Records reviewed by WIRED show law enforcement agencies are eager to take advantage of the data trails generated by a flood of new internet-connected vehicle features.
There’s been an uptick in people interested in the older Ford F-series trucks and C/K Chevs. Barebones dash, heating & A/C system, radio, glove box. No weird electronic options, to Lowjack, nothing. I’m hopeful of some of the Japanese companies releasing new-model vehicles without all of the extra electronic baloney, but that’s a problem for another day.
Squarebodys were selling for insane prices during COVID but not so much now. I have been wanting to unload my burden K10 shortbed project truck since I’m over it, it just sits in my garage, and I bought a different truck (which is actually road worthy!) but it’s not the right time to sell because I’d be probably losing a couple grand on the deal.
It’s not my daily (that’s an econobox commuter car) but “the burden” is a 76 K10 and the new one is a 2007 Silverado Classic (cat eye) regular cab shortbed 4x4. One is basically the great great grandson of the other.
Closest thing you’ll get to that is an MX-5. Their stringent weight philosophy doesn’t allow for much electronics. I have a '19 club and it weighs ~2350 lbs. Which is like the weight of the wiring harnesses alone of a Tesla. The MX-5/Miata is about as bare bones as it gets for a newer legal vehicle.
Oh, as a potential role model, I definitely advocate for it. Ive owned corvettes, a WRX, GTO, Trans Am, and driven far more powerful and much more expensive cars and believe it or not, it’s by FAR my favorite. Between the driving characteristics, drop top joy, stereo and relative privacy, not to mention the absurdly low price of entry, I personally call it the perfect car. And if you are unsure of that stamp of approval, “Miata is always the answer” is a well known phrase amongst gearheads.
Edit: oh yeah… It’s also reliable and fuel efficient.
TBH, I’m glad to see so many on the road now that I’m seeing fewer MGBs. The Miata’s a worthy successor to foreign-auto roadster: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MG_MGB
I used to see tons of Bs still on the road in Florida back in the 80s. I liked the looks but preferred the TR-6. Spitfires were nice looking too. Dream car would have been an E-type but that was going to have to wait until I became rich & famous. Still haven’t got one! :-(
Got a '97 and yeah, nothing beats it if you’re someone who loves to drive for driving’s sake. Analog instrumentation, no screens, no “click here” buttons, no auto removed making decisions for me, no cameras or microphones or recording devices. It does have a rudimentary “cruise control” - probably a bad omen for things to come - but it only tries to maintain your speed, it doesn’t try to match the speed of the car in front of you or otherwise encourage distracted driving.
The other vehicle I have is a 2005 Wrangler, nearly as analog as the Miata. I can’t imagine getting rid of either in favor of an oversized, rolling surveillance computer.
Of course! Miata is a 5-speed, Jeep is a 6-speed. I can’t imagine driving a Miata w/o a shifter. Pure heresy that would be. If you’re on FB you might like the “Manual Elitist Jerks” group.
I’m not on FB anymore but that does sound right up my alley. When I was on FB I was in the Manual preservation society. Yeah my ND is a 6 sp and that transmission is perfect. Buttery smooth, clutch only takes like 1/2" to engage, I really can’t say enough about that car.
There’s been an uptick in people interested in the older Ford F-series trucks and C/K Chevs. Barebones dash, heating & A/C system, radio, glove box. No weird electronic options, to Lowjack, nothing. I’m hopeful of some of the Japanese companies releasing new-model vehicles without all of the extra electronic baloney, but that’s a problem for another day.
Squarebodys were selling for insane prices during COVID but not so much now. I have been wanting to unload my
burdenK10 shortbed project truck since I’m over it, it just sits in my garage, and I bought a different truck (which is actually road worthy!) but it’s not the right time to sell because I’d be probably losing a couple grand on the deal.They’re handsome trucks, you should find a buyer eventually. What did you snag as a daily driver instead though?
It’s not my daily (that’s an econobox commuter car) but “the burden” is a 76 K10 and the new one is a 2007 Silverado Classic (cat eye) regular cab shortbed 4x4. One is basically the great great grandson of the other.
Solid pick, she’ll treat you right.
Closest thing you’ll get to that is an MX-5. Their stringent weight philosophy doesn’t allow for much electronics. I have a '19 club and it weighs ~2350 lbs. Which is like the weight of the wiring harnesses alone of a Tesla. The MX-5/Miata is about as bare bones as it gets for a newer legal vehicle.
Interesting idea, this bears looking into.
Oh, as a potential role model, I definitely advocate for it. Ive owned corvettes, a WRX, GTO, Trans Am, and driven far more powerful and much more expensive cars and believe it or not, it’s by FAR my favorite. Between the driving characteristics, drop top joy, stereo and relative privacy, not to mention the absurdly low price of entry, I personally call it the perfect car. And if you are unsure of that stamp of approval, “Miata is always the answer” is a well known phrase amongst gearheads.
Edit: oh yeah… It’s also reliable and fuel efficient.
TBH, I’m glad to see so many on the road now that I’m seeing fewer MGBs. The Miata’s a worthy successor to foreign-auto roadster: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MG_MGB
I used to see tons of Bs still on the road in Florida back in the 80s. I liked the looks but preferred the TR-6. Spitfires were nice looking too. Dream car would have been an E-type but that was going to have to wait until I became rich & famous. Still haven’t got one! :-(
Oh yeah, the TR-6’s are spiffy AF. It’s not too late to open a dental practice if you want an E-type though :p
Got a '97 and yeah, nothing beats it if you’re someone who loves to drive for driving’s sake. Analog instrumentation, no screens, no “click here” buttons, no auto removed making decisions for me, no cameras or microphones or recording devices. It does have a rudimentary “cruise control” - probably a bad omen for things to come - but it only tries to maintain your speed, it doesn’t try to match the speed of the car in front of you or otherwise encourage distracted driving.
The other vehicle I have is a 2005 Wrangler, nearly as analog as the Miata. I can’t imagine getting rid of either in favor of an oversized, rolling surveillance computer.
Lmao! My other vehicle is an '11 Wrangler! Please tell me both are manual?
Of course! Miata is a 5-speed, Jeep is a 6-speed. I can’t imagine driving a Miata w/o a shifter. Pure heresy that would be. If you’re on FB you might like the “Manual Elitist Jerks” group.
I’m not on FB anymore but that does sound right up my alley. When I was on FB I was in the Manual preservation society. Yeah my ND is a 6 sp and that transmission is perfect. Buttery smooth, clutch only takes like 1/2" to engage, I really can’t say enough about that car.