When Did Cars Become Spaceships?

Rolling Stone ^ | 05.19.2026 | Scott Keogh

[big truck]

M y first car was a 1980 Volkswagen Rabbit. It was a hand-me-down from my mom, manual transmission. You never forget popping clutches, stalling left and right. The car was, let’s say, semi-end-of-life when I got it. It was a classic Volkswagen that, mechanically, ran forever. But it had roll-up windows and the handles had popped off. God knows where the real handles were. We had these vise grips I would use to roll down my window, then hand it to my high school buddies in the back so they could do the same. I’ve got 4,000 memories from inside that vehicle.

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TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Miscellaneous; Travel
KEYWORDS: cars; clickbait

[big truck]

A relevant article from Rolling Stone for once. And one I completely agree with no less.

I've always said that the manufacturer who brings back a manual shifting, naturally aspirated, non- electric windows and locks car/truck would not be able to keep them on the lot.

Throw in a non electronic 4WD system and you'd corner the market.

[1Old Pro]

manual shifting, naturally aspirated, non- electric windows and locks car/truck would not be able to keep them on the lot. Throw in a non electronic 4WD system and you'd corner the market.

Jeep?

[discostu]

Anybody that ditches electronic locks will find their car very popular with thieves. Because no passenger will remember to lock their door.

[Lockbox]

When Did Cars Become a Government Informant?

There, fix it…….

[SpaceBar]

Corporatism and soft fascism have made what consumers want largely irrelevant.

[BitWielder1]

I don't need a spaceship on wheels.
Something with 4 wheels to take me to work, the store and back will cover 99% of my needs.
Nifty electronics is nice if you can afford it but if it doubles the price of a basic car and makes it less reliable besides, then no thanks.

[exnavy]

You just described my 1997 ford ranger! 250,000 miles except, mine is two wheel drive. It does have AC!

[T.B. Yoits]

Anybody that ditches electronic locks will find their car very popular with thieves. Because no passenger will remember to lock their door.

Car owners increasingly leave their car doors unlocked so the glass isn't broken by thieves looking for spare change or other things to steal.

[Resolute Conservative]

I miss my 1980 CJ-7 I was strong armed into getting rid of in 1993 for something that car seats fit into.

[escapefromboston]

We need rare earth minerals so we can put more spyware into our cars

[Jeff Chandler]

Why would anybody prefer a stick shift?

[ansel12]

I want either to totally drive the car, or when it works, the car to totally drive me.
I don’t want this sharing aspect, and we don’t even pick which parts are done by the car or by us, it varies depending on the manufacturer, model year, or which party is in power as government.
Give me a Corvair convertible without seat belts and I will be happy.

[Dr. Sivana]

Anybody that ditches electronic locks will find their car very popular with thieves. Because no passenger will remember to lock their door.

Not if it is a manual. Young thieves can't drive them.

I miss trunks that DON'T have a dashed based button. If I have valuables. I lock them away, out of sight, with the cabin of an old car unlocked. No one has stolen one from me yet,

[stanne]

This week I said a couple of times ‘geeze I wish I could be driving my brother’s ‘68 VW Bug’. My car yells at me all day. Beep. Ding. Buzz

Then the automatic turn off at stops.

Forget rentals. Auto driving death traps. And family and friends with the ‘why don’t you use the rear camera. Why aren’t you using…’

I can parallel park a 4 speed manual Toyota in Manhattan during rush hour. But this! So many distractions and obstructions.

[Brian Griffin]

Visit Turin, Italy to see how closely together cars can be parked.

[Resolute Conservative]

Same way with all the maps crap. I know where I am going and if I need help, I can read a freaking map.

All the indicators and sensors are just a trap to get you in the shop for repairs. I also miss vent windows, turn them around and a poor man’s A/C for when it is not too hot.

[T.B. Yoits]

Why would anybody prefer a stick shift?

So you can actually drive the car.

You have better acceleration and deceleration, especially through turns. Your engine and drive train also lasts longer. Etc. Etc. Etc.

[newfreep]

The first car I bought was a new 1967 Mustang 3-speed at 18.

I never purchased an automatic until my last car in 2022.
Driving in Manual/Sport mode using steering wheel gear-shift paddles, I’ll never go back to a manual - faster & easier to shift for a more “spirited” drive.

[exnavy]

I learned to drive with a three on the tree, i guess i just like to pick my own gear. It is so normal, i don’t even think about shifting.

[Vermont Lt]

The issue is the EPA regulations. The computers keep the emissions down. If you put out a plain old 4 cylinder Jeep you would not be able to keep them on the lot. Getting the computers out of them would make them much easier to work on.