Why No Heated Mirrors?

wspohn · 11-27-2009, 09:55 AM

I know many/most of you probably are either in balmy southern locales or put your cars away for the winter, but here in coastal BC we tend to use them all year (in my case as long as it doesn't snow).

This weather is really pointing out one lack in the Solstice, not a serious one, but...why didn't they include heated mirrors in the mix?

My wife's 2004 Pontiac minivan turns on outside mirror defrosters when you turn on the rear window defroster and they work perfectly. Why not also on the Sol? It is certainly a much less expensive vehicle than the Solstice.

Have manufacturers dropped this feature when I wasn't looking (quite possible) or maybe they were more interested in looks than features when they sourced the mirrors from the Fiat, which wouldn't have had heated mirrors.

Like I said, no big deal, but if you wipe them by hand they always end up streaked which is just another minor annoyance, plus they don't really clear properly unless they are heated.

Of course given the choice between heated mirrors and a place to carry a case of wine inside the car where no one could see it, I'd opt for the storage, no question.

MomsSol · 11-27-2009, 09:59 AM

Heated mirrors would have added to total cost of the Sol .. the idea (courtesy of Bob Lutz) was to provide a roadster that was affordable. All these 'options' that many would have liked to seen on the car would only serve to drive up the cost.

wspohn · 11-27-2009, 10:06 AM

True, but they could have done heated mirrors for a pittance compared to the stuff they eventually loaded it up with like traction control, XM radio, Onstar....or if they hadn't wanted to load up the base price, offer it as an option, as they should have on the radio and Onstar package, which we all paid for whether we liked it or not.

Probably could have had heated mirrors AND better tires for the price of the Onstar!

Small Dealer · 11-27-2009, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wspohn

My wife's 2004 Pontiac minivan turns on outside mirror defrosters when you turn on the rear window defroster and they work perfectly. Why not also on the Sol? It is certainly a much less expensive vehicle than the Solstice.

When the 2006 Solstice made it's first US appearance with a base price of $19,995, a US Pontiac Montana SV6 would have cost $28,300 with the heated mirrors.

It was the Solstice program's goal to be a low price roadster, this required sacrafices from GM, dealerships and buyers to achieve the initial introduction price.

If desired by a manufacturer, much easier to put a feature on a $28,000 vehicle with expected production quanities north of 200,000 units per year, than a 20,000 units per year Solstice.

Over the years very few Pontiacs have included heated mirrors, here in the US. The Van line-up eventually received them and the Bonneville SSEi comes to mind. Was it that different on Canada?

As far as the StabiliTrak and OnStar question, GM made a comitment to occupant safety to include thoose features, GM exclusive features as standard equipment in their cars. Stability control actually became a US government future requirement. Part of the reason GM came out in advance of the requirement and other manufacturers.

KappaKadet · 11-27-2009, 10:24 AM

Most likely GM got paid for installing OnStar and XM, not viceversa. Heated outside mirrors on a convertible... fluff. Traction control... a good idea for these RWD cars.

wspohn · 11-27-2009, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Small Dealer

Over the years very few Pontiacs have included heated mirrors, here in the US. The Van line-up eventually received them and the Bonneville SSEi comes to mind. Was it that different on Canada?

Good question, and thanks for the answer.

I suspect that Canadian dealers would be less likely to order cars with options like air and more likely to go for traction control and heated mirrors, but have no way of verifying that.

I agree that it wouldn't be seen as such a big deal on convertibles (I have a coupe) and probably wasn't any sort of priority for GM.

Good point about the XM and Onstar - wonder if they were subsidized?

PS - if my sports car buddies ever saw me wanting heated mirrors they laugh at me. What next, he'll be complaining about cup holders and outside thermometers?

MomsSol · 11-27-2009, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wspohn

True, but they could have done heated mirrors for a pittance compared to the stuff they eventually loaded it up with like traction control, XM radio, Onstar....or if they hadn't wanted to load up the base price, offer it as an option, as they should have on the radio and Onstar package, which we all paid for whether we liked it or not.

Probably could have had heated mirrors AND better tires for the price of the Onstar!

IIRC traction control is mandated to be a safety feature on 2010 vehicles

I1ULUZ · 11-27-2009, 12:03 PM

The Fiat that the mirrors are off of didn't come with heated mirrors. It's a Frankenparts car.

You are starting to sound like you are from Texas and drive a Vette.

wspohn · 11-27-2009, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I1ULUZ

You are starting to sound like you are from Texas and drive a Vette.

Now that's really insulting (no offence to my friends from Texas)

I'm about as far away from Texas as I can be, and this is the closest thing I own to a Corvette (a car I appreciate, admire, but will probably never own).

Sol-Mates · 11-27-2009, 01:21 PM

I agree that heated mirrors would be a great addition for those of us who's cars are daily drivers. I wish there was a way to add that feature.

wspohn · 11-27-2009, 01:35 PM

I believe the Miata has them, why shouldn't we?

Bosch · 11-27-2009, 02:31 PM

Because its a toy car.

Not saying it shouldn't have them but having the would be nice along with heated seats and a driver 1 and drive 2 settings. But with it being a cheaper, toy fun car keeping it simple makes it affordable and its not really meant to be loaded with creature comforts. Its a throwback to just a fun drivers car.. Keep it simple and fast.

I agree with you though why my daily has heated mirrors.. Love that feature more than you know..

Try some rainx on the glass and see if that helps any..

wspohn · 11-27-2009, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bosch

Try some rainx on the glass and see if that helps any..

Good suggestion. Why didn't I think of that?

I have a bottle I use on my visor when I race, and used to use on the inside of the windsheild and rear windows on the closed car (a TVR) I used to race. Used it inside and out on the front as I had no wipers installed on it. If I forgot to reapply it you couldn't see much at all until you got up to around 70 MPH when the wind would clear it. Absolutely hate racing in the rain!

WoWwii · 11-27-2009, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wspohn

I believe the Miata has them, why shouldn't we?

Sell the COUPE and get the Miata......Please!

wspohn · 11-27-2009, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WoWwii

Sell the COUPE and get the Miata......Please!

Why on Earth would anyone do that?

If I'd wanted anything but a Solstice I'd have bought it. Doesn't mean I think the Solstice (or any other car) is perfect. None of them are.

Wait, don't tell me - you must be one of those guys that go all 'love it or leave it' whenever anyone says anything about the Solstice being less than perfect?