Car Talk 6: Best of times and Worst of Times

[Desertbreh]

Electric cars are soulless crotchfruit transporters except for the Air Sapphire. They suck.

[max225]

I don’t think there is much that is cheap about the bmw

I guess? It is disposable though yes? $9K grill and all.

Yes, when I first got it, it wasn’t exactly supposed to be 1 car for 2.5 people … I def need something disposable ala Cartel Condo Runner or SB. As of now work pays for “fuel” as long as it’s electric … and electric is better to treat as a commuter …

I’m not driving a 911T 110 miles, 30 miles through road construction … to park in the scorching sun and have my Tesla driving co workers think I’m sort of kingpin …

The woman will need a car to parade the leech around during the week when I’m slaving. And I’m sorry but I’m not ok with her driving my only heir in a 2010 tsx. If she rams someone I want them to survive and not get crushed into a pulp.

The bmw would retain weekend family car status. Until I replace it with something perhaps more “fun” like a V8 defender or whatever … it’s only here for another 15 months anyways. That’s within parameters.

I don’t currently have a better answer for my own daily

[Desertbreh]

I guess? It is disposable though yes? $9K grill and all.

Yes, when I first got it, it wasn’t exactly supposed to be 1 car for 2.5 people … I def need something disposable ala Cartel Condo Runner or SB. As of now work pays for “fuel” as long as it’s electric … and electric is better to treat as a commuter …

I’m not driving a 911T 110 miles, 30 miles through road construction … to park in the scorching sun and have my Tesla driving co workers think I’m sort of kingpin … the woman will need a car to parade the leech around during the week when I’m slaving. And I’m sorry but I’m not ok with her driving my only heir in a 2010 tsx. If she rams someone I want them to survive.

The bmw would retain weekend family car status. Until I replace it with something perhaps more “fun” like a V8 defender or whatever … it’s only here for another 15 months anyways. That’s within parameters

Makes sense. Can't argue with any of this.

[Melon2.0]

Max, get the Trailblazer SS.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a6 ... -ss-drive/

[MrH42]

I'd make fun of Max, but $280/month is too cheap. That's like a cell phone bill.

Get the gray one that's cheaper. You want to blend in as much as possible. More comfort features > AWD in sunny California.

[Melon2.0]

$280/mo. plus free electricity.

That or kicking tires into perpetuity.

[max225]

The price is “too good” to pass up for sure. I will report back on whether desperation gray or black makes more sense …

[max225]

Max, get the Trailblazer SS.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a6 ... -ss-drive/

I would WANT this yes... but I think the 's just don't exist on this... the weird part is.
LT2 +Convenience aka loaded spec leases great
RS - Better styling but it moves it to 380-400 a month depending on a

They are all identical as far powertrain. The battery is actually quite large 85KW this car is bound to get at least 3 miles per KW. So real world range is well above 250 miles, the "advertised" range is 320 which is decent. Model Y which is SMALLER in size btw, is about 66kw for it's battery with a similar consumption pattern.

It isn't all gravy: The FWD +220hp are bound to be slowish and but I literally just plan to use this for errands + work and that's it.

The somewhat weird part was this Silverado EV, I have as of the moment. It is well made, GM has EV shit down now. They don't lie about their range like Tesla for ex. And things are simple and make sense. Unlike fraud...

GM does have a terrible history in EVs... yet... , as long as it doesn't let me stranded or burn my house down it's all good.

[max225]

If anyone wanted to be part of the madness matrix
(these are the fully laden costs, insurance, registration, fuel,maintenace) for some cars I am considering per month...
TSX-$328
Equinox $465
GTI $699
TYPE R $730
Golf R $837
Countryman SE $885
Landcruiser $1018

[MexicanYarisTK]

I was going to say running a patriot down the national mall is as American as one can get! Can someone give this man/woman a medal ?!

It is kind of but he got rewarded getting cockmeat sandwiches for life by big bob

[Melon2.0]

Max, get the Trailblazer SS.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a6 ... -ss-drive/

I would WANT this yes... but I think the 's just don't exist on this... the weird part is.
LT2 +Convenience aka loaded spec leases great

That's not a lot of coin over keeping the TSX.

[Johnny_P]

If anyone wanted to be part of the madness matrix
(these are the fully laden costs, insurance, registration, fuel,maintenace) for some cars I am considering per month...
TSX-$328
Equinox $465
GTI $699
TYPE R $730
Golf R $837
Countryman SE $885
Landcruiser $1018

Does this consider depreciation?

[max225]

If anyone wanted to be part of the madness matrix
(these are the fully laden costs, insurance, registration, fuel,maintenace) for some cars I am considering per month...
TSX-$328
Equinox $465
GTI $699
TYPE R $730
Golf R $837
Countryman SE $885
Landcruiser $1018

Does this consider depreciation?

yes as well as cost of capital aka tying up money in something like a Land Cruiser @ Current treasury yields

[Johnny_P]

Max, get the Trailblazer SS.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a6 ... -ss-drive/

I would WANT this yes... but I think the 's just don't exist on this... the weird part is.
LT2 +Convenience aka loaded spec leases great
RS - Better styling but it moves it to 380-400 a month depending on a

They are all identical as far powertrain. The battery is actually quite large 85KW this car is bound to get at least 3 miles per KW. So real world range is well above 250 miles, the "advertised" range is 320 which is decent. Model Y which is SMALLER in size btw, is about 66kw for it's battery with a similar consumption pattern.

It isn't all gravy: The FWD +220hp are bound to be slowish and but I literally just plan to use this for errands + work and that's it.

The somewhat weird part was this Silverado EV, I have as of the moment. It is well made, GM has EV shit down now. They don't lie about their range like Tesla for ex. And things are simple and make sense. Unlike fraud...

GM does have a terrible history in EVs... yet... , as long as it doesn't let me stranded or burn my house down it's all good.

One of our 3 Silverado EVs burnt itself down. The other two stopped accepting chargers. Took a few weeks to get fixed.

[Melon2.0]

One of our 3 Silverado EVs burnt itself down. The other two stopped accepting chargers. Took a few weeks to get fixed.

To quote myself when people complain about quality on the Cadillac V forum:

" *Sigh* Gm... "

[max225]

I would WANT this yes... but I think the 's just don't exist on this... the weird part is.
LT2 +Convenience aka loaded spec leases great
RS - Better styling but it moves it to 380-400 a month depending on a

They are all identical as far powertrain. The battery is actually quite large 85KW this car is bound to get at least 3 miles per KW. So real world range is well above 250 miles, the "advertised" range is 320 which is decent. Model Y which is SMALLER in size btw, is about 66kw for it's battery with a similar consumption pattern.

It isn't all gravy: The FWD +220hp are bound to be slowish and but I literally just plan to use this for errands + work and that's it.

The somewhat weird part was this Silverado EV, I have as of the moment. It is well made, GM has EV shit down now. They don't lie about their range like Tesla for ex. And things are simple and make sense. Unlike fraud...

GM does have a terrible history in EVs... yet... , as long as it doesn't let me stranded or burn my house down it's all good.

One of our 3 Silverado EVs burnt itself down. The other two stopped accepting chargers. Took a few weeks to get fixed.

These things were absolute trash in the first 2 years (2022>2024) while GM worked out the bugs. How old are yours? And how did that one burn down ... that's wild.

[Johnny_P]

Does this consider depreciation?

yes

Since it’s a disposable / throw away car have you considered a used vehicle? Nothing too desirable just an appliance? Like an Ioniq 5 or something?

[Johnny_P]

One of our 3 Silverado EVs burnt itself down. The other two stopped accepting chargers. Took a few weeks to get fixed.

These things were absolute trash in the first 2 years (2022>2024) while GM worked out the bugs. How old are yours? And how did that one burn down ... that's wild.

Parked outside a service building lit itself on fire. Nobody knows why.
They are 2023/2024 models.

[max225]

yes

Since it’s a disposable / throw away car have you considered a used vehicle? Nothing too desirable just an appliance? Like an Ioniq 5 or something?

That's why the TSX is there... the do nothing scenario. If I really HATED myself I would just drive that shit to work. Despite gas costs its still the cheapest option.
And I don't trust USED ev's as far as I can throw em. I would still never own an EV outside of a Tesla...

[max225]

These things were absolute trash in the first 2 years (2022>2024) while GM worked out the bugs. How old are yours? And how did that one burn down ... that's wild.

Parked outside a service building lit itself on fire. Nobody knows why.
They are 2023/2024 models.

that's terrifying and

[Desertbreh]

Parked outside a service building lit itself on fire. Nobody knows why.
They are 2023/2024 models.

that's terrifying and

I had clients in Ojai who had a Tesla burn their entire house to the ground. They decided not to rebuild and got a check for $5.2 Milskie.

[max225]

that's terrifying and

I had clients in Ojai who had a Tesla burn their entire house to the ground. They decided not to rebuild and got a check for $5.2 Milskie.

Curious if they got a check for the HOUSE and the LAND or just the house... Usually insurance doesn't do shit for the land. So this must have been a pretty decent 10 millie property

[Desertbreh]

I had clients in Ojai who had a Tesla burn their entire house to the ground. They decided not to rebuild and got a check for $5.2 Milskie.

Curious if they got a check for the HOUSE and the LAND or just the house... Usually insurance doesn't do shit for the land. So this must have been a pretty decent 10 millie property

Correct.

[Johnny_P]

Since it’s a disposable / throw away car have you considered a used vehicle? Nothing too desirable just an appliance? Like an Ioniq 5 or something?

That's why the TSX is there... the do nothing scenario. If I really HATED myself I would just drive that shit to work. Despite gas costs its still the cheapest option.
And I don't trust USED ev's as far as I can throw em. I would still never own an EV outside of a Tesla...

I wouldn’t cuck myself into TSX hell.

[D Griff]

I'd make fun of Max, but $280/month is too cheap. That's like a cell phone bill.

Get the gray one that's cheaper. You want to blend in as much as possible. More comfort features > AWD in sunny California.

It's very cheap but I hate when people say the 'it's a cell phone bill' thing.. my cell phone is 30 US dollars/month... $280 isn't exactly nothing. Still, it's a great for a commute appliance, especially with the free charging.