Whatever happened to the days when you could actually have a car built the way you wanted with only the options you wanted? You know ... that time when a dealer had a list longer than the menu at a sushi bar, of all available options you could select from, then wait 6-8 weeks to get YOUR car the way you actually wanted, without some of the bells and whistles you didn't.
Apparently, the wizards at GM feel that people like me who like to shift their own gears don't like to have a BOSE stereo system nor do we need the capability of having a navigation capable radio. In order to get a nav radio, you MUST get the premium trim level, which only comes with an automatic. You CAN get the Bose stereo in the LT trim level, but ONLY with the automatic transmission. You want leather seats you say, available in Premium trim only. Illuminated vanity mirrors ... LT auto and Premium trim only (although I never really understood WHY there's a lighted mirror on the driver's side to begin with). What's that, you want a sunroof too ... again, ONLY in the LT automatic and Premium. Foot operated parking brake available on LT auto or Premium trim only. LT manual, sorry, you gotta pull it up with your hand. 17" or 18" wheels on Premium trim only ... everything else gets 16" or 15" wheels. Want a spoiler on your LT manual? Can't have it unless you opt for the automatic or step up to Premium. Splash guards on LT auto or Premium only ... REALLY? Well gee GM/Chevy dealer, can I get a ground effects package on my manual? NOPE, only LT auto and Premium. You must be joking if you want fog lights on a manual LT too! LT auto and Premium only. Rear park assist/side blind zone with lane change alert/rear cross traffic alert ... LT auto and Premium only (but if you want that stuff, you're required to opt in on other options too, depending upon LT or Premium trim). Heated rear outboard seats and heated steering wheel, Premium only. A color DIC display in LT auto or Premium only. Cabin humidity sensor ... you guessed it, LT auto and Premium only. Reading lights in the back seat are unheard of except in Premium trim. Safety belt assurance system, whatever the $*#@ that is ... LT auto and Premium. Aren't seat belts pretty important in EVERY vehicle though?
Maybe it's just me ... but some of these option availabilities (or lack thereof) don't seem to have anything to do with whether or not your car has a manual or automatic transmission in the case of options available to the LT automatic and not the manual. I mean really GM, wake up! Why does it matter that I shift my own gears and want a Bose stereo? Or splash guards ... or any other LT automatic option not allowed on the LT manual (other than remote start of course, but even THAT can be done with safety switches and certain requirements being met first). Then you go another step further and limit certain options to the Premier trim level only, which again, pisses me off that the ONLY way to get Nav is by paying the premium price for the trim level, even though I don't want all the other crap included! I'll just go with aftermarket stereo and Garmin Nav unit if I buy one ... and that's a BIG IF now ...
Apparently, the wizards at GM feel that people like me who like to shift their own gears don't like to have a BOSE stereo system nor do we need the capability of having a navigation capable radio. In order to get a nav radio, you MUST get the premium trim level, which only comes with an automatic. You CAN get the Bose stereo in the LT trim level, but ONLY with the automatic transmission. You want leather seats you say, available in Premium trim only. Illuminated vanity mirrors ... LT auto and Premium trim only (although I never really understood WHY there's a lighted mirror on the driver's side to begin with). What's that, you want a sunroof too ... again, ONLY in the LT automatic and Premium. Foot operated parking brake available on LT auto or Premium trim only. LT manual, sorry, you gotta pull it up with your hand. 17" or 18" wheels on Premium trim only ... everything else gets 16" or 15" wheels. Want a spoiler on your LT manual? Can't have it unless you opt for the automatic or step up to Premium. Splash guards on LT auto or Premium only ... REALLY? Well gee GM/Chevy dealer, can I get a ground effects package on my manual? NOPE, only LT auto and Premium. You must be joking if you want fog lights on a manual LT too! LT auto and Premium only. Rear park assist/side blind zone with lane change alert/rear cross traffic alert ... LT auto and Premium only (but if you want that stuff, you're required to opt in on other options too, depending upon LT or Premium trim). Heated rear outboard seats and heated steering wheel, Premium only. A color DIC display in LT auto or Premium only. Cabin humidity sensor ... you guessed it, LT auto and Premium only. Reading lights in the back seat are unheard of except in Premium trim. Safety belt assurance system, whatever the $*#@ that is ... LT auto and Premium. Aren't seat belts pretty important in EVERY vehicle though?
Maybe it's just me ... but some of these option availabilities (or lack thereof) don't seem to have anything to do with whether or not your car has a manual or automatic transmission in the case of options available to the LT automatic and not the manual. I mean really GM, wake up! Why does it matter that I shift my own gears and want a Bose stereo? Or splash guards ... or any other LT automatic option not allowed on the LT manual (other than remote start of course, but even THAT can be done with safety switches and certain requirements being met first). Then you go another step further and limit certain options to the Premier trim level only, which again, pisses me off that the ONLY way to get Nav is by paying the premium price for the trim level, even though I don't want all the other crap included! I'll just go with aftermarket stereo and Garmin Nav unit if I buy one ... and that's a BIG IF now ...