I shuttle elderly folks around on a regular basis, so good backseat room and comfort is essential. The back seat has to be easy to get in and out of as well.
For obvious reasons the car will have to ride comfortably, while hopefully retaining a bit of handling.
I don't like feeling cramped so the front seats need to be roomy. I'm not particularly tall at 5'11" but I'm long in the torso so I need a vehicle with plenty of headroom.
Seats that don't kill my back on long trips are a must, as is a good sound system with Bluetooth integration and iPod control.
If I had my druthers my next car would have a MT, but since that's not the case
![Cry :'(](https://www.autos.ca/forum/Smileys/CarTalk/cry.gif)
a responsive 5-speed AT with manual mode would be acceptable. I'd even consider a CVT but I'd have to drive one first.
A reasonably responsive engine is a must, but big power isn't important. The car has to be quiet and it has to be nimble in city traffic since that's where I do most of my driving.
I want padded places to put my elbows but I don't care if the dash is 'soft touch' as long as it looks good and works well. I like simple mechanical controls better than complicated electronic ones.
Steel wheels and plastic hubcaps are a no-no, but not a deal-breaker. The alloys I got on sale for my Versa were actually cheaper to buy seperately than the OEM steelies, so no big deal here.
Power heated outside mirrors. I won't even look at a car without those, same with power windows, A/C and central locking. I miss cruise control, so my next vehicle will have that as well. Fog lights would be nice, but that's not a deal-breaker for me.
A sizeable and versatile cargo area. No split-folding rear seats, no deal. Hatchback or wagon, no sedans. The car also has to have good interior storage and a sturdy accessible cupholder for each seat.
Good fuel economy, 10L/100 kms or better.
Things I can live without - sun roof, power seats, leather, climate control, touch-screens, navigation, DVD entertainment systems and ultra low-profile tires.