647
Most options are not necessary in the cars
Dealer offers to install your new car cup holders in the rear armrest or some more unnecessary crap? It's flowers: manufacturers occasionally offer even more useless equipment. "Motor" option chosen by 12 countries, which can not easily do without any driver.
Vacuums
Where: Honda Odyssey
The difference between the versions of the updated and dorestaylingovoy minivan Honda Odyssey notice unless big fans of cars, which can carry the team floorball. Changes in design is so insignificant that talk about them almost indecent. But in the list of equipment of the "Odyssey" appears, the presence of which deserves a separate news - vacuum cleaner!
Continued under the cut ...
Of course, someone will dozen arguments in favor of the existence of a vacuum cleaner in the car: you can quickly clean the rack after transport dirty dog, to collect onion peel on arrival from the country or just to say: "What, in your" Merce "this is not?". In fact, this "incredibly useful" option will have to use only twice: the first time, to satisfy their own curiosity, the second - to justify the purchase of a minivan in front of friends from the gym.
And then probably will regret: the price difference between the Odyssey with a vacuum cleaner and the vacuum cleaner is no more than two and a half thousand dollars! Imagine how much dry-cleaning salon can do for the money?
Refrigerator in the front
Where: Dodge Avenger
Refrigerator in the car - a great idea. Always nice to drink something cool. Especially in the summer, in a traffic jam on the Third. And, apparently, Dodge Avenger with a compartment for cooling cans of soda in the front (in front of the passenger seat) - this is the perfect car. But there it was.
The store, called Chill Zone, placed all four banks 0, 33 liters. And to the nearest to the passenger door dotyanet banks except basketball. Anyway, it would be better placed in the refrigerator bottle - at least for half a liter. Or even to 0, 7. But then sit better on the back seat. And another important - it must be at Dodge Avenger.
Set for dogs
Where: Honda Element
Crossover Honda Element - the model is not very popular, even in the United States. In its best year - 2003-th - unusual poluvnedorozhnik sold in the US edition of almost 67, 5 thousand copies. For comparison, Chevrolet Tahoe selected about the same person just the first nine months of this year. And this is the last model year sales! But marketers "Honda" did not give up, and at some point decided to turn its attention to a model dog breeders, resulting in a crossover got an optional package for pets.
Package optional equipment of dubious value includes a special, resistant claws back sofa cover, special floor mats with a pattern of bones, as well as the booth ... in the trunk, which by its size from the trunk did not differ. Moreover, under it, in the only place where it would be possible to put at least a dozen toothpicks placed dog ladder! Excuse me, but what kind of dog that can jump and jump to a height of 40 centimeters? Prague Ratter? So it is possible and to carry in the glove compartment.
In general, the "Honda" asked the customer to a thousand dollars for depriving car trunk! The original way to boost sales. That did not load.
Buttons shift gears
Where: Ford Focus
There was a time when the automatic and robotised gearbox began to work no worse than the "mechanics", and even better - in terms of dynamics, and in terms of efficiency. However, the desire for change of the manual steps to discourage motorists have not yet obtained. And to compensate for the skills being lost today was invented lots of ways: you can just roll the lever you can pull the paddle "petals" or press the button on the "steering wheel" - as, for example, in the sports car Porsche. But at Ford went further.
On the side of the selector box was placed a little button, which may well be taken as the key to unlock the lever. But this is not it. Firstly, there are two buttons, and, secondly, they thereby controlled manual mode "automatic". It is understood that the wheel "Focus" and so overloaded with buttons and space for "petals" there just is not found, but the solution, let's be honest, unfortunate. Aim these buttons while driving - that has the problem, and keep your finger on the selector lever while driving - just not safe. In general, the engineers "Ford", sit down - "unsatisfactory".
Openometr
Where: Convertible MINI
MINI cars are strange people for strange people. Hence kinks: that they have a speedometer the size of the dish for the turkey on Thanksgiving Day in the center of the dashboard, the incomprehensible "openometr" next to the tachometer. Yes, it openometr! And it's safe to say that this, so to speak, the device is included in the "Top 5" most useless features in automotive history!
As you might guess from the name, openometr serves that the driver can see how much time he drove with the roof down. That is to get the data, do not burdened with a load of meaning! Furthermore, information from an analog device can be duplicated on the display under the tachometer. In the latter case, the motorist, in addition to the time spent without a roof, and get more information about the distance, overcoming without a roof.
In addition, data can be shared with others on the web, and even participate in the race for the most "turretless" owner of MINI.
It seems that this option came up especially for those who doubt the correctness of their purchase. And - look, how much you drove without a roof over the dusty and polluted city, and the soul rejoices. Or crying - that's who as.
Vacuum aspirator cigarette butts out of the ashtray
Where: Chevrolet Bel Air
Due to the rampant anti-smoking around the world, ashtray is gradually turning into perhaps the most seldom-used device in the car. Therefore, many automakers have long been taken out from the list of standard equipment. But in the mid-1950's - early 1960 in the Chevrolet believed that the ashtray can be one of the elements creating a premium image. Not exactly as ashtray as a system to clean it.
Tank butts models Chevrolet, for example, the legendary Bel Air, was equipped with a vacuum aspirator debris. The cost of the options was not prohibitive - about 13 US dollars (or about 150 dollars today). However, it is to put it mildly, did not survive.
Bulls after the exhaustion of the ashtrays piled in a special container under the dashboard. It turns out that the difference actually was not - or had to clean the ashtray once a day, or a reservoir - once a week. Therefore, Americans prefer to throw cigarette butts on the road, so as not to deal with any inconvenient mechanism or with the need to manually clean the ashtray. Now, these motorists are punished with a fine in the United States - from 500 to 1,000 dollars, depending on the state.
Automatic watch
Where: Oldsmobile
The mechanical clock in the car - it is rich, and the mechanical movement with automatic winding - all Rolls-Royce! And the ones in the early 1950s, set on the US "Oldsmobile." However, the chronometer was located in a traditional place at the front of the console, but right on the steering wheel!
And the place for hours was chosen, perhaps, not the best. Yes, so watch the best factories - while rotating the wheel. However, if the driver suddenly itch to find out how much time right in the corner, then do it was almost impossible. In addition, they placed very low (in the lower sector of the steering wheel), so use them even in the parking lot was inconvenient.
Interestingly, the creators of this miracle could bring at least three reasons to justify such an arrangement chronograph?
Turntable
Where: Chrysler
Once, when there was no MP3-files, CD-ROM drive, and even eight-inch diskettes in the cars could only listen to the radio. But in the mid-1950s at Chrysler decided that it is impossible to live on and presented portable player ... vinyl car - Highway Hi-Fi! It seems that the engineers have provided everything plate machine phonograph spinning slower "home" counterparts, allowing for longer listening to music (there was talk of 45 minutes), and the arm, which was attached needle, equipped with the system of balances, whereby even hummocky road Music He continued to play as if nothing had happened!
But this seemingly wonderful invention has been some very significant shortcomings. First, the player is required special plate, which had to be ordered from the record companies. That is, to enjoy the same performer on the same media both at home and in the car was not possible. Second, the player was placed only on new cars, and it was impossible to establish on the car with mileage.
Finally, thirdly, the player often break that entailed high costs for warranty service. It quickly tired of the company, and even before the early 1960s, "Chrysler" has ceased to offer its customers in the car listening to the plate, leaving only the radio.
Gear selection buttons in the center of the steering wheel
Where: Edsel
Pristine steering wheel has long haunted the American automakers. That company Edsel, which lasted only three years, had time something to be noted in this field. "Edsel" shared chassis with "Ford" of the same era, but positioned as a premium-class cars. To justify this status, the car Edsel has a very bizarre equipment. For example, instead of the traditional ribbon round speedometer was used, but not the one whose hand is twisted in the vertical plane, as we used to, and rotating entirely under glass: as a compass.
Another innovation was the Edsel optional gear selector for 231 dollar. Instead of the traditional "poker" on the steering column, these cars have received a set of buttons installed in the steering wheel hub. The system was named Teletouch and, according to its creators, was to allow the driver to change the mode of transmission, without taking your hands off the wheel. But first, the "steering wheel" still had to let go - and how different hands, lying on the rim of the steering wheel, turned out to be its hub? And secondly, a separate servo, shift gears in response to pressing a button located next to the road surface, and because of the dirt and dust often broke.
Finally, the drivers themselves often forget that they have such an advanced car and beaten on the steering wheel hub in the hope of finding the horn. This naturally led to the failure of the keys and drive (well, not fingers). In general, the system Teletouch not caught.
Compartment rods
Where: Powell Sport Wagon
In 1940 the brothers Hayward and Channing Powell engaged in the production of scooters, but in the postwar years have reflected on the issue of inexpensive and utilitarian vehicle that could be used both for business purposes and for recreation. For example, for fishing and hunting. Thus was born the brand built on a platform of Plymouth and its same engines wagon and pickup Powell Sport Wagon.
The beauty of "Powell" was hidden in its stern. It was there, on the lanterns were sliding compartments for transportation of long-length and fishing rods. The idea of a hidden compartment for objects with a large overall length is not bad - especially for compact cars like the Volkswagen Golf. But when you behind a body that can accommodate more than one hundred rods ... Nevertheless, "Powell" in demand, albeit limited (less than 10 years of production was sold about 1,200 copies). At the time of termination of production of the brothers had a few dozen orders. Why did they stop the release? You'll laugh, but they simply ran out of materials to build the cars.
Voice warnings
Where: Datsun 280ZX
Sound reminders of seat belt given rise to a number of "brilliant" decision to go without it and do not suffer from a peep "reminders". Here and a belt stretched over the seat and insert into the locks to electronic thought that the belt is buckled. It is terrible to imagine what tricks would have to go to our craftsmen if they were driving a Datsun 280ZX. After all, the Japanese are installed in a compartment system voice memos!
Electronic lady pleasant voice warns the driver of an open door, on the headlamps, forgotten in the ignition key, a raised "hammer" and a low level of fuel. Fortunately, the Japanese made a soulless Reminder switchable, so that the touch of a button you can deprive yourself lots of useful information. Over time, manufacturers have guessed that an ordinary buzzer attracts much better and much less annoying talkative "electronics." Although a pleasant voice, reminiscent of powershift headlights ... This is definitely something there.
Tents
Where: MINI, Chevrolet, Suzuki
In 1973, Chevrolet offered for your Vega hatchback option - a tent that fits over the boot lid when it was raised. And if you add up the back of the sofa back, the trunk turned double. The ideal car for traveling? Not really. To lie down in the trunk, I would pull out all the things on that could take a while. Which is quite possible to spend an assembly ordinary tent: much more spacious and no-rake any debris from the trunk.
But despite the apparent strangeness of the idea of such a tent accustomed. For example, in the MINI built crossover Countryman ALL4 Camp with sleeping on the roof. Furthermore, the embodiments have not disappeared, and similar "Vega". One of them - a concept car Suzuki Hustler - debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show in the home.
It looks scary, but this tent certainly goes to the square the Japanese more than the Americans out of the seventies. However, the usefulness of this option causes us serious doubts. Especially, if it is not complemented by a compartment for rods.
Source
Source:
Vacuums
Where: Honda Odyssey
The difference between the versions of the updated and dorestaylingovoy minivan Honda Odyssey notice unless big fans of cars, which can carry the team floorball. Changes in design is so insignificant that talk about them almost indecent. But in the list of equipment of the "Odyssey" appears, the presence of which deserves a separate news - vacuum cleaner!
Continued under the cut ...
Of course, someone will dozen arguments in favor of the existence of a vacuum cleaner in the car: you can quickly clean the rack after transport dirty dog, to collect onion peel on arrival from the country or just to say: "What, in your" Merce "this is not?". In fact, this "incredibly useful" option will have to use only twice: the first time, to satisfy their own curiosity, the second - to justify the purchase of a minivan in front of friends from the gym.
And then probably will regret: the price difference between the Odyssey with a vacuum cleaner and the vacuum cleaner is no more than two and a half thousand dollars! Imagine how much dry-cleaning salon can do for the money?
Refrigerator in the front
Where: Dodge Avenger
Refrigerator in the car - a great idea. Always nice to drink something cool. Especially in the summer, in a traffic jam on the Third. And, apparently, Dodge Avenger with a compartment for cooling cans of soda in the front (in front of the passenger seat) - this is the perfect car. But there it was.
The store, called Chill Zone, placed all four banks 0, 33 liters. And to the nearest to the passenger door dotyanet banks except basketball. Anyway, it would be better placed in the refrigerator bottle - at least for half a liter. Or even to 0, 7. But then sit better on the back seat. And another important - it must be at Dodge Avenger.
Set for dogs
Where: Honda Element
Crossover Honda Element - the model is not very popular, even in the United States. In its best year - 2003-th - unusual poluvnedorozhnik sold in the US edition of almost 67, 5 thousand copies. For comparison, Chevrolet Tahoe selected about the same person just the first nine months of this year. And this is the last model year sales! But marketers "Honda" did not give up, and at some point decided to turn its attention to a model dog breeders, resulting in a crossover got an optional package for pets.
Package optional equipment of dubious value includes a special, resistant claws back sofa cover, special floor mats with a pattern of bones, as well as the booth ... in the trunk, which by its size from the trunk did not differ. Moreover, under it, in the only place where it would be possible to put at least a dozen toothpicks placed dog ladder! Excuse me, but what kind of dog that can jump and jump to a height of 40 centimeters? Prague Ratter? So it is possible and to carry in the glove compartment.
In general, the "Honda" asked the customer to a thousand dollars for depriving car trunk! The original way to boost sales. That did not load.
Buttons shift gears
Where: Ford Focus
There was a time when the automatic and robotised gearbox began to work no worse than the "mechanics", and even better - in terms of dynamics, and in terms of efficiency. However, the desire for change of the manual steps to discourage motorists have not yet obtained. And to compensate for the skills being lost today was invented lots of ways: you can just roll the lever you can pull the paddle "petals" or press the button on the "steering wheel" - as, for example, in the sports car Porsche. But at Ford went further.
On the side of the selector box was placed a little button, which may well be taken as the key to unlock the lever. But this is not it. Firstly, there are two buttons, and, secondly, they thereby controlled manual mode "automatic". It is understood that the wheel "Focus" and so overloaded with buttons and space for "petals" there just is not found, but the solution, let's be honest, unfortunate. Aim these buttons while driving - that has the problem, and keep your finger on the selector lever while driving - just not safe. In general, the engineers "Ford", sit down - "unsatisfactory".
Openometr
Where: Convertible MINI
MINI cars are strange people for strange people. Hence kinks: that they have a speedometer the size of the dish for the turkey on Thanksgiving Day in the center of the dashboard, the incomprehensible "openometr" next to the tachometer. Yes, it openometr! And it's safe to say that this, so to speak, the device is included in the "Top 5" most useless features in automotive history!
As you might guess from the name, openometr serves that the driver can see how much time he drove with the roof down. That is to get the data, do not burdened with a load of meaning! Furthermore, information from an analog device can be duplicated on the display under the tachometer. In the latter case, the motorist, in addition to the time spent without a roof, and get more information about the distance, overcoming without a roof.
In addition, data can be shared with others on the web, and even participate in the race for the most "turretless" owner of MINI.
It seems that this option came up especially for those who doubt the correctness of their purchase. And - look, how much you drove without a roof over the dusty and polluted city, and the soul rejoices. Or crying - that's who as.
Vacuum aspirator cigarette butts out of the ashtray
Where: Chevrolet Bel Air
Due to the rampant anti-smoking around the world, ashtray is gradually turning into perhaps the most seldom-used device in the car. Therefore, many automakers have long been taken out from the list of standard equipment. But in the mid-1950's - early 1960 in the Chevrolet believed that the ashtray can be one of the elements creating a premium image. Not exactly as ashtray as a system to clean it.
Tank butts models Chevrolet, for example, the legendary Bel Air, was equipped with a vacuum aspirator debris. The cost of the options was not prohibitive - about 13 US dollars (or about 150 dollars today). However, it is to put it mildly, did not survive.
Bulls after the exhaustion of the ashtrays piled in a special container under the dashboard. It turns out that the difference actually was not - or had to clean the ashtray once a day, or a reservoir - once a week. Therefore, Americans prefer to throw cigarette butts on the road, so as not to deal with any inconvenient mechanism or with the need to manually clean the ashtray. Now, these motorists are punished with a fine in the United States - from 500 to 1,000 dollars, depending on the state.
Automatic watch
Where: Oldsmobile
The mechanical clock in the car - it is rich, and the mechanical movement with automatic winding - all Rolls-Royce! And the ones in the early 1950s, set on the US "Oldsmobile." However, the chronometer was located in a traditional place at the front of the console, but right on the steering wheel!
And the place for hours was chosen, perhaps, not the best. Yes, so watch the best factories - while rotating the wheel. However, if the driver suddenly itch to find out how much time right in the corner, then do it was almost impossible. In addition, they placed very low (in the lower sector of the steering wheel), so use them even in the parking lot was inconvenient.
Interestingly, the creators of this miracle could bring at least three reasons to justify such an arrangement chronograph?
Turntable
Where: Chrysler
Once, when there was no MP3-files, CD-ROM drive, and even eight-inch diskettes in the cars could only listen to the radio. But in the mid-1950s at Chrysler decided that it is impossible to live on and presented portable player ... vinyl car - Highway Hi-Fi! It seems that the engineers have provided everything plate machine phonograph spinning slower "home" counterparts, allowing for longer listening to music (there was talk of 45 minutes), and the arm, which was attached needle, equipped with the system of balances, whereby even hummocky road Music He continued to play as if nothing had happened!
But this seemingly wonderful invention has been some very significant shortcomings. First, the player is required special plate, which had to be ordered from the record companies. That is, to enjoy the same performer on the same media both at home and in the car was not possible. Second, the player was placed only on new cars, and it was impossible to establish on the car with mileage.
Finally, thirdly, the player often break that entailed high costs for warranty service. It quickly tired of the company, and even before the early 1960s, "Chrysler" has ceased to offer its customers in the car listening to the plate, leaving only the radio.
Gear selection buttons in the center of the steering wheel
Where: Edsel
Pristine steering wheel has long haunted the American automakers. That company Edsel, which lasted only three years, had time something to be noted in this field. "Edsel" shared chassis with "Ford" of the same era, but positioned as a premium-class cars. To justify this status, the car Edsel has a very bizarre equipment. For example, instead of the traditional ribbon round speedometer was used, but not the one whose hand is twisted in the vertical plane, as we used to, and rotating entirely under glass: as a compass.
Another innovation was the Edsel optional gear selector for 231 dollar. Instead of the traditional "poker" on the steering column, these cars have received a set of buttons installed in the steering wheel hub. The system was named Teletouch and, according to its creators, was to allow the driver to change the mode of transmission, without taking your hands off the wheel. But first, the "steering wheel" still had to let go - and how different hands, lying on the rim of the steering wheel, turned out to be its hub? And secondly, a separate servo, shift gears in response to pressing a button located next to the road surface, and because of the dirt and dust often broke.
Finally, the drivers themselves often forget that they have such an advanced car and beaten on the steering wheel hub in the hope of finding the horn. This naturally led to the failure of the keys and drive (well, not fingers). In general, the system Teletouch not caught.
Compartment rods
Where: Powell Sport Wagon
In 1940 the brothers Hayward and Channing Powell engaged in the production of scooters, but in the postwar years have reflected on the issue of inexpensive and utilitarian vehicle that could be used both for business purposes and for recreation. For example, for fishing and hunting. Thus was born the brand built on a platform of Plymouth and its same engines wagon and pickup Powell Sport Wagon.
The beauty of "Powell" was hidden in its stern. It was there, on the lanterns were sliding compartments for transportation of long-length and fishing rods. The idea of a hidden compartment for objects with a large overall length is not bad - especially for compact cars like the Volkswagen Golf. But when you behind a body that can accommodate more than one hundred rods ... Nevertheless, "Powell" in demand, albeit limited (less than 10 years of production was sold about 1,200 copies). At the time of termination of production of the brothers had a few dozen orders. Why did they stop the release? You'll laugh, but they simply ran out of materials to build the cars.
Voice warnings
Where: Datsun 280ZX
Sound reminders of seat belt given rise to a number of "brilliant" decision to go without it and do not suffer from a peep "reminders". Here and a belt stretched over the seat and insert into the locks to electronic thought that the belt is buckled. It is terrible to imagine what tricks would have to go to our craftsmen if they were driving a Datsun 280ZX. After all, the Japanese are installed in a compartment system voice memos!
Electronic lady pleasant voice warns the driver of an open door, on the headlamps, forgotten in the ignition key, a raised "hammer" and a low level of fuel. Fortunately, the Japanese made a soulless Reminder switchable, so that the touch of a button you can deprive yourself lots of useful information. Over time, manufacturers have guessed that an ordinary buzzer attracts much better and much less annoying talkative "electronics." Although a pleasant voice, reminiscent of powershift headlights ... This is definitely something there.
Tents
Where: MINI, Chevrolet, Suzuki
In 1973, Chevrolet offered for your Vega hatchback option - a tent that fits over the boot lid when it was raised. And if you add up the back of the sofa back, the trunk turned double. The ideal car for traveling? Not really. To lie down in the trunk, I would pull out all the things on that could take a while. Which is quite possible to spend an assembly ordinary tent: much more spacious and no-rake any debris from the trunk.
But despite the apparent strangeness of the idea of such a tent accustomed. For example, in the MINI built crossover Countryman ALL4 Camp with sleeping on the roof. Furthermore, the embodiments have not disappeared, and similar "Vega". One of them - a concept car Suzuki Hustler - debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show in the home.
It looks scary, but this tent certainly goes to the square the Japanese more than the Americans out of the seventies. However, the usefulness of this option causes us serious doubts. Especially, if it is not complemented by a compartment for rods.
Source
Source:
