Every New Car for Sale Without Air Conditioning

"Michael Woyahn" (michaelwoyahn)
03/16/2016 at 15:31 • Filed to: None

Ever since the annual list of new stick shift cars for sale in the U.S. was released, it made me wonder about what other features, or the lack thereof, are slowly dying in the new car market. This led me on a hunt to find the last few cars soldiering on without standard air conditioning.

Before I get into the details, I would like to point out that not having A/C actually has a lot in common with manual transmissions. Stick shifts normally only poke out of the center consoles of extremely cheap cars, or purpose built cars for enthusiasts. As you will find out, this is the case with cars that do not have standard air conditioning, but the definition of enthusiast will vary per model. Also, please let me know if I missed any cars.

Anyway, out of all the brands selling automobiles on U.S. soil, Chrysler seems to enjoy leaving the air conditioning condenser on the factory floor the most. They offer four different models that do not get standard A/C. These models include the Dodge Dart SE, Jeep Renegade Sport, Jeep Wrangler Sport, and the Jeep Patriot Sport, which is amazingly still for sale, despite debuting in 2006. Interestingly, the Jeeps can be had in their respective version of all wheel drive or four wheel drive, even without air conditioning.

So, the Dart and Renegade can be classified as the models striving to be as cheap as possible, the Wrangler can be classified as an enthusiast’s car, and the Patriot can be classified as the car for enthusiasts of haggling with the cashier at Walmart.

Now, Chrysler isn’t the only manufacturer still leaving A/C out for the common man. Nissan is part of the prestigious club, as well. They still offer the Frontier King Cab S without any extra cooling ability. Keep in mind, the Frontier was introduced in 2005, so it makes more sense for it to still be holding onto its A/C-less feature. However, it is important to note that the base Nissan Versa now comes with air conditioning. That’s right, the cheapest car in America comes with air conditioning as standard equipment, and Chrysler doesn’t include it in their Dart, which costs $5,000 more.

The last brand to not have air conditioning in their models is Porsche. But, in a move that goes against pretty much any other manufacturer, Porsche actually offers an option to delete the air conditioning from their cars. You can remove the A/C from the Cayman GT4, the 911 GT3 RS, and the 911 R. Of course, there is logic behind this decision. Porsche knows that some of their customers are hardcore track day enthusiasts. They want their cars to be as light as possible, and they’re willing to pay for it.

But if you are one of those track day freaks without the new Porsche budget, I would recommend turning to the used market. There are many more options there, like the Pontiac Solstice with wind up windows and, of course, no A/C. You could even find the Patriot, but I wouldn’t recommend it unless you either plan to race it in LeMons or burn it. Air conditioning wouldn’t make a difference then.

Update: I forgot to include the 2015 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, which also does not get standard air conditioning. Thanks ItsSpelledD-R-U!

Photo credit to CarMax, Bow-Mel Chrysler, Top Auto Speed, Wikipedia, Royal Subaru, Cole Subaru, Car and Driver, and Business Insider

DISCUSSION (55)

Party-vi > Michael Woyahn
03/16/2016 at 15:38

I CANNOT PROCESS THIS INFORMATION UNLESS IT IS IN LIST FORM!!! LOUD NOISES!!!

Takuro Spirit > Michael Woyahn
03/16/2016 at 15:40

Speaking of Shit FCA Does Dumbly, can we get a list of new cars and trucks that do not have cabin filters?

Let me start you off: Every 2016 Ram 1500

dogisbadob > Michael Woyahn
03/16/2016 at 15:44

Aren’t the Yaris and Corolla available without AC?

Michael Woyahn > Takuro Spirit
03/16/2016 at 15:44

Wow, they do not get cabin air filters at all? That’s ridiculous!

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Michael Woyahn
03/16/2016 at 15:46

However, it is important to note that the base Nissan Versa now comes with air conditioning. That’s right, the cheapest car in America comes with air conditioning as standard equipment, and Chrysler doesn’t include it in their Dart, which costs $5,000 more.

This, right here, is why FCA (and Chrysler, in particular) is hopeless.

I mean, there are excuses for manual transmissions being the base option, but didn’t this become standard on basically every new car design after about 2000?

The Wrangler does have a very good excuse: It isn’t a modern car in any way. Plus, when you think about it, most of them barely have insulation (if they have a top at all). They’re a total throwback car.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Michael Woyahn
03/16/2016 at 15:47

So you’re telling me that if I get a Frontier, I’m basically buying a GT3?

Takuro Spirit > Michael Woyahn
03/16/2016 at 15:47

Found that shocking my first day here, and the CJDR dealer.

I came from a Mazda dealer, and the only car THEY sell without one is the MX-5, but that makes sense, kinda, since there’s no roof.

But in a $50k+ Ram? LEL.

Michael Woyahn > dogisbadob
03/16/2016 at 15:50

Actually, they both come with A/C as standard now, according to Toyota’s website.

Michael Woyahn > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
03/16/2016 at 15:51

Yes.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Michael Woyahn
03/16/2016 at 15:51

Hey that Pontiac Solstice still has Air Conditioning even without an installed A/C unit. You just put the top down and drive! But seriously, even in my Miata I love having A/C installed at least. I almost never use it but on hot/humid and rainy days, nothing beats being able to stay both dry and cool. Or on long highway stretches on really hot summer days. Or waiting in line for your next auto-x run. Really comes in handy!

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Takuro Spirit
03/16/2016 at 15:51

Chrysler doesn’t seem to give a shit about anything really. Basic cars, build quality and reliability that is dodgy at best and diabolically bad at worst(I’m looking at you Grand Cherokee). Seriously, the new G.C is much less reliable than my 2004 S600, a car well known for its reliability, or rather lack of reliability.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Michael Woyahn
03/16/2016 at 15:51

Yay! Well now I have to find one without AC.

dogisbadob > Takuro Spirit
03/16/2016 at 15:54

Cadillac charges extra for a cabin filter, even on the expensive V-models and CT6!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Party-vi
03/16/2016 at 15:55

Kinja'd!!!

(yes this is a thing now)

dogisbadob > Takuro Spirit
03/16/2016 at 15:55

or worse, a 100k CTS-V

Moves-Like-Senna > Michael Woyahn
03/16/2016 at 15:55

I believe the Mazda 3 comes without AC in base trim (at least here in Canada)

Michael Woyahn > Takuro Spirit
03/16/2016 at 15:56

Yeah, the MX-5 definitely makes sense. I guess that shows how cheap Chrysler is!

Takuro Spirit > dogisbadob
03/16/2016 at 15:56

But at least its an OPTION.

Twism > Michael Woyahn
03/16/2016 at 15:56

I think you don’t get AC in the Mirage ES. the base-model Hyundai Accent and the Kia Rio LX either.

Not sure about the Versa Note, the Chevy Spark or the Ford Fiesta.

dogisbadob > Takuro Spirit
03/16/2016 at 15:57

Yeah, but still. In a 100k Cadillac, it should be standard!

Takuro Spirit > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
03/16/2016 at 15:58

I’m looking at a Patriot right outside my window getting a new CVT, and a dual clutch Dart that’s getting a hydraulic shift actuator that costs more than the CVT going into the Patriot.

Whee!

Michael Woyahn > Eric @ opposite-lock.com
03/16/2016 at 15:58

I totally agree. It’s hard to believe they still make people pay extra for a feature that should be standard in four of their cars!

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > dogisbadob
03/16/2016 at 16:01

I think they were holdouts until pretty recently. Not as sure about the Corolla, but definitely the Yaris.

Steve in Manhattan > Michael Woyahn
03/16/2016 at 16:02

My dad ordered more than one Impala without A/C. In DC. And I had to date in one of them during the summer. Did not get that many dates. Cheap bastard.

Michael Woyahn > Twism
03/16/2016 at 16:08

You actually get A/C as standard in all of those cars. The Mirage even has automatic climate control as standard!

Michael Woyahn > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
03/16/2016 at 16:08

Sounds like a plan!

Dru > Michael Woyahn
03/16/2016 at 16:14

I thought the current Z28 was one of these as well? Or is it rather something that can be deleted as opposed to standard without it?

Michael Woyahn > Moves-Like-Senna
03/16/2016 at 16:15

Interesting! Air conditioning is standard in the U.S. Mazda must have decided you guys didn’t need A/C as standard based off of the climate or some other reason haha.

Nisman > Michael Woyahn
03/16/2016 at 16:16

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Michael Woyahn > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
03/16/2016 at 16:19

Haha! I agree, it’s always nice to have the option of A/C. My family has a Mustang convertible (V6 rental car special) and there was one 95 degree day that I decided to put the top down. That was one sweaty ride to say the least. I definitely regretted not using the A/C!

Twism > Michael Woyahn
03/16/2016 at 16:20

Just checked something.

In the US, you actually don’t get the Mirage ES and the Rio LX (both of these come without AC), but we got them in Canada.

Our Mirage starts at $13 967 (in QC) which would be around $10,600 US.

So Canada gets a lot more cars without AC... guess we’re cheapskates.

Michael Woyahn > Dru
03/16/2016 at 16:21

You’re right, good catch! I’ll update the post.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Michael Woyahn
03/16/2016 at 16:22

Well no, anytime during normal hot conditions the top is down and no AC is used! But having a simple to use top is pretty key there (read: not power operated). I really love how a 90+ day can feel pretty cool with the top and windows down if you get moving fast enough. Top down life is the life!

Michael Woyahn > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
03/16/2016 at 16:26

You’re obviously more hardcore than me haha! But there’s really nothing like a convertible.

Michael Woyahn > Twism
03/16/2016 at 16:27

Interesting! It also probably has to do with your climate too, or something haha!

Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa > Michael Woyahn
03/16/2016 at 16:37

This is actually really interesting, here in Europe it would be pretty hard to find a car that has A/C as an option. Even in the cheaper brands, it is as ubiquitous as front power windows or even a tiny display that shows km/mileage, oil lvl, consumption.

My Alfa Romeo 147, even the early models(early 2000s) were all equipped standard with A/C, but this is in the luxury category, but there were entry models in the luxury segment that had A/C as an option.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Twism
03/16/2016 at 16:43

When you consider the climate in many parts of Canada, combined with the admixture of the population, it makes sense that they would offer cars without A/C.

Twism > Eric @ opposite-lock.com
03/16/2016 at 16:46

Yeah, and the ‘’cheap car’’ culture is also very strong here (most notably in QC). The Echo and the Yaris were best-sellers for a while, and Mazda sold 50-60% of all its Canadian 2 in our province.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Moves-Like-Senna
03/16/2016 at 16:46

The first-gen Mazda3, which is super common/popular up there, came without spoiler. We find their appearance super odd because even the cheapest Mazda3 in the US came with one.

not for canada - australian in disguise > Michael Woyahn
03/16/2016 at 16:53

I think this list is much longer in Canada. I remember my parents having a Kia Rio, completely base model, the only option being the CD player, without A/C. This was a 2009 car. Needless to say, it was absolute hell on earth on long road trips, especially in Western Canada, which is the hottest part of the country in the summer.

Moral of the story: Never take A/C for granted.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Nisman
03/16/2016 at 18:54

I don’t mind not having AC. I just roll down my window.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Michael Woyahn
03/16/2016 at 18:57

Also the Nissan Micra S.

Kinja'd!!!

I Will Always Be The Honey Badger > Takuro Spirit
03/16/2016 at 20:36

easy enough to install. the housing is identical to the one in a caravan or previous Gen 200 I think. FCA was just to cheap to spend the extra $3. you cut a slot in the marked area behind the glove box, slide in the filter, then snap on a cover.

Michael Woyahn > Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa
03/16/2016 at 20:49

I’m surprised! I figured air conditioning would be less popular in Europe for some reason, but that’s obviously not the case.

Michael Woyahn > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock
03/16/2016 at 21:12

The Micra isn’t sold in the U.S. It seems like Canada gets way more cars without air conditioning than the U.S., though!

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Michael Woyahn
03/16/2016 at 21:15

I know that. My Base Model Sonic does not have AC. Where I live, it it did have it I really need it 2-3 months out of the year. If I lived in a warmer climate I sell it and buy car with it.

Michael Woyahn > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock
03/16/2016 at 21:25

That makes sense. It seems like a good way to keep costs down since, as you said, you don’t really need it for your climate.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Michael Woyahn
03/16/2016 at 21:33

It is also less crap to go wrong. The thing is, it is going really hurt on resale value not having it.

ranwhenparked > Michael Woyahn
03/16/2016 at 21:40

Fiat Chrysler: charging extra for something that came standard on the goddamned AMC Spirit.

Michael Woyahn > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock
03/16/2016 at 21:46

Good points. Hopefully you can find someone else who appreciates having a simpler car when you go to sell it! You might be able to get a little more money for it then.

curbwatching > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock
03/17/2016 at 19:51

I love the Micra. An honest economy car. Wish we got them here.

MUGENJIBZ > Michael Woyahn
03/17/2016 at 20:08

Small detail, but the 2016 Porsche Boxster Spyder should be included with its Weissach cousins as well.

sn4cktimes > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock
03/17/2016 at 20:18

If I had the option to delete A/C but add another heated option like a steering wheel, mirrors, front windshield, back seats, etc I’d check that box so hard the dealer would have to get some wood filler.

Michael Woyahn > MUGENJIBZ
03/18/2016 at 11:22

I originally included the Boxster Spyder, but I checked Porsche’s website and they don’t have the Boxster Spyder listed anymore. They only show the 718 Boxster and Boxster S, so I decided to leave the Boxster Spyder out of this list.

MUGENJIBZ > Michael Woyahn
03/18/2016 at 13:25

Gotcha