Ahh. I can feel good about my '96 Escort now

[Mike__M]

Because of this:

"If they still sold cars with manual locks and windows, that's what Bernie would have," per Jane Sanders

from (of all places) a Food & Wine piece that quotes a People article, Neither of which do I regularly read, if ever. Bernie's showing up in unexpected places, he is.

My window used to be manual; now it's not because the handle came off. The lock is getting kind of touchy, too, especially in winter. I admit I had been feeling a little down about having a pretty blue Bernie sticker on my limping old bucket-a-bolts. But now I can rattle around town with my head held high.

So, thank you, Food & Wine, People, and Jane Sanders.

http://www.foodandwine.com/blogs/bernie-sanders-was-paleo-%E2%80%98-paleo-was-thing%E2%80%99

[villager]

1. I really dug the mileage I got on my old 90's-era Escort.

Was somewhere well into the 30's on highways, as I recall. And high 20's/low 30's around town. And I miss a stick shift, too!

On the other hand, yes, the window handles did come off once or twice, and I had to endeavor to "re-attach" them. That car may have met its eventual end anyway, even if it hadn't been "fatally roughed up" in an L.A. intersection...

[HereSince1628]

11. My escort died last summer...after 17 years!

I never thought I'd have a car for so long. And just before I gave up on it, it was still getting 32 mpg on the highway.

[exboyfil]

2. Yes a fellow Luddite

I love my 2002 Cavalier with manual windows and locks. The two vehicles that I have had with power windows and locks I had problems with. The three that I did not (including a 1995 Escort) did not.

[sarge43]

6. "....I had problems with."

That's why I never had power windows and locks. When they crapped out (keep the car long enough and they will), it costs at least two limbs to get them fixed. Manual and my husband can fix.

Sanders has a wood stove in his VT home.

[Kelvin Mace]

3. Well, I won't criticize folks for liking "vintage" cars

But I will point out that you are MUCH safer in newer car than a 20 year old car.

Also, they burn cleaner and are more fuel efficient.

[Mike__M]

5. True enough for safety

But my new health insurance premiums preclude any hope of taking on a car loan payment.
As for fuel efficiency, I an go almost as far on a gallon as my dad can in his Lincoln hybrid, which really surprised me.

[Kelvin Mace]

12. Great,

just drive carefully. Lot of idiots out there

[central scrutinizer]

4. Our '97 Ford Contour still gets 35+ mpg

Has 207,000 miles and runs great - manual transmission

[tk2kewl]

7. I have yet to own a car with electric locks or windows

I do now have a/c though

[Cleita]

8. I had an Escort back then. I forget the year.

My husband finally traded it in for a pick up truck. I really liked it. However, like Bernie, I would prefer a car with stick shift, roll up windows, and no computerized parts.

[SheilaT]

10. Depending on what she means by manual locks,

they still make them.

I despise cars that lock when the car starts moving. Excuse me, I can decide whether or not I want my doors locked, and when I'm inside I almost always want them unlocked. That's actually something I've paid attention to in the past when car shopping. If it wants to lock me in, it's out of consideration.

And the claim that automatic windows invariably go bad probably isn't true. I have 113,500 miles on my Civic, and I know people with upwards of 300k miles, and none of us have needed to fix the automatic window mechanism. Maybe crappy American cars, but not the Japanese and probably not the Swedish or German cars.

Honda was making a basic model Civic until somewhat recently that still had manual windows. Not sure if they still do.

I do drive a manual transmission, and hope to do so until I can no longer drive.

[safeinOhio]

13. Built in Wayne Michigan

By Local 900

[Mike__M]

14. Thank you, Local 900

You did good work.

[safeinOhio]

15. Like my Focus

Built there too. Retired years ago but still a proud Union man.