Whether you're buying a new or used car, unfortunately it's the responsibility of every buyer to learn if the vehicle and the dealer it's purchased from is reputable.
Internet connectivity can be considered as a bad thing because the manufacturer and dealer can spy on you, but you can always refuse it because it costs money to keep a car connected at all times.
It doesn't cost money to keep a car connected - if you are selling the data. It MAKES money.
Especially if you receive 'traffic bounties' from detected infractions (coming soon!), and/or rewards from insurance providers.
Hell, every insurance company USED to beg you to install a tracking chip on your car, so they could monitor your 'habits' (like habitually going 10mph over the limit).
Notice how that has slowly gone away? They don't need to anymore, they just pay your manufacturer for the data.
That's why my 'new' car purchased last week is a 2007 Ford. Still has a CD player. Doesn't have bluetooth or even an option for Sirius.
Never was at a dealer - so no GPS tracking module. Private sale - cash. And only 60k miles.
Yes. I got lucky, VERY lucky. I took the seller out for drinks afterwards, he's a friend.
With the bills that Congress is passing lately, I'm not buying anything that has a screen. I MAY build a kit car next.
The latest batch of imports already have a cabin camera that scans the driver's eyes, performing a HGN. Congress isn't happy with only that and wants a direct BA touch sensor on the steering wheel.
