Seat heaters, I could take it or leave it. If I were to drive nude more often they would likely be more appreciated.
After DDing my worn out shifter bushing having, shuddering clutch engagement, kidney pulverizing ride quality (STi front struts and springs, WRX rear struts and springs) Impreza, I am to the point where I appreciate a nice, firm shifting automatic transmission and plush suspension.
Seat heaters make SO much sense to retrofit into older cars. They weigh almost nothing, are hidden, increase driver comfort a huge amount and are easy to install. All of my vintage cars will get them. I have a set for the Triumph already and am eagerly waiting to install and use them. For a convertible they are a no brainer, for a crappy old british convertible with no real windows or top seals they are critical.
And a Lucas Electrical System. High amp flow to the seat, Lucas wiring. What could go wrong?
I don't really get the heated seat thing. I have it in one of my LS400's and not the other. The one from Texas didn't come with it. Go figger. Anyway, by the time the thing kicks in to give you that warm butt feeling, the rest of the heating system is kicking in and you don't need it.
I recently found out I had lumbar support. Huge plus when you're wearing Kevlar.
when i was 20 my truck barely had heat. i'm 34 and use the heated seat on my back every day now. it's like my truck is a mobile heating pad made to make my back feel better before and after work.
patgizz wrote: when i was 20 my truck barely had heat. i'm 34 and use the heated seat on my back every day now. it's like my truck is a mobile heating pad made to make my back feel better before and after work.
I use mine for that too. The one in the 370 is almost instant. No waiting to warm up. I LOVE my seat heater.
As for the getting old thing, its the biggest reason I have my 370 instead of say a BRZ or Miata for a daily driver. It's a much more mature drive and doesn't punish you over bumps in the same way. Compared to my Cooper S, it's almost Buick-like in its ride, yet it still corners so much flatter with better turn-in.
Oh, and Bluetooth, I wouldn't want a new car without that either.
Wimps! 
93EXCivic wrote: Wimps!
But I used to DD a Fiat 600, and a TR4, and various other Italian cars...now I'm old and want my seat heater...get off my lawn!
Have no use for seat heaters here in SC, but the things I do like in a DD: A/C and heat that work quick, defrosters, good tunes and being able to arrive at my destination without feeling like I've been in a washing machine on spin cycle so unfortunately the Jensen doesn't see much use, which makes me a sad panda. 
I don't really care for automatics but they are a necessary evil for tow capacity.
I did DD Spitfires, MG's and all kinds of 1970's iron way back when so I think I've paid my dues. 
In reply to Curmudgeon:
Used the seat heaters today!
Although in the Leaf I tend to not use the heat, so it offsets itself. Still, it was 45 when I got to work.
Seat heaters are almost essential up here in Michigan and the surrounding States from now through spring. Also if you have a wife, GF or daughter you'll find that there are times of the month they love them year round for helping with cramps. Saab started fitting seat heaters in 1972, go figure in Sweden!
93EXCivic wrote: Wimps!
You'll get there someday, too.
When I got out of college, I drove a dead simple CRX HF. No A/C, the heater cable was broken, seats were wearing out.
I thought it was ok. Until I tried a different car. woa..
Then I did a Miata for 17 years. Fun, mostly.
As I drove that, I saw a lot of new cars- and new features. Many of which keeps me refreshed on the drive to work.
IMHO, a lot of the beater rods and rat rods are from people who want to pretend that they are tough and can live with the wind in their face. For 10 min. Their real car is a luxury car of some type that they drive 99.9% of the time.
After last winter I definitely appreciate the heated seats and steering wheel. Also a grand luxury is an attached garage at home and covered garage at work - yay Chicago winters
. I've proven many times over I can tough it out with the best. But I don't feel the need to any more.
petegossett wrote: I've stated this recently in another thread, but one of the vehicles I've been craving for the last couple years is a nicely optioned Caravan/T&C.
I hear that. If I didn't have all my needs except "fun car" currently met, a minivan is the way to go for a practical, cheap, comfy DD....even without kids.
Dr. Hess wrote: And a Lucas Electrical System. High amp flow to the seat, Lucas wiring. What could go wrong? I don't really get the heated seat thing. I have it in one of my LS400's and not the other. The one from Texas didn't come with it. Go figger. Anyway, by the time the thing kicks in to give you that warm butt feeling, the rest of the heating system is kicking in and you don't need it.
IDK. In my BMW, the seat heaters are noticeable within 60 sec. Actually, the heater in this thing gets up to temp pretty quickly as well though.
Honestly, I could take or leave seat heaters for the most part, and I live in Michigan. I guess my butt is already so well-insulated, I don't need additional warmth there. When I'm cold, it's my extremities that bother me most, so a heated steering wheel would be great.
AC, seat heaters and cruse are a must for a new DD.
Tom_Spangler wrote: Honestly, I could take or leave seat heaters for the most part, and I live in Michigan. I guess my butt is already so well-insulated, I don't need additional warmth there. When I'm cold, it's my extremities that bother me most, so a heated steering wheel would be great.
I run the seat heaters even on days that are only a little cool, because they relax my lower back so much on the drive home.
Also, bluetooth rocks for phone calls. Not many of my past DDs were quiet enough to have a phone conversation anyway.
I also drive a comfortable DD: automatic, cruise, heated seats, Bluetooth, reliable, etc. It is much more enjoyable to drive every day, and I've found that I enjoy the "fun" cars more when I don't drive them every day.
Can't stand seat heaters.
Seat heaters are nice, but I'll second the air conditioned seats. Holy smokes what a way to travel. I drove from Atlanta to Orlando in the summer and arrived feeling refreshed. Not a bit of swamp ass to be detected. Now if I hold my jeans leg JUST right in the Duster I can angle the floor ventilation up one pants leg and down the other. That's not bad for cross flow cooling, but those air conditioned seats in the Lexus circulate from the bottom and that makes a huge difference.
I pale in thinking how much it would cost to repair A/C seats. On the other hand, I can slap a set of seat heaters in darn near anything for dirt cheap.
I have noticed the same thing and I'm only 33. I bought my Wrangler with no options, other than the Bluetooth and voice controls (I bought it off the lot). I thought it would be fun to have a simple vehicle again. The A/C wasn't very effective in the Florida summers with the soft top. The wind noise is horrible. The ride is rough. The 6 speed isn't very fun to use. It's a chore to drive on the highway with the tall profile and short wheelbase. I just completed a 2600 mile move that took me 7 days. Towing a small trailer, I got about 14mpg. Every night that I stopped, I was exhausted.
I still love the Jeep as it is a really fun "toy" but some of the novelty has worn off using it as a DD. I'm now looking for something that is comfy and gets good gas mileage since my commute is pretty much tripled in length and is all highway.
You know you are getting old when...
In all seriousness, I do like A/C.
I think I would like A/C seats. During the heat of summer, my back will sweat like a mofo. Not much use to me for heated seats down here.
Dr. Hess wrote: I don't really get the heated seat thing. I have it in one of my LS400's and not the other. The one from Texas didn't come with it. Go figger. Anyway, by the time the thing kicks in to give you that warm butt feeling, the rest of the heating system is kicking in and you don't need it.
If you live in a place where you think it's cold when it drops below 60, I can see how you'd get this impression. When it gets down to the 20s and below, the seat heaters will heat up noticeably in seconds while it might take 10-15 minutes for a car with a large interior volume to heat up to comfortable levels. This is especially true if your commute is a lazy highway one that doesn't create much heat to circulate. If your commute is short or mostly highway, the seat heaters make a huge difference, without them I'd still be freezing when I get to work every day from December through March.
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