The 'trick' is to perform the following in exactly the correct order and absolutely nothing else. The problem is how to 'communicate' to the OS which view you really want to have and what size and where the command-n will open a new Finder Window.
The following works for Column View:
1. Set the view to Columns View.
2. Select View -> Show View Options.
3. Check the "Always open in column view" check box.
4. Close the Finder Window.
5. Open a Finder Window. Stop!
6. Move the window to where you might want it to usually open, if you care. Stop!
7. Make the window as large as you usually will want it by 'grabbing' the textured area in the lower, right-hand corner. Stop.
8. Select whatever you want in the Sidebar to usually be highlighted/selected when the window opens. Stop!
9. Double click the bottom of the first columns divider bar
only at the extreme lower part that has two vertical lines in it. ( "||") Stop!
10. Close the window.
11. Open a Finder Window.
It should now be exactly where you left it with exactly the same size and exactly the same items showing.
However, this will only be for windows you open yourself. Windows that open because a disk image is
mounted will have whatever view, size and location that the window had when the disk image was
created.
For Icon and List views the same steps as above should work except the ones that are not applicable. The Always open in column view should, of course, be
unchecked. And there will be no column divider to double click, either.
You should also be careful when keyboarding to avoid accidentally hitting the command and the 1, 2, 3 or 4 keys. Those are shortcuts to the four Finder Window views available. If these keys are being hit accidentally, you may need to sharpen your fingers, a knife will work but a fine grained grinding wheel will give a more finished look.
BTW, a fast setting Cyanoacrylate adhesive is great for stopping the bleeding and hardening the flesh.
If the above instructions do not work for the view you normally want, please contact the nearest exorcist, your System has been taken over by evil spirits.
