Privacy is very important to a lot of people. It doesn't seem like it is to you, but to some of us it really is a reason why a new car is simply unacceptable to us.

There is no reason they couldn't make newer vehicles that are eco friendly without the data collection. Just because you are willing to trade your privacy for marginal emissions gains doesn't mean everyone is.

And I say marginal, because many older vehicles could easily be maintained at a much lower cost than a new vehicle is. And an older vehicle, well maintained, can easily get very close or better than modern vehicles emissions, excluding EVs.

It isn't the age of the car that's the issue so much as maintenance and size. Sedans and coupes are far more ecological than trucks and SUVs.