As we all know, there is a trend in the automotive industry towards ever more digital "features" in cars. Many of these software systems pose privacy risks; many others simply don't work as intended, leading to frustration and trips to the dealership. For those of us who are "old-school" and prefer their cars without fancy digital gimmicks, which cars would you recommend?
Ask HN: Best cars without too much digitalization?
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Re: Ask HN: Best cars without too much digitalization?
#2I bought a 2018 Acura RDX instead of a new one. Way fewer electronic gadgets and touch screens, and it cost $26K w/33K miles vs $46K new. Even with a 2018, I only made it halfway through the HUGE manual and still don't understand why the doors sometimes lock themselves and other times don't.
I agree: cars have way too many features. I loved my 2003 Honda Accord, but some dumbass totaled it when she rear-ended me at an intersection because she wasn't paying attention - probably on her phone. Most people I talk to don't know how to use their car's features.
Re: Ask HN: Best cars without too much digitalization?
#3I’ve recently decided I want a classic muscle car. 30 years old or older, in good condition, depending on make, model, and miles can be had easily for under $10k
Re: Ask HN: Best cars without too much digitalization?
#4Mazda seems to be heading the right direction:
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20200335Re: Ask HN: Best cars without too much digitalization?
#5> For those of us who are "old-school" and prefer their cars without fancy digital gimmicks, which cars would you recommend?
Old cars. The problem is the lack of modern safety features which really makes me do a double take before considering them. I wish cannibalizing a new car and ripping out all of the useless electronics was common enough for there to be tutorials for some brands
Re: Ask HN: Best cars without too much digitalization?
#6My 2019 F150 XLT is still mostly analog. It has a screen, because it has to, due to the back-up camera mandate, but there are still physical dials and buttons for all of the radio and climate controls, and it still has the same setup for the shifter and wipers and blinker that have been standard in Ford pickups for two or three decades now.
Even so, I had to get FORScan to disable the autolocking feature (very frustrating when you are just going around the yard and it automatically locks the tailgate on you) and tweak a couple other things
Re: Ask HN: Best cars without too much digitalization?
#7Good question. A follow-up: What's the best low(er)-digitalization EV (ideally BEV, but alternatively PHEV)? Something with more tactile/analog UI and a minimum of "entertainment" accessories?
Re: Ask HN: Best cars without too much digitalization?
#8> For those of us who are "old-school" and prefer their cars without fancy digital gimmicks, which cars would you recommend? Old cars. The problem is the lack of modern safety features which really makes me do a double take before considering them. I wish cannibalizing a new car and ripping out all of the useless electronics was common enough for there to be tutorials for some brands
That's certainly true, but I do feel like there's a sweet spot in the 2005-2010 area where most "critical" safety features (improved airbags, traction control, ABS brakes) are almost certainly present, but none of the modern safety features that fall more into the "augmented sensory" category (merge/blindspot detection, early braking), which I'm happy to compromise on. I drive a 2007 SUV which does everything I need it to do and I'll probably continue to drive similar vintage vehicles until I finally switch to an EV when the charging infrastructure in my area has finally gotten off the ground.
Re: Ask HN: Best cars without too much digitalization?
#9My 2019 F150 XLT is still mostly analog. It has a screen, because it has to, due to the back-up camera mandate, but there are still physical dials and buttons for all of the radio and climate controls, and it still has the same setup for the shifter and wipers and blinker that have been standard in Ford pickups for two or three decades now. Even so, I had to get FORScan to disable the autolocking feature (very frustr…
Seconding. Ford F-150 and anything that fleets/contractors buy come in very basic feature sets with add one available. This would include sprinter, etc. Most manufacturers have a special section of their site for commercial vehicles.
Re: Ask HN: Best cars without too much digitalization?
#10Mazda seems to be heading the right direction: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20200335
They make a very shitty EV though.