What used to be extra and unimaginable options are now standard equipment

[Garth Libre]

I used to sell Ford Cars in 1984 in San Diego (Douglas Ford). I remember that almost everything was optional that you paid extra for. We've become spoiled. I saw a review of the new Maverick truck and I was amazed that the reviewer spent 3/4 of the time talking about all the interior features available and bemoaning those not available. The guy was shocked that the dash and door panels weren't soft touch. Cars of the 60's, 70's and even 80's came with nothing standard. Want bucket seats, a passenger side view mirror? You'd have to pay extra, Want A/C, power steering, two speed wipers, wiper fluid squirters? Be prepared to pay more, much more. Floor mats? Oh man - that's going to cost you a day's salary. Even more expensive extras were an AM/FM stereo radio, wheel covers, electric windows, automatic transmission, center console, lever operated side view mirror, night switch on the rear view mirror, window tint, undercoating, bumper over riders, carpeted trunk. And you could forget about navigation, subwoofers, automatic headlight dimmers, air bags, heated seats, traction control, ABS, automatic loudness control synced to vehicle speed.

The new cars have hundreds of "special features" that are high tech and they offer a gazillion opportunities for things to go wrong. I have a premium Mazda 3 because that was the only one on the lot offered with a manual transmission. It came standard with a dozen of luxury features including electric 3 mode sunroof, trunk mounted subwoofer, and much more. That's what I like about my 65 Cobra Daytona and my 2010 Ranger base. They come with nothing special. They are both easy to fix and even easier to understand. Simplicity - that's the real luxury.

 

[RobbieD]

I agree.

I liked how Ford used to "package" the desirable options into vehicles by trim levels back during that time (I bought new Rangers from 1985 to 1994). I started out with Ranger S trucks, VERY stripped and very basic, and worked my way into XLT Rangers as I went along (and as I could afford better trucks). They grouped things logically together into an "option package" to get the upgraded nicer stuff- A/C, carpet, cloth seats and door panels, nicer radio. And out of the six trucks I bought new, none were automatics, which used to be a substantial up-cost. Now it's hard to even buy a new vehicle with a manual.

It was just super easy to deal with, and seemed like it was cost effective too, for the buyer.

I just don't care for all of the technology they put into them now. That's why the "newest" vehicles I own . . . . . . are '94 models.

But, I guess that most people these days prefer to transport themselves around inside a huge "device", versus having a mechanical vehicle that you actually had to drive, and get enjoyment from doing it.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I agree.

I liked how Ford used to "package" the desirable options into vehicles by trim levels back during that time (I bought new Rangers from 1985 to 1994). I started out with Ranger S trucks, VERY stripped and very basic, and worked my way into XLT Rangers as I went along (and as I could afford better trucks). They grouped things logically together into an "option package" to get the upgraded nicer stuff- A/C, carpet, cloth seats and door panels, nicer radio. And out of the six trucks I bought new, none were automatics, which used to be a substantial up-cost. Now it's hard to even buy a new vehicle with a manual.

It was just super easy to deal with, and seemed like it was cost effective too, for the buyer.

I just don't care for all of the technology they put into them now. That's why the "newest" vehicles I own . . . . . . are '94 models.

But, I guess that most people these days prefer to transport themselves around inside a huge "device", versus having a mechanical vehicle that you actually had to drive, and get enjoyment from doing it.

Its hard to drive when you have a latte in one hand and a phone in the other.

 

[RobbieD]

Its hard to drive when you have a latte in one hand and a phone in the other.

No, not really. I have an app for that!

 

[19Walt93]

I don't like the option packages, I remember being able to order individual options. Some of the packages make no sense. We sold a bunch of vehicles to Dartmouth College(they call their teams The Big Green) and for a couple of years Ford would not sell a green regular cab Super Duty, you had to buy a Supercab to get green. I have no idea why. My diesel tech's father wanted an F250 Crew Cab to tow his camper, so he wanted a 4.10 rear end. Nope. They'd build the same truck as a (lighter) Supercab with 4,10's but a Crew Cab came with 3.73's. A Super Duty towing in the NH hills/mountains with 3.73 gears means the transmission will die early and often because it's constantly shifting.
When I ordered my first new Ranger in 2004, I wanted silver paint, chrome bumpers, chrome grill, vinyl floors and steering wheel, and black face gauges. Nope. There were 7 different Ranger models in 04. I could get silver, chrome bumpers and black gauges on an XLT- but only if I accepted carpets and a leather steering wheel. An Edge came with vinyl steering wheel and floors, body color bumpers, and white face gauges. But the same truck as an Edge instead of an XLT could not possibly have silver paint. I bought a gray Edge and my friend in the body shop heated up the orange "Edge" lettering and peeled it off the box before I drove it. On the plus side, the flareside box was being discontinued so I got mine without paying the usual $495 extra.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

No, not really. I have an app for that!

 

[Garth Libre]

I don't like the option packages, I remember being able to order individual options. Some of the packages make no sense. We sold a bunch of vehicles to Dartmouth College(they call their teams The Big Green) and for a couple of years Ford would not sell a green regular cab Super Duty, you had to buy a Supercab to get green. I have no idea why. My diesel tech's father wanted an F250 Crew Cab to tow his camper, so he wanted a 4.10 rear end. Nope. They'd build the same truck as a (lighter) Supercab with 4,10's but a Crew Cab came with 3.73's. A Super Duty towing in the NH hills/mountains with 3.73 gears means the transmission will die early and often because it's constantly shifting.
When I ordered my first new Ranger in 2004, I wanted silver paint, chrome bumpers, chrome grill, vinyl floors and steering wheel, and black face gauges. Nope. There were 7 different Ranger models in 04. I could get silver, chrome bumpers and black gauges on an XLT- but only if I accepted carpets and a leather steering wheel. An Edge came with vinyl steering wheel and floors, body color bumpers, and white face gauges. But the same truck as an Edge instead of an XLT could not possibly have silver paint. I bought a gray Edge and my friend in the body shop heated up the orange "Edge" lettering and peeled it off the box before I drove it. On the plus side, the flareside box was being discontinued so I got mine without paying the usual $495 extra.

A friend of mine wanted the Baywatch Ford Ranger in yellow (the year it was a Ford when they hadn't switched to the Toyota or the Dodge). He was told he could only get it if he agreed to sing songs drunk while butchering the German language and if his wife had silicone in her breasts and lips.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I don't like the option packages, I remember being able to order individual options. Some of the packages make no sense. We sold a bunch of vehicles to Dartmouth College(they call their teams The Big Green) and for a couple of years Ford would not sell a green regular cab Super Duty, you had to buy a Supercab to get green. I have no idea why. My diesel tech's father wanted an F250 Crew Cab to tow his camper, so he wanted a 4.10 rear end. Nope. They'd build the same truck as a (lighter) Supercab with 4,10's but a Crew Cab came with 3.73's. A Super Duty towing in the NH hills/mountains with 3.73 gears means the transmission will die early and often because it's constantly shifting.
When I ordered my first new Ranger in 2004, I wanted silver paint, chrome bumpers, chrome grill, vinyl floors and steering wheel, and black face gauges. Nope. There were 7 different Ranger models in 04. I could get silver, chrome bumpers and black gauges on an XLT- but only if I accepted carpets and a leather steering wheel. An Edge came with vinyl steering wheel and floors, body color bumpers, and white face gauges. But the same truck as an Edge instead of an XLT could not possibly have silver paint. I bought a gray Edge and my friend in the body shop heated up the orange "Edge" lettering and peeled it off the box before I drove it. On the plus side, the flareside box was being discontinued so I got mine without paying the usual $495 extra.

One thing that bugged me about ford was the lack of a manual trans behind a 351 or 5.4L in a 1/2 ton. They offered them in the superduty or 250+.

 

[Chapap]

I think the American brands are the only ones with complicated options. Some stuff are options, some are packages, some are options but need a package first. Toyota is a little better with a bunch of package option levels. I think the Korean and Japanese cars don't have any options. Just a few trim levels. That's really nice when trying to figure out what comes with the car.

 

[Roert42]

On my wife's Subaru, there were no options, just trim levels (poor person level, have an actual job level, then two or three I have too much money levels). They all were more or less the same, just changed out the seats and size of the TV.

Even the poor person version has the blue tooth and auto speed cruse control with steering assist auto stop thing.

Only options were dealer installed like rubber floor mats and roof racks.

They wanted $60 to install the rubber floor mat in the trunk.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

One thing that bugged me about ford was the lack of a manual trans behind a 351 or 5.4L in a 1/2 ton. They offered them in the superduty or 250+.

I did see a 7700 with a manual in the jy.

Dunno if it was born that way or not, I was about dyin of heat stroke and didn't crawl under to see what it was.

 

[ekrampitzjr]

Option packages make it easier on the assembly line. The Japanese manufacturers just took it a step further by offering trim levels that have certain things standard.

Equipment has become too complex anyway. I could go out today and finance a new car, no problems, but I bought the Ranger last year as the last personal vehicle I intend to buy because it didn't have all the crap the newer vehicles have. I mean things like navigation systems, cameras, lane monitors, and all the other electronic, tracking, and nanny stuff. And yes, that's all more to go wrong. The government is pushing a lot of that too as part of the "connected vehicle" standards being phased in.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I did see a 7700 with a manual in the jy.

Dunno if it was born that way or not, I was about dyin of heat stroke and didn't crawl under to see what it was.

Had to be swapped.

 

[Garth Libre]

I think the American brands are the only ones with complicated options. Some stuff are options, some are packages, some are options but need a package first. Toyota is a little better with a bunch of package option levels. I think the Korean and Japanese cars don't have any options. Just a few trim levels. That's really nice when trying to figure out what comes with the car.

My friend walked in the dealership to buy a new Ford and she remarked to the salesman "Wow, you only offer a really big package." He replied "thanks for noticing. I feel I've earned the right to wear tight pants."

 

[superj]

Equipment has become too complex anyway. I could go out today and finance a new car, no problems, but I bought the Ranger last year as the last personal vehicle I intend to buy because it didn't have all the crap the newer vehicles have. I mean things like navigation systems, cameras, lane monitors, and all the other electronic, tracking, and nanny stuff. And yes, that's all more to go wrong. The government is pushing a lot of that too as part of the "track your butt in case we want to get you when you least expect it for not doing what we want you to" standards being phased in.

i fixed that