As I come up on the end of my lease, I am starting to get back into the car market.  I have not bought an American made car in about 15 years.  In general, I find it is just the little things that makes the difference between an ok car and a nice car.  For example, and this is one of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to cars, what is up with American manufacturers and the "Auto" feature on automatic windows.  Not all cars have this feature, so in case you don't know what it is, the "Auto" feature allows you to just click the window button and instead of having to hold the button down (or up), the windows will go all the way down (or up) on its own.  It makes tremendous sense, and it is one of those little things that just makes being in a car a bit nicer.  One click - and bang - the window does it's thing.

But, and you knew that but was coming, I have yet to ever find an American car that implements the Auto feature for putting your window up, only for down.  I have had two Nissans over the past six years, and both of those implemented the Auto feature for the up and down motion of the windows.  Now, you may say, "Jeff, aren't you nitpicking just a bit."  But if you really think about it, what is the more useful direction to have the Auto feature working - up or down?  It is clearly up.  Why?  Well, what is the most common scenario that you are putting a window up and down when you are in your car.  For me at least, and I suspect for a lot of other people, it is the drive thru window or ATM.  So why is up more useful?  Putting the window up is something you need to usually do at the same time you are doing something else - sticking your money in your wallet, getting your fast food bag neatly arranged on the passenger seat, etc. - all while simultaneously pulling away from the drive thru.  Clearly, having a "one click" up feature is the most useful. A quick flick of the finger and my hands are now free to drive and organize while my window goes up.  Putting a window down is done with far less commotion in the car.  So why can't an American car have this feature?  If my Nissan's can, couldn't an American manufacturer do it? 

Yet, I have not come across a single American made car that does that.  Most now put the window down with an Auto feature, but no American cars  do up.  Maybe I just haven't come across an American car that does.  I really like the look of the new Ford Edge and the reviews I have gotten from owners of the Synch system have me totally jazzed.  I am just really hoping Ford has figure out the Auto feature.  I'm tired of my Nissan and it's gas guzzling ways, but Auto up rocks! After all, it's the little things....