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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?

#331

Post by mixmastamyk »

FlyingSnake wrote: post #171
cmrdporcupine wrote: post #141

Annoyingly, I want an electric car without "digitilization". No distracting central touch screen, no "autopilot" nonsense, proper gauges and indicators, tactile feel. A focus on the driving and safety and ergonomics, not on "we don't need an instrument cluster because iPads are cool, people like their phones and buttons are expensive and break"... A Saab 900 with an electric motor. Please make it.

I drive an VW e-up! which has none of the fancy digital gimmics you mentioned. It is a perfect distraction free city car that doesn't spy on you.

Looks neat. Does it identify itself to the charging kiosk, not sure there is any way of getting around that. Power reqs only, or serial numbers as well?

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

#332

Post by mixmastamyk »

runjake wrote: post #250
kgermino wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm pretty sure my 2019 Honda's HVAC knobs are physically connected to the flaps they control. You can feel/hear the dampers moving with the knobs.

The dampers might be, but the system is still controlled by Android running on a puny OMAP processor in the 2019 Fit. I'd paste the link to the technician's manual, but it's not public, though you can find it on less than ethical places. A fun practice is to pull the fuse on the Android unit and try using your car. It will work, but it's... unpleasant.

Sure as hell don't want Android near a car.

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

#333

Post by mixmastamyk »

FlyingSnake wrote: post #168

I recently bought Volkswagen e-up! which meets my criteria for a city car: - Zero* pollution. - Big rebate from the government (6k + 3k) - No fancy digital gimmics like touchscreen or digital distractions. I have to plug in my phone to listen to music and the knobs and physical buttons are much more ergonomic to me. - Small and compact build for grocey runs and dropping kids to school - 1/3 cost of charging compared…

Nice. Does the charging process report your whereabouts?

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

#334

Post by mixmastamyk »

Helmut10001 wrote: post #321

In 2014, we bought a brand new Mitsubishi Space Star. EUR 6990. The only thing electrical are both front windows. No A/C, no radio, no remote key or central key unlock. It did not have a single repair in 7 years. It is the best car I ever owned.

Looks like an alternative name to the Mirage.

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

#335

Post by mixmastamyk »

rpmisms wrote: post #310
kelnos wrote: post #237

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As someone who's driven a manual for the last 15 years (agree they are super fun), there are definitely cons to it: * If you live in a place with hills, it will be annoying to drive. (Initially it might feel like it'd be a fun challenge to deal with the hills, but it gets old pretty quickly.) * If you live in a place where you have to deal with frequent stops due to heavy traffic or multiple nearby stop signs, it wil…

> If you live in a place with hills, it will be annoying to drive. Hill-climb control, which leaves the brake applied until the clutch is engaged, is a common and wonderful feature now. Saved my butt before. > If you live in a place where you have to deal with frequent stops due to heavy traffic or multiple nearby stop signs, it will be annoying to drive. The Bay Area is obviously not a great place to drive stick. >…

Emergency brake is useful in that situation.

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

#336

Post by olyjohn »

Gigachad wrote: post #247
olyjohn wrote: post #116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I must be insane. But I could care less about either of those things.

Which is why the government mandates it because drivers should not get to pick the safety features that stop them killing others.

I prefer to buy vehicles that I can see out of instead of relying on a potato camera to see behind me.

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

#337

Post by Helmut10001 »

mixmastamyk wrote: post #334
Helmut10001 wrote: post #321

In 2014, we bought a brand new Mitsubishi Space Star. EUR 6990. The only thing electrical are both front windows. No A/C, no radio, no remote key or central key unlock. It did not have a single repair in 7 years. It is the best car I ever owned.

Looks like an alternative name to the Mirage.

You are right, Wikipedia[1] says "The sixth generation Mitsubishi Mirage, released in 2012, is rebadged as the Mitsubishi Space Star in the European markets". Did not know this.

[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Mirage

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

#338

Post by runjake »

kgermino wrote: post #261
runjake wrote: post #250

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The dampers might be, but the system is still controlled by Android running on a puny OMAP processor in the 2019 Fit. I'd paste the link to the technician's manual, but it's not public, though you can find it on less than ethical places. A fun practice is to pull the fuse on the Android unit and try using your car. It will work, but it's... unpleasant.

Interesting. I wonder why - it seems like more trouble than it’s worth. The controls aren’t complicated: a button to turn A/C compressor on and off, one for the rear defogger, a mixing valve for temp and a four notch thing for fan speed.

You're preaching to the choir. It does seem more trouble than it's worth.

PS: If you ever get the urge to root the Android device or install Honda Hack, don't bother on a car you rely on.

It will slow down, crash, and possibly break everything and require a full factory reset. The Android hardware installed is so puny, it can't handle more than what's factory.

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

#339

Post by cutemonster »

sneak wrote: post #61
can16358p wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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?

I am going to guess that you know the answer to this already.

Some people don't use cars (subways or bikes instead) and lack strong reasons to stay up to date

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

#340

Post by edpichler »

asdff wrote: post #212
edpichler wrote: post #153

This reminds me some years ago looking for a good high resolution TV without these "embedded OS and smart apps". My plan was to use my Apple TV and regular tv cables. I could not find it, it does not exist.

The answer is buy any tv and never connect it to the internet. I have a "smart" tv. it functions exactly the same as my old dumb tv. The only buttons I use on the remote are power, input, left and right to select the xbox or computer, and volume. Same story as it was in the dumb tv era. the smart tv experience is entirely optional.

Yes, but I did not want to pay for software or features I would not use. I wanted a dumb cheap TV.
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