The buick regal tour-x wagon I test drove has this non-turnoffable feature. It CAN be defeated, only by driving the car in manual mode, shifting 1-2-3-4-5-6 etc vs having the car in Drive/park/reverse mode. Basically, if you shift out of drive into manual mode on the shifter as you get to the stoplight, it won't stall. You just have to remember to do it.
I think buick has an oversized battery and starter, which they tout as their solution to the on/off stresses, but my big concern is the startup oil/wear, especially at the turbo. Many of these new engines are these 2 liter turbo/supercharged deals that try to get as much power out of as little displacement as possible. Add in 10 million unnecessary stop/ starts, and I don't see how any of these engines don't blow up.
The new volvo v60/v90 also have this feature, but according to the dealer, can be turned off each time the car is driven. The dealer offered for me to try it out. I said "no thanks" and didn't even want to bother.
I saw a 991/992 or something at a light the other day with this feature. I LOL'd too when it cut off. Something about a 911 doing this is just plain wrong!
This is a bit of a stressor for me, as at some point, I will need a newer car, and this seems to be the "new" trend coming down the line. The disposable engine. I really wouldn't want to by a used car with this feature, especially from someone in the city/stop and go commute.
Me: old dinosaur.
Curmudgeon factor: 10.