Looking for cars with very specific specs

[KCJeep]

Paging @macarose he’d be a good one for input too.

 

[Capt W]

Why not seek out a...2008 Altima?

If you find something you like, stay with it. For example, I'm on my seventh Chrysler minivan after recently picking up a low-mile 2007 from California.

Look hard enough and you can find almost anything.

 

[fdcg27]

If I were looking for a keeper, I think I'd be looking more at outcomes than I would visible component specs.
While everything you've listed is readily observable, there are sub rosa factors that arguably matter more, things like the alloys used in the many parts, avoiding hot or cold spots in the engine, providing adequate oil flow to all areas as needed as well as ensuring that oil can drain freely from all areas. There also the simple matter of the overall quality of the engineering in design and construction of the vehicle, which you can't see.
I don't mean to tell you what you're really looking for, but what you're really looking for is long-term low-cost durability and reliability along with ease of repair as needed. I think this is what you intended in creating your well though out list, but I think that most of us could come up with examples that check all of your boxes that would be anything but good propositions for long-term ownership.
Maybe focus more on reliability and durability and less on specs?

 

[FixltAgainTony]

Lexus ES 350 fifth or sixth generation I believe were all 2GR-FE with a chain, port injection, multi speed transmission. Very high quality, owners love them.

If you want SUV then RX350 is very similar powertrain.

Toyota Avalon has similar specs.

ES 350 is high on my list of potential options. I really like the 2GR-FE's reputation.

 

[FixltAgainTony]

Nearly all Lexus have sun-roofs of some type; something he excluded. But honestly the panoramic roofs aren't a big risk, especially if you just leave them closed.
But the Avalon would suffice.

Also worth considering ... Ford Taurus; meets the defined criteria. Or Panther platform.

I don't know that the OP will find a vehicle that meets EVERY criteria, but he can find several which fit the bill at least 80% or more, given his priorities.

I know that I have to make some compromises and that's okay. Sunroof isn't a deal breaker but I'd just prefer not to have one. I love the Panther platform, specifically the 3rd gen Town Car.

 

[FixltAgainTony]

Why not seek out a...2008 Altima?

If you find something you like, stay with it. For example, I'm on my seventh Chrysler minivan after recently picking up a low-mile 2007 from California.

Look hard enough and you can find almost anything.

I currently have the Altima, but I know at some point it's going to need to be replaced. I like to do my homework now so I can be ahead of the curve. But I do plan on driving my Altima til the wheels fall off, then put them back on and keep driving.

 

[FixltAgainTony]

If I were looking for a keeper, I think I'd be looking more at outcomes than I would visible component specs.
While everything you've listed is readily observable, there are sub rosa factors that arguably matter more, things like the alloys used in the many parts, avoiding hot or cold spots in the engine, providing adequate oil flow to all areas as needed as well as ensuring that oil can drain freely from all areas. There also the simple matter of the overall quality of the engineering in design and construction of the vehicle, which you can't see.
I don't mean to tell you what you're really looking for, but what you're really looking for is long-term low-cost durability and reliability along with ease of repair as needed. I think this is what you intended in creating your well though out list, but I think that most of us could come up with examples that check all of your boxes that would be anything but good propositions for long-term ownership.
Maybe focus more on reliability and durability and less on specs?

No complaints with that, long term reliability is at the end of the day my primary focus, secondary is ease of repair-ability which I plan to do all work at home.

 

[grasscutter]

1995 thru 2011 Buick LeSabre/Lucerne checks all those boxes except for maybe the Double DIN radio.

 

[fdcg27]

I'm on a search for a future car and have a pretty specific list of requirements. I currently drive a 2008 Nissan Altima 2.5 S and despite the warranted hate for it I actually love it and it's been incredibly reliable for me. It's also made me appreciate certain design choices that align with what I expect from a car that I plan to keep until it cannot be repaired any further. I've made a list of the things that are most important to me in a car and want to find the options that meet most, if not ideally all, of my requests. I would prefer a sedan, though am open to coupes, CUVs, and small trucks.

What I'm looking for (in rough order of importance):

Naturally aspirated

Port injected

Timing chain

No connected services

No variable displacement

No auto start stop

Mechanical parking brakes

No driver assist

Transmission dipstick and drain plug

Double DIN radio

Metal oil cooler and thermostat housing

No sunroof/moonroof

No power or heated/cooled seats

Cloth seats


Obviously this will rule out most cars after about 2015 and honestly I'm completely fine with that. I'd like to find as new of a vehicle as possible but its tough without a database of some kind with filters for things like this. If anyone has any recommendations I would be very appreciative.

Follow your screen name.
A Fiat Spyder 2000 would fit all of your criteria although it might not deliver on reliability. Not hard to work on though.

 

[GaryMX5]

Had a 2014 Mazda 6 iSport (trim) that meets the majority of your criteria. One of those cars I wish I had kept longer. A very comfortable car (especially for road trips), economical, reliable, and had some Mazda Zoom Zoom built in (handling). While it was my daily driver that car ended up going all over the U.S. I took it on road trips to Florida, Arizona, California, Ohio, Michigan and my sons (who had a very nice GTi and a WRX ) would borrow it for road trips as it's trunk was large, it sat 4 adults comfortably, and got good gas mileage and had a bladder busting cruising range.

 

[The_Jeff]

Sedan? SUV? Pickup?

I understand your list but would suggest timing chains are over-rated, given so many end up with problems anyway. I figure chain / belt is about a wash now days.

Yeah this is like someone insisting on 4 wheel disc brakes and we find out it's because they can't service drums.

Pick up some skills instead of narrowing your horizons.

Though I would't want to do a DOHC V configuration timing belt, nor an Audi where the bumper comes off, LOL

 

[jcarr0314]

Crown Vic 2004-2011 Gemini says...

2004–2011 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (P71): Built for fleet duty, these are about as rugged and analog as you can get. The 4.6L V8 is naturally aspirated, port-injected, and chain-driven. They have heavy-duty metal cooling components (including oil coolers), mechanical parking brakes, and transmission dipsticks. Because they are police specs, they usually come with heavy-duty cloth bucket seats, manual adjustments, and zero luxury features. Minor compromise: The factory radio slot is 1.5 DIN, though many owners modify the bezel to fit a Double DIN.