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Author Topic: Are there any simple cars left?  (Read 2998 times)

Offline Stalwart

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Are there any simple cars left?
« on: April 19, 2011, 10:41:53 PM »
I was watching the thread about the liquid driven engine cooling fan.  I'm not an engine guy or even a good automotive consumer, but I still have an opinion, and I have a question for you guys that know.

Would it be possible to build a car today that doesn't require all the computer gadgetry, where you could take care of it yourself in your garage with a decent set of hand tools?  If so, I want one.
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Offline Jayhawk

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Re: Are there any simple cars left?
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2011, 10:43:11 PM »
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Offline flight17

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Re: Are there any simple cars left?
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2011, 10:50:12 PM »
ill ponder you this...

Everyone says we have to lower emmissions of our engines. We burn more fuel trying to lower the emissions than if we just left the engines alone. Semi trucks used to get relatively good mileage, now they are lucky to get 6 miles/gallon.

My school buses have some system on them to lower emissions. But you have to burn off all the crap that is left in the exhaust system every now and then. And if you dont, then the engine shuts off. It takes 45min to run the cleaning system and if you are on the road and it stops, STBY. That happened to my driver when he got his bus. Started his route in the morning and his bus just stopped moving.

So we are so concerned about lowering emissions and getting better mileage that we have complicated the entire vehicles to the point where they are worse than before.

Now thats my non-mechanic opinion, but its based off of all the conversations i have had with my two uncles who are mechanics.
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Offline Stalwart

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Re: Are there any simple cars left?
« Reply #3 on: April 19, 2011, 10:50:57 PM »
lol Jayhawk.  :rofl   Got a family varient?  :aok
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Offline Tec

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Re: Are there any simple cars left?
« Reply #4 on: April 19, 2011, 10:53:37 PM »
Quote from: Stalwart on April 19, 2011, 10:41:53 PM
Would it be possible to build a car today that doesn't require all the computer gadgetry, where you could take care of it yourself in your garage with a decent set of hand tools?  If so, I want one.

Yes and No.  I'm not positive but I think thanks to CARB and other government agencies all new cars are required to conform to some sort of standards with regards to OBD, which ties in with emission controls.  The other thing is I'm almost positive that some cars are intentionally a pain in the bellybutton to fix so that you spend more money at the dealership(ever looked under the hood of an Audi?).

The good news is you can still own a car that you can work on yourself at home, it will just have to come from the early 90s or previous.
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Offline flight17

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Re: Are there any simple cars left?
« Reply #5 on: April 19, 2011, 10:55:48 PM »
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Offline MachFly

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Re: Are there any simple cars left?
« Reply #6 on: April 19, 2011, 11:07:25 PM »
Quote from: Stalwart on April 19, 2011, 10:41:53 PM
I was watching the thread about the liquid driven engine cooling fan.  I'm not an engine guy or even a good automotive consumer, but I still have an opinion, and I have a question for you guys that know.

Would it be possible to build a car today that doesn't require all the computer gadgetry, where you could take care of it yourself in your garage with a decent set of hand tools?  If so, I want one.

I can't think of anything that you can do with a "decent set of hand tools" because each job requires a specific took. But it is perfectly possibly to work on your car in your garage, sure it will take you time to learn everything but it can be done (in the end it's fun and very rewording). I don't think there are any modern cars that are completely without computers, but I'm sure you can find something that's a "few" years old.
I do most of the work on my car myself, not a big fan of trusting mechanics. I also know that there are a good number of people on the forum who do everything themselves.

Computers can also be reprogrammed and tuned the way you like it. No need the keep the manufacturer's settings.
« Last Edit: April 19, 2011, 11:09:31 PM by MachFly »
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Offline saggs

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Re: Are there any simple cars left?
« Reply #7 on: April 20, 2011, 12:01:08 AM »
Quote from: Stalwart on April 19, 2011, 10:41:53 PM

Would it be possible to build a car today that doesn't require all the computer gadgetry, where you could take care of it yourself in your garage with a decent set of hand tools?  If so, I want one.

Yes.

They're called kit cars.

Like this one



If your talking about an auto company making a car without a computer, (ECU) it ain't gonna happen.
« Last Edit: April 20, 2011, 12:03:17 AM by saggs »
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Offline 5PointOh

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Re: Are there any simple cars left?
« Reply #8 on: April 20, 2011, 12:37:01 AM »
Quote from: Stalwart on April 19, 2011, 10:41:53 PM
I was watching the thread about the liquid driven engine cooling fan.  I'm not an engine guy or even a good automotive consumer, but I still have an opinion, and I have a question for you guys that know.

Would it be possible to build a car today that doesn't require all the computer gadgetry, where you could take care of it yourself in your garage with a decent set of hand tools?  If so, I want one.
It would be very possible, but it wouldn't sell all that well.  The general consumer does not want a car that's easy to work on.  They want a car that's comfortable, reliable and is a good value.  Also as technology evolves so will the car.  Any car is easy to work on if you have the information, space, and understanding of how the vehicle works.  Now days as with anything a strong understanding of electrical circuits is very important as many of these cars are using multiplex and CAN communications.

With that being said, cars are not made purposely difficult for repair, but in order for the consumer to get roomier cabins, better fuel econs, and more features on the inside it does seem like it. Lets face it, electronic controlled cars are more efficent than the old fashioned carburated cars. 

70 BOSS Mustang


1970 Boss 302 Mustang
Engine Type: V8
Displacement: 5000 cc
Horsepower: 290 bhp @ 5800 rpm
Torque: 290 lb-ft @ 4300 rpm
Performance 0-60 mph: 6.9 sec
0-100 mph: --.- sec
Quarter Mile: 14.6 sec @ 98 mph



2012 Boss 302 Mustang
Engine Type: V8
Displacement: 302.1 cu in/4951 cc
Horsepower:444 hp @ 7500 rpm 
Torque: 380lb-ft @ 4500 rpm
Performance 0-60 mph: 4.0  sec
0-100 mph: 9.2 sec
Quarter Mile: 12.3 sec @ 115.8 mph
LATERAL ACCELERATION:  0.98 g (avg)
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH:  108 ft   

You have to admit, technology is nice.  The Lateral accel and braking the 70 would never be able to keep up.   
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Offline Nilsen

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Re: Are there any simple cars left?
« Reply #9 on: April 20, 2011, 01:17:42 AM »
Why would you want to take care of your car with your own tools??? Just imagine all the dirt and stuff you would get on your clothes, hands and UNDER your fingernails. What if your iphone rings while you have all that filth on your hands?

Yuck.. no thanks!  :frown:
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Offline Debrody

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Re: Are there any simple cars left?
« Reply #10 on: April 20, 2011, 02:04:40 AM »
1989 Lada 2107
4 cilinders, 75 hp, 1497 ccm
max speed: 100mph
0-60mph: 16 secs
rear wheel drive, weights 850kgs, about 1900 pounds /so much fun in the winter/
Cost: around 500-700 bucks

Anything newer?  i dont think so.
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Offline infowars

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Re: Are there any simple cars left?
« Reply #11 on: April 20, 2011, 02:24:20 AM »
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Offline Pigslilspaz

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Re: Are there any simple cars left?
« Reply #12 on: April 20, 2011, 03:40:53 AM »
Quote from: Nilsen on April 20, 2011, 01:17:42 AM
Why would you want to take care of your car with your own tools??? Just imagine all the dirt and stuff you would get on your clothes, hands and UNDER your fingernails. What if your iphone rings while you have all that filth on your hands?

Yuck.. no thanks!  :frown:
:rofl
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Offline Wildcat1

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Re: Are there any simple cars left?
« Reply #13 on: April 20, 2011, 04:50:14 AM »
Quote from: Nilsen on April 20, 2011, 01:17:42 AM
Why would you want to take care of your car with your own tools??? Just imagine all the dirt and stuff you would get on your clothes, hands and UNDER your fingernails. What if your iphone rings while you have all that filth on your hands?

Yuck.. no thanks!  :frown:

 :rofl :aok

Mustangs are rather "simple" cars to work on IMO. most jobs on my '03 take relatively little time
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Offline Angus

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Re: Are there any simple cars left?
« Reply #14 on: April 20, 2011, 06:54:22 AM »
DeBrody has it. LOL, old Ladas, all manual, not so reliable, but fun to drive and easy to fix. I had 3 of those.
I did get one to 110 mph, and would do the 70 mph on a gravel road only 500 m. long. 13 secs to the 60 mph.
But if there will be an arrival of a SIMPLE car, I'll be all ears. Even the blimming tractors are too complicated.
My guess is that the Chinese might come up with something, maybe an old design, and small enough to pass basic regulations. Or the Indians....
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