Auto companies should provide a baser-than-base model.
Posted by calcato@reddit | CrazyIdeas | View on Reddit | 38 comments
I'm talking zero gadgets. No synching with a phone. No screens, sensors, or cameras. No "infotainment." Key entry. Seats that move mechanically instead of electronically. And I want to crank down the windows instead of pushing a button. It should be basically the car that rolls off the assembly line and before it goes to the interior assembly phase.
And it should cost at least $10-20K less than what they consider the "base model."
beermaker@reddit
They exist... They're called restomods and they're expensive as hell if you want one done right.
calcato@reddit (OP)
Nah, the point is to bring down the price of a car, and not be made to pay for extraneous crap I will never use.
Excellent-Stretch-81@reddit
What you're asking for is impossible. A base model Nissan Sentra starts at $22,600. Even knocking off just $10,000 puts the price at $12,600. A bare-bones Nissan Sentra from 1983 cost $5,000, making it $16,700 in 2026 dollars. There's no way a modern car built to modern safety and emissions standards is going to be cheaper to build now than it was in the '80s.
Constant-Roll706@reddit
I don't build cars, but I'll go out on a limb and guess the 'optional features' are a few grand at most, ignoring the complications of sourcing and incorporating, say, manual crank windows into a door panel designed without a hole. Is 5-10% enough of a discount, because there's no way it's more than that.
shponglespore@reddit
Having a bunch of optional things is expensive in itself. It makes no sense to incur that cost if they're only going to sell a small number of cars. Also used cars exist, and many are in very good working order.
VerifiedMother@reddit
Yeah, I can't imagine the tooling for different windows is exactly that inexpensive
JasonVoorheesthe13th@reddit
The bulk of the expense in modern vehicles is due to the electronic components in engines required to meet emission laws, if car companies were still allowed to build cars without the extremely tight emissions regulations everything would cost 10-20k less.
They add in all the extra features as standard because they need to show extra value for the price increase. In large scale manufacturing terms a window switch and motor are fairly cheap, same with backup cameras, same with infotainment systems. The average person won’t see any added value in having a variable valve timing system, an insanely efficient catalytic converter, or piezoelectric injectors that can control their spray quantity way better than solenoid injectors; so they have to add in the electric windows and fancy screens to at least make you *feel* like you’re getting extra luxury features for the price increase
FreeSpirit3000@reddit
Have a look at Dacia.
VerifiedMother@reddit
OP is American, Dacia doesn't exist here
breadexpert69@reddit
Nope. Because then they are competing against the used market. Which is stronger than the new ultra budget market.
calcato@reddit (OP)
That's my point; there ISN'T an "ultra budget" market.
yogaballcactus@reddit
I don’t think there’s much “ultra budget” demand. Like if I’m paying tens of thousands for the safety and efficiency that’s required in a modern car then I’m not gonna skimp on a couple thousand more to get air conditioning, electric windows and adjustable lumbar support. Nobody wants a, “I paid $5k less for a car that sucks in every conceivable way,” car.
And I know you’re gonna say, “just make it cost like $10k,” but the modern emissions-compliant and efficient-enough-to-make-sense-in-the-modern-world drivetrain and the “will actually keep you alive if a Cybertruck hits you” safety equipment cost a lot more than $10k.
If you don’t care about comfort or safety then there is actually a cheap option for you. Just get a motorcycle. They can be had for less than $10k, they have almost no tech or comfort equipment and the safety philosophy is basically, “if you die you die.” It’s exactly what you want.
Jakomako@reddit
There is, it’s called “the used market”
moneyman74@reddit
You can buy fleet trucks like this with roll down windows no frills etc....but the general consumer doesn't want this anymore despite you being convinced they do.
calcato@reddit (OP)
The general consumer wants what they can afford to buy, and we can clearly see that there are a great deal of extraneous "luxury" options being added to a basic necessity.
I don't need the food with edible gold flakes added to it. I just need food.
moneyman74@reddit
Have you looked into the Hyundai Venue?
calcato@reddit (OP)
I hadn't heard of it until now; thanks for the recommendation!
Chevy Trax is the absolute least expensive American-made car and is $3000 more than the Venue. I just wonder how it is that American car makers can't seem to figure out making a more affordable product.
VerifiedMother@reddit
American labor is expensive, even vs another developed nation like South Korea
Far_Adhesiveness_194@reddit
Won't happen, at least not in the US. Backup cameras and hands free calling are required by law.
Krypt0night@reddit
Been a long time since I've had a car and never had a new one before, so that's news to me. Super interesting that backup cameras are required.
VerifiedMother@reddit
It's been the law since 2014 model year so it's not exactly new
Quitcha_Bitchin@reddit
Yeah all of the safety bullshit is mandated. And if you made them make this car they would jack up the price "they" pay for those mandated parts.
BlackEngineEarings@reddit
Yes on backup camera. Federal law in the US does not require hands free calling options
calcato@reddit (OP)
Ok, well, that's good. I don't want to pay for an option I will never use.
calcato@reddit (OP)
Only in the U.S. is the solution to "too many people illegally use their phones while driving!" to force automakers to install some expensive-ass hands free calling system that doubles the price of the car for consumers. Fucking ridiculous.
Acceptable-Ad-3560@reddit
that's absolutely insane, I've never felt a need for a backup camera but then again I haven't owned one of the newer, massive cars. Never had so much as a fender bender in my old ranger. people knew that if I was driving I wouldn't answer, and my phone automatically sent a text saying so.
Clear-Bee102@reddit
That’s already a thing. Go on marketplace and save the old cars 🙏
cmcdonal2001@reddit
The Technically Legal model.
Stuck_in_my_TV@reddit
It’s unlikely to sell because the consumer wants ultra budget prices with luxury features.
Get_your_grape_juice@reddit
I'm pretty sure that's what the Mitsubishi Mirage was.
youngpenrose@reddit
What I'm hoping for with slat auto trucks... Mass produced cheap... Barebone electric truck.
Buy upgrade doors with motors later... Hand crank base models.
Icy_Huckleberry_8049@reddit
They're only going to make cars that sell - a baser than base car won't sell.
Trick_Minute2259@reddit
There used to be fleet vehicles like pickup trucks made for service companies that came with rubber floors, steel wheels, and manual everything; not sure I'd that's still a thing.
spivnv@reddit
Aside from the daily posts on reddit, nobody wants this. If there was anyway to make this profitable, it would be done already. Im sorry to burst your bubble but these posts are so annoying.
Anarchistcowboy420@reddit
You'll get 20 cameras, eye tracking, fake exhaust noises and a plastic cooling system... Oh and it's gonna cost $80-$100k
calcato@reddit (OP)
I hate that for me.
PROfessorShred@reddit
I always thought Jeep had the recipe. Everything is an optional extra. You want A/C that costs extra, automatic transmission? that costs extra, non crank doors? extra.
but they shouldn't stop there. sell it without doors or without a roof or rear seats for discounted prices. If you could sell a brand new bare bones Jeep for $20k I think they'd sell like crazy.
calcato@reddit (OP)
Oh totally, I'd buy one. And just pay extra for doors and a roof. Perfect.