What car are you buying/test driving?

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Originally posted by bhauk:
Ford 1-ton diesel pickup. Wish it was a nice BMW or Audi, they'd be cheaper.

The price of pickups/trucks is insane these days.

Indeed they are...

I plan on driving my '07 Cummins into the ground.

Ready to trade in my Chevy SSR, so I test drove the new Nissan Murano Midnight Edition. Nice car, lots of bells & whistles and handles well. Unfortunately, not enough towing capacity to haul my bike trailer.

Anyone getting one of the new Teslas?

I'm expecting delivery of a Model 3 in mid December. I'm renting a Model S this weekend in Vegas just to get a feel for driving an EV over multiple days.

Drove a 2017 BMW 540i last week for a couple of days as a rental car. Nice car for sure, but just reinforced I'm not a BMW guy. First I didn't really like the look of the exterior or interior which is pretty universal for me and BWM. Second while more hard core driving enthusiasts may like to feel the road, it was to much for me. For my needs a smoother ride is preferred. Had nice pick up though and handling was great and better than my past Audis and Mercedes for sure.

Well, it is never a good thing when you pull in the drive and there is a new car there and you know your wife was thinking about a new car.

I must admit, every year cars get better and better in so many ways. D is driving a 2018 MB E400 Coupe for the next few days to see what she thinks. What does irritate me though is all the added cost that you are going to buy most of the time I feel. The added AMG package plus premium level 3 package, plus the paint color she wants plus something else I can't even recall adds some $13K to the standard price. Just advertise what the cost of the car is for goodness sakes!

The dealers letting the wife have the car for an extended test drive for a few days must sell SO many cars!

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Originally posted by wine+art:
Just advertise what the cost of the car is for goodness sakes!

What? And scare all those buyers away?

quote:

Originally posted by wine+art:

The dealers letting the wife have the car for an extended test drive for a few days must sell SO many cars!

Tesla gave me a car for 36 hours last year, it was a pretty convincing trial. The days of the internal combustion engine are numbered, I know I'm not likely to ever go back there again!

quote:

Originally posted by grossie:

quote:

Originally posted by wine+art:

The dealers letting the wife have the car for an extended test drive for a few days must sell SO many cars!

Tesla gave me a car for 36 hours last year, it was a pretty convincing trial. The days of the internal combustion engine are numbered, I know I'm not likely to ever go back there again!

The day of the car with a driver will also be over sans recreational if that.

We both will get in a car and drive 6 hours non-stop, a 7 minute stop for gas then 4 more hours non-stop. Tesla not there yet.

No roar and explosion of the sound of shifts? From these cold dead hands....

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Originally posted by Board-O:

quote:

Originally posted by wine+art:
Just advertise what the cost of the car is for goodness sakes!

What? And scare all those buyers away?

There must be a sound reason for sure.

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:
No roar and explosion of the sound of shifts? From these cold dead hands....

On my second Tesla, and will likely never buy another combustion engine car. The technology and driver comforts are just too many. I can use my slacker radio to pull up the sound of a car red-lining and have it blast on the state of the art sound system, if I really crave the sound of shifting gears.

quote:

Originally posted by wine+art:

The day of the car with a driver will also be over sans recreational if that.

We both will get in a car and drive 6 hours non-stop, a 7 minute stop for gas then 4 more hours non-stop. Tesla not there yet.

That's a bit of a spurious argument. I personally don't want to drive for 11 hours with a 7 minute stop, and I don't really think most people do. I can get over 200 miles (and I have a small battery) without stopping, then need a 25 minute break to get back to 100%. Superchargers are conveniently located at highway stops so that I have somewhere to eat and rest while I'm charging. But it definitely slows down the road trip.
However I haven't been to a gas station in over a year. How many hours have you spent in the last 365 days standing at a gas station? Is it time well spent? I spend about 3-5 seconds each day plugging my car in in my garage. Can't say that I miss gas stations! My supercharger time seems like a decent trade. Going electric makes a car no less recreational, but definitely makes road trips a little slower. However, 99% of my driving isn't road trips.

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:
No roar and explosion of the sound of shifts? From these cold dead hands....

I can't imagine a car that makes noise! Do you miss vinyl records because of the scratch of the needle? How about bad Bordeaux that has terroir that is really a product of unclean fermentation and aging? I don't miss those things, but I understand that nostalgia is a powerful thing.
Can't say I'm lacking speed either, look that one up if you're curious.

I'll say it again- the days of the internal combustion engine are numbered. I'll further expand that that number isn't as big as some people think. 20-30 years is my guess. Sounds crazy, but I hope I'm around to see it.

Battery powered cars are the future along with autonomous driving. It's a matter of when. Will you actually own a car in the future? Maybe not if you are an urban dweller

Grossie, glad you enjoy your car. Everyone I know that owns a Tesla loves the car.

As I said, not even remotely an option for us or for so many, at least currently.

quote:

Originally posted by ThistlinTom:
Battery powered cars are the future along with autonomous driving. It's a matter of when. Will you actually own a car in the future? Maybe not if you are an urban dweller

I agree.

So much for me even considering my neighbours 2006 Porsche GT3. Not only is it a combustion engine, but heaven forbid, it's a 6 speed manual. All the new high end Porsche and other sports cars are now hi-tech column shifters.

I'll stick with my powerless '71 MGB as my summer touring car.

I'm happy just standing behind my car and using the remote start to fire up 640 horses.

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Originally posted by Board-O:
I'm happy just standing behind my car and using the remote start to fire up 640 horses.

And I'm happy sitting in my bed and turning the temp up in my car to 74 from my phone, and then summoning the car to my front door. And then proceeding to whoop your 640 ponies off the line. But enjoy that newfangled technology of yours.

I do. If I wanted an electric car I couldn't take on a long trip, I'd piss my money away on one. I'm glad you enjoy yours.

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Originally posted by Board-O:
I do. If I wanted an electric car I couldn't take on a long trip, I'd piss my money away on one. I'm glad you enjoy yours.

What's your definition of long trip? I get 260 miles easily on a single charge. And then I supercharge for free. My car is a hell of a lot cheaper to own than yours. By far the cheapest car I have ever owned. And they bought back my first one after 2 years and 30,000 miles at damn near full sales price, as it was a first edition.

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Originally posted by TPEwinedrinker:

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:
I do. If I wanted an electric car I couldn't take on a long trip, I'd piss my money away on one. I'm glad you enjoy yours.

What's your definition of long trip? I get 260 miles easily on a single charge. So spend time finding a place to sit while your car charges on a 500-600 mile trip 3 times. Enjoy your down time.

My car is a hell of a lot cheaper to own than yours. By far the cheapest car I have ever owned.

Cheap? I don't care about cheap, not in the least. I'm so happy for you that you enjoy the cheapness.

And they bought back my first one after 2 years and 30,000 miles at damn near full sales price, as it was a first edition.

I would expect that there will be a moderate transition to electric vehicle. Two factors on the speed of transition will be the cost of the batteries and the time it takes to recharge a vehicle. I believe right now it takes about 30 minutes to recharge a car to a little over half the capacity. That needs to be improved for people who want to take longer road trips. Battery costs are declining and will continue to the point where electric vehicles will become cheaper than combustion.

My bet is that electric vehicle adoption will be primarily in urban areas followed by suburban areas where most travel is local. I would think that large vehicles and trucks would be the longest to switch due to more battery storage being required and time to recharge being longer.

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:

quote:

Originally posted by TPEwinedrinker:

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:
I do. If I wanted an electric car I couldn't take on a long trip, I'd piss my money away on one. I'm glad you enjoy yours.

What's your definition of long trip? I get 260 miles easily on a single charge. So spend time finding a place to sit while your car charges on a 500-600 mile trip 3 times. Enjoy your down time.

My car is a hell of a lot cheaper to own than yours. By far the cheapest car I have ever owned.

Cheap? I don't care about cheap, not in the least. I'm so happy for you that you enjoy the cheapness.

And they bought back my first one after 2 years and 30,000 miles at damn near full sales price, as it was a first edition.

Fred Flintstone- you'll be amazed to learn that the 21st century features the advent of the airplane. I use it in lieu of driving 500-600 miles.

I'm sorry you don't have a car you enjoy driving. I do.

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Originally posted by Board-O:
I'm sorry you don't have a car you enjoy driving. I do.

I love driving my car. I also love sex. But 3 hours is more than enough for both. 6-7 is just overkill.

That's because your car is boring. Mine isn't.

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Originally posted by Board-O:
That's because your car is boring. Mine isn't.

Your life must be boring, which is why you find your car so exhilarating.

My neighbor has the highend tesla and it's a blast to drive and scary f'ing fast. We have thought about the SUV for my wifes next car but we both can't get over the look of it. Seriously ugly.

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Originally posted by DoktaP:
So much for me even considering my neighbours 2006 Porsche GT3. Not only is it a combustion engine, but heaven forbid, it's a 6 speed manual. All the new high end Porsche and other sports cars are now hi-tech column shifters.

I'll stick with my powerless '71 MGB as my summer touring car.

Powerless it may be, but I saw a beautiful example this morning (also early 70's). Just beautiful cars.

quote:

Originally posted by Bigfoot003:

quote:

Originally posted by DoktaP:
So much for me even considering my neighbours 2006 Porsche GT3. Not only is it a combustion engine, but heaven forbid, it's a 6 speed manual. All the new high end Porsche and other sports cars are now hi-tech column shifters.

I'll stick with my powerless '71 MGB as my summer touring car.

Powerless it may be, but I saw a beautiful example this morning (also early 70's). Just beautiful cars.

My MGB is a '71 in teal blue. Chrome bumpers. No radio, just the logo cover over the radio slot.
They only made that color for 2 years. It does get looks. I had it completely restored and only drive about 500 miles per year.

quote:

Originally posted by DoktaP:

quote:

Originally posted by Bigfoot003:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by DoktaP:
So much for me even considering my neighbours 2006 Porsche GT3. Not only is it a combustion engine, but heaven forbid, it's a 6 speed manual. All the new high end Porsche and other sports cars are now hi-tech column shifters.

I'll stick with my powerless '71 MGB as my summer touring car.

Powerless it may be, but I saw a beautiful example this morning (also early 70's). Just beautiful cars.

My MGB is a '71 in teal blue. Chrome bumpers. No radio, just the logo cover over the radio slot.
They only made that color for 2 years. It does get looks. I had it completely restored and only drive about 500 miles per year.[/QUOTE

This is why we don't talk cars on a forum with no ability to post pics!

Bigfoot, I can send a photo if you're willing to give me your email.
You can email me at DoktaP at gmail dot com

quote:

Originally posted by DoktaP:
Bigfoot, I can send a photo if you're willing to give me your email.
You can email me at DoktaP at gmail dot com

E-mail sent Sir. Thank you!

Test drove a Tesla 3. Wow.

quote:

Originally posted by Danyull:
Test drove a Tesla 3. Wow.

I would think if one only needed a car for the city, Tesla would be an option for many.

quote:

Originally posted by wine+art:

quote:

Originally posted by Danyull:
Test drove a Tesla 3. Wow.

I would think if one only needed a car for the city, Tesla would be an option for many.

I think my neighbor is a perfect example of a Tesla owner around here. They have a vacation house that is about 450 miles away that they visit once a quarter. So for that trip they take his wife's MB SUV to haul the family and dog back and forth. He could take the Tesla and stop for 30 mins but it's not worth the hassle to him. He uses his Telsa for pretty much 99.9% of all other driving because everything is pretty close (miles not time) in SoCal.

I've seriously debated getting a Tesla. I'd say 85% of my driving is 5 miles or less per day. The next 10% 70 mile round trip on a day. Rarely if ever do I go over 100 miles on any given day.

I suspect that adoption of electric vehicles will occur initially in urban areas and suburban areas where people have two cars. The cost curve for electric vehicles is continuing to decline and EV's will become cheaper than ICE vehicles.

I could see us getting an EV to replace the sedan my wife drives in Scottsdale. We will continue to maintain our SUV for traveling to Utah and for times when we need a bigger vehicle, such as trailering a boat.

Autonomous driving will take off in new vehicles in 5 years which will accelerate use in urban areas. You might even see a change in ownership of vehicles.

Of course I could be wrong..