# How do I get a car without stuff that I don't need? **URL:** \ **Category:** Buying/Selling\ **Created:** [February 17, 2022, 12:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-car-without-stuff-that-i-dont-need/182542 "2022-02-17T00:23:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Hugemoth\_144444](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ee7513/32.png) [@Hugemoth\_144444](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Hugemoth_144444)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 2:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-car-without-stuff-that-i-dont-need/182542/21 "2022-02-17T14:13:28Z")
I too have had the best reliability and longevity with no frills cars. The 1993 Toyota base model pickup I bought new is still running fine. It wasn’t even equipped with a radio or passenger side mirror. When I needed a car in 2018 the most basic car I found was the base model Versa. Regular old key ignition, crank up windows, manual door locks, no backup camera or screen, 5 speed stick, manual seat adjustment, steel wheels, etc… Not a good car to buy with the unreliable CVT transmission but the manual models are good. ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 2:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-car-without-stuff-that-i-dont-need/182542/22 "2022-02-17T14:21:04Z")
Oreion might fit his needs. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 3:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-car-without-stuff-that-i-dont-need/182542/23 "2022-02-17T15:26:26Z")
> [@FoDaddy](#): > > I won’t have a car without them. There’s very little downside IMHO. They are exceptionally reliable and in the unlikely event they do fail, repairs are cheap. The one time I had a power window regulator fail. The repair cost was under $100. +1 When I was a kid, back in the '50s, power windows were fairly rare and were not even standard equipment on many luxury cars. The neighborhood mantra was… _Don’t get power windows because when they break it costs at least $40 to fix one!_ That advice was probably relevant, back in the days of less reliable cars, and $40 was indeed a big chunk of change back then (equivalent to more than $400 today), but I have never had any problems with the power windows on any of my cars that were equipped with them, and that includes 5 different models that I’ve owned since 1986. Like you, I wouldn’t buy a car w/o power windows. I can compare the OP’s dislike of modern technology to a statement made by parent who told me that he resented having to pay school taxes for “useless computers in the town’s schools”. He informed me that “George Washington managed to get an education without the use of computers, and kids today could do the same”. I asked him to ponder the following question: _Since George and his contemporaries also didn’t have indoor plumbing, should we rip the toilets out of our schools?_ Naturally, he had no response to my question. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 3:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-car-without-stuff-that-i-dont-need/182542/24 "2022-02-17T15:34:00Z")
There’s a 2002 Corolla LE with about 70k miles near me for $6000 or so. Sorry, it has electric windows. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 3:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-car-without-stuff-that-i-dont-need/182542/25 "2022-02-17T15:35:20Z")
> [@texases](#): > > Sorry, it has electric windows Oh, the horror! 😱 ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 3:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-car-without-stuff-that-i-dont-need/182542/26 "2022-02-17T15:58:43Z")
Found one! A Toyota with no electric widows! Only 1286 miles! But it is $45k, and the mpgs won’t be so great: [Used 1982 Toyota Land Cruiser For Sale $44,800 | Cars.com](https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/e9ca9528-907f-4939-831c-91e94745c85a/) ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 7:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-car-without-stuff-that-i-dont-need/182542/27 "2022-02-17T19:00:00Z")
> [@VDCdriver](#): > > That advice was probably relevant, back in the days of less reliable cars, and $40 was indeed a big chunk of change back then (equivalent to more than $400 today), but I have never had any problems with the power windows on any of my cars that were equipped with them, and that includes 5 different models that I’ve owned since 1986. Same here. Even with vehicles with well over 300k miles…They rarely fail if ever. ---
**Author:** ![wolyrobb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wolyrobb/32/45497_2.png) [@wolyrobb](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolyrobb)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 7:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-car-without-stuff-that-i-dont-need/182542/28 "2022-02-17T19:43:24Z")
The fix for the power windows on the grand voyager would have cost closer to $50 from the local dealer but we found the part through a dealer online for $25 and it’s a fairly easy install. The cars with power windows and more have been at least as reliable as the key and a heater Mazda we had for 19yrs. The Prius she bought back in 2009 came with climate control and keyless entry and starting which weren’t on the priority list but she came to like both features. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 7:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-car-without-stuff-that-i-dont-need/182542/29 "2022-02-17T19:49:10Z")
> [@wolyrobb](#): > > the key and a heater Mazda That reminds me of the slogan that Datsun used in their radio ads, circa 1965: _Datsun… It runs on keys and small change_ ---
**Author:** ![wolyrobb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wolyrobb/32/45497_2.png) [@wolyrobb](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolyrobb)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 7:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-car-without-stuff-that-i-dont-need/182542/30 "2022-02-17T19:57:04Z")
The radio and power steering were extra cost options on that Mazda Protoge back in 1990. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 8:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-car-without-stuff-that-i-dont-need/182542/31 "2022-02-17T20:16:23Z")
I knew a guy who bought the ultimate stripp-o Honda Civic, back in the '80s. I was surprised that a dealership actually had a new one without even a radio, but I’m pretty sure that it had a heater. Because he was such a cheapskate, he never had a radio installed, and instead rode around with a _boom box_ on the back seat. ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 8:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-car-without-stuff-that-i-dont-need/182542/32 "2022-02-17T20:21:01Z")
Your new car may have many devices you don’t want. Many, I suppose, will be electrical. You can choose which ones to unplug. Maybe even remove some fuses, if you know what devices that fuse supplies. As you get accustomed to or bored with the car, you could plug some things back in just for the novelty of it. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 8:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-car-without-stuff-that-i-dont-need/182542/33 "2022-02-17T20:24:50Z")
> [@VDCdriver](#): > > I was surprised that a dealership actually had a new one without even a radio For a number of years radios were dealer installed options on Hondas, so that might explain it. ---
**Author:** ![Beancounter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/59ef9b/32.png) [@Beancounter](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Beancounter)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 8:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-car-without-stuff-that-i-dont-need/182542/34 "2022-02-17T20:42:45Z")
Since the OP doesn’t want a used car or anything modern or electronic, I’ve found the only solution. A HORSE! 🤣 > **[Horse Riding Vs. Car Driving: Convenient Living in the Countryside - Welcome...](https://www.horseproperties.net/blog/horse-riding-vs-car-driving-convenient-living-countryside/)** > > Horse riding vs Car driving living in the countryside is one of the hottest topics of the modern era. Here, we’ve gathered some helpful factors which should show you why riding your horse is better and efficient for traveling as compared to driving a... ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 8:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-car-without-stuff-that-i-dont-need/182542/35 "2022-02-17T20:47:12Z")
![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/6/b/6bc050f82ff417d215b1f78827602610b5b7adca.jpeg) ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/4/a/4a35022d028ecf844170e5e483d9e521efe7366c.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 9:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-car-without-stuff-that-i-dont-need/182542/36 "2022-02-17T21:18:44Z")
> [@texases](#): > > radios were dealer installed options on Hondas, so that might explain it. Yes! Back then, even A/C was dealer-installed on a lot of foreign cars. ---
**Author:** ![jimkoe329\_179295](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b77776/32.png) [@jimkoe329\_179295](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jimkoe329_179295)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 9:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-car-without-stuff-that-i-dont-need/182542/37 "2022-02-17T21:37:24Z")
The OP does have a point about needlessly complicated cars, even the Mitsubishi Mirage ( if I’m not mistaken) has automatic climate control, keyless push button start and electric windows. Things that are not safety related but unnecessarily complicated for an entry level car. I like my power windows but do hate needing a key to close them as a rain storm approaches. Simple sometimes is better. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 9:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-car-without-stuff-that-i-dont-need/182542/38 "2022-02-17T21:47:21Z")
> [@jimkoe329\_179295](#): > > I like my power windows but do hate needing a key to close them as a rain storm approaches. I guess you are letting your vehicle set open while setting out side. That is just asking for someone to rummage through your vehicle looking for some thing . Or a critter getting in a causing damage. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 10:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-car-without-stuff-that-i-dont-need/182542/39 "2022-02-17T22:03:30Z")
> [@jimkoe329\_179295](#): > > Things that are not safety related but unnecessarily complicated for an entry level car. But, the fact that they are included in an entry-level car tells you that these devices don’t really add an appreciable amount to the price of the car. And, for those who insist that modern creature comforts and safety devices are very prone to needing repairs, all I can say is that my current car is now 11.5 years old, and none of these high-tech features has ever malfunctioned or needed to be repaired. That list of totally trouble-free devices includes the backup camera, the infotainment system, the embedded GPS, Bluetooth, ABS, VSC, traction control, power seats, power lumbar support, power windows, power door locks, and the remote/key fob. There might actually be another feature or two that I have forgotten, simply because they are just a normal part of driving for me. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2022, 10:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-car-without-stuff-that-i-dont-need/182542/40 "2022-02-17T22:06:34Z")
The most reliable car I’ve owned was a 2005 Honda Accord EX V6. Dual zone AC, power windows, AT, power heated seats, and other good stuff. The only things that went wrong are things that are on base model cars: brake calipers and hood struts to name two. Nothing else really. Between 150,000 and 185,000 miles, btw. [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-car-without-stuff-that-i-dont-need/182542.md?page=1) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-car-without-stuff-that-i-dont-need/182542.md?page=3)