch engine generating over 400 horse power. Hybrid. 50 plus miles to the gallon. Moon roof, Power steering, four cup holders on front,Power everything, gps system that can talk.

Nakor

on May 23, 2007

1. Other color choices.

2. Another cup holder in each front door.

3. Automatic.

4. No CD changer, but definitely the mp3 jack. Controls on the steering wheel.

5. Heads up display projected onto the windshield.

6. Pass on the heated seats.

7. Coin dispenser outside the arm rest until auto-passes are standard. Michigan is spoiled there.

8. I have found temp/direction info on the rear-view useful on road trips.

9. Auto-dimming rear-view.

10. Full-sized spare (SUV bias).

11. Remote start.

12. Headlights on by default. Stupid package mistake with regards to current vehicle given what I paid for after-market.

13. Regular seatbelt option.

Big Fat Daddy

on May 24, 2007

1965 GTO...metallic emerald...black vinyl roof...black leather interior...389 cubic inch engine...three deuces...four speed...positraction...American mags...and a wide open road. Perfect.

Gideon MacLeish

on May 24, 2007

Dr Guy

on May 24, 2007

What I am buying, except in Black and it would run on Water.

CharlesCS

on May 24, 2007

1) 69' Camaro Convertible with a more modern look (like they did the Mustang) in Ferrari red with 2 white racing stripes
2) cup holders that actually fit or hold cups and bottles
3) storage compartments in any area not being used for things like CD's & DVD's, u a small umbrella, tools, sun glasses, etc.
4) bucket leather seats
5) old fashion looking digital gages
6) tinted windows that can go from light to dark at my choosing
7) keyless ignition and doors
8) a Viper security alarm system or next best thing
9) "At least 500 cubic inch engine generating over 400 horse power. Hybrid. 50 plus miles to the gallon." (thank you Moderateman)
10) bigger and widder rims and tires in the rear
11) manual transmision with shifter on stirring wheel
12) hard drive based stereo with a screen for mp3 and videos
13) video screens on back of front seats.
14) GPS
15) controls for A/C, stereo, cruise control and cell pone on steering wheel for easy access
16) airbags everywhere they can put them
17) "temp/direction info on the rear-view useful on road trips." (thank you Nakor)
18) night vision, speed, gas and GPS displayed on the front window

I know there are a few more things I can't think about at this moment. I'm asking for too much ain't I?

CharlesCS

on May 24, 2007

OK I take it back, it doesn't have to be a 69' Camaro. It can be just like this one:

2009 Camaro Concept.

Sean Conners aka SConn1

on May 24, 2007

i'll get another perfect car (at least one that "pursues perfection") when i trade in my Lexus and get another. the thing that keeps me from doing that now is the fact that my ES has been perfect over the years...only oil changes and a little wear n tear mainenence. and everytime i go look for a new one, i get harshly reminded of how good it is not to have a car payment. something i had from the 80's till i paid this car off years back.

the only thing i might change about it is for it to be built on a spaceframe, like some saturns. then they could wrap in those polymer panels that can look showroom good 15 years later with nothing more than a washing. but that would probably take away from the "tightness" of the vehicle. but who knows, those lexus and toyota engineers are damn good when they put their minds to something.

of course, if it ran on anythign that wasn't a fossil fuel, that is always a plus.

and i agree with karma. i prefer cloth over leather most of the time. but that's not an option on a lexus. and redoing the interior would kill the great resale value.

on my next car i think i will consider getting a remote starter. i've gotten one for the wife in her last 2 cars and they are cool. especially on severely hot or cold days.

a navigation system. got one of these gor the wife too. they rock.

Sean Conners aka SConn1

on May 24, 2007

And spontaneously cracking windshields...hmm?

well, the good folks at lexus haven't developed the non cracking windshield...granted...lol...wait a sec,,,windshields are kinda a wear n tear item. now, if ya wanna argue that...be my guest.

Gideon MacLeish

on May 24, 2007

Are they? I've driven many cars that were 20-30 years old and never had to replace one. (at least not in any car that handn't been in an accident, that is.)

depends on where you live. Out here we get a lot of thrown rocks that can wreck a windshield in short order. But I'm finding the Suburban puts me high enough offa the ground that most of the thrown pebbles bounce harmlessly off the grill or front bumper...they don't even make it to the windshield.

I can't even imagine driving a Lexus out here (although when I get the money I'm getting a Jag...lol)

Sean Conners aka SConn1

on May 24, 2007

although when I get the money I'm getting a Jag...lol)

ya gotta love a jag.

Dr Guy

on May 24, 2007

depends on where you live.

And the car. My Tacoma was a rock magnet! My wife's Cherokee never had a nick! And we live in the same place!!!!!

KarmaGirl

on May 24, 2007

I have found temp/direction info on the rear-view useful on road trips.

That one I would add to my list, too. Most of the time I don't need the compass, but in unfamiliar settings it would be nice. The temp is also nice so you know if there could be ice (which happens a lot in Michigan)

on my next car i think i will consider getting a remote starter

I had thought about that, but I never minded just walking out to my car and starting it if it wasn't already in the garage. Plus, it's another thing to break. I think that my perfect car would only have the gadgets that I would use every day. You may say "heated seats every day"? Well, having arthritis and cracked vertebrae in my back makes me crave heat for comfort, so I would probably use it even in the dead of summer.....while either the a/c was pouring on my or the top was down on the convertible.

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