What features / items would you pay monthly fee for?

[Chuck]

We're starting to see manufacturers charge monthly for items that we've always thought of as free. For example, BMW will now charge $18 per month for heated seats, but not yet in the U.S.

So, we all know this is coming, but what items are you willing to pay for on a regular basis?



JUST A REMINDER. IF YOU SAY "HELL NO" THEN YOU GET NONE OF THOSE ITEMS.

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[Davedough]

I paid $71k out the door for my car. The features that it has and the features it is capable of, are installed currently in the car. I paid for those features. I should not be asked to pay additionally for them unless there will be regular and demonstrably much better upgrades during the subscription period.

 

[awp0]

I understand subscriptions for use of things that require services or resources provided by someone else (I'm thinking internet connectivity, for example). But I would never pay a subscription just to use a hardware feature that I purchased.

In the example of BMW, my understanding is that buyers had the option to purchase heated seats initially, and this subscription option is only for people who chose not to do that. I wouldn't choose the subscription option, but I'll admit that it is a little more interesting with heated seats for people who might only need them for a few months out of the year.

 

[SightUp]

I cannot believe that powered seats would ever become a paid service. I was hurt in the Army and slipped two disk. I adjust the seat every 15 to 30 minutes while driving to combat the pain. To think this would happen is mind boggling.

 

[Mach-E VLOG]

I just thought I'd pop in here to say HI! to the Ford officials taking notes on what people will pay for.

Hi Ford! (Note - I don't want any subscription fees.)

 

[Chuck]

I paid $71k out the door for my car. The features that it has and the features it is capable of, are installed currently in the car. I paid for those features. I should not be asked to pay additionally for them unless there will be regular and demonstrably much better upgrades during the subscription period.

It's inevitable. Your cable box, set top streaming device, has all the features it needs built in. But you pay extra to see HBO or ESPN or Disney+. The same will be with cars. All the features are built in but you will pay extra to use them.

And wait until Microsoft starts charging monthly for Windows. They already charge monthly for Office and Windows will be next. Move to a Mac you say? Won't be long before you pay monthly for Mac OS.

The entire world is moving to a monthly subscription model. Will your refrigerator stop running without a subscription? Seem far out? Well, when I was a kid no one paid for video or music content, we had an antenna on the roof. Now, it's just routine to pay for video content.

 

[EELinneman]

If Ford thinks they can charge for PaaK, then I want a hit of whatever they have been drinking. This is shamefully unstable and unreliable.

 

[SnBGC]

I pay extra for satellite radio because I am able to use it outside the car (at home via Alexa or via mobile app).

If subscribing to features becomes a real thing then I would just subscribe the whole car (vs purchasing it like we do now).

 

[ZuleMME]

JUST A REMINDER. IF YOU SAY "HELL NO" THEN YOU GET NONE OF THOSE ITEMS.

Correction, it means I don't buy the car.

 

[Jimrpa]

Ok, your list is missing things. Here are the only things I’d pay a subscription fee for:

• Android auto view (or whatever they call their version of CarPlay)
• Alexa

Since I will never use those features, I will never subscribe to them, therefore ford can feel free to offer me a subscription at whatever price they want.

 

[CompilerBreak]

10 years ago I would maybe have paid a subscription for a constantly updated built in navigation. Today, no, and I would walk away from any such vehicle that tried this on any component.

 

[phil]

JUST A REMINDER. IF YOU SAY "HELL NO" THEN YOU GET NONE OF THOSE ITEMS.

I'll buy it, or I won't have it. I am not paying $3 monthly bills for crap like this.

 

[Rabidsquirrel22]

I'd pay monthly for a data plan if they added things like video streaming. Other than that and BlueCruise, no thanks. Any vehicle that asks me to subscribe to the rest of these will be one I never purchase.

 

[Marcel]

I have no problems with these items and a monthly fee as long as I get the Mach-e for free

 

[SnBGC]

If Ford thinks they can charge for PaaK, then I want a hit of whatever they have been drinking. This is shamefully unstable and unreliable.

Eventually, as the years pass the new generation mobile phones won't be compatible with the existing PaaK software so Ford is going to have to keep updating the system to keep up with the technology. At some point they will cut bait or charge the owner for that service.

Very same thing happened with the 2013-2018 Ford EVs. The modems on those are no longer compatible with the current cellular network so users had to pay to upgrade the modems in their vehicles if they wanted to maintain connectivity.

Having a "connected vehicle" is a recipe for eventual misery. Sure, it's great now while it all works but eventually they are going to turn in to bricks when the technology passes by. If this is the future then I don't really see any other option except for a vehicle subscription model where you keep it for 3-5 years and then it goes back to the manufacturer to be crushed and recycled into something new. Basically like cell phones. There was a time where there was a market for used cell phones but I doubt that exists very much any more. Now they are just crushed and recycled and everyone is walking around with the current models. The devices are funded by the subscription they purchase. Will likely be the same with our cars. Enjoy it while you can boys and girls.....times are changing.

Since we are on the subject......
Can you believe that Ford wants us to pay for turn by turn directions once our trial period expires?
Ridiculous!

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