Can I hope to defeat telematics in a new car?
Could you recommend a make of vehicle whose spy tech is easy to disable? This is the highest hurdle and single most important factor in my search for a car, so my other preferences and needs fall far second. I would like an electric vehicle or hybrid model with no less cargo room than a Prius, and not larger than a mid-sized station wagon, with a track record of low repairs. Correct me if I'm misinformed, but applying those criteria seems premature until I can identify something I can make private.
I have only ever bought used cars, and have lived the same story many times: I will construct elaborate spreadsheets, research models until I could host a video walk-through of trouble spots to watch for, then will shop and cavil until I make a purchase I'm proud of. Sure, it ends up 25% over my initial budget, but I pat myself on the back for a full 18 months afterwards. Nice work, careful consumer. But it's then the repairs begin, and soon I'm spending $3-4,000 a year maintaining my certified reliable used car.
So, I am searching for a newer used car or a new car whose telematics can be disabled. I have read through discussion boards, but weary quickly at the comments defending the cozy convenience of the corporate surveillance net or chiding people like me for even trying. I don't care. If lacking or disabling spy features means I can't use my car as a phone, that sounds like a win to me. I know a little about cars and have alright technical know-how. Most importantly, I am resolute. I will not drive a car that listens to me or transmits video of my travels. Has anyone had success here?
From my understanding, you can disable it on Toyotas as long as you are fine with not being able to use start/stop in the app or use navigation in the car.
Also, Volkswagens as of my 2018 GTI, at least, still used 3G and the promised free-upgrade to LTE got cancelled so... they don't have any connectivity since since the US 3G network was taken down. I don't know when they stopped using 3G, though, and not sure if 2018 is too old.
E: Regardless, I found this website vehicleprivacyreport.com last week where you can put in a VIN and it'll tell you what data gets collected by the car and how/where to opt-out.
The answer is always the Miata. Even when it comes to cutting all telemetry and still having your infotainment.
As far as an EV, certainly not a Hyundai with Blue link or a Tesla. If you find one that fits the criteria I'd love to know more about it. Every one of my EVs has been spying on me from Day one. š
There's still a Miata?!
I feel you. For similar reasons I plan to drive my 2016 Nissan Versa Sedan (that I've owned from new) into the ground. 165,000+ miles on it and going strong.
(No touchscreen, no backup cams, no on star, no electric windows or locks, manual transmission!)
I honestly don't know what I'll do when it gives up the ghost for good; nothing made after 2017 is remotely appealing to me. I look forward to seeing what the people say, OP.
Same. I'm driving my 2019 Honda Fit LX into the ground as well. Might fall apart from disuse rather than over-driving, though. I purchased used with <9k miles on it, in 2019, currently has around 22k on it. I drive it like 60 to 100 miles in a month, maybe, get about 34-ish mpg which would be better if I drove it more often, but when I do it's mostly highway. To be honest, if OP didn't have the EV/Hybrid requirement, this car would probably be perfect with the magic seats and absolute lack of telemetry included.
Wait. So there is a car made in the last 10 years without telematics? I guess I'm going to read up on the Fit LX. Maybe I could benefit from seat magic.
Not out yet, subject to change and fine print, but the Slate Truck doesn't have a dedicated modem, and you can apparently choose to run it completely off grid if you wish to.
https://www.theverge.com/electric-cars/676036/slate-auto-faq-truck-ev-specs-price-tariff
JUST SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY ALREADY SLATE!!!
The only one I'm really familiar with disabling was the older Nissan Leaf (don't buy one) where my understanding was you could simply yank the sim card out of the module and it would kill the cell connection just like yanking it from your phone would.
The problem you'll likely run into today is that modern devices are moving towards using ESIM's.
I care about this stuff, I care about right to repair, and I don't want to give my money to shitty companies that are doing shitty things... I gave up when we bought the last family/wife vehicle last year. I "bought" it on a lease so it will be gone before it needs major repairs (I hope) and I hope that when it's time to replace it there will be better options available like the slate. In the meantime if I need to hide a body then I'll use my daily driver which is old enough to not have that stuff.
Would disconnecting the antenna/cellular module not be feasible? Im not a car person at all so I really donāt know if this is actually feasible.
I have a few questions for you that might narrow things.
First, which country are you in? I'm assuming the US, but I've been wrong before.
Second, since you're looking for an EV or Hybrid, what's the minimum viable range for you, before you need to gas up or plug in?
Crap. I meant to say, I'm in the U.S. Thanks for asking, so I can clarify.
I would be fine with a range of 150 miles.