Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I LIKE my heated seats, but don't LOVE them.

Prior to buying a car with them in 2011, I lusted strongly after them. I had driven a few relatives' cars with them, and was like "this is the best thing ever".

After having them for 7 years (both of our SUVs now have them), I'm much more "meh". Yeah, it's kind of nice on really cold days, and I would definitely still want them on any future car I bought, but I wouldn't pay to have them retrofitted into a vehicle that didn't have them.

On the flip side, I would never, under any circumstances, buy a car without HID headlights, a high quality backup camera, and parking sensors. Those are all life-changing.

i have an old car with no fun features-what are HID headlights?

High intensity ones.

But read this:

https://www.autotrader.com/car-news/please-stop-installing-aftermarket-hid-headlights-258582

Anonymous wrote:OP - have you ever used heated seats? I have them in my car, and they were a novelty at first, but I never use them now.

I love heated seats. I use them all the time, especially when my back is sore.

Anonymous wrote:I LIKE my heated seats, but don't LOVE them.

Prior to buying a car with them in 2011, I lusted strongly after them. I had driven a few relatives' cars with them, and was like "this is the best thing ever".

After having them for 7 years (both of our SUVs now have them), I'm much more "meh". Yeah, it's kind of nice on really cold days, and I would definitely still want them on any future car I bought, but I wouldn't pay to have them retrofitted into a vehicle that didn't have them.

On the flip side, I would never, under any circumstances, buy a car without HID headlights, a high quality backup camera, and parking sensors. Those are all life-changing.

i have an old car with no fun features-what are HID headlights?

Maybe you can buy something like this and have your husband install it?
https://www.ebay.com/i/151887070408?chn=ps

Spending 2 grand on a vehicle this old seems like a waste.

You could also get something like this.
https://www.amazon.com/Sojoy-SJ154A-Universal-Cushion-SJ0007-3-07/dp/B018MUJ7IK/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_263_bs_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=4F00R14TF69TFT0GE6PJ

Anonymous wrote:OP with an update. I called our closest Toyota dealership and they told me that it could only be done as a factory install when the car is purchased and they could not/would not do it now. Then I called the Toyota dealership where we bought it (100 miles away because they had the best deal at the time) and they told me that they would send it to the place they do their upgrade installs on new purchases and that it would cost $800 for both front seats.

If you can afford it, then it's worth it. I also love my heated seats and won't consider a car without them now.

OP with an update. I called our closest Toyota dealership and they told me that it could only be done as a factory install when the car is purchased and they could not/would not do it now. Then I called the Toyota dealership where we bought it (100 miles away because they had the best deal at the time) and they told me that they would send it to the place they do their upgrade installs on new purchases and that it would cost $800 for both front seats.

OP here. Thanks everyone for the thoughts. To follow up on a few PP comments/questions...

Yes, I've used heated seats. My old car had them before we had kids and we got a minivan. Like one PP, I loved them and used them a lot, even sometimes in summer with the a/c. I also used them when my back hurt. We live an 18 hour drive from family and they were really nice on the long drives. I thought of this as a potential gift yesterday because my husband and I switched cars (which is very infrequent) and his car has them. I loved it. Also, we are trying to minimize stuff in our house and I have generous family who always get me expensive things I don't want and then struggle to use or get rid of, so it seemed like a good potential gift idea.

I am going to price out installation options and see how much it would really cost. I am reluctant to do the on-top portable pads since one PP said they drained her battery. But, our car charger does not charge my phone when the car if off, so maybe that wouldn't happen in our car?

I love my heated seats. I also have a heated steering wheel. Usually I immediately turn both on when I start my vehicle in the morning. Really makes the drive more comfortable on super cold days.

Anonymous wrote:We love our heated seats as well but would NEVER pay over $1,500 for them to be added to a 10 year old car

It will not be 1500 and I would as I have to sit in the carpool lane for 30 minutes before school lets out and its cold. But my solution is a new car.

OP - have you ever used heated seats? I have them in my car, and they were a novelty at first, but I never use them now.

Anonymous wrote:Worst financial decision you could ever make. Plain and simple.

It's a gift. She isn't worried about the finances. She wants a warmer ass.