Geez... 25k/ year is average where you live? Where do you live? The boonies? I drive 24k miles/ year to work and back... but that's because I live in the boonies... The average in the US is ~12k/ year.
I'm roughly 60 miles east of LA. Yea many people here commute a good 100 mile round trip daily for work. It increases more as inflation hits and people relocate further for more affordable living. My own commute is only 20 miles round trip for work and I ended up with 18k miles after one year of ownership (pretty low compared to my previous vehicles).
It's all about what you need/want and whether you are willing to pay for it, and wait if needed. Sure, I would have liked to have gotten a C4 with moonroof, but I wasn't willing to pay for it and didn't feel I needed or wanted the extra features enough. In this case, unlike my previous car, the dealer had a good variety of Cs in stock, the C3 fit exactly what I was looking for utility and tech wise, so that's what I picked. My friend was a different story with his liftback, he was pretty particular about the options he wanted and couldn't find a dealer with one in stock with what he was looking for, so he told his previous dealer (where he purchased his Scion xA) what he wanted and waited for it to show up.
Regarding your thread's title, yes, you will regret getting a C1. Such a modern car should not be held back by having its goodies stripped away. It's like buying a brand spankin new house, only to realize the inside was furnished by inflatable chairs. Although I know some people who would love that...
If you like the feature on the C3 and C4 then DON"T get the C1 or C2. You will regret it. When i first looked to buy my PC. I was mainly looked at the C2 because i didn't care much for the feature of the C3 and C4 had to offered. But i picked the C4 because it was $1000 more then the C2 i was originally suppose to get. Now looking back. I'm so glad i bought the C4.
when I got mine, I wanted a tech premium package ( Like the USA's C4, but the bigger wheels come standard, and it also has a few other things like softtex leather wrapped dashboard etc.) Only thing was.. they didn't have one nobody did.. so, I had them order a build one from japan, it took 5 months. int he end it was totally worth it. I got the exact car I wanted.
Of course it's subjective. It's my opinion. Along with the OPs comment about being a tech guy, I don't see why the C1 should be considered at all, unless money is really tight Galaxy Nexus ? 2
I have a job now that requires me to carry a lot of stuff and not having a Smart Key is annoying when I am going to my car with both my hands full. I actually should have gotten the Prius Plug-In because my county offers the biggest tax credit in the country and I could have used it when I did my taxes last year.
The bluetooth and auto door open on the 3 don't seem to be something you need until you use them. I really like not having to pick up the phone to converse while I'm keeping an eye on the drivers around me who are all looking at their laps instead of driving. I never think my C is slow when the light changes and the driver behind me is 6 car lengths behind and hasn't moved yet. With your arms full not reaching for your keys is a blessing. To each his own.
Exactly, I didn't think I needed a smart key till my last vehicle had one. When I bought my C it was one of the top items on my list that I wanted. Maybe that would be one reason to not get the upgrades, so you don't get addicted to them.
It is on all versions. ACC is also on all versions of the C, which kinda surprised me, but used properly it's far more efficient than A/C, so it makes sense.
Since each level is an upgrade from the previous level it's interesting that by that chart the 4 has not one, but two Entune systems.
