Options

Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

1292629272929293129323158

Comments

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594

    gbrozen - no, I didn't drive the Boxster, the seller says drives great in his ad. And it is a 5-speed stick.

    Well there you go, no one ever lies when selling a used car. Go for it.
    I think the owner said something about only a little old lady driving it to church once a week.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • jmonroe1jmonroe1 Member Posts: 9,360

    Terse answers are not a positive sign from someone selling an old Porsche.

    ————————————————
    It’s possible that the guy knows when to keep his mouth shut.

    jmonroe
    '15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's.
    '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,937

    “ the only issue with our Audi is that it drinks some oil in between changes.”

    Funny you mention that. Today while stopped for a coffee break in the Adirondacks we saw an frail elderly man and (I presume) his middle aged daughter trying to lift up the hood of their VW. We decided to help. She said her oil light had come on and when we checked there was nothing on the dipstick. We put some oil in for her and told her she should get it looked at.

    Are VW products noted for drinking oil?

    Yes, I thought all performance turbocharged engines tended to burn oil. Does the Mustang V8 not burn any oil?
    '18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,237
    andres3 said:

    “ the only issue with our Audi is that it drinks some oil in between changes.”

    Funny you mention that. Today while stopped for a coffee break in the Adirondacks we saw an frail elderly man and (I presume) his middle aged daughter trying to lift up the hood of their VW. We decided to help. She said her oil light had come on and when we checked there was nothing on the dipstick. We put some oil in for her and told her she should get it looked at.

    Are VW products noted for drinking oil?

    Yes, I thought all performance turbocharged engines tended to burn oil. Does the Mustang V8 not burn any oil?
    Not so far, I think that was seen in the 2018+ models. The one that worried me was the 2.0L DI in the Kia. I’ve read stories of excessive oil use but so far, nothing. My Mitsubishi 2.5L in the Chrysler doesn’t use any either.

    The old cargo van might use 1/2 quart between 4-5k mile oil changes which I guess isn’t too bad at 123k miles.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • mjfloyd1mjfloyd1 Member Posts: 3,806
    driver100 said:

    gbrozen - no, I didn't drive the Boxster, the seller says drives great in his ad. And it is a 5-speed stick.

    Well there you go, no one ever lies when selling a used car. Go for it.
    I think the owner said something about only a little old lady driving it to church once a week.
    She had arthritis and couldn’t push the clutch in. She only went to church once a month 😂
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,766
    Some car dealerships have been broken into lately and cars were stolen.
    MB dealer: 3 new MB's stolen.
    Dodge/Jeep dealer: 3 new Dodge/Jeep stolen.
    Alfa Romeo dealer: 8 used BMW/MB and and Jeep stolen.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • Sandman6472Sandman6472 Member Posts: 7,229
    We're getting new cars in at our West Palm Beach lot. Today, drove a brand new Jeep Gladiator to the wash line while the other two drivers had new Pacifica's. On Wednesday, we brought over 3 new Dodge Chargers. They also got in new Hyundai Kona's, Venue's & Santa Fe's. Ford F-250's, Edge & Explorer's. Toyota Corolla's and Camry's. Nissan Altima's, Sentra's & Rogue's. Am sure there are others but the point is, we're getting a mess of new vehicles.
    We've also been selling a mess of them also. The majority of the sold vehicles are just over 60K and up on their odometers. This week, delivered an Equinox to a local Chevy store and a Dodge journey to another. Point is, we sell a lot of used vehicles & buy a lot of new ones. Can just imagine how much $ they have tied up in their inventory...boggles the mind. But, Enterprise is a privately owned company so they can do all this kind of stuff.

    2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    I was reading a review of the 2023 Volt, and they gave high praise to the car. Apparently the 2022 model was good too, but the batteries were catching on fire so they stopped making them. But, my question is, does anyone actually think this car looks any good? I don't mean to offend anyone who owns one but, it's not my dream car.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,439
    that is a Bolt, not Volt. Kind of cute, in a bug sort of way.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • jmonroe1jmonroe1 Member Posts: 9,360

    Some car dealerships have been broken into lately and cars were stolen.
    MB dealer: 3 new MB's stolen.
    Dodge/Jeep dealer: 3 new Dodge/Jeep stolen.
    Alfa Romeo dealer: 8 used BMW/MB and and Jeep stolen.

    ————————————————-
    How do you expect to hide all those in your new 3 car garage?

    jmonroe
    '15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's.
    '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
  • Sandman6472Sandman6472 Member Posts: 7,229
    It really ain't that bad! I opened an account at Chevy and went in to sign the papers to order one. All I had to do was put down my deposit...but I just wasn't ready so I stopped the whole process. Still having issues about disposal down the road. What happens when the batteries go bad? How much will it cost to get new ones? How many years will they really last? Just couldn't hand over my c c, so I left. Still think the United States just isn't ready for EV's...the infrastructure just isn't there yet and not sure when we'll get there! So many unanswered questions to this day. I'm just not ready but they look just fine. Think folks are buying them mainly for the utility they will bring and the cost savings that hopefully they will bring. Guessing the price of electricity will be cheaper than petrol is right now. And if it really is, how long will that last? What companies will control the electric charging locations?
    Still, so many unanswered questions to suit me. Personally, I think in maybe 10 years, our country will finally be ready to finally kick petrol to the curb and tell OPEC to stick it you know where! But until that time comes, we're just not ready for EV's in America!

    2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,237
    qbrozen said:

    We’d have to be burning a tremendous amount of fossil fuels to produce the needed electricity to charge all those cars. Not to mention upgrading the equipment in every community in the country to handle the load. We already have problems when everyones air conditioner kicks on at the same time in the summer. What the hell will happen when everyone is also trying to charge their car??

    We become California.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 266,684
    qbrozen said:

    We’d have to be burning a tremendous amount of fossil fuels to produce the needed electricity to charge all those cars. Not to mention upgrading the equipment in every community in the country to handle the load. We already have problems when everyones air conditioner kicks on at the same time in the summer. What the hell will happen when everyone is also trying to charge their car??

    Most cars charge overnight, while the load is low. The electric grid is designed for peak use, and it's easy to provide electricity for non-peak use.

    When I was a kid, no one had central air conditioning, and now we all do. Plus, there are twice as many people. Somehow, we still manage to have enough electricity.

    Edmunds Price Checker
    Edmunds Lease Calculator
    Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!

    Edmunds Moderator

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,748
    edited January 2023

    @kyfdx said:
    Most cars charge overnight, while the load is low. The electric grid is designed for peak use, and it's easy to provide electricity for non-peak use.

    When I was a kid, no one had central air conditioning, and now we all do. Plus, there are twice as many people. Somehow, we still manage to have enough electricity.

    You don’t have brownouts and blackouts in the summer? We do. And I live in a relatively new area with underground wiring.

    And not everyone knows or cares to charge at night. I certainly didn’t care when mine charged. We don’t have different rates here.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,018

    @qbrozen
    Well said

    @kyfdx
    Agreed we all use more electricity in our homes than we used to. A 60 amp panel was standard, then 100 amp and now most new homes have 200 amp. The question we don’t know what infrastructure the electric companies have done to keep up with the demand.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • sdasda Member Posts: 7,594
    edited January 2023
    We had an unannounced rolling outage on Christmas Eve morning when it was a cold 11 degrees outside. We were lucky our power was only out 2.5 hours, others much longer. Our house went from 68 to 52 degrees during that period. Our neighbor’s pipes froze. Many, many unhappy power customers.

    2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,237
    edited January 2023
    sda said:

    We had an unannounced rolling outage on Christmas Eve morning when it was a cold 11 degrees outside. We were lucky our power was only out 2.5 hours, others much longer. Our house went from 68 to 52 degrees during that period. Our neighbor’s pipes froze. Many, many unhappy power customers.

    I have no doubt that we can solve the electric grid problem but at what cost? I notice that Vermont is covering extensive amounts of former farm land with solar panels and sticking windmills on top of many scenic hills. What happens when we can no longer dump old toxic batteries in China or India? Are we charging head long into a utopian solution while creating a dystopia?

    Less seriously, I know some of you guys like to record interesting odometer readings. Here’s mine:


    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 266,684
    edited January 2023
    tjc78 said:

    @qbrozen

    Well said

    @kyfdx

    Agreed we all use more electricity in our homes than we used to. A 60 amp panel was standard, then 100 amp and now most new homes have 200 amp. The question we don’t know what infrastructure the electric companies have done to keep up with the demand.

    One clue: The government and the US car manufacturers are pushing electric vehicles. I've not heard a peep out of Duke, ConEd, or any other other large utility expressing issues with their ability to provide for that.

    @qbrozen Nope, no brownouts, or outages that aren't weather related. It's tough to be an elitist on the coast, I guess. :D

    Also, it doesn't have to be everyone... Just the majority.

    Edmunds Price Checker
    Edmunds Lease Calculator
    Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!

    Edmunds Moderator

  • mjfloyd1mjfloyd1 Member Posts: 3,806
    Nuclear fusion perhaps?
  • henrynhenryn Member Posts: 4,289
    I choose to be an optimist and think positively in most cases. The type of batteries being used in electric vehicles today are being recycled (in some cases), and that will only get better as time goes by.

    https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/21/business/energy-environment/battery-recycling-electric-vehicles.html

    As far as the electric grid is concerned, yes, we have problems. And the widespread adoption of EVs will only make that worse if we don't get started on improving the grid. I think public pressure is close to reaching a tipping point on that already. (fingers crossed)
    2023 Chevrolet Silverado, 2019 Chrysler Pacifica
  • 28firefighter28firefighter Member Posts: 9,841

    @mjfloyd1 said:
    Nuclear fusion perhaps?

    This is the way.

    2025 Jetta GLI Autobahn, 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xE
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    .....and no one has explained how people who have to park on the street will charge their cars. And the people who live in apartments without garages, or older apartments/condos that don't have chargers at each garage space.
    And what about a friend who drives from Tampa to Toledo OH a few times a year.....1200 miles, and would have to make 5 stops each way....for at least 30 minutes each time once you find the charging station?

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 266,684
    driver100 said:

    .....and no one has explained how people who have to park on the street will charge their cars. And the people who live in apartments without garages, or older apartments/condos that don't have chargers at each garage space.
    And what about a friend who drives from Tampa to Toledo OH a few times a year.....1200 miles, and would have to make 5 stops each way....for at least 30 minutes each time once you find the charging station?

    Those people won't have electric cars.. Picking out the 10% where it won't work, doesn't invalidate the case for it.

    What about the people that don't have cars now? What will they do? ;)

    Edmunds Price Checker
    Edmunds Lease Calculator
    Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!

    Edmunds Moderator

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,237
    edited January 2023
    kyfdx said:

    driver100 said:

    .....and no one has explained how people who have to park on the street will charge their cars. And the people who live in apartments without garages, or older apartments/condos that don't have chargers at each garage space.
    And what about a friend who drives from Tampa to Toledo OH a few times a year.....1200 miles, and would have to make 5 stops each way....for at least 30 minutes each time once you find the charging station?

    Those people won't have electric cars.. Picking out the 10% where it won't work, doesn't invalidate the case for it.

    What about the people that don't have cars now? What will they do? ;)
    Be even more likely to not be able to afford a car. Those of marginal means might be able to acquire a running gasoline powered hooptie for a few thousand. Any EV at that price would be a timebomb.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 266,684

    kyfdx said:

    driver100 said:

    .....and no one has explained how people who have to park on the street will charge their cars. And the people who live in apartments without garages, or older apartments/condos that don't have chargers at each garage space.
    And what about a friend who drives from Tampa to Toledo OH a few times a year.....1200 miles, and would have to make 5 stops each way....for at least 30 minutes each time once you find the charging station?

    Those people won't have electric cars.. Picking out the 10% where it won't work, doesn't invalidate the case for it.

    What about the people that don't have cars now? What will they do? ;)
    Be even more likely to not be able to afford a car. Those of marginal means might be able to acquire a running gasoline powered hooptie for a few thousand. Any EV at that price would be a timebomb.
    20 years from now? They aren't coming for your car.. :D

    Edmunds Price Checker
    Edmunds Lease Calculator
    Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!

    Edmunds Moderator

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    kyfdx said:

    driver100 said:

    .....and no one has explained how people who have to park on the street will charge their cars. And the people who live in apartments without garages, or older apartments/condos that don't have chargers at each garage space.
    And what about a friend who drives from Tampa to Toledo OH a few times a year.....1200 miles, and would have to make 5 stops each way....for at least 30 minutes each time once you find the charging station?

    Those people won't have electric cars.. Picking out the 10% where it won't work, doesn't invalidate the case for it.

    What about the people that don't have cars now? What will they do? ;)
    Call an Uber!

    But there are people now who can run a $3000 to $5000 car but they don't have a place they can charge an electric car.
    Probably more than 10% have to park in the street or on an above ground apartment building parking lot.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 266,684
    You’re sort of missing the point..

    Edmunds Price Checker
    Edmunds Lease Calculator
    Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!

    Edmunds Moderator

  • laurasdadalaurasdada Member Posts: 5,196
    I do charge overnight. Then, try to pick up as many free electrons as I can whilst out and about. I'll actually park a reasonable distance and walk to my destination for a free shock!
    In my lifetime, and trust my memory not, of living in CT and MA, no rolling or planned black/brownouts that I can recall.
    Now, where did I park my car...

    For those who fear the electric reaper, perhaps begin your journey as have I, PHEV. But, as I've overmentioned here and there, I may go back to full, quite dead yet, Dino (the pet, not the Ferrari scion) fueled engine. But, it may not be easy giving up the local electric slide miles and free electricity out there. As well as the lovely Audi interior, build quality, ride and technology.

    '21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,237
    I just read an article where they stated that Carvana is losing $3255 on every car they sell. If true I’d say they certainly overpaid for inventory.

    Now if this was your business would you start dumping these cars regardless of loss or would you hang on as your inventory lost even more value?

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • MichaellMichaell Moderator Posts: 263,027
    driver100 said:

    And what about a friend who drives from Tampa to Toledo OH a few times a year.....1200 miles, and would have to make 5 stops each way....for at least 30 minutes each time once you find the charging station?

    Good video of an EV road trip from Chicago to Orlando. Worth the watch.

    Edmunds Price Checker
    Edmunds Lease Calculator
    Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and let us know! Post a pic of your new purchase or lease!


    MODERATOR

    2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige

  • abacomikeabacomike Member Posts: 12,388

    @mjfloyd1 said:
    Nuclear fusion perhaps?

    Fusion or fission? I believe Nuclear fusion takes place in the sun. Nuclear fission is what happens in nuclear plants that produce electricity. Please correct me if I am mistaken. 🤪😜

    2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger

  • henrynhenryn Member Posts: 4,289
    abacomike said:

    @mjfloyd1 said:

    Nuclear fusion perhaps?

    Fusion or fission? I believe Nuclear fusion takes place in the sun. Nuclear fission is what happens in nuclear plants that produce electricity. Please correct me if I am mistaken. 🤪😜


    There was a breakthrough reported last month in the area of nuclear fusion. It is still years away, but progress is being made, so I remain hopeful.
    2023 Chevrolet Silverado, 2019 Chrysler Pacifica
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,237
    abacomike said:

    @mjfloyd1 said:

    Nuclear fusion perhaps?

    Fusion or fission? I believe Nuclear fusion takes place in the sun. Nuclear fission is what happens in nuclear plants that produce electricity. Please correct me if I am mistaken. 🤪😜


    They’ve had some recent breakthroughs in fusion reactions which optimistically could provide unlimited power with little or no waste. They finally exceeded the break even point. That would certainly change the EV equation.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    Michaell said:

    driver100 said:

    And what about a friend who drives from Tampa to Toledo OH a few times a year.....1200 miles, and would have to make 5 stops each way....for at least 30 minutes each time once you find the charging station?

    Good video of an EV road trip from Chicago to Orlando. Worth the watch.

    I skimmed through, there is a lot of filler. I'd like to see the main parts. That trip was painful to watch. He spends a lot of time calculating how much power is left, how far they can get on each charge, where they can get a charge....how much power they were losing or gaining because of various factors. They even had to stay at a motel, charge the car for a half hour while they have breakfast. Sometimes when we make a trip like that we want to get up and start driving, and stop for breakfast in an hour or two. Sometimes chargers weren't working and they had to find another one. We used to drive 1500 miles from Toronto to Tampa......doing all that would be a giant pain.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    edited January 2023
    I saw one of these the other day and it took me a long time to find out what it was. I thought it looked really nice;


    I did notice the name on the back was a Clarity. I have to look at more information but they were discontinued in 2021. I believe it runs mostly on electricity, so uses less gas than the hybrid Accord, but needs more charging. It's too bad they don't make all Accords look like this.
    ****It looks better in real life than in a picture.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • mjfloyd1mjfloyd1 Member Posts: 3,806

    @abacomike said:

    @mjfloyd1 said:
    Nuclear fusion perhaps?

    Fusion or fission? I believe Nuclear fusion takes place in the sun. Nuclear fission is what happens in nuclear plants that produce electricity. Please correct me if I am mistaken. 🤪😜

    https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/13/science/nuclear-fusion-energy-breakthrough.html

  • MichaellMichaell Moderator Posts: 263,027
    driver100 said:

    Michaell said:

    driver100 said:

    And what about a friend who drives from Tampa to Toledo OH a few times a year.....1200 miles, and would have to make 5 stops each way....for at least 30 minutes each time once you find the charging station?

    Good video of an EV road trip from Chicago to Orlando. Worth the watch.

    I skimmed through, there is a lot of filler. I'd like to see the main parts. That trip was painful to watch. He spends a lot of time calculating how much power is left, how far they can get on each charge, where they can get a charge....how much power they were losing or gaining because of various factors. They even had to stay at a motel, charge the car for a half hour while they have breakfast. Sometimes when we make a trip like that we want to get up and start driving, and stop for breakfast in an hour or two. Sometimes chargers weren't working and they had to find another one. We used to drive 1500 miles from Toronto to Tampa......doing all that would be a giant pain.
    While not perfect, the point I was trying to make was that long distance road trips can certainly be accomplished in a pure electric vehicle.

    But, I get that EVs are not for everyone, currently.

    Edmunds Price Checker
    Edmunds Lease Calculator
    Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and let us know! Post a pic of your new purchase or lease!


    MODERATOR

    2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige

  • MichaellMichaell Moderator Posts: 263,027
    driver100 said:

    I saw one of these the other day and it took me a long time to find out what it was. I thought it looked really nice;


    I did notice the name on the back was a Clarity. I have to look at more information but they were discontinued in 2021. I believe it runs mostly on electricity, so uses less gas than the hybrid Accord, but needs more charging. It's too bad they don't make all Accords look like this.
    ****It looks better in real life than in a picture.

    If you think the Clarity is a handsome vehicle, I'm going to send the Edmunds police to both your Florida and Ontario houses and confiscate your Mercedes.

    This is a PHEV, which gets you a limited amount of electric-only range, then a gas motor that allows you to continue driving for another 300+ miles. I rode with a friend of mine when he test drove one a few years ago. Pretty roomy inside, but very hard to look at.

    Lots of PHEVs on the market now, almost all of which look better than this.

    Edmunds Price Checker
    Edmunds Lease Calculator
    Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and let us know! Post a pic of your new purchase or lease!


    MODERATOR

    2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,439
    Michaell said:

    driver100 said:

    Michaell said:

    driver100 said:

    And what about a friend who drives from Tampa to Toledo OH a few times a year.....1200 miles, and would have to make 5 stops each way....for at least 30 minutes each time once you find the charging station?

    Good video of an EV road trip from Chicago to Orlando. Worth the watch.

    I skimmed through, there is a lot of filler. I'd like to see the main parts. That trip was painful to watch. He spends a lot of time calculating how much power is left, how far they can get on each charge, where they can get a charge....how much power they were losing or gaining because of various factors. They even had to stay at a motel, charge the car for a half hour while they have breakfast. Sometimes when we make a trip like that we want to get up and start driving, and stop for breakfast in an hour or two. Sometimes chargers weren't working and they had to find another one. We used to drive 1500 miles from Toronto to Tampa......doing all that would be a giant pain.
    While not perfect, the point I was trying to make was that long distance road trips can certainly be accomplished in a pure electric vehicle.

    But, I get that EVs are not for everyone, currently.
    people like to trot out the "but what about a 2,000 mile trip!" but I bet a pretty small percentage of people actually take a long drive like that each in a given year. And it is usually something that can be planned around. A lot of people have 2 cars, so could take the other one!

    I did a quick trip today down to Jersey to see my father (belated Christmas visit thanks to Covid), and swung over to Ikea to pick up a new desk (for some reason there are none of those up this way). Probably more representative of a "big" drive for most people.

    about 320 miles RT. Mostly highway with a little bit of local at the end (at the store then to his complex). so 160 miles then a stop. I guess the 320 is probably more than anything will do hammering along through the hills at 75, but 160 should be plenty doable for a modern "long range" EV. this was actually a perfect destination too, since in the Ikea parking garage there were EV chargers. In the section I parked in, when I was leaving, a Tesla was plugged in, and a VW ID.4 was backing in to another charger.

    so, would have been pretty easy. charge at home, drive to Ikea, plug in when we arrived and by the time the wife was done looking at everything in the store, would probably be fully charged up and ready for the trip home. If the trip had been 320 miles straight to a different destination would likely have just planned on stopping for lunch around the time it needed juice and topping up during that stop.

    driving 1,500 miles would have been a totally different situation, even if we were driving a gasser, with planning breaks, hotels, etc.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 266,684
    There were two Clarity models. Plug-in Hybrid, and Hydrogen Fuel Cell.

    Edmunds Price Checker
    Edmunds Lease Calculator
    Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!

    Edmunds Moderator

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,237
    stickguy said:

    Michaell said:

    driver100 said:

    Michaell said:

    driver100 said:

    And what about a friend who drives from Tampa to Toledo OH a few times a year.....1200 miles, and would have to make 5 stops each way....for at least 30 minutes each time once you find the charging station?

    Good video of an EV road trip from Chicago to Orlando. Worth the watch.

    I skimmed through, there is a lot of filler. I'd like to see the main parts. That trip was painful to watch. He spends a lot of time calculating how much power is left, how far they can get on each charge, where they can get a charge....how much power they were losing or gaining because of various factors. They even had to stay at a motel, charge the car for a half hour while they have breakfast. Sometimes when we make a trip like that we want to get up and start driving, and stop for breakfast in an hour or two. Sometimes chargers weren't working and they had to find another one. We used to drive 1500 miles from Toronto to Tampa......doing all that would be a giant pain.
    While not perfect, the point I was trying to make was that long distance road trips can certainly be accomplished in a pure electric vehicle.

    But, I get that EVs are not for everyone, currently.
    people like to trot out the "but what about a 2,000 mile trip!" but I bet a pretty small percentage of people actually take a long drive like that each in a given year. And it is usually something that can be planned around. A lot of people have 2 cars, so could take the other one!

    I did a quick trip today down to Jersey to see my father (belated Christmas visit thanks to Covid), and swung over to Ikea to pick up a new desk (for some reason there are none of those up this way). Probably more representative of a "big" drive for most people.

    about 320 miles RT. Mostly highway with a little bit of local at the end (at the store then to his complex). so 160 miles then a stop. I guess the 320 is probably more than anything will do hammering along through the hills at 75, but 160 should be plenty doable for a modern "long range" EV. this was actually a perfect destination too, since in the Ikea parking garage there were EV chargers. In the section I parked in, when I was leaving, a Tesla was plugged in, and a VW ID.4 was backing in to another charger.

    so, would have been pretty easy. charge at home, drive to Ikea, plug in when we arrived and by the time the wife was done looking at everything in the store, would probably be fully charged up and ready for the trip home. If the trip had been 320 miles straight to a different destination would likely have just planned on stopping for lunch around the time it needed juice and topping up during that stop.

    driving 1,500 miles would have been a totally different situation, even if we were driving a gasser, with planning breaks, hotels, etc.
    You got me thinking, we frequently do trips of that length (320 miles) but never in an EV. In fact, I’ve never driven an EV to any office.

    I know we’ve had a few instances where a customer will rent one, drive it until it’s almost out of juice and then call us asking what we will do for them now.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • mjfloyd1mjfloyd1 Member Posts: 3,806

    @kyfdx said:
    There were two Clarity models. Plug-in Hybrid, and Hydrogen Fuel Cell.

    Thanks for the clarity😂

  • mjfloyd1mjfloyd1 Member Posts: 3,806

    @Michaell said:
    If you think the Clarity is a handsome vehicle, I'm going to send the Edmunds police to both your Florida and Ontario houses and confiscate your Mercedes.

    This is a PHEV, which gets you a limited amount of electric-only range, then a gas motor that allows you to continue driving for another 300+ miles. I rode with a friend of mine when he test drove one a few years ago. Pretty roomy inside, but very hard to look at.

    Lots of PHEVs on the market now, almost all of which look better than this.

    That weird overhang on the rear tires…

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,766
    Someone in my old neighborhood had a Clarity for a few years(probably a lease).
    They replaced it with some kind of CUV.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 266,684

    Someone in my old neighborhood had a Clarity for a few years(probably a lease).
    They replaced it with some kind of CUV.

    Not sure, but I think you could only lease.. but, that might have been for the fuel cell model, only.

    Edmunds Price Checker
    Edmunds Lease Calculator
    Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!

    Edmunds Moderator

  • mjfloyd1mjfloyd1 Member Posts: 3,806

    xsaid:

    @mjfloyd1 said:
    Nuclear fusion perhaps?

    Fusion or fission? I believe Nuclear fusion takes place in the sun. Nuclear fission is what happens in nuclear plants that produce electricity. Please correct me if I am mistaken. 🤪😜

    But surely nuclear fusion is exothermic and will contribute to climate change

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 266,684
    "In experimental reactors and laser labs on Earth, fusion lives up to its reputation as a very clean energy source.

    The result announced on Tuesday is the first fusion reaction in a laboratory setting that actually produced more energy than it took to start the reaction.

    Fusion would be essentially an emissions-free source of power, and it would help reduce the need for power plants burning coal and natural gas, which pump billions of tons of planet-warming carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year."

    Edmunds Price Checker
    Edmunds Lease Calculator
    Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!

    Edmunds Moderator

  • mjfloyd1mjfloyd1 Member Posts: 3,806

    But , like the sun, does nuclear fusion produce heat?

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    Michaell said:

    driver100 said:

    Michaell said:

    driver100 said:

    And what about a friend who drives from Tampa to Toledo OH a few times a year.....1200 miles, and would have to make 5 stops each way....for at least 30 minutes each time once you find the charging station?

    Good video of an EV road trip from Chicago to Orlando. Worth the watch.

    I skimmed through, there is a lot of filler. I'd like to see the main parts. That trip was painful to watch. He spends a lot of time calculating how much power is left, how far they can get on each charge, where they can get a charge....how much power they were losing or gaining because of various factors. They even had to stay at a motel, charge the car for a half hour while they have breakfast. Sometimes when we make a trip like that we want to get up and start driving, and stop for breakfast in an hour or two. Sometimes chargers weren't working and they had to find another one. We used to drive 1500 miles from Toronto to Tampa......doing all that would be a giant pain.
    While not perfect, the point I was trying to make was that long distance road trips can certainly be accomplished in a pure electric vehicle.

    But, I get that EVs are not for everyone, currently.
    Long trips can be done in an electric car but it took a lot more planning than I would want to do. Make sure you can reach a charging station, and then take into account how much the a/c is working, whether you should turn off the radio, maybe save power by not using windshield wipers.......oh oh, I am stuck in an unexpected traffic jam for 2 hours.....how do I get off this highway and where is there a charging station. Not good in a sudden snow storm, any car could be a problem but this one could be a huge problem....can't even bring fuel to it.

    Yes, it can be done, but it makes a long trip much more difficult. I am trying to simplify my life.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

This discussion has been closed.