I agree. It bugs me that most of the used cars now think keyless entry and keyless start are selling points. I keep it in the back of my mind that if I bought a car what would it cost to take it to a mechanic and have the blackbox/GPS equipment removed. That is becoming difficult too. Many of today’s mechanics are trained in how to read computer diagnostic reports in order to repair cars.
I am with you about PDJT. FJB signed an EO requiring kill switches on new cars starting in 2026, so one hopes PDJT reverses all this crap and lets the market decide not DC.
Probably illegal too.
Answer: Become a "builder"
Get a flood damaged modern pickup or compact pickup. Strip and sell all the body parts.
Do a complete wiring ripout and remove the ABS as well. Buy a simple hotrod harness.
Now you'd have a modern chassis, suspension, brakes and powertrain without all the crap
Install your favorite vintage car or truck body and register it as such. (56 Chevy pickup...1940 Ford Sedan delivery etc)
There are plenty of utoob videos of people doing such builds.
Many of today’s mechanics are trained in how to read computer diagnostic reports in order to repair cars.
Indispensable in diagnostics. Wouldn’t trust anyone under 60 though. They are dying off unfortunately.
I’ve done old car, good mechanic for years.
Not for everyone, though.