Used cars retain designs and features more coveted than their replacements

Dislike of “Smart” Cars and Appliances

• Many dislike that modern cars and appliances are “servers on wheels” or “IoT with drums”: locked-down, data‑harvesting, app‑dependent, and fragile when screens fail.
• Touchscreen‑heavy interfaces and “smart” washers/dryers are seen as adding complexity without helping experts or novices. Simple dials/buttons are preferred.
• Some would accept connectivity only with local, documented APIs; they distrust cloud‑tethered products and vendor “relationships.”

Old vs New Vehicles & Features

• Older cars (late 90s–2010s) are praised for physical controls, less spyware, simpler mechanics, and still‑adequate safety and comfort.
• Desired mix: modern safety (lane keeping, braking assist, backup cameras, fuel efficiency) without subscriptions, telemetry, or all‑touch dashboards.
• Used cars often have the same or better feature set vs new, especially when you can afford a higher‑trim older model.

Cost, Pricing, and the Missing $3–4k Car

• New cars are viewed as “obscenely expensive”; many prefer 3–5‑year‑old vehicles as the depreciation “sweet spot.”
• Multiple commenters ask why there are no $3–4k new cars. Replies: raw material costs, crash and emissions regulations, and thin margins make that unrealistic in rich countries.
• Examples of past low‑end cars adjusted for inflation suggest ~$15–17k is the realistic floor for compliant new cars.

EVs, Batteries, and Alternatives

• Some like EVs for low running costs and simplicity, but complain that decent batteries only come in tech‑bloated, expensive models.
• Classic‑car EV conversion kits are admired but seen as far too costly for most.
• Interest in Kei‑style cars/trucks and tiny EVs exists, but current US rules and market structures hinder them.

Regulation, Politics, and Market Dynamics

• Safety and emissions rules are blamed for cost and preventing ultra‑cheap cars; others argue they add relatively little per vehicle and that design/marketing choices dominate.
• Discussion touches on over‑regulation vs under‑regulation, with some citing politicians who promise deregulation but don’t materially change things.

Workarounds and Aftermarket

• People retrofit older cars with Android Auto/CarPlay head units.
• For “smart” laundry notifications, some bypass OEM cloud features using energy‑monitoring smart plugs and local home‑automation.

Driving Less & Demand

• Some simply don’t drive enough (remote work, lifestyle changes) to justify a new car or dealer waitlists.

CVT Transmissions

• Mixed views: some owners are satisfied; “car people” in the thread tend to dislike CVTs and claim they’re unsuited to high‑torque drivetrains.