Any new but low tech cars?
- Thread starter VQLT
- Start date
Define low tech?
Many cars will have manual controls for things like AC. I can't think of any new car that is not going to have a touch screen for the radio / infotainment but I could be wrong. Also these touch screen radios absolutely suck for reception - which is a pet peeve of mine.
Many cars will have manual controls for things like AC. I can't think of any new car that is not going to have a touch screen for the radio / infotainment but I could be wrong. Also these touch screen radios absolutely suck for reception - which is a pet peeve of mine.
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Android Auto/Apple Carplay is pretty much standard now in any vehicle. It looks like the Ford Ranger XL trim doesn't have it, but Maverick XL does. My suggestion would be Maverick, Ranger, or F150 XL trim. The trucks are going to be as basic as it gets.
I think many cars still don't actually need you to use the touch screen for any basic car functions? Most lower trims have volume and tuning knobs for the radio, and HVAC is usually physical controls too. Also lots of them still have a key that you can use the traditional way. Often I jump in the Outback and the only time I even look at the screen is for the back up camera. It has carplay and android auto but you don't have to use it.
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Don't worry, you'll get use to it very quickly.
Just go test vehicles of your prefferabce and you'll find your match.
I remember when I was working as a vallet briefly in tge college and those German cars just started to introduce the joistick and steering console transmission shifters.
Everyday there was something new. There I find out BMW already using holographic speedometer (it was 2011-12).
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Might have to hold out for a Slate. In case you don't know what that is, it's a new electric vehicle company that's not manufacturing anything yet, but they're promising a small electric truck that will be about as basic and bare-bones as it can be.
If you don't want to wait for that, I think I've heard that Miata is always the answer.
If even a Miata is too complicated for you, I believe the Chevy Express vans can still be had without a touchscreen. I'm pretty sure they have the oldest vehicle design still in production (if you don't count Jeep).
If you don't want to wait for that, I think I've heard that Miata is always the answer.
If even a Miata is too complicated for you, I believe the Chevy Express vans can still be had without a touchscreen. I'm pretty sure they have the oldest vehicle design still in production (if you don't count Jeep).
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High tech can be friendly too. On my Tesla I mostly use voice commands. You click the right side steering wheel button and say "Turn on the AC" and it turns on the AC. You can turn up the heat, turn down the heat, raise the fan speed, turn on the rear defrost, and all that sort of stuff without touching anything but the right side steering wheel button.
I thought I would hate it but I don't. It's just so easy to use.
My other car is manual everything. I like that too.
I thought I would hate it but I don't. It's just so easy to use.
My other car is manual everything. I like that too.
It's probably not what you had in mind but Tesla is very easy to use.
Mitsubishi is severely overpriced for what it is.
A MUCH better option is a Nissan Versa SR with a manual transmission. (Even the CVT is good option, especially if you change fluid every 30-50k miles.)
Another great option is Nissan Kicks. CVT only, and has FWD or AWD.
Anything past that starts to get more techy and less old school.
A MUCH better option is a Nissan Versa SR with a manual transmission. (Even the CVT is good option, especially if you change fluid every 30-50k miles.)
Another great option is Nissan Kicks. CVT only, and has FWD or AWD.
Anything past that starts to get more techy and less old school.
What size & category of vehicle are you considering?
A slightly used Mitsubishi their cheap econo box or a nissan versa base spec with hub caps. Most dealerships have tech consultants available
Patman
Staff member
I’m not sure I would put the Kicks into the basic category. I’m driving a 2024 Kicks as a rental right now and it’s got a decent amount of tech in it. Apple CarPlay, backup camera, adaptive cruise control, automatic climate control, heated seats and steering wheel, push button start. The 2025 boasts having even more tech on Nissans website with crash avoidance technology and wireless connectivity. So it’s pretty far from basic.
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nissan versa... mitsu mirage come to mind. those would probably be my two choices.
A member of this forum from the UK (Bailes) posted about his Dacia 4x4 wagon with pictures. It has a Renault engine/transmission IIRC. A very simple reasonably priced vehicle. I wish they sold cars like that here.
