[PaleMelanesian]

Count me in the "AC is nice but not necessary" group. I live in Texas, too. I worked a summer on a roofing crew in College Station - black asphalt shingles are... hot. My car's AC has failed and I'm not spending the money to fix it.

Some people handle heat better than others. I'm one of those. Some handle cold better than others. I'm NOT one of those. I don't ask my family to go without AC. When we drive the other vehicle (both for capacity and comfort) the AC runs. When I'm commuting alone it's up to me and I choose not to.

There's also a big difference between a moving car with windows open and a parked car. I wouldn't want to be in a hot parked car and don't expect anyone else to either. With even a little airflow it's a different story.