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I just want a basic pickup truck like they had in the 1970s, easy to maintain, with no bells and whistles except A/C and heat (if you count that as "bells and whistles).
I'm fine with the manual windows with the crank handles. I'd rather have it over the power windows anyway because sometimes the motor for the power windows dies and you have to spend about $200 to replace each.
Nowadays they have vehicles with computers built into them, and way too many parts.
Best vehicle I ever owned was a 1978 Ford Thunderbird. I regret selling it.
Funny you started this thread because just yesterday my BF couldn't get into his new car. Apparently the battery drained overnight and the keys failed. Wasn't anywhere to put a key, at least we thought. He had to google to find out how to unlock it. It was not at all obvious. That's one reason I'm glad I went with a key pad on my car.
I just want a basic pickup truck like they had in the 1970s, easy to maintain, with no bells and whistles except A/C and heat (if you count that as "bells and whistles).
I'm fine with the manual windows with the crank handles. I'd rather have it over the power windows anyway because sometimes the motor for the power windows dies and you have to spend about $200 to replace each.
Nowadays they have vehicles with computers built into them, and way too many parts.
Best vehicle I ever owned was a 1978 Ford Thunderbird. I regret selling it.
You can buy old cars and trucks all the time. If thats all you want then go buy one and restore it or maintain it as needed. None of us are forced to buy NEW cars with things we dont want.
That's one reason I'm glad I went with a key pad on my car.
Key pads fail as well.
Even on simple cars, things break. I've had a door lock actuator on a "simple" car fail and seize in the lock position. Turning the key did nothing. Had to do in through the passenger door for a week until I could get a new actuator and replace it.
I've driven "fancy" cars with multiple computers up to 200K miles without a single issue on any of the electronics. Just the usual wear and tear like suspension bushings and such. I personally find newer cars easier to maintain and troubleshoot, but that's my perspective based on my skillset. If simple cars are your desire, you can still seek out and buy an older Ford ranger that has roll up windows, a robust 2.3L engine and very easy to maintain.
You can buy old cars and trucks all the time. If thats all you want then go buy one and restore it or maintain it as needed. None of us are forced to buy NEW cars with things we dont want.
SIMPLE car isn't the same as OLD car.
Many would like the modern improvements to drive train (among other things) and other core function components without the complexities of the gadgetry.
And no... going the route of a restomod isnt the same either from a cost perspective. The cost of restoring a an old vehicle AND updating it to accept modern drivetrain and suspension is usually more than the cost of a new car.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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At least in 2016 you could still get an F-series Ford truck with manual door locks and windows. Even the 2018 base models have power door locks as an option, but I haven't seen them with cranking windows. Those days are gone. The manufacturers build what people want, and there is economy in quantity, so it would actually cost more to build some with cranking windows, and they might sit on the lot. Only a few of the cheapest basic economy cars come with crank windows. Things like tire pressure monitoring system and backup camera are required by law and the electronics are required to meet smog requirements. You can take a 1970s truck and have a complete body-off restoration with a new carburated crate engine, transmission and Vintage Air AC but it will cost more than a brand new 1/2 ton truck. You will also have no airbags, only seat 3 on an uncomfortable bench seat, and be lucky to get 12 mpg.
I just want a basic pickup truck like they had in the 1970s, easy to maintain, with no bells and whistles except A/C and heat (if you count that as "bells and whistles).
I'm fine with the manual windows with the crank handles. I'd rather have it over the power windows anyway because sometimes the motor for the power windows dies and you have to spend about $200 to replace each.
Nowadays they have vehicles with computers built into them, and way too many parts.
All light duty vehicles (i.e. less than 8,500 pounds) sold in North America since 1996 are required to support OBD-II diagnostics, using a standardized data link connector. So if you want a simple vehicle without an engine computer, you'll have to find one at least 23 years old, and probably a few years older than that.
I think you'd only see that again if/when the Indian Tata Nano is brought over here and sells around $5k. Was all that rage that it was coming over here a few years ago, but haven't heard anything since.
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