real world EVs review

[Lightflyer1]

They might be able to limit their exposure. Don't know about the article here but they are trying. I agree that it needs cleaned up and rebuilt. But we will be on the hook for it no matter what. Even if we do get it done using tax payer money and the shipping entities are eventually held liable, we will still never see the money paid in by taxpayers returned ever.

Could ‘Titanic law’ protect owner of ship in Baltimore bridge crash?

The owner has filed a petition in federal court to limit its liability in the incident

www.independent.co.uk

 

[turbobrick240]

It'll be interesting to see what kind of bridge design they replace it with. Some sort of suspension bridge would be more aestheticly pleasing, imo. Whatever type, I bet it will have more substantial structures protecting the supports.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

They might be able to limit their exposure. Don't know about the article here but they are trying. I agree that it needs cleaned up and rebuilt. But we will be on the hook for it no matter what. Even if we do get it done using tax payer money and the shipping entities are eventually held liable, we will still never see the money paid in by taxpayers returned ever.

The bridge is part of the interstate highway system. Interstates are largely, if not entirely, funded with federal money. That this bridge collapsed and the federal government is funding replacement I put in the category of "it's a big country, stuff happens."

 

[Lightflyer1]

Stuff does happen, but doesn't mean you can destroy infrastructure and not be held liable for the cost. This didn't just happen. There is a reason. Not like some freak wind just blew it off course and there was nothing they could do.

 

[oilhammer]

Yeah, who do I send the bill to for my homeowner's insurance rates that went up after a bunch of nut jobs crashed planes into buildings in 2001?

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

I'm sure the litigation will be interesting. The courts will have to determine, among other things, whether or not the shipping company is responsible for a mechanical failure. I wouldn't be surprised if their liability is somehow limited.

 

[Lightflyer1]

The article I linked to seems to say that they do have some method to limit liability. Still the majority is going to come out of the taxpayer's pocket who was in no way involved with any of this.

 

[Zak99b5]

Just add it to the federal debt. A drop in the proverbial bucket.

 

[tikal]

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/04/ford-to-delay-all-electric-suv-to-focus-on-hybrid-vehicles.html?

 

[Iowa TDI]

I pay next to nothing for tags for my 2006 F350 that weighs 8000lbs, almost $200 a year for my 2014 TDI that weighs nothing, $50 a year for 2013 Honda CRV that weighs nothing, $650 year for 2022 Tesla Model 3(4200lbs) and over $600 a year for wifes 2021 Tesla Model Y(4200lbs). There is an extra EV fee tacked on to the Teslas. There is no rhyme or reason for the fees that are charged. As for the EV conversation, there is Tesla, and then there is everyone else trying to be Tesla. Tesla does 1 thing, EVs. All other manufacturers are at a 15 year disadvantage. They will never catch up. If the government would quit mandating the EV crap then those automakers could go back to making ICE vehicles. That's what they are good at. Putting an electric motor in a ICE chassis does not make an EV. Tesla sells direct to consumer and has a $0 advertising budget. Until other manufacturers figure out what Musk has, they will struggle. I am not a Tesla fanboy believe it or not, but the cars are amazing with what they are capable of in all weather conditions. The safety of them is 2nd to none and I have hurt lots of "fast" cars' feelings in spirited driving events. I don't think they are for everyone, but unless you have owned one, I don't think you know what you are talking about. Just my opinion, yours may vary.

 

[gearheadgrrrl]

You sure sound like a TSLA fan...

I live just a bit north of you in southwest Minnesota and electric cars are not real useful here- Charging infrastructure is pretty thin and cold weather range decrease is a factor too. TSLA are totally useless because the nearest service facility is 180 miles away. So if I could afford an EV and it fit my needs, it would be a Ford or GM product because several of their dealers within 50 miles of me service EVs.

 

[gulfcoastguy]

You sure sound like a TSLA fan...

I live just a bit north of you in southwest Minnesota and electric cars are not real useful here- Charging infrastructure is pretty thin and cold weather range decrease is a factor too. TSLA are totally useless because the nearest service facility is 180 miles away. So if I could afford an EV and it fit my needs, it would be a Ford or GM product because several of their dealers within 50 miles of me service EVs.

Pretty much the situation in my state less the cold. Within 20 miles of the same range to a service center also. Add a few other reasons and it’s why I have a VW ID4 instead of a Tesla Model Y.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

That's what they are good at. Putting an electric motor in a ICE chassis does not make an EV.

Auto manufacturers haven't done this for a while, with a few exceptions. Most new car platforms that are EV were designed for EV or for both EV and ICE.

Tesla sells direct to consumer and has a $0 advertising budget.

I bet they do have a budget. At minimum, they maintain a web site. I bet there are other marketing and sales activities going on as well.

Honestly, you do sound like a bit of a fanboy. Tesla makes one of, if not the best EVs in the market. But it's far from perfect, just like most cars.

 

[Iowa TDI]

Auto manufacturers haven't done this for a while, with a few exceptions. Most new car platforms that are EV were designed for EV or for both EV and ICE.

I bet they do have a budget. At minimum, they maintain a web site. I bet there are other marketing and sales activities going on as well.

Honestly, you do sound like a bit of a fanboy. Tesla makes one of, if not the best EVs in the market. But it's far from perfect, just like most cars.

Call me a fanboy but I don't see an EV in your sig so you wouldn't know what is good or not with any EV unless you have owned one. If I told you what was so great or crappy about a Jetta, having never owned one, do my words really carry any weight with you? Not really. They do not advertise and everyone has a website. Have you ever seen a Tesla commercial, ever? Ford spends billions with a B on advertising as do other manufacturer. You the consumer pay for that in the price of the vehicles. Most new EVs are designed off of a variant of another model car ICE car they have. There are very few "new" designs. I've been in MN many times. Had no issues getting anywhere. Not sure what an EV with less range would do for you if you claim to have a small charging infrastructure, but I guess that's your prerogative. I don't need a Tesla service station close. In 140k miles I have rotated tires and added washer fluid. They will also come right to your house. You just type your problem into your phone, its called Tesla mobile service. Lots of "I heards" and "my buddy told me" stuff abut EVs out there. Very few real world experience. Yes I do like my Teslas but as with any product that is good, there is lots of unwarranted hate. But I don't like their customer service during the sale. But I think you will find fault with anything if you look hard enough.
As for the ID4 I talked to the owner of one the other day. I like them, sharp cars but not much of a charging infrastructure and not much range. Once again, EVs are not for everyone but its hard to pass judgement without first experiencing ownership.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

I've driven a bunch of Teslas, know a number of people who own them, including a co-worker here at IDParts.

Since you think you have to own a car to have an opinion about it, I'll share his: Overall he likes the car, feels it's a big step ahead of the ID.4 he owned prior to the Model 3. Charging infrastructure is key to his happy ownership and use: it was a major weakness of the ID.4. And Tesla has a big advantage over VW in efficiency, although he recently told me that Rivian now has superior motor tech to Tesla.

He has (not surprisingly) owned a number of TDIs, and feels by comparison the Model 3 feels heavy (because it is), road noise is higher than it should be, and the ride is not as compliant as it could be. Steering is completely without feel. He wouldn't, nor have I heard anyone else describe the Model 3 as a driver's car. He feels his M-B E320 CDI, or my BMW 335d are superior to the Model 3 in that respect. Acceleration isn't everything.

And of course he has to overlook the spotty fit and finish. Durability is an unknown sine he's not had it very long, but he's not concerned about it. People seem to have good experiences there, overall.

Don't get me wrong: both he and I think the Model 3 is a very good car, and probably the best EV value in the market right now. But in the pantheon of automobiles, it's not the best ever.

There's no doubt that VW TDIs have their flaws. I've been driving my B4 Passat a fair amount lately and I can't help but think most people would find that car totally unsatisfactory. It's old, slow, and loud. But I enjoy it, warts and all.

 

[hskrdu]

I'm going to suggest that ownership is not the required criteria to know if a car is "good" or "bad" (which more accurately is a continuum along some combination of subjective and objective data leading to "I like it/ I don't like it"). Ownership may provide a more in-depth experience than say, a test drive, lease, rental, or other driving experience, but even these compete with historical data from thousands of other owners, rather than one owner's anecdotal experience. Not to dive into what constitutes knowledge, but I haven't owned a Yugo and yet I can claim they were not a good car, based on both subjective and objective historical data associated with most criteria used to evaluate cars. There are still people who "liked" their Yugo, and there are owners for which the Yugo was a "good" car. All of the "good" and "bad" car terminology is just expedient, would need to be defined, and is largely determined by individual needs and preferences.

 

[turbobrick240]

Tesla actually has just recently started dipping their toes into the world of advertising. Mostly in places where it can be highly targeted, like Facebook and YouTube. I think it's a smart move since a lot of the public has misconceptions about pricing, etc.

 

[gearheadgrrrl]

I haven't driven a Tesla because there's none available to drive and nearest dealer is 180 miles away. TSLA's attitude is that I'm supposed to buy the car to test drive it and then try to return it if I don't like it... That works with "Evangelist" fans but not with me. Bough my last vehicle 2 years ago and seriously researched EVs, Tesla was quickly knocked off my list because that mobile service costs a buck a mile both ways and the minimum service charge is $100... Add in sales tax and having TSLA come out to do the annual brake caliper slide line would cost me $500 a year. Throw in TSLA's control of collision repairs and simple but too frequent in rural areas deer strikes that my TDIs have twice survived become totals with the resulting well documented insurance costs.

Looked into the Chevy Bolt and Ford Mach II EVs and they're good cars, sadly 2 years ago both were sold out so no demos available. The Mach II is too expensive for my VW budget but the Bolt looks like a good Golf alternative. But then I do the numbers, consider that my 21 year old golf is still rad worthy while the Bolt and most EVs may only have a 10 year life, and the Bolt would have to be rebated down to around $10K before it's operating costs could compete with the Golf. oil hammer works on a lot of TDIs and Bolts and has reported that parts for the Bolts predecessor, the Volt, are already becoming NLA which does not build well for the Bolt's future, and TSLA is notorious for bricking older models.

Then there's the charging problem... Latest stats for my county are 39 EVs in a county with 25K population. Surrounding counties have even lower to no EV penetration and to the west in SD it's pretty hopeless. I frequently travel to MSP, Moorhead, Omaha, etc. and the charging situation is iffy and it's unlikely to improve- Population density out here is so low that small town gas stations are going out of business, and there's little funding for charger repair when they die.

It's hard t make a case for EVs out here but I'll seriously consider them when I shop for a new car around 2027.

 

[Iowa TDI]

I hit a deer doing 74mph....but you know what...this thread is pointless. I'm done fellas. I accept defeat. Ill go back to trying to figure out why my POS TDI brake lights wont shut off.

 

[gearheadgrrrl]

I hit a deer doing 74mph....but you know what...this thread is pointless. I'm done fellas. I accept defeat. Ill go back to trying to figure out why my POS TDI brake lights wont shut off.

Sorry, TSLA evangelists tend to lose interest here- Unlike many forums we treat them with respect as we honestly discuss the pros and cons of EVs. Now what can we do to fix those brake lights?

 

[El Dobro]

I was over in the park, across the street, and someone had a Cybertruck parked there. I took a few photos and posted them in my media.

 

[turbobrick240]

I was over in the park, across the street, and someone had a Cybertruck parked there. I took a few photos and posted them in my media.

Cool. It's a goofy looking vehicle for sure. I wonder if the owners ever get tired of the attention they draw. Sometimes it's nice to be incognito. Jealous of the green grass there, but I'm going to enjoy the eclipse up here tomorrow!

 

[tikal]

Mass. family among Tesla owners who waited hours to charge car after total solar eclipse

The rush to get home from Vermont was made worse for electric vehicle owners who were searching for charging stations, only to find them with lines dozens of cars deep.

www.wcvb.com

"The Livesey family waited more than four hours to charge their Tesla and the last ticket they handed out before leaving was No. 189, and they saw more vehicles pulling up to the stations."

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

I'm always game to point out disadvantages of EVs and the charging network, but in this case I have to think that people should have done a little planning and not expected available chargers right after an event that attracted a big crowd from many miles away.

 

[J_dude]

No matter what technology people have at their disposal, they will find ways to be stupid.

 

[gearheadgrrrl]

I'm still amazed how so many people run out of gas in a big city where there's gas stations every few blocks.

 

[Lightflyer1]

No matter what technology people have at their disposal, they will find ways to be stupid.

ie:

Dad Takes Aim at Cruise Staff After Son’s Fatal Jump

Francel Parker told his hometown newspaper that his family doesn’t drink, so he’s unsure how his son got so drunk just before he leaped to his death in the Caribbean.

www.thedailybeast.com

 

[turbobrick240]

Stuff happens. We were headed up about 80 miles N, NW to get into the eclipse totality zone Mon. when my serpentine belt broke about 25 miles in. Luckily about a tenth of a mile from an O'Reillys that had the belt in stock. Pretty easy job on the 2.5 I5, but enough to derail the trip. Just as well really, traffic was jammed up along the route we were going to take for hours following the eclipse. Got a good look from the O'Reilly parking lot.

 

[El Dobro]

I guess the word hasn't gotten out in NJ that EV's are out and hybrids are in. I'm seeing more Lucids and Rivians on the roads, Mach-Es and Lightnings are popping out and now I'm seeing two and three Teslas in driveways. A guy right around the corner from me has a Lyriq.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/15/tesla-shares-dip-in-premarket-trade-on-global-layoff-reports.html