Any new(ish) car models out there with little/no electronics?

mirrormatrix · 13-08-2019 08:10AM #1

Looking for a bit of advice. Thinking of picking up a 2-3 year old car in early 2020 and just trying to scope out now what models might suit me.

I currently have a 15 year old 1.9 TDi Golf and love it, but it will be time for a change soon. I'm looking to replace it with a 2-3 year old car, but ideally I want something that will require minimal maintenance. With that in mind, I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a car that has:

No central electronic console
No electric parking brake
No cameras of any sort
No A/C
Ideally, no key fob

I realise the last one might be tricky, but I surf and swim, and a key fob is basically useless after being submerged in salt water

Anyone any ideas on models/brands that might fit the bill? Looking for a hatchback, probably only need a 1.4-1.6, would consider either petrol or diesel.

antodeco · 13-08-2019 08:12AM

If you want cheap and cheerful, get yourself a Dacia! I've 2 and require very little maintenance!

alias no.9 · 13-08-2019 08:23AM

Transponders in keys are pretty universal for immobilisers. You dont necessarily need them for opening doors however, you can get mechanical keys for just about any car.

You will need to have the transponder key for starting locked somewhere in the car which is an obvious security risk and on many cars, the car won't lock if it detects a transponder key inside. Putting the keys in a metal box in the car may overcome this but I'd try before I buy on that one.

terrydel · 13-08-2019 08:46AM

A Caterham?

PsychoPete · 13-08-2019 08:50AM

Dacia Sandaro with basic radio, no electric mirrors, no air con, no key fob, no alloys, no cruise control, wind up rear windows. Perfect!

mirrormatrix · 13-08-2019 08:53AM

PsychoPete wrote: »

Dacia Sandaro with basic radio, no electric mirrors, no air con, no key fob, no alloys, no cruise control, wind up rear windows. Perfect!

Thanks, that does sound perfect. I'll check it out.

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime · 13-08-2019 08:54AM

Anybody else enraged by requests like this and just confirming why we can't have nice cars in this country !

Anyway OP , I'll give another vote to Dacia for being buckets of shi,t very basic

As is the Nissan Micra, Toyota Yaris

A few of the requests I actually do understand but no A/C ? No key fob ? Why is that man ?

cruizer101 · 13-08-2019 08:56AM

alias no.9 wrote: »

Transponders in keys are pretty universal for immobilisers. You dont necessarily need them for opening doors however, you can get mechanical keys for just about any car.

Don't think you have to worry about the transponder too much in terms of water ingress. In my experience where the key just has transponder and no remote it is fully sealed up.

mirrormatrix · 13-08-2019 09:03AM

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

Anybody else enraged by requests like this and just confirming why we can't have nice cars in this country !

Anyway OP , I'll give another vote to Dacia for being buckets of shi,t very basic

As is the Nissan Micra, Toyota Yaris

A few of the requests I actually do understand but no A/C ? No key fob ? Why is that man ?

Everyone has their own opinions I guess. I already explained the key fob above.

I know of quite a few people who have bought brand new cars in the last 2 years, which have been plagued with issues. For example, my brothers car (Skoda) was faulty from day 1, radio randomly turning off and on, warning lights occasionally flashing. Skoda spent weeks looking at it but offered no solution that worked. And I've talked to other people who have had similar issues with other car models.

I take your point about the A/C. TBH I wouldn't mind if it was included, but i've never had a problem with my trusty fan. Why add stuff to a car that doesn't significantly improving driving comfort? It's just something unecessary on the car that will potentially cause issues down the line.

That's my view anyways - you're obviously entitled to a different opinion!

shamrock55 · 13-08-2019 09:12AM

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

Anybody else enraged by requests like this and just confirming why we can't have nice cars in this country !

Anyway OP , I'll give another vote to Dacia for being buckets of shi,t very basic

As is the Nissan Micra, Toyota Yaris

A few of the requests I actually do understand but no A/C ? No key fob ? Why is that man ?

What makes you think dacia are buckets of **** btw, just because they are cheap and basic does not make them ****, they'll probably last for years longer then half the other so called fancy cars if looked after

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime · 13-08-2019 09:39AM

mirrormatrix wrote: »

Everyone has their own opinions I guess. I already explained the key fob above.

I know of quite a few people who have bought brand new cars in the last 2 years, which have been plagued with issues. For example, my brothers car (Skoda) was faulty from day 1, radio randomly turning off and on, warning lights occasionally flashing. Skoda spent weeks looking at it but offered no solution that worked. And I've talked to other people who have had similar issues with other car models.

I take your point about the A/C. TBH I wouldn't mind if it was included, but i've never had a problem with my trusty fan. Why add stuff to a car that doesn't significantly improving driving comfort? It's just something unecessary on the car that will potentially cause issues down the line.

That's my view anyways - you're obviously entitled to a different opinion!

I wouldn't brand all car electronics the same based on a handful of experiences

I do see your point though, the less the car has then the less to go wrong. But skimming on items like AC, that would be a must have in a car for comfort. The Summers although not brilliant can still be bad in a hot sticky car, I'd be much happier with a cool cabin/ cold than just a fan or annoying window open / road noise etc.

Not to mention clearing the windscreen / demisting with air conditioning is much quicker and efficient. The trick with air con to keep it in good shape is to always have it on, so you get into the car, hot 21° auto and leave it, or 19° , depending on your preference

Radio, renualt still do the basic button radio with features such as Bluetooth and aux in, maybe a clio still has them ? I only know from the recent renualt master that has them.

In regards to your transponder issue, the key of a car nowadays will always have immobilezers , I'm not sure if it's possible to order a car without one !

The key fobs themselves are really only there to unlock/lock doors but you can always still use the physical metal key in the fob for same so again I wouldn't knock them tbh personally.

But another point I'd put to you, rather than buying a newish Dacia or something for approx 10K or more, would you know but an old car that would be just as reliable and have what you are looking for ? Like a 90's 00's Mercedes, BMW, Volvo, Audi ? And still have comfort over a reg plate ?

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime · 13-08-2019 09:41AM

shamrock55 wrote: »

What makes you think dacia are buckets of **** btw, just because they are cheap and basic does not make them ****, they'll probably last for years longer then half the other so called fancy cars if looked after

Renualt dealer told me when a relative was looking at a duster that they were having a lot of issues , silly things like steering wheel skwibs and alarm issues and funny enough a few went back with no radios working whatsoever.... Wouldn't be a car I'd even consider.

I'm happy enough in my 11 year old car that has more spec and most likely more reliable !

naughtysmurf · 13-08-2019 09:48AM

There is a 141 Dacia Sandero with 70kms on done deal for €4750 sounds like it would suit,

terrydel · 13-08-2019 09:49AM

mirrormatrix wrote: »

Thanks, that does sound perfect. I'll check it out.

Thats probably the first time that car has ever been described as perfect.

:P

H3llR4iser · 13-08-2019 10:18AM

With the exception of the key fob and AC, pretty much any super-cheap base model of city cars will do what you ask. If you really look hard enough you might even find one without a radio/stereo.

That however doesn't mean "no electronics", the car will still be packed up to the gills with it in the bits you don't see, and that's usually the kind of electronics that go wonky, if they decide to do so.

mirrormatrix wrote: »

I take your point about the A/C. TBH I wouldn't mind if it was included, but i've never had a problem with my trusty fan. Why add stuff to a car that doesn't significantly improving driving comfort? It's just something unecessary on the car that will potentially cause issues down the line.

That's my view anyways - you're obviously entitled to a different opinion!

AC has been on cars for nearly 70 years, it's actually quite old and tested tech; If you get a car with "manual" climate control, it's also pretty much analog.
It's not exactly useless here - sure, there aren't 40 degrees in she shade like in Italy or Spain, but fogging of the windshield can be a pretty annoying issue on damp days, without the AC's dehumidifying properties (yes, even if it is clean and yes, RainX only lasts so long).

cpoh1 · 13-08-2019 10:38AM

Not sure why anyone would bring their key in the water with them, im in the water myself a few times a week surfing and swimming year round and use something like one of these:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bulldog-Vehical-Car-Key-Lock-Box-Security-Keep-Keys-Safe-Watersports-Surfer-/123083670162

Would personally recommending trying to find an older car for cheap and invest some money on mechanicals - new bushes, suspension parts and hold back money for a future engine build. If you like old cars best of stick with them!

Looking for a new car with no tech is virtually impossible.

beggars_bush · 13-08-2019 11:59AM

Lancer

CrankyHaus · 13-08-2019 12:23PM

OP another option to take the car key into the water is to get one made for the door only and take that with you. Most key-cutters will do this.

Once your done, hop back in the car, unearth the full key from a hiding place in your car and turn off the alarm.

Works for me anytime I go for a swim (in Dublin, most rural beaches are deserted enough to hide a key under a stone).

I think Volvos have a detachable key that you can pull out from the fob to take for a swim.

mirrormatrix · 13-08-2019 12:29PM

CrankyHaus wrote: »

OP another option to take the car key into the water is to get one made for the door only and take that with you. Most key-cutters will do this.

Once your done, hop back in the car, unearth the full key from a hiding place in your car and turn off the alarm.

Works for me anytime I go for a swim (in Dublin, most rural beaches are deserted enough to hide a key under a stone).

I think Volvos have a detachable key that you can pull out from the fob to take for a swim.

That's actually a really good idea, cheers

Brian Scan · 13-08-2019 05:46PM

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

Anybody else enraged by requests like this and just confirming why we can't have nice cars in this country !

Anyway OP , I'll give another vote to Dacia for being buckets of shi,t very basic

As is the Nissan Micra, Toyota Yaris

A few of the requests I actually do understand but no A/C ? No key fob ? Why is that man ?

Why would you be enraged?

How is OP's interest in a basic car "confirming why we can't have nice cars in this country"? You can have any car you want, OP's choice has nothing to do with it.

Mooooo · 13-08-2019 05:58PM

Vw key fob you can take the key out to open the car mechanically, the door handle has the lock covered so it's just a case of removing the cover. Lads here can confirm dent but didn't dacias have issues with rust, so trips to the beach may not be the best, coukd be said for any car but if there are issues with rust anyway esp so.

bazz26 · 13-08-2019 06:36PM

As said, something from the entry level Dacia range.

antodeco · 13-08-2019 09:53PM

I've my Dacia's 2.5 years (both are now 4 years old) and never had any issues with them. One has high mileage, the other doesn't

ba_barabus · 14-08-2019 12:27PM

antodeco wrote: »

I've my Dacia's 2.5 years (both are now 4 years old) and never had any issues with them. One has high mileage, the other doesn't

Ah theres your problem. You'll find it's the ones that haven't been owned by the poster that have problems. Dacias owned by people who post here are all miraculously fine.

antodeco · 14-08-2019 07:58PM

ba_barabus wrote: »

Ah theres your problem. You'll find it's the ones that haven't been owned by the poster that have problems. Dacias owned by people who post here are all miraculously fine.

Sorry, I may be picking up your post wrong. Are you suggesting that I am lying that mine have had no issues?

chicorytip · 18-08-2019 01:31PM

mirrormatrix wrote: »

Looking for a bit of advice. Thinking of picking up a 2-3 year old car in early 2020 and just trying to scope out now what models might suit me.

I currently have a 15 year old 1.9 TDi Golf and love it, but it will be time for a change soon. I'm looking to replace it with a 2-3 year old car, but ideally I want something that will require minimal maintenance. With that in mind, I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a car that has:
No central electronic console

No electric parking brake

No cameras of any sort

No A/C

Ideally, no key fob

I realise the last one might be tricky, but I surf and swim, and a key fob is basically useless after being submerged in salt water

Anyone any ideas on models/brands that might fit the bill? Looking for a hatchback, probably only need a 1.4-1.6, would consider either petrol or diesel.

A good alternative would be a Fiat Panda which is about as basic as it gets in terms of spec but spacious, reliable and nice to drive. A cheap(ish) car to buy and run which does not look or feel cheap. The 500 would be worth looking at as well but is much smaller.

ba_barabus · 18-08-2019 02:23PM

antodeco wrote: »

Sorry, I may be picking up your post wrong. Are you suggesting that I am lying that mine have had no issues?

You've picked me up wrong. The biggest critics of Dacias are those who've never driven them. They all know of "Well known problems" that owners never seem to experience.

McCrack · 18-08-2019 05:42PM

ba_barabus wrote: »

You've picked me up wrong. The biggest critics of Dacias are those who've never driven them. They all know of "Well known problems" that owners never seem to experience.

Whatever way you look at one they are horrid

ba_barabus · 18-08-2019 06:02PM

McCrack wrote: »

Whatever way you look at one they are horrid

Not really.

chicorytip · 18-08-2019 10:27PM

McCrack wrote: »

ba_barabus wrote: »

You've picked me up wrong. The biggest critics of Dacias are those who've never driven them. They all know of "Well known problems" that owners never seem to experience.

Whatever way you look at one they are horrid

The Hyundai Tucson is pretty horrid as well. It's Ireland's biggest selling model.

ianobrien · 18-08-2019 11:00PM

OP, I cant see how you are equating minimal maintenance with little electronics. I also can't see how you are getting minimal maintenance with no a/c, electronic handbrake, etc. To be honest, I think you are assuming that complexity does not equal reliability in all cases and mostly you are wrong on that (to be fair, in some cases you are right)!

Every modern car is stuffed with electronics, sensors, etc. Most are running CanBus wiring. Practically all diesels have a DPF in the exhaust, some petrols have the petrol version fitted. A/C is going to be a godsend to help dry out the inside of the car after a surf session when you get in to drive home with damp surf gear in the car.

As the surfing is important, I'd look at the idea of getting a key cut and use that to lock/unlock the doors (leaving the fob in the car somewhere). However, some modern cars dont have an external door key slot in a readily accessible place. For example, my Leon has it under a plastic cover that you have to remove to get the key slot on the passenger door. There is none on the drivers door.

beauf · 18-08-2019 11:13PM

Personally I find AC essential for Ireland in the Winter, demisting the windows.
I was running a 90s car with almost no modern electrics until 2 yrs ago. Didn't even have ABS. ABS and AC were two things I wanted on its replacement.
Probably why it was so reliable for so long.

When I was looking the VW UP was one car that I noted had minimal electrics to go wrong. Wouldn't suit a surfer though. The Dacia felt a bit cheap. Some won't care though.

beauf · 18-08-2019 11:15PM

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

Anybody else enraged by requests like this and just confirming why we can't have nice cars in this country...

That makes no sense.

Dia_Anseo · 19-08-2019 05:51PM

I think you have the right idea nobody really needs alloys, A/C, electric mirrors, central locking etc

There's a recession coming and we must be penny wise and not "waste" our pennies on any luxury items like wheel covers or fancy coloured paint.

This Dacia thing might be a bit fancy having a radio and front electric windows but that's where the treats stop. No electric mirrors , no wheel covers, no central locking, the engine has no turbo. Plenty of space though for 6k

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/dacia-logan-2014/22498239

If you think the above is too fancy for you'll have to go to UK to get a Sandero Access that has wind up windows front/rear, no radio , black bumpers, basically a steering wheel, engine , seats and a metal cage.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F283340561249

cnocbui · 19-08-2019 06:10PM

OP could achieve their stated aim by buying a Honda. My Civic is from 2005. It's still on the original battery in the key fob. The electric windows work like new and have never required maintenance. It's got A/C which also works like new and has never even needed a regas. It has had no electrical issues whatsoever. The biggest issue I have had was replacing the brake caliper pistons and seals. Simply amazing reliability and hassle free and yet it's still got creature comforts like e/windows and necessities like A/C for demisting the windscreen.

Any new(ish) car models out there with little/no electronics?

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