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Ask HN: Best cars without too much digitalization?

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Re: Ask HN: Best cars without too much digitalization?

#41

Post by germinalphrase »

bluedino wrote: post #26
sodality2 wrote: post #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

Problem is, up here in the north, cars start rusting away before they are otherwise unusable.

I would honestly pay 5k for a one-time rust prevention fix if it were a long term solution. I have a wonderful Toyota 4Runner in great condition - except for the terrible rust. It will definitely die a rusty death.

Re: Ask HN: Best cars without too much digitalization?

#42

Post by jreese »

porkloin wrote: post #8
sodality2 wrote: post #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

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…

Biggest concern is that many cars of this era spectacularly fail on the front overlap and small front overlap tests, resulting in trapping, pinning, or worse. Older cars don't do any better, mind you, but the switch to unibody construction without the structural rigidity of the latest models can result in you becoming part of the crumple zones.

Re: Ask HN: Best cars without too much digitalization?

#43

Post by nowherebeen »

I have been looking at the Ineos Grenedier that is coming out early next year. The owner of Ineos wanted a better version of the LandRover Defender before their redesign. No digital features, all buttons. I think they are pricing it around 40-50k.

Check out the interior here. https://youtu.be/3wrPT9buKkc?t=575

Re: Ask HN: Best cars without too much digitalization?

#44

Post by reyjrar »

I'm driving a 2017 Jeep Wrangler (JK) with a manual transmission. I don't drive much (less than 4k miles/yr).

I can't drive automatic transmissions without losing my mind. My guess is if you can find a car with a standard transmission, you can get it without "smart" features. If you can't drive stick, that's fine. I couldn't drive stick when I bought my first manual transmission. If I can learn, you can learn.

Re: Ask HN: Best cars without too much digitalization?

#46

Post by can16358p »

CapitalistCartr wrote: post #40

Ask the dealer if Internet connection is an option, if so, can it be added later, can it be turned on remotely? In many cars today, the answer to all three is yes.

Just out of curiosity: how can Internet connection be turned on remotely, if the car is, well, not connected to the Internet in the first place?

Re: Ask HN: Best cars without too much digitalization?

#47

Post by judge2020 »

fnord77 wrote: post #16

I think lower-end cars with the base level infotainment option have the least amount of telematics. Surprised car makers haven't started trying to get ad revenue from displaying ads on cars' touchscreens

> Surprised car makers haven't started trying to get ad revenue from displaying ads on cars' touchscreens

That's that XM is for

Re: Ask HN: Best cars without too much digitalization?

#48

Post by arielweisberg »

Porsche's whole lineup before the latest set of refreshes was nicely physical and traditional.

For example the 718 Cayman/Boxster supports Carplay so you get all the good aspects of digital, but climate control, drive modes, and everything else is physical. There are plenty of cars that are/were in this in between state like Mazda's lineup.

Re: Ask HN: Best cars without too much digitalization?

#50

Post by runjake »

They don't make them for the US anymore.

The best you can do is buy a "fleet model" truck or something, but its still going to have a host of electronics and probably a GPS and cellular radio inside. Fleet models are designed to last, as not to anger large-scale fleet customers.

Yeah, you can find cars with more knobs and less touch screens, but in most cases, those analog-appearing knobs are just digital input devices to an (eg for Honda since at least 2018) low-end, cheaply-made Android device.

If you're sincere, your best bet is to buy a year and model with something that still has plenty of spare parts available (eg. 2000 era Honda, Toyota trucks, etc)

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