I'm likely going to do the same thing, when my current car needs to be replaced. I'll get something pre-2018, when the rear view cameras became mandatory..
"When I took my Mercedes into the shop back in the day, they gave me a loaner with what looked like an Apple laptop on the dashboard. I asked for something else, and they told me tech was the future. I groaned.
Every day, I cover the increasing push into high-tech vehicles that help drivers stay in their lane, avoid obstacles, show alternate travel routes, display camera images of ground clearance. The list goes on and on.."
https://www.yahoo.com/news/bought-old-bmw-husband-apologized-120057113.html
The main problem for me, is they have effectively put you at their mercy, for any, and everything, and then raised the fucking cost, just to get one more stroke out of you, in the ass fucking you're taking. Then, they bullshit you about how much better, and easier it is. At least give me enough respect to be honest. Look me in the eye, and ask me if I want a kiss, while you fuck me.
When I was working, I had to take my tractor in for an issue with the emissions system. It's an additional 2k lbs. of weight, and a complete nightmare for everyone, especially mechanics. A tractor has 3 check engine lights, a solid, and a flashing amber, both for emissions, and a red, which means your tractor will shut off, in a few seconds, so you don't destroy it. Anyway, I brought it in for the repairs, and a P.M., and told them I needed a loaner. They proceeded to provide me, with a tractor that had an automatic transmission. I sighed, and asked if they had a manual, and they chuckled and told me, they no longer buy tractors with manuals, unless it's a lease. I don't know if you have ever tried to stop a vehicle towing a trailer, but when you have to stop hard, and it's snowing, it's hard to keep things in line, if you can't down shift. Even though the new equipment has anti lock brakes, they can still lock up, if you're empty. Especially trailers. I couldn't get used to it. It drove me nutty, getting in, and reaching for a stick thet wasn't there, and looking for a clutch that didn't exist. When I was leaving, they had a hard time finding a guy who could drive a manual. If you don't take your final test drive with a stick, you are restricted to an automatic. EVERY, and I do mean every freight company that we dealt with, was switching over, because they couldn't find young drivers capable of driving a stick. In fact, as you drive down the high way, if you see a semi, that isn't all obviously older, or owned by an owner/operator, chances are, it's an automatic, and the drive is clueless. If you happen to be on a slippery road, avoid those that are modern, because you never know, what one wrong tap of the brake will do. And if you see it coming up in your rear view, be ready.
Sometimes, technology sucks, and often, is worse then time tested ways.
