Wishing I still had my 89 Caprice with physical buttons and switches. Parts were insanely cheap too (except the transmission, which I part of why I got rid of it).

This is why I’m keeping my 09 Toyota. Upgraded the radio to a CarPlay capable head unit. But it was the perfect fit of modern safety features, a couple nice to haves like backup camera, but none of that always connected on star style crap.

Will drive it till it rusts out and in praying the market will have corrected by then

I still own a 2000 Nissan with a cassette deck. I just wish it had a manual transmission, too.

You wouldn’t be wishing that the first time you were in an accident.

It’s sad that we have to choose between physical safety and privacy.

There are some non-EVs that you can get with limited tech (until the newer laws kick in). You can disable the connection in some vehicles. For example, there are guides on how to disable onstar to various degrees (removing the antenna, removing the bridge to the network chip, etc). EVs tend to be tech heavy because the costs associates with them require targeting the premium market to make a profit.

The theory would be to rebuild it with a roll cage, harness, etc for mixed use. In theory, these safety systems are superior to airbags. The only impediments to helmets/Hans with a real harness are people who don't use the existing seat belt (airbag can prevent ejection) and they are too inconvenient for the general public.

absolutely not. Roll cages are completely unsafe in a street car unless you’re wearing a helmet.

Also two words: Crumple zones. You don’t want a super hard Skelton, that will only increase crash forces.

"Roll cages are completely unsafe in a street car unless you’re wearing a helmet."

No shit, that's why I mention a helmet.

Roll cages, if properly done, do not affect crumple zones. The passenger compartment should not be crumbling and that's the only part a roll cage should be in. Keep in mind that actual race cars have a rigid occupant compartment, crash at higher speeds, and have great safety records due in part to the protection offered from a harness, helmet, and hans. On the other hand, airbags are more prone to failure and can injure or even kill people.

The only reason I mention a roll cage is because it would be for dual use. You could use a helmet/hans in place of an airbag in a regular street car and would likely be safer. Again, the only reasons we have for not doing that is that some people don't use their seat belts and most people would find it inconvenient.

I think crumple zones are unrelated to the roll cage in GP's comment. It's nice to have a crumple zone, right?

Sad reality of it all! Want safety? Buy this engagement platform.

> It really kills any enthusiasm I have for new cars.

... and televisions, and phone apps, and solar inverters (with wifi!) and air purifiers (with wifi!) and drones (with wifi to activate) and scooters (to activate), and on and on...

Consumer tech takes a lot of cues from domestic abusers. “I want to know everything about you and who you talk to.” “I will do what I want to you with little notice or recourse.” “You can’t leave me that easily.”

I would assert that consumer tech manufacturers are domestic abusers when they take things to this level.

Also making the victim believe they are at fault for the abusive behavior.

I can't count the number of times I've heard naive users blame themselves when it's a device/system/app misaligned with their interests.

It seems to me that we have long past the road building stage in US economy & now mostly in toll-booths stage of things. I wonder if we will ever go back. Maybe AI will change that but not very hopeful.

Why does everyfuckingthing have to be about "engaging" with customers? Why can't people just be left with their private business?

Because from the companies point of view, what's the real downside? If their goal was to simply make a good product, then none of this stuff would really be used, but they have longterm growth to think about too!

This is the most depressing thing I’ve read all day. I have two trucks. A 2010, and 1998. I was going to sell the 2010 for redundancy, but I don’t think I can. The 2010 is in pristine condition, and should last another decade if I’m careful with it. I’ll have to acquiesce to the modern trend with cars eventually, but I hope to hold out as long as I can.

My daily driver is a '97 and it's not going to get sold, ever, until it falls apart.

Same as gaming apps on the phone. Good old days had no pay to win models.

They could steal a term from gaming and call a car a "drive service".