Is there such a thing as a simple car anymore

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Does anyone make a simple car with no add-on's or gadgets for sale in the US? A car that is made to take someone from one place to another with no fanfare.

What is the most basic car on the market today, here? And does any dealer stock that car?
 
I had a friend that just bought a Dodge Caliber, totally stripped. Didn't even have cruise control. No power anything. Just an engine, transmission, wheels and doors.
 
How stripped down do you want? I had a 91 model
Civic with no optional passenger side mirror, no clock and only two speaker am/fm radio.
 
Most compact/subcompact cars have a bare-bones, stripped down version. Dealers tend to not stock these versions because most people want a car with lots of features, and there's more money to be made on the cars with lots of added options.

Even pickup trucks are available in stripped down versions with manual widows/locks, plastic floors, and a bench seat. Good luck finding them unless you go to a dealer that specializes in fleet sales.
 
These "gadgets" are not as complicated as people make them out to be.

You can buy a stripper version of any car. Trucks and some cars still can be had with crank windows.
 
Over the last 12 years, both times I purchased base model 'stripper' 1/2 ton pick-up trucks (RAM1500 & F150)
despite the dealerships searching all available inventory in the area, both times I had to factory order them
and wait 8-10 weeks for delivery as these were not in high demand with typical customers.
 
Originally Posted By: mlatour
both times I had to factory order them
and wait 8-10 weeks for delivery as these were not in high demand with typical customers.


THIS^^^ is basically what one must do if they really want a stripped down model, and have the patience/ability to WAIT.

It is what I did for my current car, and I was even willing to leave a HUGE deposit on it, because the dealer knew he could only sell it to someone looking to build a race car out of it if I did not take it once delivered to them.
wink.gif


I have crank windows, base/basic sound system, NO t-tops, no cruise control, NO power anything, and not even a rear window defroster!
smile.gif


Since then I have pulled out the whole rear seat/belts, and the total AC system, saving even more weight yet.
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Most basic vehicles I've seen are work/fleet type trucks. Gf's dad had a Hyundai Accent hatchback that had no a/c (he had the dealer install one),no radio,no power locks,and roll down windows.
 
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You cant dodge back up cameras,Air Bags,ABS,touch screens,TPMS,body control modules...etc. If you want none of that,think 1992 and back. And that Dodge Caliber has a TIPM underhood.Read online how expensive and infuriating that thing can be.
 
Cars have many of their features because of laws in the US, like traction control. If you want something with the absolute minimum, buy one of those $11-14k cars that most companies sell with a tiny little engine with good MPG. Should have a body, 4 wheels, a windshield/windows, an engine and transmission, and not a lot else.
 
Yaris ... The Toyota sales phrase is... "it's a car"
I just have a few days worth of driving the 4 door hatch base L model 2013 auto trans
It has many features that Now are base level but ... To my old school sensibility are extras...
Like a/c and nice sound system
 
Not many good choices when it comes to these types of
cars today, at least in the USA. The manufacturers are
greedy as [censored] and only want to sell high margin
vehicles loaded up with all manner of useless gizmos and gadgetry
which also adds to complexity and potential for issues down the road...

As for there "not being a demand" for these types of models, that is nonsense, the reason they are not widely stocked and available is because the greedy manufacturers and dealers would lose sales of more loaded and expensive models, when the customer took a few minutes to think about it...

Plenty of stripped trim levels are available in Europe and other markets where customers refuse to be conned into
the more expensive models. The thing to remember is that the basic elements of almost any car on the road today are excellent. The extras you pay for are profit gravy for the
money grubbing businesses where more profit is NEVER enough.
 
http://www.mitsubishicars.com/mirage

1973 lbs curb weight.

7 air bags including a knee one, presumably installed because the car was busting knee caps without one.

74 hp, 1.2 liter, 3 cylinder engine. 44 MPG.

165/65/14 tires.

Yech! I'd take a 1990s sentra/ corrolla/ saturn/ escort etc with a normal shape and 100 hp.

The auto press rips this Mirage a new one, BTW. Mitsu expects to sell 7000 a year in the US, peanuts.

This car should be applied as a sentence imposed on probationary drunk drivers and road ragers. Airport rental agencies should stock a few to stiff travelers hoping to get free upgrades to Impalas so they never try that trick again.
 
Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
Not many good choices when it comes to these types of
cars today, at least in the USA. The manufacturers are
greedy as [censored] and only want to sell high margin
vehicles loaded up with all manner of useless gizmos and gadgetry
which also adds to complexity and potential for issues down the road...

As for there "not being a demand" for these types of models, that is nonsense, the reason they are not widely stocked and available is because the greedy manufacturers and dealers would lose sales of more loaded and expensive models, when the customer took a few minutes to think about it...

Plenty of stripped trim levels are available in Europe and other markets where customers refuse to be conned into
the more expensive models. The thing to remember is that the basic elements of almost any car on the road today are excellent. The extras you pay for are profit gravy for the
money grubbing businesses where more profit is NEVER enough.


You're probably right. It's all about how much you can get people to finance into monthly payments.

Not every option is bad though. Things like cruise control and remote locks are useful and beneficial. But lots of other stuff is just a liability if you hold on the car for any amount of time. Then again, conning folks into leasing cars is also a tactic to make money.

I'm not sure the ownership trends in Europe are the same as here.
 
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