When Tesla first hit the scene with their roadster, I thought it was pretty damn cool.

Then when they came out with their Model S, I was stunned at how beautiful it was, with simply amazing tech. I thought it was going to change the world, even though it was way beyond my price range. A friend of mine bought a P100d, and for a few years it rocked his world. Loved that thing.

Then when they came out with the Model X, I thought those falcon wing doors were fascinating, but pretty stupid. Clearly a vanity project pushed into reality by Musk, and once again priced way out of range for most average SUV buyers.

Then the Model 3 and the Model Y were released... which seemed OK, but mostly kind of "meh". Unfortunately the whole affordability thing turned out to be more of a bait & switch. As the years clipped by, Tesla didn't seem to be innovating anymore, and their cars were looking seriously bland. And yet, there was a growing cultish behavior of Tesla enthusiasm, kind of like people who love Apple products past the point of reason. That whole cult-like devotion towards a consumer product brand can be somewhat creepy.

Then the ridiculous CyberTruck happened, and Musk injected himself into hard right-wing, white-nationalist politics across the globe, but most effectively here in the States. I admit to hating the CT, and I hate Elon Musk, each with a great deal of passion. There are legions of people who now see Tesla as the symbol of fascism. Right or wrong, it's happening, and Tesla is suffering for it. I can't say I'm unhappy about the Sieg Heil salutes that CyberTrucks receive just driving around the supermarket.

Whether or not you love or hate Tesla, it can't be denied that they motivated the industry to shift into EV powertrains. That's quite an accomplishment. Everything else, however... I wish they would just go away.

Also, guys, I go to great lengths to avoid politics on this forum, from myself and everybody else. I shut it down hard when it happens. The point of my little trip here isn't to interject politics, but to share my feelings about Tesla from their origin up to today. I know it's becoming hard to separate the two, and that's entirely on Elon Musk. So if this post triggers a political response (either way), please keep it about the cars. Please and thank you.

 

I can't put my finger on it either. Yes, EVs smoke ICE vehicles in a straight line, but so do motorcycles, and those have more of a soul I guess. Again, I am too red pilled on EVs and the electronics in them. I also see traction motors as a commodity very soon as wide bandgap semis come down in price and huge contract manufactures can white label the motor and base platform. What's left for the OEM to customize at that point? The body panels and experience mainly. Interior materials, heads up display, sensor inputs, self-driving. Look at how upscale VW went on the car Rochester likes. That leather looks like it belongs in the waiting area of a 5 star hotel on Madison avenue; if that's VW, how far will Mercedes go for material selection? These aspects are how OEMs will continue to differentiate themselves on EV as the platform itself becomes more commoditized. The good thing that will come out of this model is that there will be more basic model EVs that young people can afford. Today, EVs appear to be targeted to Boomers and Gen Xers with disposable income, good paying jobs and paid off mortgages on homes with a slew of solar panels; a demographic that is driving far less than they did 10 years ago, but EV is not only practical, it's youthful.

We need a high quality sub 30K "peoples EV" for the younger folks just getting started in life, living in the affordable exurbs and commuting 1-2 hours a day. Wait, those already exist in China.

 

Guy is passionate and OCD. Two traits you need to look for in any people you deal with whether its your profession, hobbies or contractors you work with as you will learn a ton from these people as you embrace them within your sphere of influence.

My old man taught me this model, long before the Rich Dad Poor Dad book became popular.

 

There's alot to unpack in this one, so I saved it for after work. In summary, Musk sparked a long awaited evolution in EV by proving to the world that he could mass produce a reasonably priced (with tax incentives), good performing vehicle of respectable quality (good, but Toyota isn't shaking in their boots) at a profit. He also created support infrastructure and licensed a charging platform which created a sense of confidence in long range EV that we never thought possible. I agree that the Model S is a beautiful car (that cost as much as my first home), but the Cyber Truck looks like it was designed by a 7 year old with a box a crayons and construction paper. But ok, if you dump enough current into that thing, it can pull a hole shot a Porsche (check YouTube); Tesla zealots unite. But for me, I don't care as it looks ridiculous and seemingly makes fun of people putting thought into automotive design. I feel like its a vehicle for people trying to make a statement that being practical is no longer accepted; people that missed out on the punk rock movement of their youth and are rebelling against the institution of 300K mile vanilla white and silver Toyotas and Hondas. For that, I give the CT owners a little street credit for pushing back and trying make a statement against conformity.

Regardless, those bloody things are everywhere in CA, along with model 3s and S. In fact, 35% of the Teslas sold in the US reside here in a state (https://worldpopulationreview.com/st...sales-by-state) 41 million strong and a GDP equivalent or larger than many European countries. So why the radical and incredibly insensitive swing to the right that has now caused Elon's brand to become somewhat toxic as he stands among the most polarized figures in politics. Is he done selling cars because China is setting in the wing ready to eat his lunch with advanced battery technology (they own rare earth materials mining) and partnerships for advanced wideband semiconductors. All of this will render Tesla an overpriced regional player (due to isolationism) aligned within an extremely hard right demographic in the coming decade. 240M people in the US hardly makes a dent in China's EV TAM globally. Folks need to revisit history and understand how tariffs and programs like the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act fueled the great depression.

It doesn't make sense. He should of turned Tesla over to someone else prior to this abrupt move into politics.

 

Today I took my eldest daughter to one of our Chevy dealerships (we have four). The intention was to get her either a Trax or Trailblazer. Both make a great cost-effective argument on paper, and both of them appealed to her at the AutoShow. So today was the chance to drive them. And OMG, these cars are utter garbage. You'd think with it being 2025 and all, that entry level cars would be acceptable, but they weren't. Not even a little bit. I think we're going to have to look at something used. And since the economy wrecking auto tariffs are about to hit... ugh.

Anyway, if someone wants a cheap new car as an around town golf cart, or as a new car for your kid, do NOT look at Chevy. Step away from the bowtie.

 

Yup.

We have Trax as an alternative to the Ford Escapes as company cars. My last reliable Chevy was my 1982 Z28... which fragged the trans thrice in the 4 years I owned it.

Not like anyone listens to my opinion, even as one of the law partners, but I've been pushing for base model Accords for company cars for a while now. Would keep us from needing to swap them out every three years, one would hope...

Mandatory new cars stuff. Neighbor has a Honda Prologue (EV) and... it's actually very nice. Like, a little bland but nice in unexpected ways.

 

I am not electric car fan at all neither of Elon Musk and his Tesla. I honestly think that feature belongs to advanced hybrid technology cars and, of course hydrogen driven vehicles, Toyota know their business. Also a new rotary rotary engines prototipes emerged and its fascinating how much power per pound they can produce. And diesel engines got new breath of life. ICE is not going to dissappear probably another 5 or 6 decades or even longer evolving further.

 

Just to follow up on this... instead of a new Trax (which was garbage), for the same money we helped our daughter buy a 2022 Honda HR-V EX AWD. Used, but such a better car. 2022 was the last year before the 2nd Gen, and they've been rolling off 3-year leases right about now. Research informs me the CVT and Fuel Pump issues were resolved in 2021.

What a great little car! AWD, and every safety and convenience feature you can think of, including this super practical rear seat mechanism where it can flip upwards or fold into the floor. The only downside is the powertrain, which is anemic, but still better than Chevy's boosted 3-cylinder. However, it's not my car, it's my daughter's. Barring any accidents, it should last another 10 years.

Oh, and flappy paddles to "shift" the CVT. God help me, but that's just about the most stupid thing I've even seen in a car.

 

Can you remove the paddles? We’re looking into that on the Q5 since my wife keeps hitting one of them accidentally and it takes a few minutes to decide to be an auto again.

otherwise concur, hr-v is a neat little car.

 

Perfect car for a kid, and hope it gets her 10 years.

Drivetrain refinement and luxury are best appreciated with age and more disposable income. Safety, reliability and fuel efficiency are far more important. Not sure my oldest will ever drive, so I get to kick that can for a bit longer.

 

I don't know. I guarantee you she'll never use them. I tried them out a few times, and the "shift points" between "first" and "second" was a huge gap, and completely unsatisfying.

Similarly, my other daughter's 2022 Hyundai Venue allows you to row you own "gears" (on a CVT). No flappy paddles here, you use the gear shifter. And shockingly, if you put it in "Sport" mode and blip the shift points up and down as you accelerate or decelerate, that car is actually kind of fun to toss around.


Exactly right. Perfect car for my still-at-home 25 year old daughter. Hopefully this will give her the freedom and confidence to get moving forward with life. It also provides the responsibility of her own car payments and insurance on her own car, and not some hand-me-down Sentra that's always in need of repair. I mean, I love her lots, but it's time to adult.

 

It's because most people aren't you and I, and 95% wouldn't know the difference between a CVT and a Z8; Add some plastic flappy paddles, adjust the shift point 300rpm higher and call it sporty and charge more.

Toyota and Honda build anemic drive trains because they last so much longer than small displacement forced induction versions. Both companies are in it for the long haul and aren't looking to sell you 1 car, but 3-4 to you and family members. That's where Nissan made their mistake. They pulled out all the stops to move "a" car, then fell short on service and long term reliability. They make nice looking, well priced cars, so non car folks still buy them.

OTS: WRT to the Q, it appears that there is new legislation that forces Nissan to own the turbo issues up to 120K miles: https://www.reddit.com/r/q50/comment...l9n/?context=3

Terrible news for Nissan, which is hemorrhaging cash.

 

Is this something new? How can a dealership offer a lifetime powertrain warranty? Seems utopian.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...icle/743061292

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HARPER INFINITI believes in the quality of the vehicles we sell so well that we provide an UNLIMITED MILES, POWERTRAIN WARRANTY on every new and qualifying pre-owned vehicle it sells!!! This warranty is good at any ASE certified shop in the 48 continental United States!!

 

Is that a $20K depreciation after one year and 28K miles? Boy that car was driven a LOT!

 

You absolutely right 28 k for one year it's a excessive Plus, it's kinda a shady to me why the first and only owner selling that car after one year . Unless there is some problem.