No power anything, no computerized crap, no electronic sensors. I just want manually rolled down windows, an A/C and a radio. I’ve done my AI inquiry. Now, I want to know from people with personal knowledge.

Took my Lexus RX in today for regular maintenance. No problem there. But, the tire pressure light has lit up forever, but it’s not because of low air pressure. It’s just the damn sensor malfunction. Dealer quoted me $1375 to replace all four sensors. I said no thanks. The sensor light can be on for all I care.

Maybe not an answer to your direct question but maybe call a tire shop like Discount Tire.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Lexus/s/grwZxlvCr6

I can't think of anything in the U.S.


You would probably have to go see Mr. Patel

Had the same light go on my Ford, went to a mom and pop tire dealer and had all 4 replaced for 240.00. Not factory but they have lasted so far for almost 4 yrs.

Costco is much less expense. Just have 'em put on when you get another set of tires.

To answer your question, not only do none of the car companies make bare-bones basic, but none of the American companies make cars any longer, just luxury pickups and SUV's.

There was a thread here some months back about a company that wants to start making a basic truck, small and customizable to make it 2- or 4-passenger, fixed or convertible top, pickup or SUV, and all for a starting price around $20,000. Two problems, first it was only available with an electric motor; second, it seems to have disappeared from the scene as I haven't heard anything further on it.

I don't know how much longer the world's auto manufacturers can continue making over-the-top cars and trucks, when the market really needs basic transportation. Personally, I'd take a Datsun 510 over anything on the market today.

Yeah you can't just replace the batteries the whole sensor needs to be replaced then your car calibrated to them. A tire shop or Costco would be the place to replace them. Tire shop charged me $99 to replace the broken one (from a collision) in my Ridgeline, $79 for the sensor and $20 for labor and calibration.

As far as basic new car or truck I know of none available any longer.

I looked into it a year or so ago, the cheapest Nissan made was under $20k then. Rattle trap, but it would be the Ford Pinto today.

Lexus dealer charging Lexus dealer prices. We take ours to costco for tire pressure sensors, but the local chain tire shop should be WAY less.

My wife's car had that issue. She refused to pay the tab, and bought a 15 dollar tire pressure gauge.

Mitsubishi Mirage, probably the 'simplest' new car you can get. Under $20k new, but, it's a cheap Mitsubishi.

Not out yet, bit the new Slate truck is probably the only other one I can think of.

Discount Tire. $240 or so for sensors. And excellent service. The Chick Fil A of tire stores.

Keep the Lexus. We enjoy our 2010 RX with 133K miles. We had sensors replaced by them. When a light recently came on, we took it there. Easy five minute fix to reboot the sensors.

None.

All modern car engines are computerized nowadays.

And even basic bare bones fleet vehicles come with power windows/locks, backup cameras, electronic stability control, TPMS, etc. these days.

But you can still get some base model cars with minimal extra sensors, at least for now... Starting in 2029 all vehicles will have to be equipped with forward collision sensors and automatic emergency braking. And most car companies choose to include electronic safety features like these as standard on their cars already.

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:
No power anything, no computerized crap, no electronic sensors. I just want manually rolled down windows, an A/C and a radio. I’ve done my AI inquiry. Now, I want to know from people with personal knowledge.

Took my Lexus RX in today for regular maintenance. No problem there. But, the tire pressure light has lit up forever, but it’s not because of low air pressure. It’s just the damn sensor malfunction. Dealer quoted me $1375 to replace all four sensors. I said no thanks. The sensor light can be on for all I care.

Tell them you didn't want Lexus OEM replacements, that you'd be ok with Toyota parts

Plugged into Rock Auto a 2017 (don't know the year) RX and the Denso OEM replacement sensors are $39.89 each, you just need a good tire store and I'd wait until you need tires. Link

Just apply the Homer Simpson remedy!

quote:

I just want manually rolled down windows, an A/C and a radio.

My 2009 Toyota Corolla base model with 214,000 miles has those. Also steel wheels with plastic hubcaps and simple knob controls for the radio and HVAC, the latter also operating cables and linkages instead of frequently failed and inaccessible servo motors. But also electronic fuel injection, electric power steering and ABS (but no traction/stability control). None of those have given me any trouble. The TPMS still has one of the original sensors still operating. I don't think you can buy any "stripped" model like that these days.

As for "computerized crap", define crap. Electronic fuel injection is a boon to drivability and performance. Much of the rest of it is from government meddling mandates. There would, for example, be a lot less need for backup cameras and blind spot monitoring if there were fewer damned blind spots. I do not like functions that take away my control of the car, nor engine stop/start. No controls operated entirely off a single touch screen. Unfortunately, the aforementioned government fuckery is responsible for much of this.

About that TPMS: it has been a mandate since 2007, and it has warned me before of air loss (too late to save the tire, but it did warn me). Any tire shop worth their salt can handle this. Even if all four of your sensors are bad (not impossible; they could have been going out one at a time for several years), there's nothing special about them just because it says Lexus; no way in hell should they cost $1375.

Yeah, you won't find any new cars today that meet your requirements. Does it have to be new?

There are a lot of car/trucks made during the 80's and 90's that would fit your needs. I'm not talking about junk but decent looking and solid drivers. They are out there if you are willing to look.

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:

Took my Lexus RX in today for regular maintenance. No problem there. But, the tire pressure light has lit up forever, but it’s not because of low air pressure. It’s just the damn sensor malfunction. Dealer quoted me $1375 to replace all four sensors. I said no thanks. The sensor light can be on for all I care.

I have a Lexus RX and I pay $65 per TPMS for Discount Tires to replace them. Mine is a 2013 and they said they go out at 10 years. What I wish I had done is have them replaced all at the same time. The first one went out February. The third was replaced this August. I have to wait for the 4th and last one.

^^^^ Mine is also 2013. I might just go to them tomorrow to get it done. They’re just right outside the neighborhood.

I sort of had the same question. My wife is the Motörhead wanting some gadgets in her car but more important for her is performance.
I just need a simple reliable commuter for work. I started looking at what I remember being the basic entry economy cars of yesteryear ( Corolla,civic Sentra and similar- and yes American companies basically don’t make cars anymore) and they all run 25K+ new. I think roll down manual windows are no longe4 available in anything !

I bought 4 tpms sensors for a 2018 Chevy truck for $30. Then paid a tire shop $15 per wheel to install them. Local Chevy dealer wanted $250, including reprogramming them. I reprogrammed them myself with a $20 tool from Amazon. It took 2 minutes per tire. They don’t call them stealerships for nothing.