Do you drive a Tesla? If so, go fuck yourself.

Yes, and because of the economy, there's no way I can afford anything approaching a new vehicle.

I'm sure Elon's proud of you.

That's nice.

Depends on the car. Some, like the Hondas I owned, didn't cost me much to operate.

Some certainly didn't. The Accord and the Prelude I owned probably did.

I haven't owned a car in 10 years, so no.

Oh, no. Now, I'm tooling around on one of these babies.



Had to sink some money for fenders, a better seat, basket, lights, and a few other odds and ends that kicked my price for it up to ~$800+. Of course, as soon as I get my tax refund, I'm buying a used car. It'll be fossil powered because there's simply no way I can an electric with even as low of a range as you're driving. And even if I could afford a Leaf, it'd largely be only slightly better than the bike I now ride for my purposes. I need something with range, towing capabilities, and carrying capacity. Not a fucking electric vehicle like that to be had for less than $5K, but there's plenty of fossil-fueled powered ones out there to be had for that price. And if you know what you're doing, you're a lot less likely to get a lemon.

The lack of a decent used market will hurt EVs for some time - I was surprised Steve got a Leaf for $8k, even though depreciation is higher. Which is one of the reasons a PCP deal will screw me when I do make the switch - the company knows it won't make as much at resale so sticks on higher monthly payments... I pay £220 a month on the CX-30 but they'll easily resell it for ~£19k. Payments on a similar spec MX-30 are ~£350 a month.

I bought when many were coming off leases. Back in 2015 you could lease new Leafs almost for free after tax credits. The tax credit went directly to the leasing company. As such the market was flooded with used Leafs off lease and they were cheap. Add on inflation, higher gas prices, and the shortage of parts for new cars, used cars have actually appreciated in value.

Still today you can buy mine for $8K ($4K in 2015 dollars) and it should be good for another 10 years or more. Granted its range is down from 84miles when new to 75 today (it's 8 years old), but the reduction in range is not a straight line, it levels off after the first few years. The batteries outlast the chassis and go on to live lives as static storage.

Here there's a $7500 federal credit for EVs made in NA and many states have additional credits. A Chevy Bolt retails for $27K so with the credit is less than $20K. The average price for a new car these days is $43K.

There are also tax credits for buying used EVs.

EVs are economical. Even without the tax credits.

As soon as solid state batteries make it to production cars, older battery tech cars will flood the market. So says Steve.

That bike looks really good. How much does it weigh? How many watts is the motor and what's its usable range?

I got two of these (his and hers). They weight 65lbs (heavy!) but fold and go in the back of the Leaf. 750watt motor and range is about 60 miles with pedal assist. Top speed around 30mph with the restrictor disabled.

If I had to replace the engine in my current vehicle it wouldn't cost more than 4K so.....no, still not interested in the Tesla

Me either (Tesla). What about EVs in general? Keep in mind a battery replacement is less likely to be needed than an engine replacement. They're likely to outlast the chassis.

Unless it spontaneously bursts the fuck into flames.

Which is also less likely than ICEs.

New Scientist magazine had a fun article way back (it's been over 20 years since I regularly bought it) pointing out the holes in the anti-hydrogen argument by imagining a selling-pitch for the petrol/gasoline engine, with its big tank of highly flammable fuel and the need to create multiple tiny explosions every second.

Been thinking about it. I work from home now so I don't put the mileage on my car like I use to . My old Saturn is thanking me(over 200k miles). Cars are so expensive right now regardless of which way you go. I havent bought a new car in over 20 years and usually just buy used.

https://cyberplace.social/@GossiTheDog/110152415741604588

Apparently they even shared images from Elon's car - there was video of a basement garage which also contained 007's submersible Lotus from The Spy Who Loved Me (Elon bought the car for $600k a year or so back).

Like I needed more reasons never to buy a Tesla.

I am a Borg,
I am a Tesla,
I am a machine,
I am a man.

I record my days,
I share them with the world,
I am a Borg,
I am a Tesla,
I am a machine,
I am a man.

I see the world,
I understand it,
I am a Borg,
I am a Tesla,
I am a machine,
I am a man.

I am the future,
I am the past,
I am the present,
I am the Borg,
I am the Tesla,
I am the machine,
I am the man.

I am everything,
I am nothing,
I am the Borg,
I am the Tesla,
I am the machine,
I am the man.

I am the beginning,
I am the end,
I am the Borg,
I am the Tesla,
I am the machine,
I am the man.

I am all,
I am one,
I am the Borg,
I am the Tesla,
I am the machine,
I am the man.

I'm shocked -- shocked! -- that a company run by a narcissistic, emotionally immature, overgrown frat boy would have the kind of culture that leads to this.

OMG; LOL!

https://twitter.com/paulg/status/1645107536616357888

Went for a test drive of ~10 miles in a Hyundai Kona EV today - not too shabby once I realised I was putting my left foot on the brake (haven't driven an automatic in about 8-10 years) and thus why the accelerator wasn't working.... Lack of revs meant I didn't immediately twig. Once going, very smooth and despite the reviews the ride comfort is not bad (about the same as my Mazda). There's a new model out for 2024 - not sure about the look but could live with it - interior trim is much nicer though. Range of ~260 miles in real world tests (states 300) which would be fine for my requirements. Main draw for Hyundai is that the dealership and service centre is local - most other dealers I have to travel ~2 hours to get to.

There is no service. Maybe you mean warranty related? It is a Hyundai after all.

Automatic? No. Sigh. There are no gears to shift. No clutch.

The neck bending acceleration does take getting used to.

Our services in the UK cover more than the engine/motor. Air-con filters, brakes, tyres, oil (I assume the bearings need some even if there's no gearbox).

And yes, I know it isn't an automatic as no gears, but the driving experience in terms of the pedal system is the same, which is what I meant. No gearstick or clutch, and you push buttons to put it in drive, park or reverse. Without the clutch and not having driven an automatic recently and never having driven an EV before, I forgot to keep my left foot off the pedal.

I'd ask if you're done being a pedantic cunt for the day, but I've watched you post here for years.

There is nothing to service. There are no maintenance items.

To help the dealers, they fabricate reasons to bring them back.

There is a reduction gear, but this is permanently lubricated. No oil change.

Brakes last over 100k miles (180k kms) thanks to regenerative braking.

What are tyres?

I've had mine for 50k and total it has 70k miles. I've replaced tires once. Changed the cabin filter (this does not need a mechanic) a couple times. Same for wiper blades.

Refilled washer fluid a couple times.

No mechanical issues.

Ok maybe you'll need someone to help you with the cabin filter.

Tyres are tires in proper English as she is spoken in the homeland.

Pointing this out to colonials tires me.

And yeah you can skip servicing, but in the UK the aftermarket tends to rely heavily on having a full service history.

So your mum would be fine.

There is no scheduled service, other than bring it in once a year and they'll hook up its data port to their great computer, make tsk tsk sounds, and make sure you pay something.

If the car is unhappy, it'll let you know.

This isn't your dad's Vauxhall.

From his lectures gonna guess that Steve also doesn't know about the MOT.

You sure it doesn't tyre you?

Well, I don't worry about that since I use contract plans on new vehicles and trade them back in after three years (First MOT date).

MOT inspection does not require being gouged by the dealership.

Make sure your tyres pass the 20p test. And your wypers are working.

Cri moar.

On a more serious note, dealerships are sweating the switch to electrics. Their business is only sustainable by a profitable service department.

Especially the Jag and Land rover dealers.

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is out. Too damn expensive. I was really hoping I could actually make one of those work. Finally a midsize sedan with the range to replace my Corolla, a battery pack which won’t take all day to charge, comma-compatible (or will be soon), and it’s not going to fall apart like a Tesla… and it turns out I could buy 2 1/2 Corollas for the price.

I might end up getting a Mirai after all. Between the insane incentives, 3 weeks of rental car credit, and living quite close to a hydrogen station, that might be the better option.