Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Car Advice?
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
Fact.
You know what's funny, the bolts that hold the wheel bearing to the knuckle on GM cars from 06 or so until 17 were supposed to be a 13mm head, but those sockets fit too loose and would often round the bolt head off.
Snap On came out with some new whiz bang socket specifically for that application and the day our dealer stopped in I happened to be doing a front bearing on a 12 Impala.
Snappy tries to sell me the new tool and I show him that a 1/2" socket fits perfectly and I don't need his flavor of the week tool.
I'll imagine that the new kids without fractional tools would have bought what he was selling, the old school guys like myself wouldn't.
"Only" $330 for the set And they destroy the head (if it matters at that point).
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
Second day on the job.So your "experienced"?
Rock on dude!
We've had an EV since April 2024, and I'd agree that out-of-service charging stations has been a real issue. Twice, I've gone to Electrify America stations to find them closed due to maintenance, which in one instance was installation of better chargers. Thankfully, I was able to find other chargers nearby, but that won't always be the case. However, if I'd used the PlugShare app I probably could have known the stations were out of service and made other plans, so it's partly my fault.
For road trips, the key is advance planning. I always research charger locations before leaving, and I usually know where we'll charge. (Our car can plan the charging stops for us, but it prioritizes minimizing time spent charging, which isn't always the best approach IMO.) We still have free charging through Electrify America (got two years with the car), so I prioritize those stations, but we have accounts with EVGo and ChargePoint so I look for those too. And now, the rest stops on the New Jersey Turnpike and I-95 in CT have Applegreen chargers (along with Tesla), which is great. IME, these are very fast chargers.
Most charging stations are located next to stores with food and restrooms, like Wal-Marts, which function like highway rest stops. You can leave your EV charging, hit the restroom and grab a sandwich, maybe take a short walk, and come back ready to roll (or close). (The EVGo station in Warwick, RI is next to a GC, so I did some gear browsing while charging. That was sweet.) So the total time for rest stops really isn't much different than with gas, provided you don't have to wait long for a charger. I've only had a couple of annoying waits, and they are very annoying, but in the grand scheme those are counterbalanced by ZERO time at gas stations in day-to-day life.
In short, it hasn't been a big deal, and charging options are increasing all the time. I'm not going back to ICE. No way. I recognize that, driving in the Northeast, the charger density is fairly high, so it's easier here than elsewhere. Also, our EV has longer range than most and can charge quickly, which improves things further. Road trips would not be as easy in many other EVs. But if you don't take long road trips, it's not even an issue. (Reduced range in the winter is a real issue, but I can still easily get to my parents' place in CT, so it's been manageable.)
Our electricity provider uses exclusively renewable sources, so our home charging isn't using any fuel.
As for ICE, I think the Kia Soul is great. I've had them as rentals, and I've always been impressed. Also consider Subaru's Crosstrek and Forester, and the Honda CR-V. They're all excellent, though Subarus don't have the best fuel economy.
Last edited:
I'm a dyed-in-the-wool pragmatist and drive a 2012 Ford Transit Connect w/ 195k miles. Still looks great, runs great, and easy to service which is why they're employed as fleet vehicles.
If purchasing from a dealership (desired brand / model), go talk to a service writer or senior mechanic. They'll be more than frank as to best buys and models to avoid. They earn their income either way but NOBODY likes working on a knuckle-buster.
Riis
If purchasing from a dealership (desired brand / model), go talk to a service writer or senior mechanic. They'll be more than frank as to best buys and models to avoid. They earn their income either way but NOBODY likes working on a knuckle-buster.
Riis
I think the ideal niche for the EV is as a commuter car for the city dweller.
I think trying to turn it into an over the road long distance touring vehicle is like trying to pull a loaded cattle trailer up Pike's Peak with a Pinto. In theory, you can finagle it, but it's so far from ideal, that you'd do better to use something else.
Where the disconnect seems to come is that people expect one vehicle to do everything well. If you are the ordinary city dweller who occasionally takes a long driving trip, buy an EV and rent an ICE or hybrid car for those long trips. If there are two drivers in your family, or you have space and money for two cars, have one of each, the EV used for the majority of short trips. This also allows you to have one small fuel-efficient car (EV, or small hybrid) and one big comfortable hauler (full size pickup or the like).
For several years my wife and I both drove rather elderly cars, and we didn't want to buy new cars right then, because we had better uses for our money. We also took a few long trips a year - so we just rented a car for those. We knew we were getting a nearly new, larger, comfortable car for the long drives. The same kind of thinking can apply perfectly well to EV ownership.
I think trying to turn it into an over the road long distance touring vehicle is like trying to pull a loaded cattle trailer up Pike's Peak with a Pinto. In theory, you can finagle it, but it's so far from ideal, that you'd do better to use something else.
Where the disconnect seems to come is that people expect one vehicle to do everything well. If you are the ordinary city dweller who occasionally takes a long driving trip, buy an EV and rent an ICE or hybrid car for those long trips. If there are two drivers in your family, or you have space and money for two cars, have one of each, the EV used for the majority of short trips. This also allows you to have one small fuel-efficient car (EV, or small hybrid) and one big comfortable hauler (full size pickup or the like).
For several years my wife and I both drove rather elderly cars, and we didn't want to buy new cars right then, because we had better uses for our money. We also took a few long trips a year - so we just rented a car for those. We knew we were getting a nearly new, larger, comfortable car for the long drives. The same kind of thinking can apply perfectly well to EV ownership.
The ubiquitous ½" socket is just the opposite. It seems that every handyman and mechanic I know has about two dozen ½" sockets cluttering up their tool boxes
C'mon people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together, try and love one another right now...
I use the Metrinch system (below) which can accommodate BOTH Metric and Inch sizes, Simultaneously!
For ex. - The 3/8" socket is marked "3/8 & 10mm".
Welcome to the 21st century.
IMFO, of course.
Thx.
I use the Metrinch system (below) which can accommodate BOTH Metric and Inch sizes, Simultaneously!
For ex. - The 3/8" socket is marked "3/8 & 10mm".
Welcome to the 21st century.
IMFO, of course.
Thx.
Last edited:
Seems to me, For the $7-$10k that you would spend on a 20+ year old car with rust +issues, you might be able to find a suitable "upgrade" somewhere in the used market.. (with some patience, and persistence).
>Be aware of the signs of flood damage on used cars, as so many places have flooded recently. People have been known to buy them at auction, and re-sell them elsewhere~
Good Luck, Whatever you choose to do~
I am leaning towards an economy car, either new or used. It is crazy seeing all of the expensive used cars on the market. There is no way I would have a big car payment on some used luxury car with no warranty.
This seems pretty obvious to me. I could easily use an EV where I live for commuting and trips that are 200 miles round trip. In Illinois, I could go to Chicago and back (560 miles) because Illinois has a lot of charging stations. The only problems is that battery range really shrinks in cold weather.
Last edited:
I would only be slightly curious about an EV as a purely luxury item to drive in the city, (thinking of TESLA). Would not even consider driving one on any sort of OTR trip whatsoever..
Too many issues still with EV's, to be anywhere close to replacing gas/diesel vehicles. Pray that you don't ever have to replace the battery, or put out a fire in one...
Not to mention, at most charging stations, the electricity provided is still being generated from dependable sources of coal, and natural gas power grids~
Too many issues still with EV's, to be anywhere close to replacing gas/diesel vehicles. Pray that you don't ever have to replace the battery, or put out a fire in one...
Not to mention, at most charging stations, the electricity provided is still being generated from dependable sources of coal, and natural gas power grids~
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
Another place to look is ex-government cars. They aren't always beautiful. The are nearly always bottom of the line, or close. They often have low mileage and governments maintain them whether they need it or not. My last two have been ex-government.
FWIW, My 6 year old Silverado needed a $7000 transmission replacement at 66k, and still has the sketchy AFM lifters that may or may not destroy the engine. My neighbor's Mini Cooper burned their garage down 4 years ago.
I get EV's still have a way to go, but let's not pretend IC doesn't have it's problems. I love cars and help on two circle track race crews, I'm not greenie.
