Does America need a modern-day K Car?

[docster]

In the '80's, the Chrysler group sold a simple and affordable line of cars based on the K platform. The Dodge Aries, Plymouth Reliant, and Chrysler LeBarron. With the average new car costing $49,000 in the US, do we need a new K car that's simple, affordable, and assembled here? These days it would probably be an SUV, but what do you think?

[MrOracle]

New cars are WAY overpriced. And prior to Trump rolling them back, fuel economy (CAFE) standards forced manufacturers to make terrible decisions to improve fuel economy at the expense of longevity of the car. For example, the trend of using much smaller engines with turbos instead of larger, naturally-aspirated engines has SUBSTANTIALLY reduced the longevity of millions of vehicles, from Honda Civics to F-150s. It's idiotic. And it will take YEARS to undo that mistake, and a huge percentage of people who bought new cars over the last 8 years or so got F-ed over.

But there's something else to consider: Robotaxis.

This is going to include both dedicated Robotaxis (cars specially built for this purpose that operate nearly 24/7) and personally-owned cars that are rented out as Robotaxis. Telsa already has dedicated Robotaxis in several cities - vehicles with no physical controls that completely drive themselves - and this is going to expand SUBSTANTIALLY over the next 2-3 years. For a LOT of people who don't drive much, it's not going to make sense to OWN a car when you can buy a ride whenever you need one. If you don't have to buy, insure, and maintain your own car, that's going to make it much cheaper for you, and will reduce overall traffic on the road. It will also make using mass transit more feasible for many, as they can Robotaxi to a commuter train, say, and not have to worry about parking their car when they get there.

Most people simply have NO IDEA that this technology exists and is actually in use, but we're about to enter a new era when cars literally drive themselves, and seeing "empty" cars driving around will be commonplace, and when your car will drop you off at the front entrance of a store and then go park itself.

And while older non-Tesla EVs will require an adapter, all new EVs made in the US from all brands are going to have a Tesla-style plug and will work on the Tesla charging network - a network that continues to both add new locations and expand and upgrade existing locations. Having one universal plug is a huge deal.

It's certainly true that EVs can't currently meet the needs of every use case, so SOME amount of gasoline/diesel vehicles will be needed for a while, but current Teslas would fully meet the needs of 85% of drivers, and for this group of drivers, the RARE times they'd need to travel long-distance wouldn't be a huge inconvenience, having to stop to charge every 300 or so miles. Most people, especially most people who rarely drive long-distances, need to stop every 4 hours or so anyway. You hook up to a charger, go eat and go to the bathroom, and when you're done, you're ready to go again. It's really no drama, UNLESS you have a non-Tesla and are stuck on the CCS charging system, which in the US are difficult to use and unreliable/in disrepair. With newer vehicles being able to use either Tesla's network OR CCS, it's a non-issue, and CCS will be phased out anyway.

[exitseven]

When I bought my F-150 I made sure to get one with the V-8. They were scarce but I found a couple. The V-6 has10 more horsepower but also has 4 timing chains. and runs at a higher RPM.

[MrOracle]

And the turbos mean that the engine is being constantly stressed. You chose very wisely getting the V8. That said, if it's a 3-valve Triton, you'd better be obsessive about changing the oil every 3000 miles, because the oil passages are too small and they get clogged insanely easily, and once that happens, the entire motor is toast.

[Static_In_The_Attic]

https://www.youtube.com/embed/HcTTfP_3Zfg

As for America we need a lot & when it comes to cars we need cars that are affordable & cars that are reliable. It’s crazy that you basically have to take out a mortgage nowadays because vehicle prices are insane. You are paying more for less.

Why did they call them K cars? I forgot.

[docster]

They called them K cars because that was the company's designation for that body of car and for some reason the public got in on it. I believe the Dodge Shadow / Plymouth Sundance was the P Body, and the Neon was the PL Body, if I recall.

[Static_In_The_Attic]

As a kid I remember going on trips in a 1988 Plymouth Reliant station wagon & that thing was like a tank. My mom had that & dad had an Eagle hatchback. Thanks for the MHO’s & thanks for bringing back memories.

[Anonymous]

It wouldn't bring the price down much because labor and materials are where to cost is, and the technology safety standards are way outdated.

[douride2]

it will never happen. The auto industry doesn't make enough money on cheap reliable economy cars.

[OneViewpoint]

Not a K car LOL, they were trash. But yeah something along those lines would sell. The problem would be that a manufacturer couldn't make the profits they're used to with it. I'll take this one step further.

My first car was a 1969 Chevy Nova 2 door coupe. It had an inline 6 cylinder engine. A 2 speed automatic transmission. It weighed under 3,000 lbs. No power steering. No power brakes. No power windows. No power locks. Bench seats front and rear that could seat 6. An AM/FM radio with one speaker. It was simple. There wasn't much that could break. Most routine service could be done by the average guy.

So what would that look like today. I'm thinking a stripped down Toyota Corolla size sedan or hatchback. In 2025, 2,955 lbs. A 2.0 liter normally aspirated gas engine that is simple and proven, reliable. Keep the current Corolla CVT transmission. Keep the power assisted ABS brakes for safety. Power steering is not necessary in a sub, 3,000 lb car. Keep the safety suite tech package. It's cheap and light and it can save lives. But ditch, cruise control and any touch screen, analog speedometer only, you don't need a tachometer in a car like that. Analog fuel gauge and engine temp gauge. Ditch the power windows and bring back armstrong windows. AM/FM digital radio with one speaker. Good enough. Manual parking brake. Black vinyl bench seats front and rear. 205/55 tires on a 16 inch wheel. Single piston disc brakes with solid rotors front and rear. Make air conditioning an option. No sunroof. 2 colors, white and silver, that's it.

You could probably easily get the Corolla down to 2,700 lbs with a ruthless approach to shedding nonessential crap. You'd have a more reliable, less expensive, cheaper to maintain car that would be cheaper to insure. They could probably get the price under $20,000. Would anyone ever make that car today? Not a chance.

[docster]

A lot of good stuff you mentioned there. I'd rather stay away from CVT's even if they're from Toyota though. Half the problem these days are government regs. Mandatory rear-view camera, tire pressure sensors, CAN bus, and of course, CAFE standards. I guess the solution is a 15+ year old car that's easy to work on.

You mentioned the Nova with the inline 6, I wish more cars these days had those. I read recently that it's one of three engine types that are naturally balanced. The other two being the 60 degree V12 and the flat 6.

[Jersey2]

Today an average K car from 1985 would cost 23,000. But new safety features are needed and expected technology so add $,4,000 to that for a price of $27,000.

The cheapest Tesla now is the 3 at $37,000 and Y at $40,000. If you bought when the government rebates were in place in September, it would have been $29,500 and $32,500.

The model 3 purchased not long ago would have been a great deal as the low maintenance and gas savings would have made up the gap on the K car and then some. Further it would have lasted a lot longer. It was a better deal than the K car when you do the math and is still arguably a better deal now at the current pricing as it will go over 200,000 miles.

[Jersey2]

Oh, and Tesla is the most American made car. Almost all of it. And you constantly get new software so it stays up-to-date… amazing.

[Jersey2]

Buy a used one. You still get over 200,000 miles and low maintenance.

[Pterodon]

Where do I charge one. Not worth a damn on long trips

[Jersey2]

@Pterodon Charge at home and always be topped off. Charge at a supercharger and it takes w5 minutes for a new Y with 327 mile range. Travel 600 miles as I do at times and it’s 2 charges on the road. I go to Buckey’s and when I finish the car is ready. Or I get something to eat as they put the chargers near food and shopping areas or regular convenience stores.

[Pterodon]

Don’t have one at home nor are there any on the routes I take. Don’t want one

[Jersey2]

@Pterodon I figured as much. Anyway over the next 10 years most people will switch to EV and Tesla is the number 1 in the US. You can drive their old combustion engines until they heavily tax them which the Left will eventually do. Better than a K car and it’s US made.

[Pterodon]

I’ll pass

[michael3478]

Nobody trusts American cars anymore because their junk. The 1960s and 1970s was the high point in American cars it went downhill after that.

[exitseven]

There are definitely too many expensive add ons that jack up the price of a car. Most of this stuff we do not need.

[DryGermanGuy]

I would assume Japanese and Korean car makers have a few of such models?

[In_Trance]

We already have it

Ford escape
Hyundai Elantra
Honda civic
Anything Kia

I could go on but you get the point

[Anonymous]

Cars need to be wiped out completely. They are relics of the past.