I am one of those Baby Boomers who has always laid out big bucks to buy every option on the BIG LUXURY vehicles. However, now that we are retiring to 'fixed' incomes we are 'downsizing' everything. Smaller houses, going to a winter residence in a warmer climate but keeping our summer home near the kids. This often means DOUBLE the vehicles or adding lots of driving miles. I truly believe that many people like myself still want all those LUXURY OPTIONS but on an affordable, LITTLE car, that's easy to park, gets great mileage (so we can do more running around on our fixed income) and just looks 'cute'. We are no longer hauling around our aging parents or our kids or grandkids. Most of the time we only have ONE or possibly two people in the car. However, we are in LOVE with all those gadgets, creature comforts, and bells and whistles that we could get for our HUGE luxury vehicles. By making all those EXTRAS available as OPTIONS, your company can still keep your vehicle price very low and competitive. Right now I can buy half a dozen cars that get close to 40 mpg., but very few that offer heated leather seats, or factory built remote starter. Some people would be persuaded to buy your products just by the long list of 'options' available even though they may not buy all the options. BMW has the right idea with it's Mini Cooper. Tons of options are available, and it's simply a matter of how many extras you want to pay for. I do believe the REAL profit could be made in the add on's...so the standard vehicle price could almost be a loss leader..to suck people into purchasing that model..and then they would gladly buy more goodies than what they thought they wanted, just because they COULD.

 

I for one never owned a landcruisers pushed by the big three like the person starting this thread. Many have and that is fine with me. I have no gripe with personal choice.

I drive 32000-35000 miles a year and want to be comfortable and safe. Very comfortable seats, leather and heated are in that mix, but make sure your back and body feels great after a five to eight hour drive aka Recaro comfort series, not racing style, or mushy with no support. Don't put in seats that do not provide full thigh support, so that the marketing department can create the illusion of so much leg room in the front or back of the car. Backup and front side lamps that really light up the area around you when the car is reversing.

Heated outside mirrors and rear window. Full airbags front, side, and curtain. Forget the black 'crap' on the windows that make it difficult to see out of the car as you back the vehicle at night. If you want to play 'Mofioso' I say get a life! Clear glass with a UV coating keeps the heat out just fine thank you. Front and rear fog light. A real spare tire!

Honda has always been good at creating cars with planned add-on accessories and options. I hope that does not change. Multiple options so an owner can slice and dice his own car is a good choice. Just do not forget basic comfort and design.

Personally the big headlamps do not trip my trigger. The new Civic lamps are much nicer. Many have noted the Matrix / Vibe Look of this car. Shame that Honda felt it had to copy others.

Good Motoring!