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Ask HN: What's the best car without undesirable features?

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Re: Ask HN: What's the best car without undesirable features?

#171

Post by Klonoar »

PaulHoule wrote: post #7

Used car with front wheel drive, preferably traction control, put Blizzaks on all four wheels and you’ll do OK in snow unless you insist on driving on unplowed roads. There are a wide range of cars I would consider. Say a Toyota Camry or a Honda Accord or a Nissan Altima. Lately I have been partial to Buicks. An old Nissan Leaf with a shot battery can still go 70 miles which makes it a great second or third car in a…

Nobody has ever said they’d consider a Nissan Altima unless they had no other options.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best car without undesirable features?

#172

Post by Klonoar »

BerislavLopac wrote: post #163
r00fus wrote: post #145

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Idea: buy a car with an outdated (3G) modem and simply don't replace it.

I don't think that really exists -- the cars either don't have the connectivity, or it's relatively modern (4G+). For the older cars we had to use dongles, which in some cases were even 2G.

Are you sure? I believe there was a big recall for at least one model of car during COVID due to the chip shortage + impending 3G shutdown.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best car without undesirable features?

#173

Post by Klonoar »

hot_gril wrote: post #48
jeffbee wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Under what circumstances would a BJ70 get over, or anywhere near, 30 MPG?

30MPG and AWD is already a pretty tough combo to satisfy. Guess it points to Subaru.

2016/2017 BMW 340i is the hidden answer, if you want something more modern and luxury.

- Comes in (rear biased) AWD

- Can be found in stickshift

- Can get close to 30MPG in highway driving

- Can disable most of the stuff if you’re willing to get your hands dirty, and CarPlay is an easy add on head unit replacement

- B58 engine, which is pretty much proving to be one of the most reliable modern engines

- More power than you need on the streets, but you’re not paying for M parts and repairs

I traded mine in a few months ago since I wanted something else, but man do I think back on that car fondly. It is hands down the last good modern car - and if you get really lucky, you can find them in RWD!

Re: Ask HN: What's the best car without undesirable features?

#174

Post by Klonoar »

MrDrMcCoy wrote: post #88
kjellsbells wrote: post #54

Which country or geo are you located in? That is a huge factor. Are there kinds of vehicles that are completely off limits for you, eg because of difficulties parking, the environment you live it, etc? Does it have to be new? If not, how many years back are you prepared to go? If you are in North America, AWD/4wd puts you in a special zone: some light trucks and SUVs, a vanishingly small number of wagons, and Subaru.…

Located centrally in the USA. Not much is off limits assuming it's not too huge. My target is something that's reasonably compact but can still comfortably seat four. Doesn't need to be new, but I'd prefer not to go back more than ten years if it can be helped.

I detailed my “hidden option” here if you’re interested - it might be close enough to what you’re looking for, or at least give you another path to run down: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39073265 (Responding since the thread is a few days old and if it’s helpful you might want to get a notification or whatever)

Edit: also to be clear, when I owned mine I disabled all phone home bullshit and the car had no issues.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best car without undesirable features?

#175

Post by MrDrMcCoy »

Klonoar wrote: post #174
MrDrMcCoy wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Located centrally in the USA. Not much is off limits assuming it's not too huge. My target is something that's reasonably compact but can still comfortably seat four. Doesn't need to be new, but I'd prefer not to go back more than ten years if it can be helped.

I detailed my “hidden option” here if you’re interested - it might be close enough to what you’re looking for, or at least give you another path to run down: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39073265 (Responding since the thread is a few days old and if it’s helpful you might want to get a notification or whatever) Edit: also to be clear, when I owned mine I disabled all phone home bullshit and the car had no iss…

Thanks for the response! A decade ago I had a BMW 330 xi circa 2003. It was super fun to drive, but the plastic components that made up the cooling system needed to be replaced or repaired every month or two. I sold it because I was tired of the constant overheating. I take it that newer models have more durable parts, then?

Re: Ask HN: What's the best car without undesirable features?

#176

Post by hot_gril »

Klonoar wrote: post #173
hot_gril wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

30MPG and AWD is already a pretty tough combo to satisfy. Guess it points to Subaru.

2016/2017 BMW 340i is the hidden answer, if you want something more modern and luxury. - Comes in (rear biased) AWD - Can be found in stickshift - Can get close to 30MPG in highway driving - Can disable most of the stuff if you’re willing to get your hands dirty, and CarPlay is an easy add on head unit replacement - B58 engine, which is pretty much proving to be one of the most reliable modern engines - More power th…

That's my kind of car. Supposedly gets 32MPG, but it's premium so more equivalent to 28, still decent.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best car without undesirable features?

#177

Post by paulcole »

Personally I’ve found it overall more beneficial to get over the tin-foil-hat and desire-to-own mentality b/c I end up worrying less about things I can’t control and have more options for things to buy.

In 15 years, every car is going to have internet, touchscreens, and subscriptions. Good luck then.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best car without undesirable features?

#178

Post by BerislavLopac »

Klonoar wrote: post #172
BerislavLopac wrote: post #163

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't think that really exists -- the cars either don't have the connectivity, or it's relatively modern (4G+). For the older cars we had to use dongles, which in some cases were even 2G.

Are you sure? I believe there was a big recall for at least one model of car during COVID due to the chip shortage + impending 3G shutdown.

I'm not sure, hence the "I think". :)

Re: Ask HN: What's the best car without undesirable features?

#180

Post by Klonoar »

MrDrMcCoy wrote: post #175
Klonoar wrote: post #174

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I detailed my “hidden option” here if you’re interested - it might be close enough to what you’re looking for, or at least give you another path to run down: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39073265 (Responding since the thread is a few days old and if it’s helpful you might want to get a notification or whatever) Edit: also to be clear, when I owned mine I disabled all phone home bullshit and the car had no iss…

Thanks for the response! A decade ago I had a BMW 330 xi circa 2003. It was super fun to drive, but the plastic components that made up the cooling system needed to be replaced or repaired every month or two. I sold it because I was tired of the constant overheating. I take it that newer models have more durable parts, then?

BMWs from 2000 - ~2013 were... problematic, but BMW has mostly solved all of those smaller issues over the years and I would argue that they're rock solid at this point.

i.e, all to say: I never once needed to worry about replacing those parts, nor did I ever during my multiple years of ownership. I would be shocked if they're an issue on that particular model.

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