All things about Cars, Trucks & SUVs

[Edward64]

Yeah, I read he dinged it. Software was buggy as heck and some weird design choices. Obviously rushed out, didn't do a good usability study. Can do that with games ($60) but not cars ($50k+).

Nice looking car though. IMO better looking than Tesla models.

[Edward64]

In addition to the robotaxi announcement, there were a couple articles about how Elon is cancelling the < $30k cheaper Teslas.

That's not confirmed yet, I'd put that under speculation right now, and really hope that's not true. But I'd think the sub $30k is more important than robotaxis. Sure, I can see it if the FSD was really FSD but from what I've read, it costs a lot, it's still not 100% and the onus (and liability) is still on the driver to handle unexpected situations. My guess is the robotaxi will come up short.

Elon Musk announces Tesla will unveil a ‘robotaxi’ on August 8 | CNN Business

Elon Musk has long had an affinity for self-driving vehicles, claiming they will be one of Tesla’s most important products. Despite big promises, years have gone by without cars that can, so far, drive on their own.

But Musk, on a Friday afternoon, when companies tend to bury news, announced on X that Tesla would unveil its robotaxi on August 8.

His post was simple and included no details. “Tesla Robotaxi unveil on 8/8,” the Tesla CEO (and owner of X) posted.

Honestly, I wouldn't consider an expensive Tesla nowadays. Musk changes the pricing seemingly at will and reductions make the depreciation & re-sale value a crapshoot.


EDIT: regarding scrapping the lower cost car, Musk denies it but Reuters stands by the reporting.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/...n-low-cost-car

Tesla CEO Elon Musk accused Reuters of "lying" on Friday after the outlet reported the electric vehicle behemoth is abandoning its long-touted plans to produce a budget-friendly starter car.

Citing three unnamed "sources familiar," Reuters reported that Tesla has scrapped its initiative to roll out an inexpensive car for the masses, purportedly called Model 2, that was expected to start at $25,000. The outlet said it had reviewed several internal Tesla documents confirming the project's demise.

[Edward64]

I like the new 4Runner front. The rear is just okay.

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/09/2025...id-engine.html

Toyota said pricing of the 2025 4Runner will be released closer to its on-sale date. Starting prices for the 2024 model range from about $41,000 to more than $55,000.

[stevew]

My mom wants to trade my late dad’s RAV4 for a new Prius. Except you can’t even look at one to sit in it and see how you like it. Thought about possibly going the Carmax route on a lightly used 2023 that she could take back if she hates. Those are all kinda pricy though.

So what do I do? Was considering just putting together an email to a couple local dealerships like “hey we have this available to trade and what’s the best price you can do after trade and when can you have in a new one” and just go from there.

Does anyone here have a 2023 or 2024? Probably just want the LE, it’s already going to have too much stuff on it. Right now she’s primary driving an 05 Prius with no cameras and sensors and I don’t really like that now that she’s older.

[stevew]

Finding a new Prius was going to be a full time job. Ended up going with a new Corolla Hybrid that will be stateside in a few weeks.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by stevew

Finding a new Prius was going to be a full time job. Ended up going with a new Corolla Hybrid that will be stateside in a few weeks.

Nice. That would be my choice if we replaced our current car. My wife is happy with our Sentra, though. She is not wanting to pick up a car payment.

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

She is not wanting to pick up a car payment.

Smart woman you married.

[Danny]

We just got a 2024 Honda Odyssey Touring. Plan it to be our family car for the next 10-15 years. Only downside was lack of a hybrid engine and fair gas mileage but the Sienna's are backed way up and would have to be purchased unseen / undriven for about 4-5l more for the equivalent features.

[Ghost Econ]

Cybertruck recall because the accelerator pad can get stuck... all 3,878 trucks made have been recalled.

[Kodos]

Originally Posted by Ghost Econ

Cybertruck recall because the accelerator pad can get stuck... all 3,878 trucks made have been recalled.

Huh. Usually a company run by Elon Musk is so well organized--a proverbial well-oiled machine...

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Danny

We just got a 2024 Honda Odyssey Touring. Plan it to be our family car for the next 10-15 years. Only downside was lack of a hybrid engine and fair gas mileage but the Sienna's are backed way up and would have to be purchased unseen / undriven for about 4-5l more for the equivalent features.

When we were buying my mom‘s car, I was shocked to see a Sienna xse on the lot. Sales guy said it was the first one they actually had sit on the lot. It wasn’t the AWD one though. Still blows my mind that a minivan can get 36 miles per gallon.

[GrantDawg]

I wrote in a Uber Odyssey and a Kia Carvinval yesterday. Mini vans have come a long way. The Kia especially was very nice.

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[Ksyrup]

We had 2 Odysseys from around 2002 to 2019. The first one, the transmission died. Thanks to the internet, I realized that it was an ongoing problem that they didn't want to do a national recall for. When it happened, my wife had driven on her own from FL to NJ with a 5 year old and 6 month old, during Thanksgiving week, to attend a family funeral. Two local dealerships wouldn't do anything other than quote us the $5K+ price to replace it.

Needless to say, when I got on the phone with the regional Honda rep and told him we were going to plaster her story on every website and news source who would listen if they didn't comp any obviously defective transmission that they were having problems with all over the country, they changed their tune and not only comped the transmission, but gave us an additional 5 year warranty on it for $50.

Other than that one issue, we loved our Odysseys. I've read, though, that Honda quality has taken a dive in the past decade. Not sure if that's true or not. If you had told me 30 years ago that I'd be more likely to buy a Kia/Hyundai than a Honda, I would have laughed at you.

[Danny]

Yeah. Originally we were looking at suvs but we didnt like the room they had and the third row ones were basically for timy people only. Minivans presented a better value and fit and they are so much nicer than they used to be. And even the non hybrid odyssey seems to be getting 28mph on the freeway.

Kias are attractive witu good tech but have escalating insurance costs and questionable long term reliability and value so we didn't strongly consider the carnival

[Danny]

I hadnt read about Honda reliability taking a dive. They do appear to be behind some others in modernazation of tech and looks from what I read.

[Edward64]

All 2025 Camrys are going to be hybrids. I'd probably go with a RAV-4 or CRV for next car, but Camry would be in Top 5 for consideration. Just not sure how I like Toyota trying to make the Camry sportier (?) with that fugly front grill. If I drive a sedan, I prefer a boring sedan.

2025 Toyota Camry First Drive Review: Hybrid-only overhaul is a hit - Autoblog

[stevew]

I’ve had a Polestar 2 as a rental the past week and I love the way it drives.

[GrantDawg]

I cant remember if we talked about this on here. We night have discussed it in the stock market thread. Rivian had plans to build a second huge EV plant in the next town over from me. They were supposed to break ground on the plant last month, but the day after Governor Kemp declared "Rivian Day" in Georgia, the company announced they are pausing construction indefinitely. There has been questions on the health of the company.
I say all that to set up this. Apple, who not long ago canceled their program to build an Apple car, are in talks with Rivian for them to take over creation of the Apple Car. My guess is that Apple is interested in using Rivians technology and that sweet deal they have in the future plant in Georgia to cut the cost of creating their car.

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[Edward64]

Hope Apple + Rivian happens. I'm grateful that Musk re-energized the EV markets but pretty obvious that Telsa has lost the momentum (and Elon his focus), so more competition the better. But sure hope they get an Apple design team on their fugly cars.

I've been reading about the Chinese EVs, quality may not be up to par but it'll get there. Reminds me of the Japanese automakers back in the 70s that eventually took over from the domestic Big-3. If the political climate was more friendly, I'd be driving a $15k Chinese EV.

[stevew]

As far as cheap EVs go, you can get some really nice deals on low mileage Bolt EUVs. It’s definitely not a road trip Car but it’s kind of a neat second car. I think they are sitting right around 20 with low miles but I think the used tax credit might take down another three or 4000 depending on how much it is right now.

[cartman]

I do really like the Rivians. I've seen both the truck and SUV driving in my area.

[molson]

Anybody ever own a schoolie?

It gets a lot of compliments on the road, there are a ton of beautiful places to bring it close to home in Idaho, and it's fun to live out of when everything goes right, but but it sure is a pain in the ass maintenance- and finding insurance-wise.

[GrantDawg]

That is quite cool. I could see liking that. I have been wanting a Camper conversion Van for some time. Either that or a mini-camper. I love the idea of traveling in your hotel room, but there is not a chance I could drive a full=sized RV or pull a huge trailer.

[molson]

I was pretty terrified to drive it at first, but it's only as long as a long pickup truck, so it was actually easy.

Insurance was a bit of a struggle because it doesn't fit into any normal category. My home and regular car carriers wouldn't insure it. State Farm would, but I had to drive it to their local office and have them take pictures and eyeball it. And promise in writing that I would never try to cook on the roof.

Registering it can also be a challenge depending on if you've fully converted it yet. A lot of bus owners register in Vermont, because apparently they let you do it online no questions asked. Fortunately Idaho just required an inspection to confirm it was not a school bus anymore, and then they'd register it as an RV.

It's easier/simpler with no electric. Most campgrounds you can use either the RV or tent spots, but, some aggressive hosts have opinions about where you should be. We have not yet ventured beyond campgrounds into dispersed camping. That's definitely a thing people do in Idaho, find a nice spot in the state forest by a river or whatever. Someone gifted us a camping toilet setup this year, but, we have not yet made that leap. The rural campgrounds are exciting enough.

[thesloppy]

i hope you cooked on the roof, just out of spite.

[molson]

Originally Posted by thesloppy

i hope you cooked on the roof, just out of spite.

Not yet, but maybe I'll go up there and drink a PBR and eat some beef jerky.

You know, build up to it.

[stevew]

Seeing all kinds of cybertrucks. Anything wrapped looks fun. Anything in stainless looks like a Black Friday special discount “stainless steel” dishwasher. Like cheap as f.

[flere-imsaho]

Originally Posted by molson

Not yet, but maybe I'll go up there and drink a PBR and eat some beef jerky.

You know, build up to it.

Smart.

[flere-imsaho]

Originally Posted by stevew

Seeing all kinds of cybertrucks. Anything wrapped looks fun.

Smart, the wrapping will hide the rust.

[stevew]

The rear axel articulates for a tighter radius on turns on a CyberTruck. I thought that was a neat feature. Until it breaks, of course.

[GrantDawg]

I mean, Jesus...

420 miles of range (LOL) for the new Rivian R1T! 2.5s 0 to 60. Boooooom! pic.twitter.com/zopMj05QQT

— Chris Hilbert (@Hilbe) June 6, 2024

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

I mean, Jesus...

The 420 mile range? Good but you’d think that is pretty common by now considering how long Tesla has been around. I can’t help but feel if Elon didn’t get distracted by X (and more focused on cracking the whip at Tesla), we’d have range and self driving much further ahead.

Speaking of Teslas, I’m thinking 25k is a decent price.

Hertz has plenty of electric vehicles, especially Teslas, that it's motivated to sell since pulling back on its aggressive EV plans, at what the rental car company calls 'no-haggle' prices.

Nationwide, in most major metros, that means an average sales price of around $25,000, but they are now older models in a market where battery and mileage performance will increase each year.

[sovereignstar v2]

I would love to throw down 25 grand on a used rental car. Smashing deal

[GrantDawg]

0 to 60 in 2.5s and 1,025 hp is more what I was reacting to. The 400+ range on it is just icing.

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[Edward64]

Perfectly happy with my 2007 Camry Hybrid puttering at 8 secs 0-60 doing my part for Greta and reducing our dependency on ME oil.

Re: buy used rentals, you’re prob right.

[sovereignstar v2]

hah, you just don't have any idea of what they have been through. I'm not sure if you would have any idea on past maintenance or not. Maybe if you knew a good mechanic that you trusted. And I believe there were at least a few common wear and tear issues with them that'd you want a mechanic to give the thumbs up on.

[cartman]

A lot of the Hertz Teslas were used as Ubers and Lyfts.

[stevew]

I’ve rented a few of the Uber Teslas and I would never recommend anyone buying those. Probably has like 160 mile range at the most and it’s been abused as hell.

[stevew]

There’s probably gonna be a lot of decent used stuff after January 1 that will qualify for the extra $4000 credit. The Subaru EV is not great but lower mileage and $21000 might be about the right price point depending on miles. Some of those used 2023 Bolts might be around 12K or so.

[stevew]

Sitting in a Polestar space checking out the Polestar 4 demo they have here. Car is pretty badass looking. I dunno about 75k new but off lease used it will be a good get.

[Ksyrup]

I know there's a clear agenda behind it, but this is still funny as hell. And seems pretty much on point, from where I sit.

I drove a Cybertruck around SF because I am a smart, cool alpha male

[cartman]

I'm probably going to jinx myself now, but I find it amazing that I still have the OEM factory battery in my Jeep Grand Cherokee that I got in Jan. 2016.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

I know there's a clear agenda behind it, but this is still funny as hell. And seems pretty much on point, from where I sit.

I drove a Cybertruck around SF because I am a smart, cool alpha male

I met a couple at Jordancon this year that I just really liked. They were funny and smart, and I felt a solid connection with them. Following them on Twitter, I learned they are Elon Musk worshipers. I learned that when they got their Cybertruck delivered and drove it to the Tesla stock-holders meeting. Ever since almost every post is about their Cybertruck. It is funny how something like that can drop your opinion of people down several pegs.

[RainMaker]

I've now seen 2 in the wild. It's definitely "unique". The stainless steel looks horrible and I wonder if people would have a better opinion of it if they just painted it like a normal car. I've seen some photos of it wrapped online and it doesn't look as bad. But the stainless steel version I saw in the parking lot had finger smudges all over it like my fridge.

[thesloppy]

I have read that there can even be slight color variations from panel to panel because they use different batches of steel and don't bother to match those batches & panels together

[cartman]

I've seen quite a few around here, as it seems they let people who work at the Tesla factory drive them. They are a lot bigger in person, ugly, but fast as shit. Each time I've been behind one at a light and no one is in front of them, they take off like a rocket. But that's true of just about all electric vehicles, since 100% of the torque is available at 0 rpm with an electric motor. Another point on the 15 or so I've seen, is that all of them had varying panel gaps, none of them seemed to be uniform at all.

[thesloppy]

It sure seems like Tesla's are overrepresented in the delivery space too. I don't know who's doing DoorDash to make payments for a $70k car with panel gaps.

[RainMaker]

I still can't get over the stainless steel choice but I'm a stainless steel hater. It's such a pain in the ass to keep my fridge clean from smudges and finger marks that I can't fathom how bad it is with a giant truck.

[Kodos]

I've seen two Cybertrucks in person. Was not impressed, and my kids were laughing at them.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I've now seen 2 in the wild. It's definitely "unique". The stainless steel looks horrible and I wonder if people would have a better opinion of it if they just painted it like a normal car. I've seen some photos of it wrapped online and it doesn't look as bad. But the stainless steel version I saw in the parking lot had finger smudges all over it like my fridge.

I just saw one yesterday that was like a smoky black, and it does tone down the ugliness. Still, they are pretty ugly just because of the dumb shape. I do service at the Rivian headquarters here in town and they have three or four trucks out there. They are way better looking than the Tesla monstrosity.