this post was submitted on 12 Feb 2025
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[–] kubica@fedia.io 63 points 2 weeks ago

Don't forget some love for Ford too:

Ford Patents In-Car System That Eavesdrops So It Can Play You Ads Imagine your car playing you an ad based on your destination, vehicle information—and listening to your conversations. https://www.motortrend.com/news/ford-in-vehicle-advertising-patent/

[–] RedEyeFlightControl@lemmy.world 62 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

The only way I'd buy one of these things is on a factory-delete custom order that removes the whole mess. You can still buy some fleet vehicles this way. The day I buy a car that has ads in its unremovable infotainment system will be a cold day in hell. I'll build a fucking car before buying one with ads.

[–] dual_sport_dork@lemmy.world 27 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

I'm well into considering the build a car avenue myself. Since new cars are all bullshit now, I'm seriously tempted to just remove the drivetrain from my truck when it finally conks out and stick a kit built aftermarket EV powertrain in it instead.

For reference, my truck is so dumb it has crank windows. I'd like to keep it that way.

[–] RedEyeFlightControl@lemmy.world 11 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

I have a pickup from the pre-infotainment era, and I've considered how long I'd be able to keep it. Buying an old vehicle from the south an doing a restore is so much more attractive than anything that has touchscreen controls for hvac, media, etc. All of that shit is a massive safety hazard and a huge pain in the ass to use. It's all garbage. Give me knobs and buttons all day long.

[–] sigmaklimgrindset@sopuli.xyz 6 points 2 weeks ago

I have a 2015 Rav 4 that's just on the cusp. It has built in GPS/Infotainment unit that has buttons, and needs to be updated by going to the Toyota website, downloading the software updates onto a USB, and then plugging the USB into the car's port.

Honestly it's the perfect level of tech for me. Sure the built-in maps are a bit outdated now, but I don't need cellular service to navigate around, and I have infotainment and climate buttons on my steering wheel as well as the dashboard.

Praying it lasts another 10 years.

[–] shalafi@lemmy.world 5 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

My 2004 F150 rocks out, except for the mileage.

[–] bizarroland@fedia.io 3 points 2 weeks ago

If I had the space to store it, I would be searching for a second-hand engine and transmission for my 2004.

It's probably a good time to buy them and then hold on to it for five or seven years until it's needed. Rebuild it, slap it in, then keep the other one for a rebuild.

[–] GeeDubHayduke@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 2 weeks ago

I had to do a driving gig for work around last Halloween. The minivan i rented had a control console I'd expect to find on the starship Enterprise. It took me 10 minutes of YouTube to figure out how to turn off the damn parking brake. Fuck that shit.

[–] SlopppyEngineer@lemmy.world 5 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Who knows it will spawn an industry of standardized EV chassis you can buy and 3D print shops for the custom body when regular car producers go too far with spying and nagging.

[–] Bytemeister@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

Cool idea, but probably not going to happen. The outer surface of the car is too important for efficiency and safety to let a product like this exist.

[–] GrumpyDuckling@sh.itjust.works 5 points 2 weeks ago

I've had this idea for awhile to make complete conversion kits for more popular/common vehicles.

I'm debating whether I can get away with an ebike. Work is 25 miles away, which is a long time in the saddle (esp in winter), but a train cuts that to 10 miles in the saddle.

[–] funkless_eck@sh.itjust.works 35 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

They finally did it, the crazy sonnuva bitches finally reached you about your cars extended warranty.

[–] Lemminary@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

Now it's constant, it's everywhere, at every stop. MAKE IT STOOOOP. *gouges out eyeballs*

[–] mipadaitu@lemmy.world 35 points 2 weeks ago
[–] dmtalon@infosec.pub 31 points 2 weeks ago

I'm banking on my 2008 Toyota Tundra will just keep on being a Toyota and not need to be replaced for a LONG LONG time.

[–] shininghero@pawb.social 24 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

First thing I'm doing when I buy a new car is ripping out the internet antennas.

My specs for a car are simple. You drive me to and from either work, or the grocery store. Nothing else.
Equipment that can't perform to spec gets replaced. Equipment that won't perform to spec gets abused until it will, or it can't.

[–] sunzu2@thebrainbin.org 15 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Prolly breach of warranty 🤡

[–] Jambone@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

Yep, and they might even try to slap on a DMCA violation

[–] pezhore@infosec.pub 6 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

I (unfortunately) am in the market for a new-to-me car and I'm so pissed that my only options are either 15+ year old vehicles or spyware on wheels.

I may not rip out any antennas, but I'm damn sure going to try and interfere with them somehow.

[–] Zeoic@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

Look for cars from around 2018. Thats when android auto and car play started being common, but spyware and constant internet connectivity wasn't quite yet.

[–] werefreeatlast@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago
[–] Usernameblankface@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

Sounds like a kit car or rebuild of a less than sporty classic would be ideal for your commuter car.

[–] Magister@lemmy.world 20 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I'm glad my car, a Sorento 2020, in Canada, does not have a modem or a GPS, does not call home, etc and has no Sirius XM

[–] CuddlyCassowary@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago

Same with my 2014 Subaru Outback. I’m holding onto it as long as I can.

[–] Usernameblankface@lemmy.world 17 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Well, I wasn't interested in Jeep before, now I'm decidedly against buying a new one.

[–] scarabic@lemmy.world 5 points 2 weeks ago

I was already decidedly against ever buying one and now I’m just laughing my ass off.

[–] No_Ones_Slick_Like_Gaston@lemmy.world 13 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

How long until you have to buy ad block and uBlock origin for the infotainment?

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 22 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

buy uBlock

my brother, did you pay for uBlock?

Nah but Stellantis will create it so people who bought the extended warranty can add on this perk

[–] roofuskit@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Just rip it out and replace it.

[–] VitoRobles@lemmy.today 12 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I'm sensing a future where cars are becoming like cell phones and laptops, a single unit without replaceable core parts. And they'll have ads built right in.

[–] foggenbooty@lemmy.world 12 points 2 weeks ago

That future is now. Most modern cars have the dashboard computer completely integrated and you can't remove it without crippling the vehicle.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 7 points 2 weeks ago

It's really not that simple. There are basic car functionalities that are built into the infotainment system these days. I've seen some aftermarket fixes but frankly I'd rather just choose a different vehicle.

[–] PattyMcB@lemmy.world 11 points 2 weeks ago

"I'm calling to talk to you about your vehicle's extended warranty"

[–] Atelopus-zeteki@fedia.io 8 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

And just like that, no one ever bought a jeep, ever again.

[–] VitoRobles@lemmy.today 16 points 2 weeks ago

Jeep is rated #16 out of #22 from consumer reports

Guess they really wondered how to go even lower.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 11 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I wish that were the case but humanity has taught us over and over again that they will continuously tolerate more and more corporate bullshit.

[–] Atelopus-zeteki@fedia.io -5 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Wait, what, you mean my saying something in a comment to a post doesn't automagically make that thing happen?!?

[–] ripcord@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)
[–] Atelopus-zeteki@fedia.io -1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)
[–] wewbull@feddit.uk 5 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

There's a market waiting for car without all this crap. Late 2000s level of electronics and aids please. That goes for EVs too.

[–] Bytemeister@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

Yeah. EV's need to tap into "tuner" culture. We need a small, nimble, and simple EV with moderate range and the ability for the layman to replace and upgrade components.

Manufacturers are making 2025 EV F150s, and what the market really wants is 1990 EV Civics.

[–] pr06lefs@lemmy.ml 4 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Still loving my 2002 subaru. Cassette adapter bluetooth is my entertainment/info center lol

[–] Imgonnatrythis@sh.itjust.works -1 points 2 weeks ago

Assume these are at least super cheap and this is an alternative revenue model