Why I think Tesla is building throwaway cars

Post by JupiterMoon » Sun, Mar 06, 2016, 9:43 PM UTC

rhizome wrote: post #218

Amezarak wrote: post #189

Earlier quoted context omitted.

At least for me, it's not about souping the car up, it's about doing repairs and maintenance myself because a) it's cheaper and b) it's more convenient. If I knew I was going to have to drive a car to the dealership anytime something went wrong, I would not buy that car. It's a big hassle (especially if the dealership is any distance away) and almost always outrageously expensive for anything outside of warranty. And…

Among many, many other models both in and out of production, Teslas are not the best choice for hot rodders. Got it.

Post by WalterBright » Sun, Mar 06, 2016, 9:45 PM UTC

georgefrick wrote: post #166

brandmeyer wrote: post #29

> A lot of Tesla fans claim that electric vehicles are inherently superior, because with fewer moving parts, they'll be able to stay on the road basically forever - no piston rings to wear, no transmissions to fail, no oil to change. There are at least two major components that "wear out" in power electronics - capacitors and power transistors. Traditional vacuum-impregnated motor winding insulation also has a wear-o…

I found your addition very interesting. But I think the "Tesla fans" referred to, are referring to something different. The Tesla vehicles are "missing" a lot of parts that rust, corrode, and cause engineering challenges. One of the main ones behind the exhaust system. Speak with a series of car mechanics and they'll invariably tell stories of cars that never received an oil change until something fails. There are vi…

Post by mikeash » Sun, Mar 06, 2016, 9:50 PM UTC

Spooky23 wrote: post #124

mikeash wrote: post #118

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Expensive is different from "can't," and there's definitely one company whose mechanics can replace the battery.

It's all about ROI. You can make a case for almost any conventional repair, save a transmission or engine overhaul. When a battery replacement exceeds the value of the vehicle, and the one source of mechanics is incentivized to sell a new car, the economics will never make sense.

Post by marssaxman » Sun, Mar 06, 2016, 9:56 PM UTC

qume wrote: post #213

marssaxman wrote: post #136

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I feel the same way. I drive a classic Range Rover, and it is a lot of fun. Yes, I spend around $2000 each year getting various components repaired or replaced, but that is enough to keep ahead of entropy, and between loan payments and the higher cost of insurance I'd be spending twice that or more on a newer vehicle. Plus, I have a relatively simple machine with no fancy DRM automation crap that won't report me to t…

Apparently you're 8 times more likely to die if your car is half the weight of the one you have a high speed collision with (sorry from memory no reference, could be bogus). Add to that the over-the-top strength of the Range Rover and even though it's a classic, I think you're going to be more likely to survive in a head on collision than 95% of other vehicles on the road.

Post by icebraining » Sun, Mar 06, 2016, 9:57 PM UTC

qume wrote: post #199

icebraining wrote: post #109

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Here in Lisbon no such distinction is made, any diesel or gasoline car built before 2000 is banned from the city center.

Wow that's very interesting, I didn't know that. Although going by year is a little arbitrary (a 1995 honda vs a 2005 GM SUV?) I do support the concept. Personally I'd like to see most city centers car free.