(For more ethnography, see Cars in the Garden of Good and Evil)
Do you own a car?
"Yes"
What kind?
"White Jeep Grand Cherokee 1998"
Do you like it?
"Yes, but I liked my green Jeep better because it had a CD player with remote controls. I do like the seat controls in my white Jeep. They’re programmed in for me and for my husband."
Why did you choose this car?
"My dad bought it for me."
What is your favorite of any car you’ve ever driven?
"Either a Jaguar or a Mercedes M-Class. I liked the speed of the Jaguar, but I liked the Mercedes because it was a Mercedes and an SUV. I want to have that car to drive carpool at (local prep school). It’s plain snob appeal."
What cars do your parents own?
"A Jaguar and a Mercedes M-Class."
What do you use your car for?
"I drive to work and run errands. I smoke in the car."
Do you eat in your car?
"Only on long road trips."
Do you take calls in your car?
"If it’s a good person, someone I want to talk to. Or for work – I have to answer all work calls. I would like a speakerphone if it would work well. But I want all the controls for the phone and for the radio on the steering wheel. This is the best feature of any car I’ve driven. I don’t want to reach far for anything."
Do you listen to music?
"Yes, but I don’t have a CD player in the car anymore."
Would you like one?
"I’d rather have an iPod to use in the car and take to the gym. I prefer to listen to the radio in the car – talk radio and NPR. But an iPod would be good for road trips. I don’t like messing with CDs. I’m saving for an iPod, but I don’t feel like spending money on putting a CD player in the Jeep."
Would you like to access your music collection at home, or would you like to download music in the car – have access to a big database?
"Download in the car."
How much would you pay for that?
"I don’t know."
Would you rather pay per song – say a dollar – or pay a monthly fee -- $20-$30 – for unlimited downloading privileges?
"I think the monthly fee sounds like a better deal. I don’t know. My husband makes the financial decisions."
What does your husband drive?
"A little red Mazda – 1992, I think. I hate it. It’s too low to the ground, and it only has two doors. I feel all ghetto-fied in it."
Does he have a CD player?
"Not in the car. He likes to make CDs in the house to listen to. I listen to CDs in the house too. But he has to make them."
Would you buy a transferable CD player that you could share between cars?
"That sounds better than spending money on one for each car."
"What is important for you to have in a car?"
"It has to be an SUV. And it has to look good inside. And it has to be comfortable. If there’s money left over, I guess I’d use it for stuff like a CD player. But I have to have cargo space to deliver flowers on the weekend, and I like being high up when I drive."
How important is the car versus other items in your life?
"First I’d spend money on the house, then food and clothing, and the car might come fourth. Technology in the house is probably more important than in the car."
Would you rather buy a luxury car and take no vacation that year or buy a mid-priced car and take a vacation?
"Mid-priced car and vacation."
How much do you care about the design of the interior of the car?
"I’m a designer – I care a lot. No black interior. I hate that. I want nice leather, nice texture, but durable – I want it to withstand dog nails. There’s a specific brand of leather I like that we use in the jets."
Dashboard?
"Wood grain, and I think I’d like a digital display – well, the baby boomers’ eyesight is failing, and it might help them out."
Music controls?
"On the steering wheel, and if there are controls on the middle console, I want them up high."
Would you like a GPS?
"I want one that gives verbal directions and displays the visual directions up on the windshield. And I want the passenger in the other seat to be able to see it too. We offer this with the airplanes, but most people don’t want to pay for the upgrade."
When you were little and taking car trips, what would you have liked to have had in the back seat.
"DVD players, with monitors in the backs of the seats in front, and two different players so my brother and I could watch different things. Mom would have wanted us to have earphones."
Would you like a built-in cooler in the car?
"A wine cooler would be great, but I don’t want to take up a lot of cargo space – maybe as a partition in the back seat to separate two children."
Books on tape?
"Maybe."
Do you like vintage cars?
"I like the vintage Rolls Royces and Mercedes."
Do people at Gulfstream talk about cars?
"The engineers talk about boats, and motorcycles, and car power, and mechanical things like that. It’s very male."
Have you seen any of their cars?
"The president has an old restored antique Jaguar and a Mercedes. He drives an Acura SUV to work. So does the VP. Maybe a little Acura sports car? He has a convertible Corvette, I think. I think he got it in a business deal. He doesn’t talk very much, about them or anything else, but the guys at Gulfstream talk to him about them sometimes."
Tell me about working with your clients to design the interiors of jets?
"I’ve worked with about ten clients so far. I may be flying to India next week to meet with one. First they decide on the floor plan and the media package with the sales guy. Where the seats go, where the kitchen goes, and whether to get the simple or upgraded media package. We have pre-structured types – this is semi-custom design. It works well for corporations. I work with them to choose soft goods – leathers, carpets, countertops, wood veneer – we usually start with that – then we talk about accents, maintenance plans, plating, trim, lighting (this is very important), divan fabric, the conference area, the arrangement of the media credenza. Sometimes they change the floor plan and upgrade to a better media package after they talk to me, but it’s an upgrade from a lower standard package to a higher standard package. 2 DVD players, satellite radio, CD player, stereo, space for an iPod, USB ports, RJ-45 ports, monitors in the arms of the chairs or the wall – more durable on the wall. Often clients upgrade from a 17 inch to a 20 inch screen on the bulkhead – seat monitors are seven inches. The cockpit media is totally separate. We can install ports if they want to bring laptops and X-Boxes on board, but they bring their own and can store them in the credenza or take them on and off the plane. You often see this with family jets. Weight is a major issue. We could put all sorts of fancy things on the plane, but then you’d lose one possible passenger because of weight. Sometimes people upgrade to fast internet access for about ten thousand dollars. But these are 30-50 million dollar jets. Some people just don’t care about the internet. We see corporations and families on these jets, so the space can be used for entertainment, meetings, or just travel. The interior colors make a big difference. Lighter colors make the cabin look much, much bigger. Climate is important too, and people like big windows. Also low outside noise – we use Bose speakers and try to make the cabin quiet, but that adds weight to the plane."
How do you feel about road noise?
"I hate it. And I want good sound in the car. I like bass, but I don’t want to be pimping or anything."
Do clients often come back to change things after the plane is finished?
"Changing the interior is very expensive. We do this for them, but it is cheaper to go to a mom and pop re-ragging place for media and basic interior changes. Some people find they can’t stand the floorplan or the colors they picked."
Back to cars – tell me again what is important to you.
"Passenger-side comfort – maybe a foot rest? I want the driver’s side pedals to adjust – I’m short. I want satellite radio and a GPS and a DVD player. I’d pay 5000 for an upgrade, but I’d rather get it all when I buy the car than have to make appointments for installations. I want the car to look aerodynamic outside but elegant – not like a giant suppository. No tricked-out rims, no ghetto car."
Do you care about gas mileage?
"Yes, but I won’t buy a hybrid until the service is better."
What if you got special parking spaces?
"Then I’d think about it."
Would you drive a van instead of an SUV to conserve gas?
"Not a chance. Maybe a station wagon, but I love my SUVs. And I want a light color interior – maybe a hunter green exterior and a tan interior. And I want good air conditioning. That’s really the most important. It’s got to work and work well. Oh, and I want back up sensors and automatic windshield wipers that go on when it rains."
Do you notice cars when you drive around town?
"I notice the ugly ones. I hate the Viper, I think? And my husband’s car. Plus it’s stick, and I can’t drive stick. It’s tiny and low to the ground, and I feel like Fred Flintstone when I’m riding in it. It might be better if it were a convertible. It was the first car he ever bought himself, way back in 1992. He’ll drive it until it falls apart."
Who will pick out his next car?
"In an ideal world I’ll pick it out, and he’ll pay for it, then he can have the Jeep, and I’ll drive his new car. But he wants a sports car, and I want an SUV. If children are in the picture, maybe we can settle on a sedan or sporty Jaguar or Mercedes – as long as it fits a child seat safely. But I’ll admit, I’m hung up on makers, and I care about image. I know that Ford makes good cars, but I don’t want to drive one. I want a car with a better brand name. Maybe it would help if I took clients out in it, but I rarely do this – it’s really just for me. I want ONSTAR and the Volvo SUV, because the back seat has this reconfigurable center part that comes forward – you pull it forward with a baby seat there, so you can reach the baby from the front seat. Lots of flexibility for cargo and kids. I hate the Range Rover. It’s noisy. I want a nice interior, more so than the exterior, and since I’m short, a manageable interior, good seat settings, a nice display, I want to reach the pedals, and the technology can come after that. I really want speakerphone and steering wheel controls. Oh, and TV trays in the back, like in a Jaguar. And the controls that turn heat and lights on in the house from the car and vice versa."
Would you like to have internet access in your car?
"Maybe for work and for shopping, but it would be really nice to have a docking station for laptops in the passenger seats."
Would you like to sort and view your email while stopped in traffic?
"Maybe, since I can’t really figure out how to do it at home, and since Gulfstream is all Big Brother watching over my shoulder."
Do you want to be able to set up all controls and features by yourself?
"No, my husband can set it up for me, but I want it to be user-friendly and come with good instructions in layman’s terms."
Would you take a weekend three-hour course for new owners to learn how to operate all the features?
"I probably would, but it would be great for old people. I think we will need to be very concerned with the baby boomer generation as it’s aging."
Would you like to add and/or upgrade features as you go, or do you want decide on everything when you buy the car?
"I want to pay for it all up front, and I want it all in my new car when I get it. I don’t want to be messing around with looking for the best stereo or GPS and scheduling installation appointments. And my husband is more likely to agree to get fancy features when I get the car – he’ll say no if I ask for upgrades and additions after the fact. But if it were easier to upgrade and didn’t take much time, maybe I’d consider it."
Do you want voice-activated commands for most things in your car?
"Only if they work well. I hate yelling “home” into the phone and have it not recognize it because I had a sinus infection or something when I recorded it."
Do you care if your husband is playing with media in the car if you’re driving?
"As long as he keeps the noise low. I guess it would be nice for him to have a computer in the front seat. Maybe his X-Box."
Would you mind if he played his X-Box while you were driving?
"Well, he gets absorbed in those things. In the computer too. I feel like a widow. Maybe I don’t want him to have the stuff in the car. I guess maybe if I could shut it off when I felt like it."
Would that start an argument?
"Yes. Maybe it’s better if he doesn’t have any computer or X-Box up front. Just in the back for the kids, with earphones. I don’t want him ignoring me, and I don’t want to fight about turning it off. But it would be nice if the kids were occupied so we could have grown-up conversation. I don’t mean anything bad – just not talk about Barney or something like that. And like I said, everything needs to be user-friendly for the aging baby boomers."
Would you rather have a private club membership or a luxury car?
"Private club membership, but I can’t drive a ghetto car to the club! Maybe a mid-priced car and club membership. I just really want it all. I want a boat too. But I want the club membership. I’d borrow my parents’ Jaguar and drive it to the club."
Would you consider sharing a car with your husband so you could afford these other things?
"No. We need two cars."
Would you share a GPS system between a boat and a car?
"Yes."
How much would you pay for it?
"Whatever it costs."
Where are you going next weekend?
"To visit my in-laws in North Georgia. My father-in-law is building a big media room. I think it’s dumb."
What do your in-laws drive?
"Matching station wagons. They are proud that they can haul things around in them. They claim they can haul more cubic feet than an SUV."
What do they haul?
"Lumber for their new media room."
How would you like your car shopping experience to be?
"First I’d want to look online. Then I’d want to drive by dealers’ lots to look at the car. Then I’d want to sit down with a sales person and design the car."
What do you think your next car purchase will be?
"I don’t know. Gulfstream has special deals with car companies. I’ll probably try to get a good deal on a nice model through them, although they don’t have deals with Jeep, Mercedes, Volvo, or Jaguar. Ford, GM, Acura, and Infiniti, I think."
Would you rather get a high-end Ford, GM, Acura, or Infiniti, with a company discount, or pay a little more for a mid-priced Jeep, Mercedes, Volvo, or Jaguar, since those are the brands you prefer?
"Probably the high-end Ford, GM, Acura, or Infiniti, if it makes only a little difference, but only if I can get a really nice model. Otherwise I’ll get what I want."
--Asked interviewee to design online a car that she’d like to have. She designs a $50,000 Volvo SUV with many nice features, such as GPS, parking assist, third-seat air vents, adjustable rear seat, DVD players, headphones, etc. She can’t afford the car now, but if she had children, she’d make other sacrifices in order to afford the Volvo. Cites safety reasons and ease of travel with small children as influencing factors.--
Do you have a car?
“Yes, but the engine failed last week. Until I get a new one, my wife is driving me to work in our Jeep.”
What car did you have?
“A red Ford Crown Victoria.”
Why did you choose that car?
“I got it when my father-in-law died.”
What do you use your car for?
“I drive to work, to meetings, to church, to the liquor store, and to Georgia Bulldogs football games.”
How long do you spend in your car each day?
“About 20 minutes, and I don’t drive much on the weekends, unless there is a football game.”
Do you take calls in the car?
“Very rarely – mostly when I’m leaving work on the way to the liquor store, I get calls from home, and sometimes I take work calls when I’m on road trips.”
Do you eat in your car?
“No.”
Have you made any upgrades?
“I added a CD player.”
What kind of car would you like?
“I’d love a Jaguar.”
What was your favorite of all the cars you’ve owned?
“My Ford Thunderbird I owned in the mid-eighties. It just drove well, with a great engine.”
What was your least favorite car?
“My first car, a 1960s Ford Falcon.”
Would you like to own vintage cars?
“I’d like a 1957 Chevy, a 1957 Thunderbird, and a 1965 Mustang.”
What’s the nicest car you’ve ever driven?
“I rented a Cadillac one time, and I loved driving it. It was big, comfortable, plush, and powerful, and I liked how it looked.”
What memories do you have of cars?
“High school – driving with my friend down winding roads in the mountains in a Jeep with no brakes. Driving his grandmother’s 1957 Ford Fairlane at excessive speeds across the golf course in the mountains and terrorizing children. It was immortalized in a book!”
Bad memories?
“My mother got a brand new Ford Fairlane, and the very day she got it I drove it into the mud. My father and a tow truck had to pull it out at eight the next morning. He was not happy.”
Did you drive around town?
“We went to drive-in theaters and drove round and round at burger joints. It was wonderful.”
Do you have any handicaps?
“I’m starting to have some vision problems.”
Do you like being entertained in the car?
“I like music and books on tape, although they can get tedious on long road trips.”
Have you ever driven cross-country?
“Yes.”
How would you like to access music?
“I’d like to have access, while driving, to my entire collection at home. I don’t want to have to organize it every time I go out to the car.”
What about choosing anything you want from a big music database?
“That would be great.”
Would you want to search by song or by artist or by genre?
“Probably by song.”
Would you pay for it?
“If I got to keep the recording of the song.”
Do you want to pay per song, like on iTunes, or pay a monthly fee for unlimited downloads?
“Per song. Or just to have unlimited access to a specific genre. And satellite radio would be good too.”
Do you listen to the radio?
“Yes, music, very rarely news, lots of Braves baseball games.”
What new car might you buy?
“A Ford 500. I think that’s the name.”
For a cross-country trip with your family?
“A Lincoln Navigator.”
A cross-country trip with a friend?
“Cadillac Eldorado convertible.”
Would you like to entertain yourself in the car?
“Yes.”
Your wife?
“No, I prefer to entertain myself.”
Young children?
“I’ll alternate between my music and their storybooks on tape. But I want to control the music.”
Would you prefer to have the children separated in the back seat?
“Separated, each with a DVD player and screen and headphones.”
Would you prefer to use CDs or an iPod?
“Probably an iPod, but I don’t want to do much fiddling.”
Do you listen to CDs?
“At work. And I have a Discman for walks, but I’d rather have an iPod. And I don’t know how to burn CDs. On Friday afternoons I like to play Zachary Richard in my office.”
How loud do you like your music?
“Loud in the house, loud in the car, and it isn’t background music. I want low bass and high treble, very good quality sound.”
Do you like using the phone in the car?
“No, but it’s convenient. I’d rather have an excellent speakerphone for when I’m by myself in the car.”
Would you like a GPS?
“Yes – I want to plug in addresses and search for them. Voice-activated and voice-search would be great.”
Where would you like the GPS monitor?
“Lower right, below the center of the dashboard, below the music controls. A handheld one in sync with the car GPS would be nice for walking around cities. But I like paper maps too. I am very good at reading maps. I study them before I leave. I know my way around cities. But I’m not sure about the GPS. I’m not sure I trust it.”
Do you care about interior design?
“Yes – I loved the digital panel in my Thunderbird, but I think perhaps people read analog faster than they read digital. I find it easier to read a dial watch than a digital watch – it registers faster. But the digital display showed me the remaining gallons of gas, a trip odometer countdown – I loved that.”
What about a digital display with digital dials?
“That would be ideal.”
Do you like fabric or leather interior?
“Leather, even in the summer. And for the dashboard, a burl walnut panel.”
Would you like internet access in the car?
“Yes, but not while driving. You know what I really liked? My mother’s car remembers seat and mirror settings for different drivers. I liked that. I’d want a system to set up my music and my display controls and my seat just the way I like it and remember it, if I were to let someone else drive the car.”
How much does road noise bother you?
“Some, but I wouldn’t spend extra money for low road noise.”
Would you like all these features up front, when you buy the car, or would you like the ability to upgrade and add?
“I want it all up front – I don’t want to fiddle along the way.”
What if a better version of some feature came out soon after you bought the car. Wouldn’t you want to upgrade?
“I’d be peeved, but I’d probably wait until I got my next car, unless it was very cheap and very easy.”
Do you care about impressing people in your car?
“No. I don’t want my law partners to think I have stashes of money. I’d rather they think I’m poor and need more money. But I guess I don’t want to go driving around in a ratty car either.”
I heard about GPS from Hertz commercials. I’ve heard about iPods online, but I still have yet to understand completely what they are.
Mobile media – ten years ago, I had a DiscMan, fifteen years ago I had a Walkman radio. Ten years ago I had a car phone, then a few years after cell phones got really big, I got a cell phone. I’ve had a computer in my office for a little over ten years. Twenty years ago I listened to the radio and tapes in my car. I used to have a transistor radio.
No, I was serious. I flat out ran. No music.
Yes, the end of baseball games.
That was when my beautiful Thunderbird got wrecked, and I had to buy that tropical green Taurus. I felt like I had taken a step down in the world.
Not really. I want more now because more is available. Forty years ago things were different. Twenty years ago I was driving around the mountains with my head and hands out the window listening to Zydeco music.
I guess so. Long drives can be drudgery without entertainment, so I guess they’re substantially better now. Things are more versatile and varied now.
That’s a rather loaded scenario.
I’m a Celtic human being. The situation. I’d rather be sixteen in any old car than fifty-seven in the nicest car in the world.
No, I never gave it much thought, and I think with both cars and mobile media I’ve taken a lot longer than the rest of the world to “get it,” since 99% of the time I don’t really even understand what “it” is.
No, I got mine fixed for five hundred semolians. It's running just fine. Brakes are shot, and I feel like Fred Flintstone pressing the pedal all the way to the floor, but it's running just fine.
Do you have a car?
“A Jeep.”
What kind?
“Cherokee.”
Why did you get it?
“It was my son’s, and my car died about the same time as he made bad grades at school, so I took it away from him. I was making the car payments.”
Do you like it?
“I’d rather have a car better for transporting flowers. Taller, lower to the ground, and maybe rubber or plastic in the back so I could wipe up water. But I want it for errands too. I’ve only got one child left, and he’s sixteen.”
What car would you have liked when your children were little?
“Whatever had the most space and ability to separate the children and keep them quiet. I also liked to be able to reach back to them. Maybe a console barrier between the two. DVD players, video games, anything would help.”
Did you or your husband drive on car trips?
“My husband.”
Did he control the music?
“Yes, and I hated it.”
Do you eat in the car?
“No.”
Would you like internet access in the car?
“Maybe for maps and restaurants, but a GPS would do, if it had restaurant reviews.”
Voice-activated?
“Yes, and I want it to give me verbal directions.”
Where would you like it positioned?
“In the center of the dashboard, a little down from eye level.”
Do you use the phone in the car?
“Yes, pretty often, when people call me. I’d like a good speakerphone.”
Would you like a digital or analog display?
“I guess digital.”
Do you listen to music in the car?
“Sometimes, but it’s not a priority. I listen to it more on long car trips. I really like to listen to the news, but right now all I can get is these right-wing talk radio people, and I can’t stand them.”
Would you like satellite radio so you could get better news?
“Yes.”
Would you care for a CD player, an iPod that you could use in and out of the car, or a built-in iPod?
“I don’t really care about having lots of songs or access to a big music database. I guess maybe the built-in iPod, so I could download music in the car. I don’t have time for iPod or CD compilations otherwise. I really care more about whether the car is comfortable and that it works.”
Would you like to pay a monthly fee for unlimited download access or pay by song?
"Pay by song."
Do you want a leather interior?
“No, I want cleanable fabric and a waterproof cargo space.”
Do you care about the car’s exterior?
“No.”
Would you prefer a van or an SUV?
“A van, because of space and gas mileage.”
Would you drive a hybrid?
“Not until it was perfected.”
What if you got special parking spaces by the door?
“I might then.”
Do you have any love of vintage cars, memories of favorite cars, or car nostalgia?
“No.”
What was the worst part of long car trips?
“Fighting children. I want them completely separated, listening to separate devices that I can control from the front seat.”
Would you like a built-in cooler?
“It isn’t that hard to just pack a cooler in the kitchen.”
Do you care about the quality of sound in the stereo?
“No.”
Road noise?
“I don’t like it.”
Would you listen to books on tape?
“No.”
Interview Four: 6/10/05
(Ralph and Meg)
What are you listening to?
“Air America.”
What are the listening options for that?
“Stream over the web or download.”
What else do you enjoy listening to?
“I love straight news reporting shows, like Democracy now, a daily show that comes on Pacific Radio Network – they’ve got a website. Their station is four blocks from the World Trade Center, and they continued to broadcast during the whole 9/11 thing.”
Do you have a car?
“Yes.”
What kind?
A red Jeep Wrangler from 1998.
Where did you get it?
“I think it came from Kraft Motor Car in Gainesville. It just showed up one day.”
For you to drive?
“Yes, they (parents) got it for me while I was still in rehab.”
Do you like it?
“Well, I never really wanted a Jeep in the first place. I’d rather have a Jetta or something with better gas mileage.”
Why a Jetta?
“It’s a nice car – safe, not too big, it handles well, gets good gas mileage, and doesn’t seem to fall apart.”
Did you know someone with a Jetta?
“My girlfriend Janine in South Florida. She’s now a professional dominatrix in the New York City area. She’s got a website called The Den of Iniquity.”
What other cars have you driven?
“A diesel Mercedes from 1972, 240E -- the swamp monster – it had an extra gear on it from the previous owner, and it spewed out smoke when it was stopped at the light. Sometimes when I was stopped in traffic in front of a convertible I’d press on the gas to ‘smoke them out.’ But diesel fumes are better for the environment than regular invisible gas fumes. I’ve driven four or five diesel Mercedes that my parents owned. I think most cars are just too flimsy.”
What do you do in your car?
“Drive around, listen to radio, run errands, smoke cigarettes. On an average day, I guess I spend about an hour in the car.”
Do you like being in the car?
“Yeah, when it’s not too hot out, especially since the air doesn’t work.”
If you have five or six hundred dollars to spend on the car, would you spend it on fixing the air conditioning?
“No, I think I’d get a sub-woofer for the back.”
So if you had some money to spend on your Jeep, in what order would you fix or upgrade things?
“The first thing I’d do is put in a good stereo system and a sub-woofer, then bigger wheels that look cool – not puny wheels. I feel inferior when I see another Jeep with bigger wheels in traffic. I’m just kidding.”
What about if you got a new Jetta?
“I’d want an mp3 player, more speakers, maybe nice wheels. I like the mp3 player I have – a JVC discplayer. I wish you could use plug-in flash memory cards in the mp3 player.”
Do you want a portable one or one built-into the car?
“I have an iPod, and I don’t use it, so probably built-into the car. Walking around with headphones disconnects you from the world.”
How is your music organized at home? What does your music collection look like?
“I have four thousand vinyl records. I bought most of them at stores, and I use them for mix tapes when I’m deejaying. I don’t sit around listening to records at home.”
Do you buy CDs?
“I’ll buy independent music at the CD store. I don’t believe in paying for downloads. Usually I buy CDs, copy them, and sell the originals. I download them to my mp3 player. I store music in the computer or on DVDs. I prefer to make compilations of my own.”
Would you like to access your music collection from home?
“No, I’ll just burn something or buy a CD.”
Do you listen to music in the car?
“Not anymore. I mostly listen to talk radio. I’d like more.”
Would you be interested in satellite radio?
“I don’t really feel like paying for satellite radio at this point in my life. I don’t spend enough time in the car.”
What music have you listened to in the past week?
“A 1999 album that I purchased for a car trip last week; I got it at the store. I would like to have access to music controls on the steering wheel.”
Would you want to adjust the stereo system for each song or have it all set up the way you like it – bass, treble, etc. – when you drive off?
“I’m an amateur audio engineer --- actually, I would probably start the car and drive off without thinking about it, and then I’d adjust the sound.. I don’t want to adjust for each song.”
Would you like GPS?
“Yes, and I want the heads-up display that bounces off the windshield.”
Verbal directions?
“When I want them, and I want to turn it off when I want them off. I don’t like that lady’s voice, the one you get when you call the bank for your balance. They need to fix the voice.”
Where would you like things positioned on the dashboard?
“The middle is fine.”
What about cell phone usage in the car? Do you have a cell phone? Do you use it in the car? Do you have a handsfree set?
“I’d like a handsfree set built into the car.”
Would you like it to have its own display built into the car?
“It’s not necessary.”
Do you like taking calls in the car?
“Sometimes. I don’t really like driving and making or answering calls. I don’t always want to answer the phone.”
What if the radio or stereo automatically muted when a call came in, and a voice announced who was calling?
“That would be great.”
How do you want your dashboard set up? Dials? Digital?
“I prefer dials, but I might want to reconfigure the standard dashboard.”
Steering wheels? Gear shift?
“I don’t really have any preference on steering wheels. I’ve never really given much thought to the steering wheel or the gear shift.”
Would you like internet access in the car?
“I would like to be able to download stuff like movies, music for home use, while driving. Sometimes I would like to drive on campus to finish downloading a file. I’m not interested in email from the car dash. I would be interested in an online directory of businesses – stores, restaurants, movies – but ONLY if it is not advertising pushed on me. That is, I don’t want the listings by advertisers. Reviews need to be trustworthy. Advertiser influence would cause me to drop the service. There can be ads present though…they just shouldn’t affect the content. For instance, if I look for restaurant listings, I want to look for restaurant listings. I don’t want restaurant ads pushed to me without my asking for it.”
What about designing the car for your deejay jobs?
“I always wanted to be able to put turntables in my car so that the passenger could deejay while I drive. I know this couldn’t be technically done, but it would be cool. On that note, I like elongated trunk space so that I can fit DJ equipment in it.”
Would you like to have one car for road driving and one for around-town driving, or do you want one car for both?
“I’d like two cars, but more one for “normal” use and one for “special” use. I’d get the Jetta for normal use but a sports car for special use. A two-seater convertible.”
On which car would you spend more money?
“The daily use car.”
Would you want people to watch movies in the car?
“I don’t want to watch movies if I’m driving, and I wouldn’t’ really want the front-seat passenger to watch movies while I drove. That would be really rude. I don’t mind having it in the back seat, though.”
Do you want passengers to have access to music and GPS controls?
“It would be useful for passengers to have access to both, but I still believe that the general rule is, driver is king.”
What do you hate about car trips?
“Nausea, and they’re boring. And you can’t read, because you get carsick. My brother and I sometimes played Legos on the seat.”
Were your parents up front?
“Usually there was only one parent on a car trip, since the other was busy, so sometimes we rotated around. The only person who never sat in the back was Dad.”
Did you fight in the car with your brother?
“No.”
Did you ever take a long car trip with the whole family?
“We went on a long trip to Texas. It took Dad three days to pack the car. Everyone took turns in the back except Dad. We listened to music that was kid-and parent-friendly.”
Handheld games? Walkman?
“Sometimes I had a Walkman, but no handheld games. The whole family talked.”
Were you cramped at all?
“Yes.”
Would you be willing to purchase a van or SUV someday to keep your family happy on long car trips?
“Yes, either would be fine, with backseat conversion, recliner seats that swivel around.”
DVD players, monitors in back for kids, with or without headphones?
“I think it’s really bad to put kids in front of the TV, but I guess it’s utilitarian, so maybe I’d want it. But I think I’d want one parent to watch the movie with the children so that we could talk about it in the car after it was over.”
Video games?
“Multiplayer games where everyone but the driver could play would have been cool.”
Did you ever try books on tape?
“Yes, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance – after about six hours I went crazy. I might pay for a download of one of these things sometime, but I wouldn’t ever buy a physical one again.”
Once you get a permanent job, what would be your spending priorities for different areas of your life?
“I’d a house and stuff for it first, then a stereo system for the house, new speakers for the house, maybe some particular computer item I needed, records, CDs, food. It would depend what I felt I needed. I’d buy a car if mine were broken, but not until then.”
Would you buy a car with everything you wanted installed upfront, or would you buy a car and install things over time?
“I’d buy a basic Jetta and add things over time.”
“Would you like media features that you could switch in and out of different cars?”
“As the victim of three stereo thefts, no, I want something solidly built into the car. Maybe a portable GPS would be useful, but I’d rather just have one built in the car. It would be more important to have that in the car I used for road trips than in the one I drove around town. And the stereo doesn’t really matter for road trip cars – I’d be fine with whatever was in it.”
(Subject asked interviewer if he could add the following statement several hours after the initial interview):
"I hate bulky cheap plastic consoles like in police cars – they are unnecessary and ridiculous. You see them in American cars like Fords. It affects the perception of legroom, and I’ve heard that other people hate these consoles too. From outside the Jeep looks small, but it has more interior space than most cars.”
Would you make a significant commute for a job you liked?
“I would probably commute an hour or more for work, if it was worth it.”
Would you change priorities for your car preferences?
“Gas mileage would still be the most important priority, no matter what car I was in.”
Why?
“Economic and environmental reasons.”
Would you buy a hybrid?
“Yes.”
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.
I'm a car guy (read: dork), so I get information on cars and automotive technology from lots of places. Most notably -- magazines (Automobile, Car & Driver, Road & Track); internet (Edmunds.com, car company websites); occasionally newspapers or TV. My information on various mobile technologies is mostly from the same types of sources, plus ads on TV and in print.
Twenty years ago, my ride had training wheels. Ten years ago, I was in high school. Back then, my priorities for a car were: Practical, cool, fun to drive. Now, I'd say things haven't changed that much -- probably more like: Practical, reliable, economical, fun to drive. In retrospect, I'd have to say there's been less innovation in automobiles within the past 10 years than I would've thought. As for mobile media, I think it's probably gone from being more of a novelty to just a part of life -- in some cases, even a burden. For example, ten years ago I might have used a portable CD player, now I'm hauling my laptop back and forth to the office. The one exception to this is mobile (cell) phones -- which are a tremendous convenience. In ten years, I've gone from no cell phone to cell phone for long car trips to cell phone permanently attached to me. I guess you could say I'm much more a fan of mobile communication devices than mobile entertainment devices. I think -- or perhaps I hope -- that there will be something of a backlash against mobile entertainment devices as people come to realize that one's surroundings or a good book can be just as entertaining as portable music/video/game devices.
yes
2004 Saturn ION -- purchased it new
economics - practical use
commute to work, go on out-of-town trips - use it whenever i need to get from point a to point b
i live in a small city that's kind of a cluster of suburbs... i work in media relations for a professional sports team... i do not work in my car
i spend about 20-30 minutes per day in my car on average... sometimes it changes on weekends if i go out of town or have a lot of errands
none, really.
sometimes
not really...
one that gets good gas milage and has a low monthly payment
i think they look cool enough, but they're really not my thing
got in my car, i might've had a cup of coffee so i set that in the cup holder, i backed out of my parking space, i shifted into first, then to second, then third then fourth (never have to leave fourth just to go to work), listened to the radio (ususally some morning talk crap), turned into my office/the arena, parked, got out of my car with my bag and my coffee
i usually fiddled with the radio/tape deck and looked out the window while singing
talk on the phone sometimes, drink a soda or water or coffee, fiddle with my iPod
i like to be "distracted" whether its from music, or talk radio, or conversation... i want "control" over the entertainment to be as effortless as possible and mostly in my (the driver's) hands
I occassionally use CDs, but mostly my iPod
I appreciate being able to open up my car stereo's sound, especially when i'm on long trips, but i'm fine with my decent factory system...
I use it about 30-50% of the time i'm in the car
I think writing down/printing out directions will get me there, but i've never had a navigation system, so i might like that
not as much as price and fuel efficiency
i want my car to feel safe
not really
don't have any... might be cool
each has their own appeal... 'old school' guages and stuff are probably more accurate/useful... too many digital displays can be distractiing
i'd probably buy a car that a) fit my budget, and b) was easy on the environment... probably a Honda Accord hybrid, if I could afford it.
If they could make something as large as an SUV fuel efficient, I'd love to have that kind of space/comfort... but, realistically, i'd probably just own a nicer/more "pimped out" sedan
hmm... rent, car, food, entertainment, electronics (probably in that order)
I would upgrade the speakers, then maybe the stereo's head unit
I'd rather buy one that already had everything I wanted...
I don't think I need to download music in my car... I do have an iPod and would love to have a car that made using it easier...
1985 Chevy Blazer... I was 16. The damn thing ran and got me where I was going - that was all I cared about, so, yeah - I liked it.
My mom drives a Volvo sedan... it's OK. My dad drives a Dodge Durango... I wish it got better gas milage, but it is comfortable.
I HATE Hummers... there's just no need for anything that excessive on the road, and they are TERRIBLE on fuel
I think people need to realize that cars are machines that help us get from place to place... I wish they weren't seen as status symbols, but hey - what can I do about that? Cars really don't do much for me other than make me glad I can get around town and get out of town when I want to...
No
Sometimes I drive my parents' car when I'm at home.
If I were to get a car, economics (initial cost, cost of maintenance, mileage, etc.) would be my primary concern.
suburbs; student
office/home
no idea
not really, but they are more stylish than cars today
slept, usually
I like to listen to music, but it's more important as passenger than driver.
MP3 player
I'm not picky.
no.
car is a LOW priority
everything up front
Volvo station wagon, Lexus, Chevy Malibu, Chevy Caprice, Impala The Lexus is my favorite -- very smooth, comfortable ride
Hummer (and any large SUV) -- totally pointless
I don't really care about them. It's a means of getting where I need to go.
Yes.
Honda Accord
Economics. It was old and cheap and I desired to spend as little as possible on auto-expenses over the 5+ years of grad school.
Mainly drive to school (<1 mile), and get groceries. Some recreation to SF, but not much.
On campus at Stanford in the suburb of Palo Alto. I am a grad student. I hope to be a professor at a business school someday. I work at Stanford, in Palo Alto. I do not work in my car....although, now that I am starting my thesis, I expect to drive to do interviews more often.
20 min/day. Maybe 30 min/day on weekends.
None really.
Yes. Well, mainly just drink diet coke.
Yes. Just a good stereo system...I'm proud to say it is worth more than the car. I installed it back when I had longer commutes (~60min/day).
Dunno. Probably just another (perhaps new) Honda Accord.
No. They break down and are basically just money pits for vain people.
Okay. I get in the car, buckle-up, turn on the car, hit play on my weezer cd, open my diet coke, drink my diet coke, pull out of the my spot, start going to the office. I get a telephone call from my girlfriend, turn down the radio, pick it up, and talk to her for a minute. After hanging up, I am close to my office. I park, turn everything off, grab my diet coke and cellphone, and exit the car. This is a routine -- plus or minus the call from the girlfriend -- that I repeat everyday.
I read books. Or daydreamed as a I looked out the window. Probably more of the latter. I would occasionally also listen to a walkman if we went on long trips.
Music=priority number one. Diet coke. Cellphone calls. Probably in that order.
No, not really. Besides a little music, I still like to daydream when I drive. In fact, I'll sometimes go on long drives just to daydream. No, entertaining for others is not really necessary. I really don't need that much control since I prefer to eliminate distractions as opposed to increase them.
Both. CDs are good enough for the car. I don't need a large library of songs at my disposal in the car (as would be available with some sort of MP3 player in the car).
No. Not really. NPR is enough.
It used to be when I was younger: as a teenager or early 20s person, this was important. Now, I just need something to play NPR and the occasional music...although, it really doesn't need to have high quality. I think I'll just stick with the standard audio equipment in my next car.
Yes. Maybe once per every three rides...but only for about 3 minutes. I just use it to arrange meeting up with people...not for long conversations.
Yes, occasionally. Yes, I like them. But I find maps are enough. GPS does not add much extra value.
Yes, if it were cheap. But, frankly, functionality is more important to me.
Safe, functional, comfortable.
No, not really. Well, I suppose at this point I prefer plastic and cloth because it reminds me that I'm driving a functional and efficient Asian car.
No.
Hmm. Well, I suppose I prefer a few very functional gauges that control the essentials like air conditioning, the radio, and the car-control related things. Nobs or buttons are good enough. Things like touchscreens are annoying because they distance you from the mechanics of the operations...I always just keep thinking, "Man, if the computer goes out, I'm gonna have no control of this function," when I see touchscreens or other electronic controls. I prefer manual controls.
Probably a 4-door Honda Civic. They are cheap, reliable, and functional.
Probably a 4-door Honda Accord....a little more room than an Civic (for the kids). I find it pretentious that people buy luxury cars when they are wealthy. I'd rather use my money to invest and become more wealthy. However, I may purchase a Lexus or BMW if it were a required status symbol that would improve my career.
In order or priority: Health. Education. Investment. Charity. House. Other stuff.
I'd probably not upgrade, honestly. But if I had to upgrade, it would probably be media (i.e., new CD player, amp, speakers).
Everything up front since you often get a better deal. Then again, I only want the basics: air, CD, power locks/windows, anti-lock breaks, etc.
Well, I am still CD based...they are just organized in CD-books. I have itunes, but I don't buy random music online...I just use it to organize my current CD collection on my computer (to use on my ipod shuffle).
Old Nissan 4-Door in the 1980s... It was a hand-me-down from my family. It served my purposes: general mayhem and teenage debauchery. I had a little anxiety about it not being the coolest car (i.e., a truck or sports car...as some of my friends had), but you get over those things.
Parents drove Honda Accords or other Honda products (Odyssey van, etc.). I liked the Accord. I liked the Accord best because it was nice enough, but highly functional. I have nothing against Toyota (which I believe is an equivalent brand with equivalent products too the Toyota), but I will admit a slight affinity to the Honda brand. But I'd switch to an equally high quality brand/product (i.e., Toyota) if they gave me a better deal. My motto is: Transportation is a commodity and will be treated as such.
Mercedes...such a big waste of money...so pretentious. At least the BMW folks have come down in price (on the 3 series) to be comparable to the Honda Accord, and the Lexus is an objectively better car (since it is Japanese, and focuses on performance and comfort), but all my friends with Benz are always repairing them. They are money pits. I suppose you could say I am anti-European car, and pro-Asian, but Benz seems the worst to me.
Lexus. Felt like an efficient Japanese car, but with high performing steering, cornering, and supped up engine.
For a date, I'd still just wanna drive my Honda Accord...cuz any girl who couldn't appreciate that I'd rather invest my dough in my education and investments isn't the girl for me. For a roadtrip: this might be a little different. Maybe a Toyota SUV of some sort...because they are still as comfortable as a Japanese car, have low gas mileage, but enough head room and trunk room for adventures. For errands: Honda Accords are enough.
Sure. Why not? Depends on our driving requirements. If we both worked, it'd be better to have two cars to get to different locations. Also, I've found that car pooling is difficult for academics who have unpredictable schedules like myself.
Hmm...I guess the overall theme of my answers is functionality. I want a car to get from point A to point B in the most cost efficient (which includes: price of car, maintenance, and gas over its lifetime) way. Comfort (air conditioning, soft seats) is somewhat important. Style is not that important (although I prefer the Japanese style, if someone gave me a new American car, I'd drive it).
2015: Autopilot and flying cars. That way I could read in the car. This is what I would "like" to see as standard, but I realize that is asking too much of an fundamentally non-innovative industry. Realistically, they'll probably all be hybrids (which is a good incremental step) with lots of useless media options (satellite, mp3, dvd, screens) that won't really improve our lives. I think the differences between luxury/family/economy functions will be increasingly small, although the brands (and costs) might be even bigger. My example of this is the convergence of upper-end Accords and lower-end BMWs at the $30K price range...similar functionality....but for not much more functionality, you can buy a $117k BMW 7 series to impress your friends.
TV. Paper. Magazines. But, yes, I think friends are probably the biggest source for me since I'm not really into cars, they let me know if something new is coming out. Well, I suppose I said I didn't want much in terms of technology except a reasonable stereo. I suppose I got my information about that through friends/family who are in the 'supe up your car' culture.
Unfortunately, my experience really hasn't changed much, except that being the bay area I see a lot more BMWs. I've been driving Hondas for 10 years. I suppose my answers are pretty boring cuz I wanted about the same thing: functionality, reasonable comfort, and a stereo.
I suppose the few changes I can point to are my use of cellphones (about 1 call per 10 drives) and the advent of the CD player (as opposed to tapes). I try not to use palms or laptops in the car since it is somewhat dangerous.
Sorry I'm so boring! ...but I try to leave my mediation to my house and office.
Yes
1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder
Price, reliability, styling
Recreation, meet up with friends, shopping
Suburbs. Student. Professor. Stanford. No.
Most days I don't drive. On those that I do, probably 30 minutes. I spend a total of 2 hours/week in my car.
I don't
Sometimes
No
BMW
Not really.
N/A
Read. Played games. Activity books. Talked to my parents.
Cell phone
I enjoy music. Beyond that, entertainment isn't important. On long trips as a passenger, a video system would be cool.
Yes. Yes.
Only when I'm in Montana (home)
Sounds quality is important. Volume isn't.
Often. Maybe 25% of the time that I'm driving.
Not usually. Would be nice if the price were right.
Yes
Responsive. Tight. Fast. Agile.
Yes. Leather, wood and brushed metal are preferred. Plastic isn't.
I don't know what screens are.
Don't care.
Used Volvo S40 or similar. Reliable and practical. Right price.
BMW 300 series. Sportier but still practical.
Car isn't high on the list. Family first. Then housing, charity, travel, electronics.
Media. I probably wouldn't upgrade anything else.
Everything up front unless the dealer prices are way out of line with aftermarket upgrades (i.e. audio systems)
MP3s and alphabetized CDs. Would be great to have full access from car via some kind of wireless network connection. Expand that to Tivo, too. Downloading in car isn't important.
1984 Dodge Colt. It was a great first car.
Honda Accord and Nissan truck.
Aztec. Stupid concept.
For a road trip, I'd borrow a hybrid. For a date, I'd borrow a Toyota MR2 convertible.
Sure. Why not?
They're functional.
Fuel economy. Safety. Smaller sizes. (I find SUVs ridiculous and hate sharing the road with them.) In a luxury car, more power and nicer trimmings. Mitigating factors will be traffic and income.
No. I haven't gotten my license yet. I have my learner's permit, but no one has taken me driving.
I would prefer to have access to my own music collection rather than better radio options.
Well, I don't know, I'm not so big on that.
I would like these to have a common interface so that game consoles and other devices can be easily plugged into them. I would also like any functions (video, GPS, music) to be reroutable to the various monitors.
I think that having persistent internet access and the ability to plug in a computer (laptop, modular machine, etc.) might make playing an MMO (massively multiplayer game) a good option for passengers on long car trips.
Sedans, not SUVs (too big, too much gas).
Yes
BMW 300-series
performance, aesthetics, reliability, resale value
commute, day trips, sometimes drive friends
Suburban area graduate student professor Stanford, CA no
20 min; more on weekends: 45 min/day
sometimes make phone calls
yes
no
BMW 3 series
not really
flip through radio presets, check cell phone messages, have a breathmint, realize i need a car wash
look out the window, play games with siblings, play gameboy, talk to family, sleep, change clothes for sports, eat, read, annoy siblings
radio, weather
yes, enjoy conversation with passengers, as driver i like most control over entertainment, passenger controls good too, esp in back seat
CDs
yes
sound quality important don't like to listen too loud or draw attention
yes, make calls 75% of time
yes use maps, printouts, but would prefer built-in navigation
yes
powerful, comfortable
like leather and wood
navigational, but not tv
yes
new BMW 3 series. I currently drive it, but the new 3 is redesigned and has more horsepower
probably same as above
family, house, savings, car, travel, entertainment
Media, interior, engine, and wheels, just in that order.
everything at once
fiancee organizes it yes not urgent
BMW 325i
yes, very much...has everything i need and more - performance, safety, reliability, comfort
Toyota Landcrusier SUV Mercedes sedan Ford Econoline van like the Landcruiser - most comfortable, good for traveling
Porsches - ugly, pretentious
mine
would be nice to have to an SUV sometimes
yes variety can be good; different vehicles for different purposes
cars are one of the world's greatest inventions and i like how they can be customized and tailored for different people/personalities
alternative fuel system nice to have a car that is spacious, flexible, and efficient importance of family makes safety top priority
This interview is actually also on Interview 12 (Zaslow).
*What kind? A Toyota.
Tell me more about being in the car and listening to the music that you make. Well, basically, I record something to CD and I play it back. I look for harmony spots. I practice lyrics. You know, it’s hardest to memorize lyrics to my own songs. If I’m doing a cover—no problem. So, with the lyrics, I sing as its happening. I practice the harmony line. I’ve got to know where it goes. Once I had a 300 mile drive to the gig. I learned a whole set on that drive—40 songs. It was through the desert and there were no distractions.
(here I paused for a moment, looking over my list of questions, and he spontaneously volunteered . . . )
You know what other kind of driving I do? I like to go to difficult places—really difficult places. Like not long ago, I went to the most remote California coast range spot. I go out there with my topo maps and locate spots for cross-country hikes. It’s tough. Fire destroys things, everywhere is overgrown with poison oak. It all grows back completely wild. I get out an old map and try to see the previous road. It’s fun to figure out where the road goes and why.