The cars and bikes thread!

[Samanator]

When I learned that those horrible aero rims on tesla were removable I was immediately happy!

That's my stance, no pun intended.

While I appreciate what Tesla has done for electric cars, after sitting in, riding in and walking around one it has me not interested in buying one (Above all the other negatives for electric cars). So that hub caps come off would not make me happy. The only electric vehicles that meet my vehicle needs are well past what I'm willing to spend on a vehicle. When I can do that with an ICE or hybrid vehicle for 33.3% -60% of the full electric price that doesn't have the full electics other issues it makes no sense. Maybe in 15 years they will make sense, but today they don't.

[Samanator]

1970s and 1980s Pontiac Firebird Trans Am often came with a bird decal on the hood when sold to the most ostentatious of Trans Am buyers. Usually in black and gold:


I believe this is the famous “Smokey and the Bandit” car:


Altogether grotesque.

The 80's turbo Trans Am had a even bigger barfing chicken. My girlfriend back when these were new had one of these with the T-Top roof. It was not a great car. There was a Camaro equivalent (Z 28 ) to these that was much less gaudy.

[litlmn]

Saw this posted and thought of you @Raza ;

[Raza]

The 80's turbo Trans Am had a even bigger barfing chicken.

Yes! That one and the Smokey and the Bandit car are always the one I picture, I just couldn’t find the right photo.

Truly awful. It looks like someone splattered the roadkill of the animal you named your car after on the hood.

[Raza]

Saw this posted and thought of you @Raza ;

Wow! I’ve valeted stick a few times and even taken it to car washes where I have to let someone else drive it, and sometimes they’d have to get the one guy who knows how to drive stick, but to see a sign that says they’re incapable is wild.

[geoffbot]

Saw this posted and thought of you @Raza ;

Just realised the final 'is it an auto or manual' argument: if you have an auto only licence (which is an option in the uk) and you can legally drive the car... It ain't a manual.

[happyscrappyheropup]

While I appreciate what Tesla has done for electric cars, after sitting in, riding in and walking around one it has me not interested in buying one (Above all the other negatives for electric cars).

Opposite here - the more research and driving I did, the more it made sense. Cheaper to operate, less pollution/hassle on a daily basis, and cleaner cradle to grave than ICE even when considering battery production and recycling.

So that hub caps come off would not make me happy.

It's a 19" alloy wheel with an aero cover that snaps on for extra range, not sure where the unhappiness would come.

The only electric vehicles that meet my vehicle needs are well past what I'm willing to spend on a vehicle. When I can do that with an ICE or hybrid vehicle for 33.3% -60% of the full electric price that doesn't have the full electics other issues it makes no sense. Maybe in 15 years they will make sense, but today they don't.

I'm not sure which hybrids or ICE cars you're buying, but I paid under $42k out the door (tax, tags, etc) for a '23 Model Y with less than 3600 miles, full body PPF, clean/1 owner carfax.

If you live where you can't charge at home or you regularly drive more than 250 miles/day to rural places with no charging infrastructure, electric cars definitely aren't for you. For most people who can charge at work or home, they work great. The average US driver puts less daily miles on their car than even the lower range of electric cars.

We still have a lot of work to do to our power grid in the US (especially in certain states), but electrics do make a lot of sense for a lot of drivers. Maybe just not for you.

[geoffbot]

Tesla makes a lot of financial sense, especially if you have charging at home, and deffo if you have it at work (also).

Not so much fun, but practical, and still rapid. I hate the controls, but I have considered getting one. I don't do the miles to warrant it though.

[happyscrappyheropup]

Wow! I’ve valeted stick a few times and even taken it to car washes where I have to let someone else drive it, and sometimes they’d have to get the one guy who knows how to drive stick, but to see a sign that says they’re incapable is wild.

I would not valet my M3, but I have done it with other manual transmission cars. Always nerve racking.

I do understand that young, minimum wage employees may not have much exposure to manual transmissions. I taught both my girls to drive them, but I can't imagine many people in their 20s and 30s today own, or have one in the family.

[happyscrappyheropup]

Tesla makes a lot of financial sense, especially if you have charging at home, and deffo if you have it at work (also).

Not so much fun, but practical, and still rapid. I hate the controls, but I have considered getting one. I don't do the miles to warrant it though.

Friend of mine that was over on Saturday told me he and his wife both get free charging at work. Nice perk.

And, I agree with you, electric cars are boring AF to drive, even with the quick acceleration. But, so is the average car that most people drive - faceless sedans or boring, lumbering SUVs and trucks. No thanks.