Any new but low tech cars?

[edyvw]

There was a local Nashville news report they talked about car manufacturers, going back to knobs and switches because touchpads are being rejected by customers. I hope it’s true.

That doesn’t mean it is low tech.
My 2011 BMW has physical buttons. It does have dual AC control, but no iDrive. It is manual.
But, when you get into ECU, it is software galore. So just because it looks simple, doesn’t mean it is.
Also, physical buttons are just physical for touch. Everything is digital after that. And that is ok. It lowers the cost.

 

[John105]

New cars can have a lot going on. One common issue is our new vehicle is confused when both my wife and I are in the vehicle. It has my phone first in the order of preference.

We just left Walmart in the pouring rain. Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays my desire for 0W20 Edge Dexos 1 Gen 3.

Could NOT get the Apple CarPlay to work, gave up.

The back is loaded up. Hockey gear, cooler, and 3 boxes of the GM optional mats for front, second row, and cargo and seat backs of the 3rd row—picked up and got $200 off $445 list Costco executive member discount). A perfect reason to use the camera rearview. Well, it’s all fogged up.

Getting used to these features somewhat becomes a crutch. Yes, 20 years ago we had none of these features and were fine. But now we get discombobulated when not working…I was thinking is it this hard to operate a motor vehicle in the rain, or is it in my mind…

 

[John105]

That doesn’t mean it is low tech.
My 2011 BMW has physical buttons. It does have dual AC control, but no iDrive. It is manual.
But, when you get into ECU, it is software galore. So just because it looks simple, doesn’t mean it is.
Also, physical buttons are just physical for touch. Everything is digital after that. And that is ok. It lowers the cost.

My 2007 335 6 man has no screen and has even less software than yours. Mine has a true dual exhaust whereas yours uses software to accomplish the same numbers (assuming you have a 335i).

 

[edyvw]

My 2007 335 6 man has no screen and has even less software than yours. Mine has a true dual exhaust whereas yours uses software to accomplish the same numbers (assuming you have a 335i).

No. Mine is like yours. E90, just 328i. We have same CAS. I have all options in software you have. No iDrive, manual gearbox.

 

[VQLT]

My 2007 335 6 man has no screen and has even less software than yours. Mine has a true dual exhaust whereas yours uses software to accomplish the same numbers (assuming you have a 335i).

I guess by low tech, I meant an analog interior. I don’t want to have to use a touchscreen to tune the radio chang the volume turn on the HVAC etc. I like the tactical feel of knobs and switches. They’re easier to find while driving.

 

[grasscutter]

Define low tech?

1. No cylinder de-activation
2. No variable valve timing camshafts and phasers
3. No fly by wire throttle body

 

[John105]

1. No cylinder de-activation
2. No variable valve timing camshafts and phasers
3. No fly by wire throttle body

I believe my 1998 5 spd Maxima SE fit that bill (purchased new, it's been junked, keep forgetting what year I think 2023 [confirmed Feb 2023 found the email from Peddle]). I was single when it was new, and I went to the bars in Manayunk. That meant tight parking, on steep hills, and no problem.

If you ever see an Enclave/Traverse/Acadia driving down the road with its brake lights on, even though it's going 40-60 mph, that would be the failure of the brake pedal position sensor. The driver sees that there is no ABS nor Stabilitrak. No clue what a dealer charges to fix it as I DIY'd but an ABS capable OBDII reader is needed. Pretty sure that all my cars post Maxima, the accelerator was a switch.

Probably #1 is why we can do 24+ mpg on the highway (measured at pump not by car) with the 6.2 Tahoe. As mentioned it was pouring rain yesterday and speeds were reduced on I-95, 55-60 tops. I like to shoplift the mpgs so to speak, that is to fill up before reaching home even though the fuel is 40 cents more than work. So fill to fill is almost all highway, and yesterday was 24.4.

 

[andrew_j]

The HVAC controls on the maverick are a disaster. One of the 4 reason I dumped the thing in two short months

The lower trim Hyundai Venue are easy. Also the car has port injection and the 1.6 is a great engine, car is very light with great steering feel. lightest thing on 4 wheels next to a Miata. Another plus - about 20k even, brand new out the door !

And Hyundai didn't hit it with the weird and ugly stick ... yet!

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The cheapest Nissan I would touch would be the Sentra. Then you have their nasty cvt programming to deal with. The Versa makes a Yugo or Chevette feel and look good!

I rented it. It felt terrible as vehicle around Puerto Rico roads in so so shape . I think buying a low mileage slightly older excellent condition is better buy . Eg Camry , Corolla , RAV4 whatever.

 

[cb474]

It's not available yet, although you can pre-order one, but the Slate EV small truck is going to be pretty minimalistic.

It has hand crank windows! You just have to love that.

https://arstechnica.com/cars/2025/0...ants-to-sell-a-bare-bones-ev-truck-for-20000/

 

[The_Jeff]

It's not available yet, although you can pre-order one, but the Slate EV small truck is going to be pretty minimalistic.

It has hand crank windows! You just have to love that.

https://arstechnica.com/cars/2025/0...ants-to-sell-a-bare-bones-ev-truck-for-20000/

But all the cylinders are deactivated all the time.

 

[OM617YOTA]

It's not available yet, although you can pre-order one, but the Slate EV small truck is going to be pretty minimalistic.

It has hand crank windows! You just have to love that.

https://arstechnica.com/cars/2025/0...ants-to-sell-a-bare-bones-ev-truck-for-20000/

Going to be looking at one of these once I can test drive one. It's the only new vehicle I'd consider owning, at any price.

 

[MCompact]

There was a local Nashville news report they talked about car manufacturers, going back to knobs and switches because touchpads are being rejected by customers. I hope it’s true.

That is is one of several reasons why I love my W205 C43; it has actual physical buttons combined with multiple ways to access most every function.

 

[odie]

The '25 VERSA should get below $21,000 . This is the '24 , but still the same . Supposedly it has a a 6.8 ground clearance . MIRAGE is 6.3".
There's a $750 rebate and may be able to get dealer discount with it . The VERSA also has manual stick which may be hard to locate . That would be less money .

 

[goblin]

Versa no longer comes in stick. Have to hunt for last model year.

 

[97prizm]

I’m in the market for a new car first time in 25 years however I don’t want a car that requires an engineering degree just to turn on the radio or air conditioning. Are there any newer cars that are low tech?

Nissan Versa, or something maybe 5ish years old.

 

[97prizm]

The '25 VERSA should get below $21,000 . This is the '24 , but still the same . Supposedly it has a a 6.8 ground clearance . MIRAGE is 6.3".
There's a $750 rebate and may be able to get dealer discount with it . The VERSA also has manual stick which may be hard to locate . That would be less money .

Nissan dropped the manual in 24 from reports. Something like a 3% take rate.

 

[97prizm]

Nissan kicks maybe? I would say Mitsubishi mirage. Doug Demuro said it's very basic transportation and nothing more.

 

[MCompact]

Nissan kicks maybe? I would say Mitsubishi mirage. Doug Demuro said it's very basic transportation and nothing more.

The British magazine CAR used to have a section in the back of the magazine called Good, Bad and Ugly (GBU). GBU would give the pros and cons of each car as well as recommendations for other cars in that market segment (Also Consider). I'm reminded of the GBU entry on the Mirage; under Also Consider the suggestion was "Walking."

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Nissan dropped the manual in 24 from reports. Something like a 3% take rate.

I test drove one when in the market. S trim with a Stick. Even I wouldn't but that junk. Not a good car regardless of what YT warriors have to say.

Of the three cars I have had with touchscreens, the Subaru Impreza wins for usability - and best radio reception. The Jeep U connect in my 2025 Compass lease is absolute garbage. It updated itself three times and it ain't getting better.