Observation/rant about the features available on certain vehicles and comparing them to others with consideration for their pricing and where they fit in a models lineup, their original price and wondering why it is so that things are the way they are.

Some features you think should be standard on a top spec car (eg. 380 GT)
Why does the 380 GT NOT have express up/down for both front windows?
Why does a lancer have keyless entry and the GT not?
Why dont either have keyless start (using key proximity detection), like the Suzuki SX4?
Why dont cars that have fly-by-wire throttles all have cruise control as standard? (if YOU dont use it its irrellevant, its OPTIONAL to use.....like the lighter socket)
Why dont fly-by-wire cars, with cruise, also have a user selectable speed limiter (Merc. Vito vans do as standard, it is a fantastic feature when you have it)
Why doesnt the 380 GT( or all elec window cars for that matter) have a timer to enable you to wind the windows up after the ignition has just been turned off? (1993 commodore had this)
Why doesnt cars with elec windows have auto-closure of the windows on locking with the remote? (I built it and added it to my old car - total cost $15, and I paid retail for the parts)

I suppose, and as food-for-thought for you all, why do we have cheap small-mid sized cars that have better(?) features than top-spec large ones?
or slightly changed, why do we have to pay so much for a car that misses out on some of the features that cheaper models get?
Why do the F6, Force6/8, Senator, Caprice, LTD, GT-P, 380 GT etc ($50k+ car) not have the features that you would 'assume' would be standard, when they are released on models that cost $25k less? and in some(most!) cases these features are not even available as an option.
When you consider most these days run either CAN or OBD based ECU's, a lot of these 'features' wouldnt even require parts, just software code.

Dont even get me started on the stripped out vehicles we get here compared to the same spec model available overseas.

That's a lot of questions for the forum members to answer - hope you get some decent replies.

From where I sit looking at the specs. of new cars, and the ones sold in the recent past, the manufacturers will try and get away with as little as possible in the way of bells & whistles and all the options you mention - provided they have a car which is reasonable competition for others of the same class out there in the market place, and is readily saleable.
So some things like cruise control come as an option, which you have to pay extra for.
As far as pricing compared to overseas prices of similar models - I heard Will Hagon on ABC radio recently answering a listener on this same topic. From my recollection, the pricing is dependent on several factors, including market size and economies of scale, tax and freight issues, and most importantly what the market will bear in terms of what the customer is willing to pay- which is to a degree governed by what the opposition is pricing their vehicles.
An example that was discussed was the Holden Monaro price in Oz vs. the selling price in USA. I think the Oz price was around $60K and the US price $35K approx.
If the US market asked $60K for a Monaro they would not sell any, so they reduce the price to tailor it to the market and opposition.
Hope this helps.

If the US market asked $60K for a Monaro they would not sell any, so they reduce the price to tailor it to the market and opposition.
Hope this helps.

Like a few years ago when Ford re-released the mustang/cobra here and they were priced ridiculous ($85k) and were suprised it didnt sell

Why don't we have MIVEC!! :rant: