All things about Cars, Trucks & SUVs

[Edward64]

Yeah, I read he dinged it. Software was buggy as heck and some weird design choices. Obviously rushed out, didn't do a good usability study. Can do that with games ($60) but not cars ($50k+).

Nice looking car though. IMO better looking than Tesla models.

[Edward64]

In addition to the robotaxi announcement, there were a couple articles about how Elon is cancelling the < $30k cheaper Teslas.

That's not confirmed yet, I'd put that under speculation right now, and really hope that's not true. But I'd think the sub $30k is more important than robotaxis. Sure, I can see it if the FSD was really FSD but from what I've read, it costs a lot, it's still not 100% and the onus (and liability) is still on the driver to handle unexpected situations. My guess is the robotaxi will come up short.

Elon Musk announces Tesla will unveil a ‘robotaxi’ on August 8 | CNN Business

Elon Musk has long had an affinity for self-driving vehicles, claiming they will be one of Tesla’s most important products. Despite big promises, years have gone by without cars that can, so far, drive on their own.

But Musk, on a Friday afternoon, when companies tend to bury news, announced on X that Tesla would unveil its robotaxi on August 8.

His post was simple and included no details. “Tesla Robotaxi unveil on 8/8,” the Tesla CEO (and owner of X) posted.

Honestly, I wouldn't consider an expensive Tesla nowadays. Musk changes the pricing seemingly at will and reductions make the depreciation & re-sale value a crapshoot.


EDIT: regarding scrapping the lower cost car, Musk denies it but Reuters stands by the reporting.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/...n-low-cost-car

Tesla CEO Elon Musk accused Reuters of "lying" on Friday after the outlet reported the electric vehicle behemoth is abandoning its long-touted plans to produce a budget-friendly starter car.

Citing three unnamed "sources familiar," Reuters reported that Tesla has scrapped its initiative to roll out an inexpensive car for the masses, purportedly called Model 2, that was expected to start at $25,000. The outlet said it had reviewed several internal Tesla documents confirming the project's demise.

[Edward64]

I like the new 4Runner front. The rear is just okay.

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/09/2025...id-engine.html

Toyota said pricing of the 2025 4Runner will be released closer to its on-sale date. Starting prices for the 2024 model range from about $41,000 to more than $55,000.

[stevew]

My mom wants to trade my late dad’s RAV4 for a new Prius. Except you can’t even look at one to sit in it and see how you like it. Thought about possibly going the Carmax route on a lightly used 2023 that she could take back if she hates. Those are all kinda pricy though.

So what do I do? Was considering just putting together an email to a couple local dealerships like “hey we have this available to trade and what’s the best price you can do after trade and when can you have in a new one” and just go from there.

Does anyone here have a 2023 or 2024? Probably just want the LE, it’s already going to have too much stuff on it. Right now she’s primary driving an 05 Prius with no cameras and sensors and I don’t really like that now that she’s older.

[stevew]

Finding a new Prius was going to be a full time job. Ended up going with a new Corolla Hybrid that will be stateside in a few weeks.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by stevew

Finding a new Prius was going to be a full time job. Ended up going with a new Corolla Hybrid that will be stateside in a few weeks.

Nice. That would be my choice if we replaced our current car. My wife is happy with our Sentra, though. She is not wanting to pick up a car payment.

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

She is not wanting to pick up a car payment.

Smart woman you married.

[Danny]

We just got a 2024 Honda Odyssey Touring. Plan it to be our family car for the next 10-15 years. Only downside was lack of a hybrid engine and fair gas mileage but the Sienna's are backed way up and would have to be purchased unseen / undriven for about 4-5l more for the equivalent features.

[Ghost Econ]

Cybertruck recall because the accelerator pad can get stuck... all 3,878 trucks made have been recalled.

[Kodos]

Originally Posted by Ghost Econ

Cybertruck recall because the accelerator pad can get stuck... all 3,878 trucks made have been recalled.

Huh. Usually a company run by Elon Musk is so well organized--a proverbial well-oiled machine...

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Danny

We just got a 2024 Honda Odyssey Touring. Plan it to be our family car for the next 10-15 years. Only downside was lack of a hybrid engine and fair gas mileage but the Sienna's are backed way up and would have to be purchased unseen / undriven for about 4-5l more for the equivalent features.

When we were buying my mom‘s car, I was shocked to see a Sienna xse on the lot. Sales guy said it was the first one they actually had sit on the lot. It wasn’t the AWD one though. Still blows my mind that a minivan can get 36 miles per gallon.

[GrantDawg]

I wrote in a Uber Odyssey and a Kia Carvinval yesterday. Mini vans have come a long way. The Kia especially was very nice.

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[Ksyrup]

We had 2 Odysseys from around 2002 to 2019. The first one, the transmission died. Thanks to the internet, I realized that it was an ongoing problem that they didn't want to do a national recall for. When it happened, my wife had driven on her own from FL to NJ with a 5 year old and 6 month old, during Thanksgiving week, to attend a family funeral. Two local dealerships wouldn't do anything other than quote us the $5K+ price to replace it.

Needless to say, when I got on the phone with the regional Honda rep and told him we were going to plaster her story on every website and news source who would listen if they didn't comp any obviously defective transmission that they were having problems with all over the country, they changed their tune and not only comped the transmission, but gave us an additional 5 year warranty on it for $50.

Other than that one issue, we loved our Odysseys. I've read, though, that Honda quality has taken a dive in the past decade. Not sure if that's true or not. If you had told me 30 years ago that I'd be more likely to buy a Kia/Hyundai than a Honda, I would have laughed at you.

[Danny]

Yeah. Originally we were looking at suvs but we didnt like the room they had and the third row ones were basically for timy people only. Minivans presented a better value and fit and they are so much nicer than they used to be. And even the non hybrid odyssey seems to be getting 28mph on the freeway.

Kias are attractive witu good tech but have escalating insurance costs and questionable long term reliability and value so we didn't strongly consider the carnival

[Danny]

I hadnt read about Honda reliability taking a dive. They do appear to be behind some others in modernazation of tech and looks from what I read.

[Edward64]

All 2025 Camrys are going to be hybrids. I'd probably go with a RAV-4 or CRV for next car, but Camry would be in Top 5 for consideration. Just not sure how I like Toyota trying to make the Camry sportier (?) with that fugly front grill. If I drive a sedan, I prefer a boring sedan.

2025 Toyota Camry First Drive Review: Hybrid-only overhaul is a hit - Autoblog

[stevew]

I’ve had a Polestar 2 as a rental the past week and I love the way it drives.

[GrantDawg]

I cant remember if we talked about this on here. We night have discussed it in the stock market thread. Rivian had plans to build a second huge EV plant in the next town over from me. They were supposed to break ground on the plant last month, but the day after Governor Kemp declared "Rivian Day" in Georgia, the company announced they are pausing construction indefinitely. There has been questions on the health of the company.
I say all that to set up this. Apple, who not long ago canceled their program to build an Apple car, are in talks with Rivian for them to take over creation of the Apple Car. My guess is that Apple is interested in using Rivians technology and that sweet deal they have in the future plant in Georgia to cut the cost of creating their car.

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[Edward64]

Hope Apple + Rivian happens. I'm grateful that Musk re-energized the EV markets but pretty obvious that Telsa has lost the momentum (and Elon his focus), so more competition the better. But sure hope they get an Apple design team on their fugly cars.

I've been reading about the Chinese EVs, quality may not be up to par but it'll get there. Reminds me of the Japanese automakers back in the 70s that eventually took over from the domestic Big-3. If the political climate was more friendly, I'd be driving a $15k Chinese EV.

[stevew]

As far as cheap EVs go, you can get some really nice deals on low mileage Bolt EUVs. It’s definitely not a road trip Car but it’s kind of a neat second car. I think they are sitting right around 20 with low miles but I think the used tax credit might take down another three or 4000 depending on how much it is right now.

[cartman]

I do really like the Rivians. I've seen both the truck and SUV driving in my area.

[molson]

Anybody ever own a schoolie?

It gets a lot of compliments on the road, there are a ton of beautiful places to bring it close to home in Idaho, and it's fun to live out of when everything goes right, but but it sure is a pain in the ass maintenance- and finding insurance-wise.

[GrantDawg]

That is quite cool. I could see liking that. I have been wanting a Camper conversion Van for some time. Either that or a mini-camper. I love the idea of traveling in your hotel room, but there is not a chance I could drive a full=sized RV or pull a huge trailer.

[molson]

I was pretty terrified to drive it at first, but it's only as long as a long pickup truck, so it was actually easy.

Insurance was a bit of a struggle because it doesn't fit into any normal category. My home and regular car carriers wouldn't insure it. State Farm would, but I had to drive it to their local office and have them take pictures and eyeball it. And promise in writing that I would never try to cook on the roof.

Registering it can also be a challenge depending on if you've fully converted it yet. A lot of bus owners register in Vermont, because apparently they let you do it online no questions asked. Fortunately Idaho just required an inspection to confirm it was not a school bus anymore, and then they'd register it as an RV.

It's easier/simpler with no electric. Most campgrounds you can use either the RV or tent spots, but, some aggressive hosts have opinions about where you should be. We have not yet ventured beyond campgrounds into dispersed camping. That's definitely a thing people do in Idaho, find a nice spot in the state forest by a river or whatever. Someone gifted us a camping toilet setup this year, but, we have not yet made that leap. The rural campgrounds are exciting enough.

[thesloppy]

i hope you cooked on the roof, just out of spite.

[molson]

Originally Posted by thesloppy

i hope you cooked on the roof, just out of spite.

Not yet, but maybe I'll go up there and drink a PBR and eat some beef jerky.

You know, build up to it.