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Show HN: CarCheck – Car Buying Checklist App

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Re: Show HN: CarCheck – Car Buying Checklist App

#71

Post by natch »

sandworm101 wrote: post #66
addaon wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What does "after … gas savings" mean? Is there some way to actually get spendable money here, or is this basically the same as saying my yacht was free because I saved so much money on not buying a bigger yacht?

There is/was an idea that lenders would be open to larger loans for EV cars as buyers would face reduced running costs, as opposed to a IC car. That largely hasn't materialized. Lifetime running costs of EVs just aren't as low as expected, particularly in the used car market. Getting anything fixed on a 10+yo EV is hit-or-miss in terms of cost.

I think 0.99% fixed over 72 months is pretty darn good.

Re: Show HN: CarCheck – Car Buying Checklist App

#72

Post by 2024throwaway »

keepamovin wrote: post #69
auxym wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm really not a "truck guy", but it seems to me from the outside that the price of the F150 and similar pick-ups has been really jacked up since they are now a "status symbol" in many areas. Plus, the standard bed is super small and can't even fit a 4x8 flat. If I were switching occupation to a plumber (or something) and looking for a work vehicle, I'd be strongly considering closed vans like Transit, Sprinter or Ni…

Okay, thank you. What is a 4x8? Is that the truck bed? Why is that important?? ha :)

4x8 sheet of plywood or drywall. For many people who want to perform DIY home improvement jobs, this is the smallest useful size of truck bed.

Re: Show HN: CarCheck – Car Buying Checklist App

#73

Post by 2024throwaway »

keepamovin wrote: post #64
relaxing wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What’s not useful? You didn’t say what kind of utility you’re looking to get out your vehicle. Do you need to haul a bunch of equipment, or loads of mulch, or go off-road in the weekends?

I guess that’s fair enough, I didn’t say that. I suppose I was looking more for something like: I bought this, I like it because that, but it is bad because of some other thing. I haven’t really specced it out, I just like the aesthetic. But I suppose: off road, some equipment (bikes, etc), can sleep in it. Btw cool username !!! Haha :)

> I haven’t really specced it out, I just like the aesthetic.

I think you are the exact target market for an F150. Go nuts. We have backup planets, right? Just buy the biggest, coolest looking thing you can find!

Re: Show HN: CarCheck – Car Buying Checklist App

#74

Post by natch »

r00fus wrote: post #67
natch wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The charger network is the largest question. And who will give you 1% financing also helps. And which car has 320 miles range for $32,000 after EV tax credit and gas savings.

So I did evaluate the Tesla MY and IMHO I'm not impressed. Note: it is a decent car. We have high standards however. There are a lot of "features" on the car that require additional engineering just to bypass. Example1: windows on the doors don't have a full frame (looks nice, but not functionally different than a standard door frame). This requires engineering to lower the window when closing then push it back up. A…

So, having Netflix in the car requires extra engineering, so that makes it "bad"? Not sure I'm buying this logic.

Your examples however are PEBCAK. Taking them one by one:

1) Kids are noisy. Full stop. Deal. And the odd point about features (windshield wipers? remote dashcam viewing from the app while parked? wheels?) requiring engineering is quirky and bizarro.

2) Common misconception. Adjust the AC. The AC in a Tesla is from God himself (and I don't mean Elon, I mean God himself). But while the glory goes to God, the credit goes to the massive battery. There are simply no constraints on how much cooling can be done. Elon understands this, and he invited God to design the system and God really came through. And the delta in energy use is minuscule versus the AC energy you would expend with a metal roof. And the thin roof is giving you more headroom and storage room. White interior? Never! Besides if you're worried you can pre-cool the car remotely from the app over the internet, or even schedule it.

3) I suppose you did not try stepping on the brake and putting the car in gear. It will engage immediately.

Also, curious, is it:

(EV6 (ventilated seats!) and the Leaf) (but the battery/charging situation is disqualifying)

or:

EV6 (ventilated seats!) and (the Leaf (but the battery/charging situation is disqualifying))

? If the latter, do tell.

If ventilated seats are your thing, the Model Y should have them in some unknown number of months when they put out the redesign. Ventilated seats were added for the redesign of the Model 3.

It's possible the current short promotional 0.99% financing for Model Y is designed to clear out inventory to make room for the updated Model Y with ventilated seats... who knows.

Curious to hear your other PEBCAK examples.

Re: Show HN: CarCheck – Car Buying Checklist App

#75

Post by FireBeyond »

xyst wrote: post #34
lnsru wrote: post #19

I didn’t check the proposition. But is there a problem for this solution? Every car brand has an online community for every model. Every community has a forum and checklist with all the possible problems. Also most people know some car guy to ask the basics.

yes, it’s called getting an independent opinion from your trusted mechanic. Some used cars can appear “fine” on the surface, but once a mechanic looks under the hood (ie, under carriage inspection, checking for recalls, oil check). A used car I found online in Ohio looked perfect but paid a mechanic to check it out. Turns out the under carriage was rotted to hell. Which is honestly typical for cars in the rust belt (…

> checking for recalls

Why would that be a problem? A manufacturer is obligated to fix an open recall at no cost to you.

Re: Show HN: CarCheck – Car Buying Checklist App

#76

Post by 0xcafecafe »

natch wrote: post #74
r00fus wrote: post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So I did evaluate the Tesla MY and IMHO I'm not impressed. Note: it is a decent car. We have high standards however. There are a lot of "features" on the car that require additional engineering just to bypass. Example1: windows on the doors don't have a full frame (looks nice, but not functionally different than a standard door frame). This requires engineering to lower the window when closing then push it back up. A…

So, having Netflix in the car requires extra engineering, so that makes it "bad"? Not sure I'm buying this logic. Your examples however are PEBCAK. Taking them one by one: 1) Kids are noisy. Full stop. Deal. And the odd point about features (windshield wipers? remote dashcam viewing from the app while parked? wheels?) requiring engineering is quirky and bizarro. 2) Common misconception. Adjust the AC. The AC in a Tes…

I was seriously considering one last year and the quality control issues threw me off. The fact that you need to go through a long checklist to take delivery of a new car is mentally exhausting (example here: https://teslaprep.glideapp.io/dl/d0a5f4). Not to mention the suspension issues that were making the news (whompy wheels).

Re: Show HN: CarCheck – Car Buying Checklist App

#77

Post by manchmalscott »

natch wrote: post #74
r00fus wrote: post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So I did evaluate the Tesla MY and IMHO I'm not impressed. Note: it is a decent car. We have high standards however. There are a lot of "features" on the car that require additional engineering just to bypass. Example1: windows on the doors don't have a full frame (looks nice, but not functionally different than a standard door frame). This requires engineering to lower the window when closing then push it back up. A…

So, having Netflix in the car requires extra engineering, so that makes it "bad"? Not sure I'm buying this logic. Your examples however are PEBCAK. Taking them one by one: 1) Kids are noisy. Full stop. Deal. And the odd point about features (windshield wipers? remote dashcam viewing from the app while parked? wheels?) requiring engineering is quirky and bizarro. 2) Common misconception. Adjust the AC. The AC in a Tes…

Here’s something most cars can do: if the power is cut off, I can still open the car door without having to pry off a speaker from the door and fish for an unlabeled release cord. There’s just a handle on the door, the same one I use to open the door normally.

Another thing I can do is switch between reverse and drive with two distinct physical buttons that are pushed in different directions, instead of a touchscreen.

This extra engineering to make cars “more sleek” (i.e. cheaper for Tesla to manufacture) make it more dangerous for everyone inside the car.

[1] https://www.tesla.com/ownersmanual/modelx/en_jo/GUID-AAD769C...

[2] https://nypost.com/2024/03/09/us-news/angela-chao-made-panic...

Re: Show HN: CarCheck – Car Buying Checklist App

#78

Post by stn8188 »

jwells89 wrote: post #50
stn8188 wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As much as I love trucks, it seems that their price is extremely inflated (likely due to their utility as a work vehicle). Depending on your use case, I can highly recommend a minivan. I have an '07 Odyssey that we need for the big family (5 kids) but I can also fold down the seats and fit 4x8s of plywood or drywall in the back. If needed, you can get a cheap trailer and tow with the van to increase payload. There's…

Even used 20+ year old small pickup trucks like pre-2005 Tacomas have their prices jacked up through the stratosphere, which I find particularly disappointing because there are so few trucks that size anymore more. Modern Tacomas are “mid sized” for example, but even that’s too much for a lot of peoples’ needs.

For real... My dad's still got his '97 Ranger (that I learned to drive on) and I told him that if he ever decides to sell it, I'll fly out and drive it back instead.

Re: Show HN: CarCheck – Car Buying Checklist App

#79

Post by sandworm101 »

natch wrote: post #71
sandworm101 wrote: post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There is/was an idea that lenders would be open to larger loans for EV cars as buyers would face reduced running costs, as opposed to a IC car. That largely hasn't materialized. Lifetime running costs of EVs just aren't as low as expected, particularly in the used car market. Getting anything fixed on a 10+yo EV is hit-or-miss in terms of cost.

I think 0.99% fixed over 72 months is pretty darn good.

1% is nice, but I think a 72-month loan on a new car is a recipe for disaster. For almost all of that time period you will be "under water" on the loan, owing more than the car is currently worth.

Re: Show HN: CarCheck – Car Buying Checklist App

#80

Post by lotsofpulp »

kingkongjaffa wrote: post #32
kingkongjaffa wrote: post #31

If im going to use something like this it needs to be hooked into hard to get data such as reliability statistics, parts availability, servicing costs in my area, part wear intervals and how soon a car will reach them (timing belt needs changing at 90,000 miles and your used car is at 70,000 miles, so get ready to spend £xxx amount relatively soon) for specific models and years.

A better idea is a car play compatible app that you can type your car into and the mileage and it can send you reminders when you reach a certain mileage that things need doing. Make it easy to know if my next service is a minor service or major service, or if i need to renew some thing that only needs changing every 3 services or that my tyres need checking or changing over to summer/winter tyres.

CarPlay protocol (at least the existing one that exists in almost all vehicles today) does not provide the phone access to that kind of information.

It just allows your phone to use a screen in your car as a second monitor, and output/input for audio. The only other input I think is whether or not headlights get turned on (to dim the display at night).

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