Just can't get a good basic truck, like the old days!

[paulsharvey]

The problem is I've tried a bunch of this stuff and don't like it. On top of that, If I want a new car/truck, I'm forced to pay for this crap. I was going to order a 2025 F350 until I discovered they were going to quit making what I wanted and luckily found a 2024 on a lot that was very close to what I wanted. I was forced to pay for that stupid office desk that does not work for me.($400 included in the price} Now it is going to cost me about $350 for the parts to replace it.

Not much is Forced on you. Back up camera, TPMS; what other luxuries are forced on you? You just go to the dealer and look at the vehicles on display by the road, yeah, they have many luxuries, but they All have stock that they dont advertise, dont display out front, and is pretty dang basic. Dont like power seats, heated seats, dont buy them. Dont want cruise control, yep, its likely there, but you dont Have to use it.

Air bags, yeah, they are forced on you, and honestly, if I could save $500 and opt out, I would probably skip them.

 

[Hay Dude]

Why have electricity in a home? Opt out and get some some old school gas lights and candles

I hear running water is overrated, too

 

[not2old]

Not much is Forced on you. Back up camera, TPMS; what other luxuries are forced on you? You just go to the dealer and look at the vehicles on display by the road, yeah, they have many luxuries, but they All have stock that they dont advertise, dont display out front, and is pretty dang basic. Dont like power seats, heated seats, dont buy them. Dont want cruise control, yep, its likely there, but you dont Have to use it.

Air bags, yeah, they are forced on you, and honestly, if I could save $500 and opt out, I would probably skip them.

I wanted a Lariat with leather interior. I haven't even used the free trial on the satellite radio. I've been too busy to figure out if I can turn off the blind side warning. I can't figure out how to get rid of the notice that the radio is turned off. The navigation needs a subscription that is never going to happen. I find the notice that my trailer needs maintenance a nuisance. I don't need a repeating warning something won't work when a trailer is attached. In a year and 4000 KM the automatic rear braking has only come on once, but if it gets as bad as my 2018 Grand Cherokee, I will spend what it takes to disable it. This is just the start of it.

 

[aba4430]

Not much is Forced on you. Back up camera, TPMS; what other luxuries are forced on you? You just go to the dealer and look at the vehicles on display by the road, yeah, they have many luxuries, but they All have stock that they dont advertise, dont display out front, and is pretty dang basic. Dont like power seats, heated seats, dont buy them. Dont want cruise control, yep, its likely there, but you dont Have to use it.

Air bags, yeah, they are forced on you, and honestly, if I could save $500 and opt out, I would probably skip them.

Airbags are standard now and yes, you would reduce your cost upfront if they were not mandated. However, it is mandated and we have to live with them. The potential upfront cost savings are negated due to on-going insurance premium discounts we get for having airbags and other safety technology. Notwithstanding the Takata airbag debacle and non-systemic injuries, airbags do contribute to reducing severe injuries.

The flip sides to airbags I see are repair cost related. Oftentimes the car is totaled simply due to airbag replacement costs.

 

[Hay Dude]

If a back up camera or warning beeper can save you from running over an expensive object or more importantly a child, was it worth it?
If heated seats can loosen a tight back muscle spasm on the ride home, was it worth it?
If an automatic transmission can keep 2 hands on the wheel while towing or plowing making that work safer & faster, was it worth it?

 

[3930dave]

My parents had leather as standard in the cheapest new $380 Model A or mohair in the most expensive Model A

I hear tell that some cars at one time came with Naugahyde… but never seen a Nauga.

My only new car came with imitation leather in the BMW… no heated seats as no cold weather package.

I had to check.....

Inflation Calculator | Find US Dollar's Value From 1913-2025

in '25 $, 1930's $380 is $7,371.91

Rgds, D.

 

[jjeff]

If a back up camera or warning beeper can save you from running over an expensive object or more importantly a child, was it worth it?
If heated seats can loosen a tight back muscle spasm on the ride home, was it worth it?
If an automatic transmission can keep 2 hands on the wheel while towing or plowing making that work safer & faster, was it worth it?

This summer a toddler was killed in my area ran over by a car in a parking lot. I always made sure young kids hold my hand in parking lots especially, I can't imagine the would've,should've, could haves, in a terrible incident like that. Yes the contraption that makes your vehicle auto stop when backing to avoid hitting things you can't see or anticipate would have problaby saved a life in that scenario. However if you relying on safety devices instead of learning how to drive vehicles safely is it a good thing? Didn't Ford or someone have an auto trailer backing option? The heck with trying to learn new things I guess. Correction this terrible accident happened in 2023.

2-year-old dies after struck by Jeep at Holland State Park

The accident happened about 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22. Police said a 2-year-old boy ran into a road and was struck by a Jeep.

www.mlive.com

 

[3930dave]

The flip sides to airbags I see are repair cost related. Oftentimes the car is totaled simply due to airbag replacement costs.

True.

Haven't checked the Safety (certifications) code here, but the backup cam discussion has me wondering.....

You might be able to substitute a non-OE backup Cam, but what about the sensors/modules associated with all the modern Collision Avoidance systems ? If they are NLA (happens faster than ever, today), will you be able to pass a Safety to sell a vehicle ?

Rgds, D.

 

[WinterDeere]

I'm with you on that. Real Men™ don't need heated seats (or steering wheels).

Of course we all can and did go without heated steering wheels, for many years. But last winter we had two long stretches of mornings at -5F to -10F, and I was thanking myself for having those two options along with remote start, every single one of those cold mornings.

I can go for years without using AC either, but I live in northern N.H. where it doesn't really get all that hot very often.

Again, we all can, and we all have. But Philly without AC is just a level of misery into which I see no benefit of placing myself, today.

 

[WinterDeere]

Dr. Rick wants you to know those old cold, hard “hose ‘n’ go” vinyl seats and interiors are what your parents had.

I’m still looking for some skin taken off the back of my thigh, by the dark-green vinyl seats of my mother’s Ford LTD, one hot July afternoon at the community swimming pool, ca.1981. The only thing on this earth hotter than those seats in summer, were McDonald’s apple pie of the same era.