[Pollard]

I grew up in New England and always made it to work unless snow was so bad that no one went to work, blizzard etc. Biggest thing was having a good battery because they're weak when it's cold. I do prefer fuel injection now of course and engines so tight that they last for 2-300,000 miles. Overdrive transmissions with torque converter lockup gives great improvement on fuel mileage and helps make the engine last longer by keeping the rpm down at high speeds.

Still;

The buzz about AvtoVAZ's Lada Granta Classic -- priced to sell at 678,300 rubles ($12,500) -- is about what it doesn't have: No airbags. No antilock brakes. No electronic stability system. No pretensioners to make the seat belts work properly. No GPS. An engine that complies with emissions standards from 26 years ago.

We sure could use a $12,500 new car here in the US. Maybe make it an even $15k and improve a few things like the seat belts.

Decent looking little cars. At 36mpg, I wouldn't mind having one about now.

[FreedomPoster]

EPA and NHTSA compliance probably costs that much, per car.

[Chickensoup]

Exactly. Basic designs. I think India produces something similar.

[usconservative]

No airbags. No antilock brakes. No electronic stability system. No pretensioners to make the seat belts work properly. No GPS. An engine that complies with emissions standards from 26 years ago.

Makes me wonder how I survived the 70's when I first learned to drive!

[Colorado Doug]

engines so tight that they last for 2-300,000 miles.

Actually, modern oil has as much to do with extended life as do clearances and metallurgy. Even the old engines live longer with today's lubricants.