http://www.toyota.com/yaris/features.html

Don't even have to buy a stereo if you don't want one.
The $1500 power package is nice though.
I like my power windows and locks.

My 1978 CJ7 is pretty simple.

Maybe there's only a couple of us out here, but I find stuff like Sync and Onstar, traction control, even ABS, built in a real turn off on the new cars. Is ABS mandated now? I really don't want that stuff. A couple have mentioned the base Ranger truck, which would be a good idea except I frequently have to carry up to four people, sometimes more, mostly for short distances. What got me thinking about this was looking at an old Volvo 240 for sale near here--solid, simple, comfortable, but with not a lot of extra junk. Someone else mentioned all the sensors we have to deal with now, which really become a huge hassle on an older car. Sure you can figure out the code easily enough, but then try to fix it! And around here a light means it won't pass inspection.

I agree mostly......But for the average idiot driver, who would still be out there in a panick slam on the brakes situation.....I love my ABS. It's made me lazy in my braking habits, to my old way of thinking. But I think it's the single best "new" thing from the last thirty years.

Glad to see you back, LS2JSTS!

I rented a new yaris this past year for about a couple weeks in florida. We put about 1500 miles on it.

I'm about 6 foot 5. I had no problems fitting into it, and actually liked the little car. Get a 4 door sedan. Ours had no options on it, not even cruise.

I would consider one for the misses. I wouldn't go so far to get a car with no air conditioning. I live in Buffalo and we still use it at least a few months out of the year.

Thanks man....Hopefully no vacations are in my near future.

That's for the safety features.

I'd give anything for a contemporary version of the original Ranger ..or the Mazda morphed Courier (or the Nissan or Toyota offerings of the 70's).

I can surely live with the electronics and fuel system management of today ..but the "complications" that seem to be sought out to incorporate are just silly.

I'm very thankful that I have jeeps. No ABS ..just air bags ...no power windows (you can reach the other side on the one that actually has full doors) Relatively simple mechanicals.

My biggest fear factor (aside from having fuel available to put in it) is having something like the heater core going bad. It's replacement has "complications" and will probably run me a lot of money if and when it occurs. The rest of the thing has simple mechanical parts.


I'd buy a 4cylinder/4speed/4 door econo box in a minute if it has less to go wrong with it.

I'd say Fuel Injection is the best thing that all cars have in the last 30 years.

ABS is nice but a lot of cars do not have it. My 05 Corolla does not. The 04 GMC and Subaru do.

Take care, bill

im the same way but i will also never own anything with spark plugs again. unfortunately thanks to the EPA the end of a true diesel is also gone.

I like my base corolla, 5sp with air. Thats it. Stupid thing will probably last forever..........sigh...

Unfortunately even my 02 Cavalier is far too complex. Everything is wired to the body control module.

What was nice about cars in the past is how much commonality they had. you could get a part that would get you at least up and running almost anywhere. Grocery stores sold parts, sometimes even carburetors. Of course you have more stores open late now and cars are more reliable. I think Japanese econoboxes are the most simple, folowed by American econcars.

Yeah, mechanicx remember when even if you broke down out in the middle of nowhere any corner garage could fix you up to get you home? Now it seems like half the time it's some mystery problem that turns out to be a sensor buried so deep that it takes a day of disassembly to just get at the part.

I agree with you, fuel injection is the bomb and a great advancement. I just dont consider fuel injection as a newer tech. I know it wasn't common in most cars but fuel injection to me is old tech, that took far to long to hit the mainstream.