• Stop being a LURKER - join our dealer community and get involved. Sign up and start a conversation.

The RETURN of the most basic vehicle?

Jeff Kershner

Founder
Staff member
May 1, 2005
4,497
1,787
Awards
12
First Name
Jeff
Was having a discussion at work today around technology and how far vehicles have come and someone made a bet that one of the manufacturers introduce a very basic vehicle...

Can you imagine rolling up your windows, listening to only the radio, stopping on drum brakes, no digital - full analog, manually adjusting your side view mirrors, and having to pay attention to the road while driving?

Any chance you think a manufacturer would dive into the automotive archives and offer such a thing?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Whitney Williams
Some kinda still do. I just visited a few sites. Nissan's base Versa comes with power windows, but Chevy's Spark can be purchased with manual windows.

Thousands can be saved if a car only had manual windows, no tilt/telescopic steering wheel, manual door locks, manual seats, no steering wheel buttons, no sensors for silly things like auto lights or auto wipers, no paddle shifters, no radar anything, no silly unncesary body accessories like dual tipped exhaust or fake rear lower fins, radio without touchscreen but at least with bluetooth and aux in, no factory alarm, etc.
 
Was having a discussion at work today around technology and how far vehicles have come and someone made a bet that one of the manufacturers introduce a very basic vehicle...

Can you imagine rolling up your windows, listening to only the radio, stopping on drum brakes, no digital - full analog, manually adjusting your side view mirrors, and having to pay attention to the road while driving?

Any chance you think a manufacturer would dive into the automotive archives and offer such a thing?


Take anything that's a 2017 and newer and falls below 15k retail with avg or below avg miles.
 
Can you imagine rolling up your windows, listening to only the radio, stopping on drum brakes, no digital - full analog, manually adjusting your side view mirrors, and having to pay attention to the road while driving?

It's called a Jeep Wrangler. Might have 4-wheel discs... not sure... 1st time my son gets in, he looks at the window cranks and says, "What's this?"

And this gem.... you put the key in the door to lock & unlock it... (bizarre!!)
 
  • Like
Reactions: BillH
Safety is expensive. We've come a loooong way.
Only because people don't realize they are the product of all the excess safety systems.

10 air bags to cover you for your lack of driving ability. 10 air bags to make sure you don't hurt yourself when you plow into that family because you are too irresponsible to not drink and drive. Endless electronic nannies to make sure the car stops for you because you can't stop to pay attention to what is around you.

If people actually paid attention, properly drove, didn't run red lights, didn't run stop signs, learned proper safety meanuvers, and were responsible, and perhaps if states had harder driving requirements like in Germany, I bet half the bs in cars today woulnd't be there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jeff Kershner
Was having a discussion at work today around technology and how far vehicles have come and someone made a bet that one of the manufacturers introduce a very basic vehicle...

Can you imagine rolling up your windows, listening to only the radio, stopping on drum brakes, no digital - full analog, manually adjusting your side view mirrors, and having to pay attention to the road while driving?

Any chance you think a manufacturer would dive into the automotive archives and offer such a thing?

No. Way.

That would be sort of a novelty, but would appeal to such a small audience. Like a flip phone.

Besides, even the takers would say it was a nice idea, then immediately start customizing it.