The Automobile Thread

Use a lot of oil in that E-Tron do ya?

 

Better top up the blinker fluid while you’re at it.

 

You should have heard the conversation I had with the girl in finance when she told me all the things that the prepaid maintenance plan that she wanted me to buy would cover.

 

Can you change the pedestrian warning noise? The guy driving by me in Irvine park yesterday sounded almost petrol-based. Could that be the standard sound?

 

Not that I'm aware of, though I suppose it's a matter of time before the after market makes something, if they haven't already. Mine, and all the others I've heard have kind of a Jetsons quality.

 

I saw an Audi with hov stickers making engine noises. After doing a bit of research, I was probably looking a Q5 PHEV. Didn’t know they existed.

 

Yeah, I didn't know that was coming to market until I saw it at the LA Auto Show. Can say that I've seen one in the wild yet, or maybe it just didn't register. A3 E-tron hatchback (which I think was discontinued this year) might also bear those hov stickers.

 

This was definitely e-tron/q5 size...and the engine noise seals it...

Thinking about driving my Bolt to Colorado next month, if the charger in Green River finally goes live.

Curious to know if your Audi has ever actually charged at over 150 kW. Worst feature on the bolt is the 50kw max charging.

 

To be honest, I have no idea. I've only charged away from home a handful of times, and most of those have just been rando shopping type spots that are really just a trickle charge with a primo parking location. When I first got the car, and was waiting for the 240v outlet install in the garage I charged at an EVgo station at the local Gelsons that gave me pretty much a 3/4 charge in about 40 minutes, but I don't know what that comes to in kW.

 

EVgo is 50 kW almost everywhere except a couple units in Baker. Most of the pre-Electrify America installations are 50 kW, except for non-commercial stations that might be 20-25kW (100A @240V, same as my whole house...)

EA installations are typically 150kW to handle the Audis, with one unit set to 350kW in case a Taycan rolls up.

I charge away from home mostly for sport, like if I choose the EV for a trip to the desert. 98% of the kWh I use is from home as well.

 

I've steered away from the EA stations thus far, despite the car coming with with a cache of EA points/minutes/whatever. They have a tendency to hang on to E-trons and not let go. LOTS of horror stories of people on road trips being stranded for hours with their cars stuck to chargers that won't release, with CS reps from Audi and EA both telling stranded motorists to call the other for a solution.

 

I’ve had the opposite problem, the charger not wanting to acknowledge the Bolt is attached. The software wants you to hook up, pay, and press start in a particular order.

where other chargers will let you plug in either before or after paying, EA makes you follow the instructions on the screen or else. Very German...

 

Looks like a great vehicle. I remember wanting a Bronco when I was a kid!

 

I want......scratch that.....I need one......

 

Pretty awesome. As well as the Raptor has done, I'm surprised GM hasn't taken the bait and come out with their own souped up Silverado.

 

You had me at 700 HP. And the opening shot of the TRX devouring a VelociRAPTOR is, well, a not-so-subtle jab at Ford's premier Dude Drooler.

 

Yup. Pretty drool worthy power plant. I've lusted after the Jeep Trackhawk with that motor since it a came out a few years ago.

 

The engine cover has the evolution of Man/Raptor/TReX....yeah pretty subtle.

 

Dodge is pretty much just shoving that Hellcat motor into whatever they can. Last month, the debuted the 2021 Charger Hellcat and Durango Hellcat.

 

Jeep has also teased that the Gkadiator/Wrangler will be available with 5.7L v8.

 

all it takes is money!!

i wanna put a Hemi in my wrangler once my engine dies. that would be super fun on the trails.

 

Lol, yes it's only money!!!

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a33296307/jeep-wrangler-v-8-rubicon-392-concept-revealed/

Heck yeah it's going to be fun!!!

 

Back when AMC owned Jeep, they traded motors around. I had a 1972 Gremlin (yeah, ugliest car ever and it actually got stolen) with a 304 Jeep V-8. Small car. Big engine for that small a car. But fun to drive, even all the way across the country.

 

My brother had a '78 CJ5 with that same engine. I swear you could almost do wheelies in that thing.

 

High five!!! Lol, super cool!! I'd love that car lol. Not sure why I dig those cars. Gremlins and Pacers. I have a 72 Vega that will hopefully be pulled from the rafters soon. How funny it was stolen lol

Lol, my vote for ugliest car goes to the Javelin!! AMC did have THE ugliest cars lol

 

Pacer was way uglier. Javelin AMX was pretty cool.

 

Lol, you think?? I won't argue. It's a personal preference I guess. I'm still not changing my vote though.

Look at that thing!!! Lol Now the AMX was the fast one, so I guess it's ok. Kind of.

 

Trying to get some test drives in.. we're going to try to decide between the 3 following...

Kia Telluride
Chevy Traverse
Subaru Ascent

 

Just to make it more fun, try the Mazda CX-9. I think that's the competitor to those.

 

Or save some money, drive the old vehicle and buy a bunch of new bikes instead... Nothing worse than car shopping.