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Who has or is planning to get an electric car / EV Talk
- Thread starter PracticalMac
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When it comes to non-Tesla EV's, I would have a tough choice. I don't like the styling of the Mach E inside and out. Exterior styling of the ID.4 is good, but I don't like the interior. The Ioniq is interesting, but don't know enough about it yet.
I just wish it was really yellow, and not that off-yellow color that makes it look like someone used your center console for a toilet.
Anyway, I’ll hold onto it as long as I can to maximize the chances of an acceptable alternative. As it stands now, hard to imagine I’d get anything other than another Tesla. (The hassle of replacing my wall charger, alone, is enough to give me pause).
Not in the market yet, but it may be a possibility someday. That said, I’d stick to a manufacturer with a big service network, I think. Tesla, in the early days, was a little iffy in that regard. Even now they are completely swamped.
In that case none of the “startups” are going to be sufficient. You’ll have to go back to the dealer network model.
The reason I ask, is that I know some of Tesla’s earlier GEN models had problems, and kind of trickled forward.
My neighbor has a Model S, I believe it’s a (PD85), and every time we talk (Being we’re both car enthusiasts), he just raves on that car. The only problems he had was the infotainment display had to be replaced (Which he barely got covered under warranty) and there was an issue with the driver side door handle not opening. Otherwise, no other noted issues. I believe he has a Model 3 on order.
But he’s a Tesla fan for life. I’m not a Tesla owner yet myself, but if I was, it would probably be a Model 3 in the long range. I’d like to have the performance model, but I live in a snow state, and the performance Model 3 is equipped with summer rated tires, and from my understanding, switching tires for that specific wheel size has very limited options, unless you opt for aftermarket wheels, which I know some people go that route.
I am curious though with the new battery packs/improvements I believe that are set to be released once the Austin facility opens.
I know I’m in the minority, but I really look forward to see what the Cybertruck has to offer. But being that I’m not very patient and there’s a lot of uncertainty yet, I went with the Ford Lightning, but I still plan on pre-ordering a Cybertruck, And cancel one or the other, it really depends what comes first.
They will have to open up a ton of service locations, that is for sure. I guess the alternative would be for Apple to allow normal mechanics shops the ability to do repairs.
I've owned the Mach-E for about 3 months. My first BEV. Wanted just a FEW more choices in the sub-45K range to take advantage of my state's sub-$45K rebate, but let's face it--choices are grim in the new car market in 2021. ID.4 was a close 2nd though. Would have loved for the Ioniq 5 to at least be around for a test drive.
With the rebates/tax credits, this was an incredibly inexpensive vehicle for its size. I've actually been pleasantly surprised with it overall. But I've been driving plug-ins (PHEV) since 2014 so I'm well aware of the pluses/minuses of EV tech.
I will say that despite the polarizing name, I've gotten more questions/interest on this vehicle than ever. Glad to see the interest--it's fascinating tech and a great, smooth drive. Won't be for everyone, though, but glad to see the options greatly increasing.
With the rebates/tax credits, this was an incredibly inexpensive vehicle for its size. I've actually been pleasantly surprised with it overall. But I've been driving plug-ins (PHEV) since 2014 so I'm well aware of the pluses/minuses of EV tech.
I will say that despite the polarizing name, I've gotten more questions/interest on this vehicle than ever. Glad to see the interest--it's fascinating tech and a great, smooth drive. Won't be for everyone, though, but glad to see the options greatly increasing.
Did you go with the AWD/‘Select’ model?
This is one of the more unique vehicles, because I feel like depending on which angle you look at it, you either love or hate it. For me, I’m right in the middle. I don’t mind the Mustang marketing, and I gather Ford is trying to have the consumer base to understand where they’re going in the future with the ‘branding’, but this is the one EV vehicle that’s actually available in my area without markup, surprisingly.
They may do a hybrid model, where they send people out for most repairs, and anything else they pair up with a legacy car dealer network. Or maybe you don’t own an apple car, you just rent it, so when it gets busted they bring you another. Who knows.
No, just the RWD "base" select, which except for the AWD and some other niceties is surprisingly well-equipped. This was the only model under $45K -- giving up $3K in a rebate + the cost of the option didn't make stepping up worth it.
No markup, though. Considering this market, getting it at MSRP was a "good deal."
I probably should’ve elaborated, the available ‘Select’ Mach-E’s in my area that are not seeing dealer inflation, is only the RWD version. And the reason is, because living in a snow state, no one, (And I literally mean no one) wants to own a RWD when we have winter here six months out of the year with 110 inches of snow being in the realm.
So when you look at the available Mach-E models that we do have inflation, they are the AWD/Select & above, and those direct from factory I believe are around ~$46,500. With inflation, they are topping out at about ~$55,000. (which does not include tax/title/plate reg).
I have to say though, I think certain colors really bring out the Mach-E, and one of the colors I really like is the ‘iconic silver metallic’ with the gun metal coat 18 inch wheels.
I personally could live with this specific color……
So when you look at the available Mach-E models that we do have inflation, they are the AWD/Select & above, and those direct from factory I believe are around ~$46,500. With inflation, they are topping out at about ~$55,000. (which does not include tax/title/plate reg).
I have to say though, I think certain colors really bring out the Mach-E, and one of the colors I really like is the ‘iconic silver metallic’ with the gun metal coat 18 inch wheels.
I personally could live with this specific color……
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I’ve seen videos of people with brand new Tesla’s demonstrating the poor build quality, like interior trim and leaks etc. Great innovation on the whole though. I know a couple of people with Tesla’s and like an old British sports car, you sort of take on the faults with an acceptance because it’s a really cool car lol.
It looks MUCH better in brighter colors because the design hides its “chunky” body. Black is ok, but was not my first choice. But neither was overpaying.
I could see being hesitant in a snowy environment. While the weight distribution in a modern EV is much safer than the RWD of yore, I’d rather see some side-by-side testing to feel confident that the stability control, good winter tires, and other systems make it acceptable.
Do you know offhand what the weight distribution is on the Mach-E?
I only ask because a lot of RWD sports cars and sports sedans actually hit pretty darn close to 50/50. It may seem counter-intuitive, but being able to stick the front axle farther forward than in FWD combined with the transmission being more in the center can actually spread the weight out quite well. Some old American barges even managed to bias the weight distribution to the rear. I couldn't remember exact numbers on the last Town Car my mom had, but a door sticker I found in an Ebay listing for a 2011 claims 2780lbs on the front axle and 2950lbs on the rear axle-nothing drastic but again some rear bias.
Of course EVs do carry a majority of their weight VERY low thanks to the batteries, and I realize that has a not insignificant effect on handling.
Just make sure you get a set of good winter tires and you’ll be fine in the snow with RWD. All-seasons should be called no-season tires since they are mediocre in all conditions.
I love the idea of them but I have a question. With the cost of producing these electric cars and implementing the infrastructure thats needed would it not be cheaper if the world all just bought efficient 1 litre petrol/gas cars? I'm very curious about the benefits of it all? Logically speaking we don't need fast cars because there are speed limits in most countries of the world and with the level of traffic, fast cars are sadly redundant.
Black is probably one of my favorite colors on any car. After owning six black cars, that’s the last color I would want anymore for a daily. It looks so amazing when it’s glossy and highly detailed, but obviously you got to enjoy the moment when it’s clean.
But I don’t blame you, if you didn’t have to overpay with how the market is and you have tax incentives to add, and you’re content with the color, then that’s all that matters.
Definitely winter tires make a huge impact. And that’s a good point about the weight distribution with the battery packs, because typically in your standard RWD vehicle that’s Non-EV, they’re typically very light in the rear, but tires do help, especially a solid tire like a Bridgestone Blizzaks.
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Same here this is why I will not buy one until I am at least getting 3k-5k per charge. All these new EV's I just consider prototypes any ways, just the battery life is unnacceptable on the amount of money they cost, it's like owning an iPhone SE have to charge it every 2 hours lol.
Personally, my biggest gripe with Teslas is the fact their build quality is a literal hit-and-miss. I really hope once the Tesla Model Y's coming out of Gigafactory Texas start production, they'll use the large casting process to simplify production and improve quality.
This is indeed part of the answer. As I stated above I get 45mpg in my family ICE car. With refinements they should be able to improve on that for at least part of the answer. Of course my 1.4 litre engine is quite economical compared to some peoples 2 litre plus size engines. But why do they need all that? I can do over 100 MPH quite easily. The limit is 70 MPH in my country. Why do people need a car that will do 2-3 times the legal speed limit?
It isn’t so much about going over the speed limit as it is about how fast you can get there. In the US short merge lanes on our expressways (interstate highways) is a thing.
Well I'm not really that sort of driver. I tend to try and drive economically where I can. At £88 a tank of fuel, it's not something I wish to use up.