WHY all this complexity?

[thirdroc17]

Boy, techophiles are touchy, aren't they? If you don't want all the stuff they want, well.................

Standard equipment is just that, standard. Not dealer added packages.

I would like to express my thanks for having choice taken away by techophiles, big auto, and big oil.

 

[bcp]

I've seen state, county, and city trucks they were much more basic than a no-option truck available to a private person through a retail dealer.

They could make a way to add some trucks to those productions runs for private sale, if they wanted.

Bruce

 

[JDgreen227]

I've seen state, county, and city trucks they were much more basic than a no-option truck available to a private person through a retail dealer.

They could make a way to add some trucks to those productions runs for private sale, if they wanted.

Bruce

I used to drive medium duty straight trucks and 1-ton cargo vans purchased by my government employer, the vans were always low-line models with few comfort options. Usually they were purchased under a fleet service program in large numbers. Problem with trying to something like a basic stripped model is that dealers prefer to sell the ones with all the bling bling and power options because that creates a lot of profit. I remember when I purchased my GMC, and I had to buy a truck with the most expensive option package because according to the dealer "It will take you months to get the basic model in the color you want...."

 

[3930dave]

All the "wizardry" as you put it is optional. You can get a basic radio basic controls, hand crank windows and manual locks on a ram. The basic radios and controls I would think are standard on most other makes too.

Trucks, maybe. Dodge does march to a different beat, more so than the other 2 at times - I'm grateful that they still make a stick available with the Cummins. As touched on by others, it can be difficult today to buy a really stripped down truck, as a consumer.

That said, cars are getting tough, and probably SUVs here too - in terms of finding hand crank windows.

Rgds, D.

 

[ultrarunner]

Family buys few new vehicles... I have only bought one in my life and still have it 13 years later.

All new vehicles were specially ordered, built to order and I had no problem waiting up to 6 weeks...

 

[txdon]

Can you still order a vehicle that is built with just the options you want? Who still does it?

 

[aczlan]

Can you still order a vehicle that is built with just the options you want? Who still does it?

To a certain extent, yes. There are some things you can't order though. For example, a stick shift on a Ford or crank windows (can't remember which brand, might have been Ford).
IIRC they said that it was cheaper to put power windows in than stock both window regulators, door panels, etc.

Aaron Z

 

[murph1]

To a certain extent, yes. There are some things you can't order though. For example, a stick shift on a Ford or crank windows (can't remember which brand, might have been Ford).
IIRC they said that it was cheaper to put power windows in than stock both window regulators, door panels, etc.

Aaron Z

Bull, they make you buy a package deal..Try buying just the heated mirrors.

 

[ultrarunner]

Can you still order a vehicle that is built with just the options you want? Who still does it?

I was able to on the BMW. Ordered in California for pickup in Germany... the Dealer was surprised when I did not upgrade to leather interior and I told him I know how the leather holds up down the road and the same for the metallic paints...

Granted... mom's Toyota was ordered in 2001... even then almost everyone had never heard or believed a Toyota could be special ordered... including the Dealers which was a shock.

Have to say it was like pulling teeth... one sales person told me the turnover is so high that by the time the car arrives the guy selling most likely would have moved on...

In all fairness... we gave every dealer the code for the model and options and all said they could locate one... well... guess what... in the 7 state Western region there was not a single Corolla optioned the way she wanted and this was out of thousands... the factory moonroof and side airbags proved most difficult and the S model had just been introduced and it was the only model with charcoal interior.

Had to literally convince the top guy to put in the order and Toyota would build it and that Toyota was Waiting for the order!.. see what happens when you write a letter to the President of Toyota saying you can't find the car your Mom wants... you actually get a letter back in detail!

 

[Todd727]

Can you still order a vehicle that is built with just the options you want? Who still does it?

Sure. I've ordered my last two Ford trucks. Ford puts out an order guide. There are some options that are only part of a package, but there is still quite a bit that you can choose from.

Here is a link to the 2015 Super Duty guide: http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums...-super-duty-order-guide-updated-12-1-2014.pdf

 

[KiwiBro]

Sure.....but you have to attend a 15 minute online seminar to figure out how to open the glove box :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

I'm late to this party, sorry, and haven't read the rest of the thread yet but this post reminded me of a near death episode for a couple here last year:

Couple trapped in keyless car for 13 hours - National - NZ Herald News

 

[Sysop]

:laughing: :laughing: My friend told me the new truck stickered at 55K....have to wonder how many of the "younger set" can afford the payments on one of those....:laughing:

Depends on where you are. Energy sector workers, oil, gas, coal, etc., have more money than they know what to do with in many cases. Most are young guys too. Early 20s and whatnot. I know of a boy who not long ago paid cash on a new Silverado 2500HD diesel, had it "tuned", cracked the Allison transmission in two, and junked the whole truck and went and got another new one... (paid cash for it too)

 

[ultrarunner]

I'm late to this party, sorry, and haven't read the rest of the thread yet but this post reminded me of a near death episode for a couple here last year:

Couple trapped in keyless car for 13 hours - National - NZ Herald News

Same happened to a California High School student napping in her car... only she died... could not get out of the car because once the remote lock feature is activated it can only be opened by the remote key fob or a key in the outside door lock... nothing a person inside can do except try to break out a window... then there is the added problem if the battery goes dead...

The lock feature did what is was intended... that is to thwart thieves... they can pop a window but still can't open the door....

No Escape: California Family Sues BMW After Teen Dies in Locked Car - NBC News

 

[Coyote machine]

Anyone heard of a tire iron? Use it to break glass, if your head isn't hard enough?! Improvise, adapt, overcome... Clint, Heartbreak Ridge.:duh:

 

[wawajake]

Correct me if I am wrong ..... but don't all new cars now need a waY to open the trunk latchfrom inside.........so then remove the rear seat )or fold down on many cars..............and go out the trunk .

 

[Oaktree]

Didn't toyota have a problem maybe 10 years ago where a wire that controlled the power locks/windows would chafe and short out & blow the fuse for that circuit effectively locking occupants in the car? Even the "manual" inside lock buttons were electrical. This was well before the "no key" era.

 

[3930dave]

Buy your family these.

Home - Resqme

Not expensive, and they work well. I've used one to get into a car - unusually hot Spring day here, and I stopped for a late lunch at a quiet plaza. A lady approached me for help, as she'd locked her keys+cell phone in her car, windows up, and her 4 y/o son strapped into a carseat in the middle of the back seat.

Coat hanger wasn't working fast enough, so with her permission I broke the passenger side front window. The boy was fine, and happy to see his Mom.

Recent posts are tragic examples of Too Much Technology and/or Bad Design.

I know car-jacking is common in some parts of the USA. That said, unless you have bulletproof windows, what is to be gained from locking somebody inside your car ?

Rgds, D.

 

[ultrarunner]

The idea is it would look strange to see someone crawling in and out of a high end car and easier to apprehend when doors can't be open...

BMW and other higher end cars were being stolen in Europe never to return... the companies made limiting theft a top priority to the point where flatbedding is just about the only viable option.

 

[3930dave]

The idea is it would look strange to see someone crawling in and out of a high end car and easier to apprehend when doors can't be open...

BMW and other higher end cars were being stolen in Europe never to return... the companies made limiting theft a top priority to the point where flatbedding is just about the only viable option.

Limited deterrent value coupled with increased public safety risk likely led to that design being dropped.

Any competent thief that gained access to the interior of the car would be driving away.

Hooking up cars has long been praticed. I remember reading an account in Car&Driver many years ago about a rare Porsche being stolen from a very secure high-walled compound.

They used a crane.

Rgds, D.

 

[ultrarunner]

The rampant theft rate of high end European cars has been curtailed... even the newer cars like a Toyota have chipped keys making a shaved key problematic...

Don't know what the answer is except as a person dealing with auto theft I was surprised to see just how easy it was to steal older Japanese cars...