Cars We Drive!

[Dino944]

I forgot that my $9k in service included new tires, which was a big omission, sorry. I can’t edit my previous post anymore.

@Dino944 was the $1200 for a Li Ion battery? I think some 991.2’s like the GT3 RS required Li Ion but it’s optional for others. Otherwise, I’ve started fitting $150 Interstate batteries on my GT’s and they work just fine…

No, it wasn't for a Li Ion battery. My friend had a very stripped down base 991.2, that had almost nothing beyond standard equipment. I think in 2017 it stickered for $95K, and that was back in the days when you could get discounts on Porsches. I haven't seen such a stripped down 911 since the 1990's. It didn't come with the optional Li Ion battery and he wasn't going to add one to the car.

My independent always uses Interstate batteries, and I'm a big fan of the brand. I once forgot to change the battery in the 328 and realized the battery was 9 years old. It wasn't having any problems. I only had him change it out because in my experience when a battery dies it always dies at the least convenient time and place.

 

[Texasmade]

I only had him change it out because in my experience when a battery dies it always dies at the least convenient time and place.

Please tell me when there is a convenient time and place for the battery to die.

 

[Dino944]

Please tell me when there is a convenient time and place for the battery to die.

When the car is on the dealership lot, and you have signed all the paperwork and handed over the keys for your trade in toward the new vehicle! 😁

 

[flipstah]

After many years I said goodbye to my bachelor Audi life.

Hello, reliable husband carriage

 

[Omega Male]

After many years I said goodbye to my bachelor Audi life.

Hello, reliable husband carriage

View attachment 2256839

And room for a baby seat in the back! RIP footloose Flipstah.

 

[flipstah]

And room for a baby seat in the back! RIP footloose Flipstah.

That's the goal!

 

[sugarbutch]

Started test drives for a new EV. Gave the Honda Prologue a spin, but it's huge and too GM. Plus, the steering wheel has huge spokes placed such that I couldn't hold the wheel where I wanted to. And the brake regen was too weak for one-pedal driving. Felt like a generic mid-size automatic.

Kia EV6 was quite nice, but we also drove the Niro EV, and it was plenty good, too. Its size is much more compatible with our garage and city parking. From there, we went to the Hyundai dealership. Didn't bother with the Ioniq 5 because the EV6 had already been eliminated because it's too big. Kona EV (mechanical twin of the Niro) was my favorite of the day, in part because it had some actual buttons beneath the big screen and also it had a light-colored interior. After driving the i3 for so long, the thought of going back to a dark interior is depressing.

Tried to drive the iD4, but they have a stop-sale recall ongoing for some issue with the exterior door handles. After sitting in the one in the showroom, though, if the driving experience is any good, it could move to the top of the list. I didn't find the UI annoying despite all of the scathing reviews.

 

[flipstah]

The iD.4 is a well-packaged setup for a Tesla alternative that's relatively affordable. The Equinox isn't bad either.

 

[HRoi]

I documented my own search for an affordable non-Tesla EV many pages back. I ultimately never went through with it, but my answer was Polestar

 

[breakaway01]

Started test drives for a new EV. Gave the Honda Prologue a spin, but it's huge and too GM. Plus, the steering wheel has huge spokes placed such that I couldn't hold the wheel where I wanted to. And the brake regen was too weak for one-pedal driving. Felt like a generic mid-size automatic.

Kia EV6 was quite nice, but we also drove the Niro EV, and it was plenty good, too. Its size is much more compatible with our garage and city parking. From there, we went to the Hyundai dealership. Didn't bother with the Ioniq 5 because the EV6 had already been eliminated because it's too big. Kona EV (mechanical twin of the Niro) was my favorite of the day, in part because it had some actual buttons beneath the big screen and also it had a light-colored interior. After driving the i3 for so long, the thought of going back to a dark interior is depressing.

Tried to drive the iD4, but they have a stop-sale recall ongoing for some issue with the exterior door handles. After sitting in the one in the showroom, though, if the driving experience is any good, it could move to the top of the list. I didn't find the UI annoying despite all of the scathing reviews.

I drive the 2023 ID.4 and I'm very happy with it for my purposes. It drives very well and feels solid. I haven't had any issues with the UI either but the mobile app isn't good (no remote lock/unlock, for example). The improvements to the 2024 model are substantial. I hope you'll get a chance to try it out before you decide.

 

[jbarwick]

SavageGeese had a review on the Kia EV9, and while likely too big for you SB, said that the lease rats were ridiculous. You could get one in the $3xx range with a couple grand down. Not a bad deal if someone wants to try out electric.

 

[sugarbutch]

I drive the 2023 ID.4 and I'm very happy with it for my purposes. It drives very well and feels solid. I haven't had any issues with the UI either but the mobile app isn't good (no remote lock/unlock, for example). The improvements to the 2024 model are substantial. I hope you'll get a chance to try it out before you decide.

Fortunately, I have zero interest in unlocking my car with an app. 😁

 

[UnFacconable]

SavageGeese had a review on the Kia EV9, and while likely too big for you SB, said that the lease rats were ridiculous. You could get one in the $3xx range with a couple grand down. Not a bad deal if someone wants to try out electric.

Yeah the EV9 is way too big for SB but I have been giving the same advice to people - get whatever EV in the class you want is leasing best.

There are phenomenal leasing opps for EVs right now so I would start with the best deals and then figure out whether you care enough to spend more for a "better" EV in the class.

Kia Nero for $199 a month sounds pretty good to me, but there are lots of other opportunities out there (leasehackr shows a bunch).

 

[nootje]

That's the goal!

Be careful here. The process for progeny is quite entertaining, and I do recommend training as much a possible for it. Actual succes however seems to have an adverse impact on available time and money.

 

[patrick_b]

After many years I said goodbye to my bachelor Audi life.

Hello, reliable husband carriage

View attachment 2256839

As a "car guy" I'm not sure whether to be embarrassed or proud of the fact that I have no idea who makes this SUV . In all seriousness it's really sharp and I love the color!

Sleep soundly knowing that the next owner gets the benefit of your attention to detail/maintenance schedules (and coilovers)!! Some dude's going to test drive it and say, "Wow, this S3 handles WAY better than I thought it would!"