Any new but low tech cars?

[MCompact]

Maybe it's just me, but I refuse to become one of those dour geezers who take some bizarre pride in refusing to learn about any new technology. When I worked at BMW I had a client in his late 80s who wanted to know everything about how his new 7 Series operated- and I was happy to assist him.

 

[MCompact]

I found a perfect car for the OP:

 

[duck__dodgers]

this is not an answer that some people want to hear----a "high tech" new Toyota hybrid will be more reliable than almost any random "low tech" used car with 30,000 miles or almost any random new car.

Toyota hybrid: long brake pad replacement interval, no alternator, no starter, eCVT is not CVT, easy parts availability, big DIY community, naturally aspirated engines that handles long OCI and fuel dilution seemingly well, every Toyota hybrid system is essentially the same whether it's a Highlander, Camry, or Mazda CX-50. Any competent machine should be able to deal with most issues.

 

[zzyzzx]

I would have picked up a Buick version of the Trax but they are too bloody expensive

The Buick version of the Trax all have automatic climate controls. At least with 2 of the Trax trim levels you can have the vastly superior manual climate control.

 

[KrisZ]

The knobs are much easier to use at least. And I think a defective knob is much cheaper than a defective screen? Probably just a cleaning would be most fixes?

I totally get this and I agree, but my point was that both operate electronic devices that are controlled by "computers" and therefore can be complex to diagnose and repair.
But most on here seem to be under impression that if there is a knob or a dial, it means the good old days of cable operated controls, which on most modern vehicles is not the case.

 

[MCompact]

I totally get this and I agree, but my point was that both operate electronic devices that are controlled by "computers" and therefore can be complex to diagnose and repair.
But most on here seem to be under impression that if there is a knob or a dial, it means the good old days of cable operated controls, which on most modern vehicles is not the case.

I prefer physical knobs and switches, but I do so from an ergonomic standpoint- not a fear of insidious integrated circuits.

 

[svtrit]

Wow, I'm surprised they still made one like that still! We bought our 03 Tracker that way, had to slide in our own radio too. We live in the sticks so we just didn't use the locks except for the odd trip to the big city, and eventually I forgot to lube and exercise them, so they seized up. We took our chances with some Christmas shopping trips, but no one expects a car to be unlocked in a toronto shopping mall lot I guess? Lol
My Focus has roll up windows but power and remote locks. I don't mind roll up windows but I hurt my right shoulder and reaching across to do the passenger window seems to be the exact wrong movement! Reminds me to book some physio and fix it...

The funny part is it has push button start! It has a fob with no buttons on it!

 

[MParr]

This attached article is exactly what I'm talking about.
https://www.wardsauto.com/industry/distraction-study-calls-out-touchscreens

 

[SC Maintenance]

I totally get this and I agree, but my point was that both operate electronic devices that are controlled by "computers" and therefore can be complex to diagnose and repair.
But most on here seem to be under impression that if there is a knob or a dial, it means the good old days of cable operated controls, which on most modern vehicles is not the case.

Or you can plug into the computer and it tells you what is wrong or where to look at least, so often much easier. Back to people just not wanting to learn new things.

 

[IndyIan]

This attached article is exactly what I'm talking about.
https://www.wardsauto.com/industry/distraction-study-calls-out-touchscreens

This is kind of comical, as the car is telling you that the stupid screen menus are taking your eyes off the road too much... For the 2026 they went back to buttons for normal useful car function stuff.

 

[zzyzzx]

Or you can plug into the computer and it tells you what is wrong or where to look at least, so often much easier. Back to people just not wanting to learn new things.

People don't want to buy an expensive new scanner for every vehicle that they buy, and then pay for a subscription to get it to work.

 

[SC Maintenance]

People don't want to buy an expensive new scanner for every vehicle that they buy, and then pay for a subscription to get it to work.

So they would rather buy points files and spend hours trouble shooting.

You mostly don't need anything special to diagnose the most common things. Lots of tools for $100 that will give you all systems in all but the most proprietary cars. Another reason to stay away from the "domestic" builds - they seem to be the ones most interested in locking everyone out.

 

[zzyzzx]

You mostly don't need anything special to diagnose the most common things. Lots of tools for $100 that will give you all systems in all but the most proprietary cars. Another reason to stay away from the "domestic" builds - they seem to be the ones most interested in locking everyone out.

For a some things you need 2 way communications, calibration features, and key fob programming capability. That type of thing that you see in Forscan, but it only works in a Ford. I would need a completely different scanner to do all that in my 1999 Oldsmobile (GM Tech 2 clone). And the same GM Tech2 that works in my 1999 Oldsmobile, won't work in a 2025 Trax or other newer GM vehicle. I'd need a different scanner for that (of course) for full functionality. Of course it could read emission codes.

Also, you would think that old, second hand, outdated GM Tech2 scanners would be cheap and widely available on places like eBay, but they aren't.

 

[SC Maintenance]

For a some things you need 2 way communications, calibration features, and key fob programming capability. That type of thing that you see in Forscan, but it only works in a Ford. I would need a completely different scanner to do all that in my 1999 Oldsmobile (GM Tech 2 clone). And the same GM Tech2 that works in my 1999 Oldsmobile, won't work in a 2025 Trax or other newer GM vehicle. I'd need a different scanner for that (of course) for full functionality. Of course it could read emission codes.

Also, you would think that old, second hand, outdated GM Tech2 scanners would be cheap and widely available on places like eBay, but they aren't.

Smart keys are a security thing and a different topic. For the once in my lifetime I might need a key I will pay the dealer the $700 they demand. I agree smart keys can be a pain, but look what happened to Kia when they tried to go cheap on the keys. Insurance on those cars went up due to theft. Smart keys are separate issue due to societal issues. Growing up we left the keys in the car.

Your also back into "Domestic" cars, which as I outright stated are the ones trying hardest to lock us out. You don't need anything special to read most of the systems on my New Toyota - its current generation. The scanner that works on it works on my Nissan also. Its not 2-way - those cost a lot more. But for the average person there likely not really going to need 2 way. If I ever do I will buy one. Stay away from "domestic" brands and have fewer problems.

I worked on these "simple" cars of the past growing up with my dad. Very few people were fixing complex stuff back then either. Rebuilding transmissions in their backyard wasn't often a thing then, just like they are not now. Admittedly dad did. We rebuilt a couple Ford C4's. Terrible transmission, under designed. Needed new clutch disks often. Compared to my Nissan which has 400K+ miles with not transmission issues - knock on wood.

 

[zzyzzx]

for the average person there likely not really going to need 2 way.

The average person here does want 2 way.

 

[SC Maintenance]

The average person here does want 2 way.

Sure. So buy one. I have a 2-way Foxwell that does airbags and ABS and was <$100 when I got it. Its all I have needed so far.

Even if you spend $1000 its better than spending days attempting to trouble shoot stuff, fire the parts canon, and still not have it work.

Closed loop computer controlled is superior in every way. The only ones that think not are people that don't understand it.

 

[kballowe]

If I found a genie in a bottle, I'd wish for a small standard cab pickup truck with a 4-banger and a stick shift.
Air conditioning, of course. Posi axle. 4x4 would be nice, but with manually locking hubs.
Crank windows, rubber floor covering. A factory AM/FM. Analog. No fluff.

 

[SC Maintenance]

If I found a genie in a bottle, I'd wish for a small standard cab pickup truck with a 4-banger and a stick shift.
Air conditioning, of course. Posi axle. 4x4 would be nice, but with manually locking hubs.
Crank windows, rubber floor covering. A factory AM/FM. Analog. No fluff.

2025 Toyota Tacoma has a 4 cylinder and is available with a manual transmission. So your prayers have been answered.

Of course no one buys them so you better get one quick - they will be gone soon I am sure. Nissan Frontier dumped their manual transmission option - no one bought it.

 

[supton]

People don't want to buy an expensive new scanner for every vehicle that they buy, and then pay for a subscription to get it to work.

True.

So they would rather buy points files and spend hours trouble shooting.

False.

Bit over the top, no? One extreme to the other. OBDI systems might have been insufficient but you have to admit, trouble shooting with a paperclip had some appeal. I have no love for the oddball connector but I guess ODBII does prevent people having no clue from trying to connect to their car. But while I kinda understand why diag tools are expensive... it doesn't mean I have to be happy about buying them. I try my best to understand that every electronic gizmo I buy has an expire date on them; after a few years, it's out of date or plain broken and not worth fixing. After a couple of decades I've lost any love for buying stuff only to watch it expire.

 

[supton]

2025 Toyota Tacoma has a 4 cylinder and is available with a manual transmission. So your prayers have been answered.

Of course no one buys them so you better get one quick - they will be gone soon I am sure. Nissan Frontier dumped their manual transmission option - no one bought it.

It's like the brown station wagon with a stickshift, everyone says they'll buy one... but no one ever did. At least not new. Everyone wants someone else to buy them new, and then to buy them well depreciated.