After hearing about the end of Pontiac today (no big loss, since Pontiac was mainly just rebadged overpriced Chevys and Saturns) I decided to make an automotive themed post. This is one thing that has bothered me for a while, and since I just bought a new car (a 2009 Toyota Yaris, if you give a shit), it's something I just got to experience first hand.
I guess the thing that really pisses me off about "packages" is they usually have one, or a couple, of options that you really want, then a bunch of other crap you don't care about (or don't really want at all). Like say you want, cruise control, normally you could spend say $150 and get it, but for some cars cruise is part of a "package" (with some bullshit name like "sport", "touring", etc.). Of course this package is $1500, since it comes with alloy wheels and a 6-disc CD changer and heated power mirrors, or some shit. But it's the only way your gonna get cruise from the factory, so you either bite the bullet and spend 10 times more for cruise (and get a bunch of extras you may or may not care about), or you do without cruise. For me personally the Yaris hatchback with a manual transmission doesn't come with a tachometer unless you buy the "S" package (basically a yaris with every option, and a different body kit). Which starts at around $14K (base price is 12K) so in essence you have to pay $2,000 to get a factory installed tach (on a manual transmission car!).
I know the only reason car companies have stepped away from a "checklist" style of ordering (as in you start with the base model and pick the individual options you want, and nothing you don't), is because they know that some options would almost never get sold unless they basically force you into getting them.
No comments:
Post a Comment