Popular options/trends for new automobiles...

[Electron]

I dislike the absence of chrome steel bumpers. They can take the mono-color plastic theme and stick it, imo. What appears to be a $300 dent is no a $1500 refurbish.
LOL one thing I didn't think I would like, but now can't seem to live without: Heated seats.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by Ceezer

I like factory window tinting. I find it is much more effective at reducing cabin temperatures in the sun than aftermarket window film is.

Unfortunately, many of them are also very good at substantially reducing the warning time/distance of radar detectors.

[rd2007]

I think the OP just needs to stick with early 90's and older cars..

Out of my four cars (Mazda 3, Tribute, MX-5, and CX-7) the smallest wheels are 16".. not having tinted windows in Texas is not an option as far as I'm concerned and the ceramic tint is even better plus it doesn't have to be as dark. Xenon headlights are great to have as a driver and also don't blind oncoming drivers unless they are out of alignment, which seems to be the case with most headlights of any type... and I would much rather my kids drove around with a few extra airbags at the expense of having to learn how to use the mirrors a little better to see through any alleged extra blind spots..

[ColdCanadian]

Originally Posted by rd2007

I think the OP just needs to stick with early 90's and older cars..

Where I live, thanks to tons of salt-and-sand every winter, nearly all vehicles driven in the winter look hideous after 15 years.
It seems 95% of all 10 year old vehicles have visible cosmetic/exterior rust damage.

I don't want to drive a vehicle with holes through the doors, especially on sub-zero mornings.

[ColdCanadian]

Originally Posted by Electron

I dislike the absence of chrome steel bumpers. They can take the mono-color plastic theme and stick it, imo. What appears to be a $300 dent is no a $1500 refurbish.

LOL one thing I didn't think I would like, but now can't seem to live without: Heated seats.

Me too!

I don't mind not having heated seats.

I just wish "heated steering wheels" existed. When my car's been parked outside in 10 F weather, I cannot hold the steering wheel with bare hands until the heat has been cranking full blast about 20 minutes. So what I do is drive with gloves or mitts, but hold the wheel with 5-10 times the force.

Style-wise I really prefer pre-1990 cars and mid-90's and earlier trucks. But I live in an area that destroys body panels rather quickly.

It would brake my heart to drive a nice looking rust-free "classic," say early 80's, 70's or 60's vehicle only to watch it disintigrate in about 5 years.

I've pretty much given up on being able to drive older vehicles that I really like and settle for something newer, for reliability and solid sheetmetal but I was hoping I could get something that didn't annoy me.