Yes -- 2000 Saturn LS1 sedan
Mostly a combination of practicality and economics. Most of my friends at the time didn't have cars, so I wanted something big enough to carry several people, but still something fairly efficient and affordable. The car was a good value, and the legendary Saturn sales experience was refreshingly painless. Aesthetics did play a role, but a minor one.
Vast majority of miles are due to my work commute -- roughly 12 miles each way, plus a 200+ mile round-trip between DC and Richmond every week for work. I do a lot of driving on weekends to various activities with my wife -- mostly local, but occasional 1-2 hour trips. Plus occasional trips from DC to the NYC area, roughly 3-4 times per year.
I live in close-in suburbs and work in marketing & product development for a financial services company. Although I don't work in my car, my work schedule does require a good deal of driving.
My typical daily schedule would probably include 1 hour per day in the car. On weekends and certain weekdays (due to a long-distance commute for work), this could be more like 2-3 hours.
VERY rarely, I might be on a hands-free cell phone for a conference call or other work-related business.
Occasionally. Most often on the long trips, such as DC-NYC.
No, everything is stock. I have attempted some very minor repairs on my own.
Tough call. I could have a hundred different answers to this. I was once obsessed with 60's Ford Mustangs, but lately it's been older Porsches -- particulary the 60's/70's 914. But I'd only want one as an extra car, not as my only car.
Yes. I think there's a genuine style to some older cars that isn't replicable today -- something born of function, not design, yet imbued with a simple beauty. For example -- today's molded plastic bumpers can never be as cool as the chrome bumpers on a 1965 Mustang. Also, I like the mechanical simplicity of older cars. I'd like to own a car in which I could tinker with the mechanicals without fear of upsetting computer-conrolled engine functions.
Well it's Saturday, so I'll use yesterday as my example. I'd hook up my cellphone to the headset and drop it in the cupholder, then start the car and buckle up. Often, I'll tilt the sunroof open and turn on the vent fan. Tune the radio to the best station for traffic reports on the way out of the neighborhood. Merge onto the highway -- in the mornings, 20-30mph is typical due to solid traffic. All the shifting (5-spd manual) can get tiring when it's really bumper-to-bumper, but usually it keeps moving. At some point along the way, I usually change over from traffic to a music station. That's about it.
I've always loved cars. From a young age, I often watched the driver going through the motions. I probably learned how to drive a manual transmission from watching my Dad. I would also ask lots of questions -- e.g. "How do you know how far to turn the wheel?" Other than that, I spent most of the time complaining about the radio station and fighting with my siblings.
Radio, cell phone, and HVAC. I almost always plug my cellphone into a hands-free headset as soon as I start driving, just in case someone calls. I'll also set several radio presets to stations I like, and jump from one to another throughout the drive. As for HVAC, I'll keep fine-tuning the fan and temperature settings until it's comfortable. If the weather's nice, I'll often open the sunroof and windows.
Although I'll often radio-surf while driving, I don't find it essential to have entertainment. I can drive for hours alone, without the radio on. I sometimes feel that I do my best thinking on those drives. When driving with others, I'd much rather have the radio off (or on quietly) and be engaged in conversation.
My car has a CD player. On longer drives (1+ hour), I'll often insert a CD or even change CDs while driving.
Quality is a very small concern. I've never felt that the factory radio was inadequate.
Not very often, maybe a few times per week. Always with a headset.
As most drivers in this area, I have a map book of the DC metro area and several more maps in the car. Never tried a GPS-type system.
Not sure what this means... are the aesthetics of the car important? Yes, but practicality is much more important to me.
I want to feel comfortable, but connected to the road. My car should be a well-engineered instrument for driving, not a home-away-from-home with cushy seats and bunches of entertainment options.
Color and texture are more important than what something is made of. Interior materials need to be pleasant to look at and to touch.
Never had them, so I can't say for sure... but I think I'd rather not have screens.
I like straightforward, intuititive gauges. Prefer to err on the side of too many gauges, like Tach, fuel, temp, battery, oil pressure, etc. Electronic displays are OK for the radio and HVAC. I do think that cars should alert drivers to unsafe conditions, such as burned-out brake lights, low tire pressure, etc.
Toyota Prius -- brilliant engineering, impressive practicality, and decent value. Fuel economy is important to me, but I also need the practicality of an adult-sized backseat and good trunk space.
I'm a fan of Saabs for their ingenuity, efficiency, and anti-status. Perhaps a Saab 9-5. Or I could envision a Mazda 6. But there's still a good chance I'd go with the Toyota Prius in that situation as well.
Family is #1 -- which includes house. Car is an important investment, but right now it's low on the priorities list as I'm hoping mine lasts several more years. Electronics aren't a huge priority. Travel is important -- I'm willing to spend a bit on leisure travel to new places. Clothing definitely isn't much of a priority. Entertainment is somewhat important -- like eating out or going to a ball game.
If I made upgrades to my own car, priorities would probably be (descending order): Wheels/tires (I don't like the plastic wheel covers); Engine is underpowered and a new induction system might help; and perhaps eventually a CD changer (not for the audio quality, but for the convenience)
Definitely prefer to buy a car the way I want it. I take the position that anything factory-installed is more reliable than aftermarket stuff.
I enjoy the random selection of music I get by listening to the radio, and I prefer radio to my own music. I listen to CDs on long drives when it's not practical to keep tuning in local stations. (But I adamantly refuse to subscribe to satellite radio)
My opposition to satellite radio probably has something to do with the fact that I'm not a music junkie -- never got into downloading music or burning CDs. But moreover, it's because I detest the notion of paying a monthly subscription fee for something that has a very good free alternative. I'm sure there were plenty of luddites just like me who complained when Cable TV debuted, but anyway... And for the record, I think Satellite radio is a GREAT idea for long-haul truckers and the like, who are always on the move and therefore aren't in range of any local radio stations for very long. Just not for me.
Drove a Nissan Pathfinder in high school LOVED it. Fun to drive, powerful, great for driving friends around or tailgating.
I'll list the ones I remember well enough to have an opinion: 1980's Ford Econoline Van (custom) -- liked it, good place to fight with siblings while mom drove. 1980's Saab 9000 Turbo -- liked it a lot. Felt very solid and technologically advanced. First time I'd seen cool features like automatic climate control, sunroof. Probably my favorite of my parents cars growing up. 1983 Chrysler LeBaron convertible -- loved to ride in it. Lots of fun with the top down and just a little bit classy. Had some mechanical problems in later years. 1994 Chrysler Concorde -- didn't like it. I was a little older and had more developed appreciation of cars. The ride was floaty, the interior seemed like very cheap hard plastic. Never felt well-built.
Suzuki X-90 -- "why not take the impracticality of a Mazda Miata, but make it 4wd and less fun to drive?" Most hulking SUVs -- they epitomize what's wrong with America. People who are obsessed with status and image buy them without regard for others, in terms of safety on the road, energy consumption, etc. The ultimate in arrogance.
As you can probably tell, I'm passionate about cars. I think cars can run the gamut from utilitarian appliance to work of art. In general, I'm probably much more a fan of cars than I am of either car manufacturers or drivers.
Let's see... 2015 is 10 years away, so there should be some significant innovation by then.
First, I think cars should make better use of space. It should be able to carry 5 (or 7?) adults in comfort, without growing to tank-like proportions on the outside. And there should still be plenty of room for storage/luggage too.
I don't have a problem with stuff like radio, HVAC, power seats, (Navigation system) etc. moving toward more centralized, computer-controlled. I think that's clearly the way things are headed. However, I think it's essential to make any computer interface very intuitive to use, and VERY customizable. For example, my wife and I should each be able to set our own preferences for seat/mirrors/steering wheel positions, radio station, temperature, even suspension, steering, engine & transmission settings... And the car should recognize which of us is driving by the remote used to unlock the doors, and set everything appropriately. And if owners don't bother to set all of these preferences, the car should recognize them based on usage patterns.
I think cars should alert drivers to any kind of safety/maintenance concern, like low tire pressure or worn tires, burned out bulbs, wheels out of balance, etc.
As for engine/powertrain, I honestly don't think we need more powerful cars. All-wheel-drive should become more common. And there should be major steps in efficiency -- use of lighter materials, more energy efficiency, probably alternative sources of energy. In fact, if cars in 2015 are still using gasoline-powered internal combustion engines and getting roughly 30mpg, I'll start believing the conspiracy theorists about gasoline companies being in bed with car manufacturers.
Guess I qualify as a certified car dork. I'd love to work in the auto industry.