We can leave Rangers destined for fleet use out of the equation.
Who makes cars that are relatively common with the fewest options/doodads? Manual transmission, roll up windows etc.
And whats the best way to find them?
(I feel like I’ve asked this before)
Mitsubishi mirage. Done.
Lada.
In reply to Fueled by Caffeine :
Craigslist shows zero anywhere near me...
Low option Corollas.
Basic model Versa of about 2009 had AC as an option. Crank windows and radio was an option.
The entry models of Kia/Hyundai are often crank window and AC optional.
When you say, "find them", if you mean used just open you favorite CL city and then with the filters on the left of page choose:
See what comes up.
Kia Rio:
Rio with Manual trans and crank windows
There are quite a few of these on CL with prices ranging from $1k and up with your choice of auto or manual trans.
Time machine to the 1970s and ticket to Europe? le sigh. 
I’m kinda hoping the manual transmission “option” is the gateway into fewer options
In reply to Fueled by Caffeine :
I was going to accuse you of cheating but he never mentioned that they had to be good cars so you get a pass.
In reply to John Welsh :
I was just looking at Echo’s. I’ll have to check into the long term reviews. This is a car I want to take EVERYWHERE
Fueled by Caffeine said:Mitsubishi mirage. Done.
Close second, Nissan versa note.
In reply to John Welsh :
I can’t take the looks of the Versa. The others you mentioned are on the list
The Echo came first but it is the mechanical basis and same drivetrain as the original Scion xB and xA. Great 1.5L.
Nothing fancy. Nary a do-dad to be found.
Super reliable and efficient. Via Scion there are even some mods available to make it sort of sporty.
Low-option Corolla. Possibly some low-end minivan?
I had a Versa rental car once. It was as if it was designed to make people hate driving and embrace autonomous cars. Maybe it wouldn't have been so bad if it had been a manual.
Mazda 2 sport
Are all trucks forbidden? I was going to say a 4cyl Tacoma 2wd.
Out of all the things listed so far, the Mazda 2 seems the least penalty-boxish to me. I mean seriously, I have no problems with no frills cars, but those cars also leave a lot to be desired when it comes to things like ergonomic comfort, wind and road noise abatement, and steering/throttle/brake feel. Basically the entire human interface is terrible on every ultra cheap car I've ever been in. Sure you can save money and have a car with a simple and easy long life, but you are the one paying for it.
A Lotus Seven?
Jeep Wrangler?
or maybe you can accept that power windows are a pretty proven technology that can be lighter and less likely to fail compared to cheaply made manual window solutions.
Same with automatics, they just work as long as you take care of them and when they die, repair/rebuild them or replace the car (depending on the cost of the car itself).
That said, nearly anything made by Geo or Suzuki would likely fit your desire. Daihatsu perhaps? A Yugo, certainly.
My 00 explorer has power nothing, crank windows, manual locks, not even cruise control
ebonyandivory said:In reply to John Welsh :
I was just looking at Echo’s. I’ll have to check into the long term reviews. This is a car I want to take EVERYWHERE
I keep hearing them
stanger_missle said:Are all trucks forbidden? I was going to say a 4cyl Tacoma 2wd.
Not forbidden but in my own mind, when I write or say “car” I mean car. It’s a pet peeve of mine when someone says “I brought my car in for brake work” and they’re referring to their Yukon or Pickup or Explorer.
If I didn’t have a big family, I’d have just the truck you mentioned or maybe another Ranger. Mine was an ‘88 with vinyl floors, bench seat, manual everything and the 2.0, not even the “upscale” 2.3! I miss that truck!
mad_machine said:ebonyandivory said:In reply to John Welsh :
I was just looking at Echo’s. I’ll have to check into the long term reviews. This is a car I want to take EVERYWHERE
I keep hearing them
Can you say that again?
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