7 Popular Cars WITHOUT Computer Chips (With Pictures)

Currently, the automobile industry is experiencing a shortage of computer chips. Since most vehicles need microchips, this shortage has drastically reduced their production rate and sales volumes.

Many automakers are battling this shortage by decreasing the number of computer chips in their cars, but this may affect the performance of such vehicles. If you want to buy a vehicle with the latest in automobile gadgetry, purchasing vehicles with computer chips might be your best option.

However, if you want something without microchips, then you should read this article to the end.

Table of Contents

1. Jeep Wrangler Sport

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Demands for the Jeep Wrangler Sport trim, alongside other Wrangler trim levels, have skyrocketed in recent years.

In 2020, Jeep’s Toledo factory in Ohio produced over 200,000 Jeep Wranglers to meet the demand of lovers.

Reports even state that Jeep may need to expand its Toledo factory to accommodate the high demands for the nameplate.

Owing to the absence of high-tech features in the vehicle, the Jeep Wrangler Sport needs no computer chip.

Instead of the usual anti-theft devices in most cars, the Sport trim relies on a mechanical engine immobilizer to prevent the theft of the vehicle.

Tech-laden cars use safety features like Automatic Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Warning to prevent collision.

The Jeep Wrangler Sport has no alternative. Instead, it uses protection bars to guard the body of the vehicle from being damaged after a collision.

Don’t expect any advanced infotainment systems in this car.

Entertainment in the Wrangler Sport trim comes from an FM stereo and an MP3 player.

2. Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport

According to motorbiscuit.com, Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport has enjoyed popularity since its debut in 1989. Until recently, Mazda sold nothing less than 10,000 units of the Miata model every year.

But increased weight in newer Mazda MX-5 Miata models has lowered consumer interest in the vehicle.

That said, there have been problems with the Mazda MX-5 models over the years.

Most vehicles require computer chips to control the emissions from their powerful engine. With an engine capacity of 2.0 liters 181 and horsepower, the engine in Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport is only about average. So, it is less likely to release excess emissions.

This car has no elaborate tech features.

You won’t find any turbo or luxury drive modes in the Mazda MX-5 Miata. Even the traction control, one of the few tech features of the MX-5 Miata Sport, can only be turned off by pressing a button.

Unlike other cars, you can’t operate the convertible settings in the Mazda MX-5 Miata with a remote.

If you want to open the top of the vehicle, you’ll have to flick a latch beside the driver’s seat with your hands.

What’s impressive about this retro-like Mazda model is that it doesn’t look old from the outside.

So, you can drive the vehicle around the city without worrying about your car looking inferior to other cars on the road.

3. Mitsubishi i-MiEV

The i-MiEV became popular in 2013 when several government organizations purchased the model.

The Mitsubishi i-MiEV sold over 33,000 units worldwide. However, the automaker only gets to sell a few units of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV these days.

The Mitsubishi i-MiEV uses microcontrollers to power its tech features. Thanks to the microcontrollers in the i-Miev, users can keep enjoying high performance and luxury features even in this chip shortage era.

Standard technological specs in the Mitsubishi i-MiEV are keyless entry, heated seats, anti-lock braking system, and drive modes.

The microcontroller in the i-Miev model is a CMOS type, which is known for low power consumption and resistance to noise.

Also, explore some popular cars without immobilizers.

4. Nissan Frontier

The Nissan Frontier has retained its popularity for over a decade.

Just as it sold over 70,000 units in 2005, this Nissan model has already accumulated a sales volume of 38,000 this year (2021).

The only safety features in the Nissan Frontier are airbags and traction control, which require no computer chip to operate.

The vehicle only allows entry through the use of a mechanical key.

It’s difficult to find a Bluetooth connection on a Nissan Frontier trim. The Bluetooth feature is only available on the highest trim level of the Nissan Frontier.

In the rest of the trims, a radio provides the entertainment.

Usually, modern engine systems require microchips to monitor their operation. But since the Nissan Frontier still retains the same engine design used from 2005, its engine does not need computer chips to work.

5. Tesla Model 3 (2022 model)

The Tesla Model 3 is the 16^th most popular car in the world.

Despite being launched only a couple of years ago, the model has managed to accumulate a sales volume of 439,700 units in 2020.

Previous Tesla Model 3 vehicles came with several microchips. But Tesla is responding to the recent computer chip shortage in the automobile industry by replacing microchips with microcontrollers.

Just like microchips, microcontrollers can power high-tech features like parking sensors, infotainment systems, and anti-lock brakes.

6. Nissan 370Z

Before 2010, the Nissan 370z was popular. It always exceeded the 10,000 mark in its annual sales volumes.

But in recent times, sales of Nissan 370Z have suffered a serious breakdown. Nissan has only sold about 37 units of its 370Z model since the beginning of 2021. The drop in sales volume of Nissan 370Z might be due to the absence of engine upgrades.

Nissan has not upgraded its 370Z engine since its debut model in 2009. So, the vehicle can control its old engine without microchips.

The fact that the Nissan 370Z engine has lasted for so long demonstrates its strength. So, you’ll enjoy this car if you don’t care about luxury features in your vehicle.

The downside to using this model is that you won’t get any advanced safety features. The only components in the 370Z that protect its occupants from injury are the airbags and traction control.

As boring as this Nissan model seems, you can still have an exciting ride while traveling to your destination. The Nissan 370Z has a USB connection that lets you connect your phone to the car’s audio system.

7. Ram 1500 Classic

There are no records of the actual sales volume for the Ram 1500 Classic.

However, research reveals that the introduction of the pickup truck led to a considerable rise in the sales of the Ram 1500 series.

Before the debut of the Ram 1500 Classic, its predecessor, the Ram 1500, had sold over 600,000 units. The Ram 1500 series was also named the second best-selling truck in 2019.

Do you want to get a new car that hasn’t been affected by the current chip shortage?

Then, you might have to settle for a basic vehicle like the Ram 1500 Classic.

Since it barely has any high-tech components, the Ram 1500 Classic can work without computer chips. Unfortunately, this means that drivers have to forgo modern safety features and driver-assist technologies.

But the Ram 1500 Classic has its benefits.