Option Packages
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,030
Likes: 6
From: Maumelle Arkansas
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Option Packages
I have never been a fan of option packages. I think they originated with Honda to allow more standardized production vehicles to be shipped from Japan. A long wait for the customers selected options was just inefficient. I was viewing a recent post about a 50 Buick window sticker listing such options as turn signals, backup lights, flexible steering wheel, even a heater was an option in 1950.
But I miss the nice long list of available options from the good old days. It was really fun to sit with a dealers option book and figure out what you could afford, what you had to have. You could get electric windows, A/C, leather seats, from an almost endless list.
If you could select a few options on a base vette without the entire LS4 option package what would it be. I personally would have been happy with just the heads up display as an option on the base Vette.
LJ
But I miss the nice long list of available options from the good old days. It was really fun to sit with a dealers option book and figure out what you could afford, what you had to have. You could get electric windows, A/C, leather seats, from an almost endless list.
If you could select a few options on a base vette without the entire LS4 option package what would it be. I personally would have been happy with just the heads up display as an option on the base Vette.
LJ
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 2
From: Los Alamos "The Atomic City" New Mexico
When I "custom ordered" my '98 C5 I was disappointed to see that I could not "cherry pick" a long options list. When I replaced the C5 by ordering an '05 C6 coupe it was even worse as far as a list selection goes. Now, with a '10 coupe on order I was faced with these "LT" packages which seemed to have progressively more stuff, some of which I sure would have liked to been able to delete. Oh well, it is what it is.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
noooo, I would have been ordering quite a few things. the list would've been long for me. from the "packages" I'd really only subtract a few (power windows, locks, convertible top, to name a few) and some of those are pretty much on 98% (or some such high percentage 
) of cars today.
) of cars today.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,940
Likes: 42
From: shavertown Pa.
Yes it was nice back in the old days you could choose different engines, gear and trans ratio's.
I like all of the standard options on the 1lt package but I would like to buy the ls7 in that car with the t-56 trans and 342 gear, and I would like to be able to pick my interior color not just what comes with the 1 lt.
I like all of the standard options on the 1lt package but I would like to buy the ls7 in that car with the t-56 trans and 342 gear, and I would like to be able to pick my interior color not just what comes with the 1 lt.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,836
Likes: 9
From: Rushsylvania Ohio
Option packages were available long before Honda was even selling cars in America, so not sure where you got that idea. The Z06 package is one of the early ones for Vettes that comes to mind.
While there are some things that could be on an option list, like engines/trannies, interior colors, alot of the electronic gizmos are all designed to work together as a total system an thus not available seperately. With the 3LT package I ordered, got all I wanted and nothing I did not want.
While there are some things that could be on an option list, like engines/trannies, interior colors, alot of the electronic gizmos are all designed to work together as a total system an thus not available seperately. With the 3LT package I ordered, got all I wanted and nothing I did not want.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Chantilly Virginia
If you want to spend countless hours picking out options - go buy a Porsche. Everything is an option - and you cannot buy one without spending several hours sitting with a salesman who is going to point out every single options available - even if you have already spent two months reading the buyers brochure from front to back and come in with your dream car already configured.
The option catagories for Corvettes is much friendlier and simpler - yet it still give the buyer a sense of individuality.
The option catagories for Corvettes is much friendlier and simpler - yet it still give the buyer a sense of individuality.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
From: Framingham Mass
The AW '07 I am trading in is a 1LT. I was happy with that. The only reason I ordered 2LT on my new AW GS is that I wanted the red interior. Even though it's only half red.......
I don't need much in a car as long as it has AC/PW/PL and a good stereo. Especially in a car that is not an everyday driver such as my Corvette.
Me personally? I like the ability to pick and choose individually instead of ordering a "package" to get something I want and that "package" includes other things I don't want/need.
I don't need much in a car as long as it has AC/PW/PL and a good stereo. Especially in a car that is not an everyday driver such as my Corvette.
Me personally? I like the ability to pick and choose individually instead of ordering a "package" to get something I want and that "package" includes other things I don't want/need.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,587
Likes: 90
Options
The ability to create a car a' la carte stopped many years ago. Back in the 60's and 70's the myraid of engine/trnasmission/gear ratio options was mind boggling. It was also very costly.
The shift to 'packages' allows the company to keep a higher percentage of line workers 'operational' to achieve a most efficient work flow.
Resulting is oveall lower costs. It is a compromise.
But if you want choice go to Porsche as someone else suggested.
When I 'ordered' by Denali it had one option, captains seats in second row or not. I worked for me.
The shift to 'packages' allows the company to keep a higher percentage of line workers 'operational' to achieve a most efficient work flow.
Resulting is oveall lower costs. It is a compromise.
But if you want choice go to Porsche as someone else suggested.
When I 'ordered' by Denali it had one option, captains seats in second row or not. I worked for me.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 858
Likes: 3
From: Livonia Michigan
I was working at Chrysler when we went to the package ordering system.
I think it was the late 60's early 70's. It helped the dealers when ordering vehicles. The take rate on radio and heater and whitewalls was in the 90% range, eventually they made it standard to the vehicle.
The packages offered a substantial savings over ordering options individually. Eventually many options became standard to the vehicles, and the base price for the vehicle kept escalating. I remember buying a loaded 67 Cuda, with a formula S package, 383 engine, 4 speed sure grip axle, everything except A/C, out the door it was $3700. Ahh, the good old days!
I think it was the late 60's early 70's. It helped the dealers when ordering vehicles. The take rate on radio and heater and whitewalls was in the 90% range, eventually they made it standard to the vehicle.
The packages offered a substantial savings over ordering options individually. Eventually many options became standard to the vehicles, and the base price for the vehicle kept escalating. I remember buying a loaded 67 Cuda, with a formula S package, 383 engine, 4 speed sure grip axle, everything except A/C, out the door it was $3700. Ahh, the good old days!
