My must-have now is the backup camera with steering integration. I can hook up a trailer like a god now.

Actually new vehicles are legally required to have backup cameras. At least if they are sold in the US [1]. I would love to see a simple, back to the basics vehicle but there is so much regulation and safety requirements that it is unlikely for any basic vehicle to be sold in the US.

[1]: https://abcnews.go.com/US/cars-us-now-required-backup-camera...

It's absolutely a good thing that these cameras are required with how many children are run over frequently as drivers reverse their cars.

"Where is your god now?"

"Right behind you."

You could easily pick up an after market bluetooth-enabled product. A/C is definitely important however.

Though A/C doesn't really need much in the way of electronics.

interestingly, I go the opposite direction. I try to buy cars without AC (environmental reasons), without electronics (expensive to fix when they fail 'cos the constructor takes a huge premium on these), with the least possible automation ('cos I think these are overpriced)...

Basically, the more sophisticated a car is, the higher the risk of failure and thus price to fix the failures. Now, I buy inexpensive cars. Maybe if I go for expensive brands, the risk is less.

I won't buy a car if it has bluetooth or cellular connectivity, but that is getting harder to find. I want that shit air-gapped. Someday I might have to just rip out the media head and telematics unit after buying it if I can't find one anymore.

I'd describe myself as having above-average privacy anxiety but I have to ask, what's the threat model here? I'm way more concerned about ALPRs than I am about Bluetooth or a data connection.