Updating grandma's car for a college student

[Anonymous]

My mom has decided to give up driving, and she wants to give her car to my son, who will be a college senior next year.

It's a RAV-4 with very few miles (little old lady who only drove it to . . . well, Wegman's, because she doesn't go to church), but it's old enough that it doesn't have a backup camera or Bluetooth. I'd like to get those installed, but I have no idea where. Is there someplace better than Best Buy?

[Anonymous]

Oh no! No Bluetooth! However will your daughter manage?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh no! No Bluetooth! However will your daughter manage?

OP, don't listen to this idiot. Anything that improves the safety of the car or the car driving experience is good.

[Anonymous]

Your son doesn't need either of those things, seriously. I can't even imagine how "installing" a backup camera on an older model car would work - you'd need to set a screen somewhere on the dash, probably exactly where he wants to put his phone for directions.

If you cannot imagine giving him a car without the latest technology, trade grandma's car in for one with whatever tech you're looking for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh no! No Bluetooth! However will your daughter manage?

OP, don't listen to this idiot. Anything that improves the safety of the car or the car driving experience is good.

Good != necessary. Leather heated seats are delightful, but they're not a necessity for a college student.

[Anonymous]

OP I would skip the backup camera as I cannot imagine that would be simple to install. Youngsters can easily turn around to look behind them.

[Anonymous]

I make $400K a year and drive a 15 year old car without a back up camera or blue tooth. I think your son can turn his head an look behind him and also not use gadgets while driving and endanger the rest of us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your son doesn't need either of those things, seriously. I can't even imagine how "installing" a backup camera on an older model car would work - you'd need to set a screen somewhere on the dash, probably exactly where he wants to put his phone for directions.

If you cannot imagine giving him a car without the latest technology, trade grandma's car in for one with whatever tech you're looking for.

A. And yet other people have figured out how to install backup cameras on cars without them and what to do about where to put a screen.
B. Thank you for saying "giving" instead of "gifting."

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't do the backup camera. I don't have one, never have. It's simple.

What you need is a new radio with Bluetooth. Easy easy fix, any car place can swap it out for you. You can buy the radio on Amazon or whatever and take it in with you.

[Anonymous]

Any auto body shop can do these.

And yes, I would agree that cars need bluetooth. It's illegal to drive with a handheld phone now. I had hands free installed on my old car and it was just a matter of a plugging my phone into the radio with a cord (wasn't bluetooth).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your son doesn't need either of those things, seriously. I can't even imagine how "installing" a backup camera on an older model car would work - you'd need to set a screen somewhere on the dash, probably exactly where he wants to put his phone for directions.

If you cannot imagine giving him a car without the latest technology, trade grandma's car in for one with whatever tech you're looking for.

A. And yet other people have figured out how to install backup cameras on cars without them and what to do about where to put a screen.
B. Thank you for saying "giving" instead of "gifting."

If you know the answer to OP's question, you should answer it instead of trying and failing to flex on a PP.

[Anonymous]

We may let my son have his grandmother's 2001 Honda Accord with 65K miles on it to drive at school.

It's in great shape, but not only does it lack a back-up camera and bluetooth ... it only has a cassette player.

(And I think he would be very privileged to have a car at school at all.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your son doesn't need either of those things, seriously. I can't even imagine how "installing" a backup camera on an older model car would work - you'd need to set a screen somewhere on the dash, probably exactly where he wants to put his phone for directions.

If you cannot imagine giving him a car without the latest technology, trade grandma's car in for one with whatever tech you're looking for.

A. And yet other people have figured out how to install backup cameras on cars without them and what to do about where to put a screen.
B. Thank you for saying "giving" instead of "gifting."

If you know the answer to OP's question, you should answer it instead of trying and failing to flex on a PP.

I am OP.

And why aren't you upset that I'm receiving unsolicited advice from strangers telling me not to do what I've decided to do?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't do the backup camera. I don't have one, never have. It's simple.

What you need is a new radio with Bluetooth. Easy easy fix, any car place can swap it out for you. You can buy the radio on Amazon or whatever and take it in with you.

I've always driven older cars with no problem. I got my first car with a backup camera and it is life-changing. SO MUCH SAFER. I don't know if it's possible to install, OP, but I recommend it.*

*Maybe it's a good idea to get used to driving without it first? Maybe that will make him a better driver in the long run? I'm not sure, but I know that I love the camera and will never have a car without it again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP I would skip the backup camera as I cannot imagine that would be simple to install. Youngsters can easily turn around to look behind them.

It actually is a pretty straightforward after-market installation.