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Which car companies still make them bare bone basic?

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November 16, 2025, 12:51 PM
egregore
Which car companies still make them bare bone basic?
Something I remembered about my relatively uncomplicated car: it has crank windows, but also cruise control (non-adaptive) and power heated mirrors. The mirrors were part of a "cold weather package" option ... in Phoenix. Big Grin The mirrors still work, but if either or both quit, I'm not fixing them. I dislike taking door panels off to fish out the wiring harness. They are already adjusted where I want them, and for frosty nights I could always fasten some plastic grocery bags over them.





"The Almighty, He put some livin' things on this earth so a man can eat." - Festus Haggen, Gunsmoke
November 16, 2025, 01:17 PM
LH2
I too wish that they still made a simple regular cab truck. Everything is quad cab now it seems.

I have a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 regular cab. No tech, just cruise control and crank windows. I’ve had a few guys approach me to buy it. Notes on the windshield offering cash.
November 16, 2025, 01:37 PM
egregore
quote:
I have a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 regular cab. No tech, just cruise control and crank windows. I’ve had a few guys approach me to buy it. Notes on the windshield offering cash.

He didn't mention any notes on the windshield, but my brother and his 1992 Dodge Power Ram 350 Cummins diesel often get similarly approached. No EFI, but mechanical direct injection, only an intake heater, no glow plugs. Also stick shift and mechanical transfer case actuation.





"The Almighty, He put some livin' things on this earth so a man can eat." - Festus Haggen, Gunsmoke
November 16, 2025, 01:42 PM
old rugged cross
quote:
Originally posted by BigSwede:
A
The most basic is the Express van, cruise is optional, an am/fm radio is standard, bluetooth is optional, no safety sensors are standard, keyless entry is optional, still uses a key to start, it has stabilitrak and a 4.3 L V6 is standard


Big Swede, how much would this van cost?

Thanks.



"Practice like you want to play in the game"
November 16, 2025, 02:43 PM
trapper189
quote:
Originally posted by egregore:
quote:
Originally posted by trapper189:
How does the fuel injection work on the 2nd generation CRX?

I didn't say anything about that, but no matter. Honda went EFI (they called it PGM-FI) for all models in 1990.


First sentence of your post:

quote:
Originally posted by egregore:
Nothing computerized or even electronic on this one. Smile


Then you go on to say no new Fords like that, but Honda had the CRX. Seems like you said the 2nd generation CRX, with the second window in the hatch like the Aztec, had no computerized or electronic anything. The 2nd gen CRX from 1988-1991 in the US were all fuel injected and I had thought mechanical fuel injection went away in the 60s.

I bought my 1986 CRX with 50,000 miles, put over 100,000 more miles on it before getting a newer vehicle. I was looking for a 2nd gen CRX Si or Integra GS-R, but wound up with a 1992 Prelude Si. I’d love to have that 1986 CRX again, but I imagine the 2nd gen’s suspension was much better.
November 16, 2025, 02:57 PM
DoctorSolo
With that budget you can get a really nice 90's era Honda Accord, Civic, or Integra. Parts are still pretty plentiful and they are easy to work on. Not the safest by modern crash standards mind you.

I'm looking for an '85 Toyota pickup, but everything with less than 300k miles is 5-10K and still pretty damn rusty.
November 16, 2025, 03:05 PM
V-Tail
quote:
Originally posted by trapper189:

I had thought mechanical fuel injection went away in the 60s.
My 1978 Mercedes had mechanical fuel injection. Once the engine started, you could disconnect the entire electrical system and it would keep running as long as there was fuel in the tank.

The v-tail's Continental engine was the same; mechanical fuel injection, no electrical power required to keep the engine running. The back-up fuel pump was electric, but that was only turned on in flight if the primary mechanical fuel pump failed.



הרחפת שלי מלאה בצלופחים
November 16, 2025, 03:48 PM
egregore
quote:
Seems like you said the 2nd generation CRX, with the second window in the hatch like the Aztec, had no computerized or electronic anything. The 2nd gen CRX from 1988-1991 in the US were all fuel injected and I had thought mechanical fuel injection went away in the 60s.

I. DID. NOT. SAY. THAT. Roll Eyes Two completely separate statements. I said nothing about any "generation" of CRX, nor what kind of fuel system. That's your misconception, not mine. Razz

This message has been edited. Last edited by: egregore,





"The Almighty, He put some livin' things on this earth so a man can eat." - Festus Haggen, Gunsmoke
November 17, 2025, 08:51 AM
BigSwede
quote:
Originally posted by old rugged cross:
quote:
Originally posted by BigSwede:
A
The most basic is the Express van, cruise is optional, an am/fm radio is standard, bluetooth is optional, no safety sensors are standard, keyless entry is optional, still uses a key to start, it has stabilitrak and a 4.3 L V6 is standard


Big Swede, how much would this van cost?

Thanks.



Right at $40k for an empty cargo van and $47k for a 12 passenger van. BTW, these were $10k cheaper before the Plandemic


November 17, 2025, 08:54 AM
P250UA5
quote:
Originally posted by egregore:
quote:
I have a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 regular cab. No tech, just cruise control and crank windows. I’ve had a few guys approach me to buy it. Notes on the windshield offering cash.

He didn't mention any notes on the windshield, but my brother and his 1992 Dodge Power Ram 350 Cummins diesel often get similarly approached. No EFI, but mechanical direct injection, only an intake heater, no glow plugs. Also stick shift and mechanical transfer case actuation.


Has to be awful to start in the winter?
My 82 diesel Mercedes had weak/old GPs & changing those when it was 40* outside was no fun. It definitely started a lot easier after.




The Enemy's gate is down.
November 17, 2025, 10:22 AM
egregore
quote:
Has to be awful to start in the winter?

Not at all. Even when it has gotten into the "teens" at night, even a couple of days a year in single digits, it fires up as soon as the first piston in the lineup comes up on compression, almost faster than you can let go of the key. This is why he has kept it for 33 years.





"The Almighty, He put some livin' things on this earth so a man can eat." - Festus Haggen, Gunsmoke
November 18, 2025, 09:40 AM
Alyron
I really wanted a base Jeep Wrangler, to bring me back to my younger days. Picked up a 2 door soft top on Saturday. No options at all on Sport model except all weather floor mats and mandatory automatic transmission. Wanted a stick but only available by special order and this was a spur of the moment decision. Came standard with A/C, power windows and sirius xm in the radio/ Uconnect system. Manual mirrors, lights, wipers. Even option free sticker was over 39k. powered by a turbo 4 cyl. Other than the back up camera no "nannys" like blind spot or lane detection. There is no such thing as a basic vehicle anymore- I feel old.
November 18, 2025, 10:45 AM
ridewv
quote:
Originally posted by Alyron:
I really wanted a base Jeep Wrangler, to bring me back to my younger days. Picked up a 2 door soft top on Saturday. No options at all on Sport model except all weather floor mats and mandatory automatic transmission. Wanted a stick but only available by special order and this was a spur of the moment decision....


Congratulations, have fun with it!

In 2015 I went to buy a Wrangler 2-door Sport, 6 cylinder, manual transmission, hardtop. Dealer lots were probably 80% 4-door versions and of the 20% 2-doors 90% had automatic transmission. I finally just ended up ordering exactly what I wanted; color, LSD, 3.73 gears, dual tops, but nothing I didn't want.

Around 2017 Jeep changed to a different manual transmission/clutch which has been somewhat problematic. I loved the older manual with the optional 3.73's but were I ordering one now it'd be with the stout ZF 8-speed automatic.


No car is as much fun to drive, as any motorcycle is to ride.
November 18, 2025, 01:43 PM
Alyron
Thank you ridewv- Bought my first Jeep in 1989. Red with tan soft top. Basic as can be. Soft zip up windows, no a/c, no radio. 4 cyl, 5 spd. Miss that thing. Had several Wranglers since then plus a Gladiator all fully loaded. I was trying to get back to the feeling of that first one. But you know what they say- you can't go back
November 18, 2025, 09:35 PM
ridewv
quote:
Originally posted by Alyron:
.....I was trying to get back to the feeling of that first one. But you know what they say- you can't go back


No but it doesn't stop us from trying! Smile


No car is as much fun to drive, as any motorcycle is to ride.
November 20, 2025, 06:56 AM
egregore
This is an example of needless over-complication.







"The Almighty, He put some livin' things on this earth so a man can eat." - Festus Haggen, Gunsmoke