EV general discussion

ICDP said:
I tried a few Teslas on test drives, first in 2020 and then in 2022. On both occasions it was ultra easy to dismiss them as they were objectively terrible cars. Their reputation was totally undeserved in my opinion. Now I won’t even test drive them out of principle because of Musk.

When I was asked previously “why not Tesla”, I had to go into some detail as to why. Terrible build quality, bland interior, terrible suspension. Now I just say “Musk” and people understand.

Similarly I now try to avoid directly buying Chinese makes and controlled brands. BYD, MG, Volvo, Polestar etc. I just can’t support brands from a country that actively supports the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

We have a C40 lease that ends in April and it was ordered in 2021. At least it was made in Belgium.
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You do know that the cars you test drove were likely american made at those ages? Poor vs the newer ones

Nothing wrong with build quality imo. I've found less issues vs my old bmw 440i.
 
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Minato said:
Absolutely bizarre design choices recently. You have to swipe the touch screen to change from drive to reverse, and there's no indicator stalk anymore. Put me right off.
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I test drove one the last week of July for 24 hours, though in reality it was likely 2 hours of driving at most.

The missing indicator stalk and change to buttons did bother me a little bit on roundabouts, for sure, but I think that's having a 15+ years of muscle memory of where to indicate. I think I'll get over it.

The bit that really impressed me was the drive select though. I was concerned I was going to hate that but with the Autoshift beta, I realised it wasn't an issue. Picking up my daughter from nursery I thought "Ah, here we go... A 3 point turn, this will be annoying". I put the car into drive started to make the first turn and then, to my surprise, it correctly put me into reverse and then back into drive at the right time. I was impressed.

Then the following morning on my way to work I got in the car, it already had me in reverse as I drove into my parking spot. Reversed out into the road and then it correctly put me into drive. I didn't actually use the screen to select my drive mode until I parked up and had to tap on park.

I got into the office and put my reservation down.
 
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While I appreciate some people may not want a Tesla due to the Musk connection. How far back does a, for lack of a better word, scandal, need to be before you consider a brand?
 
Junglist said:
While I appreciate some people may not want a Tesla due to the Musk connection. How far back does a, for lack of a better word, scandal, need to be before you consider a brand?
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Perhaps long enough that whoever was involved in the scandal can no longer profit from your decision. Musk is still a major shareholder in Tesla, and while I don't agree with attacking or criticising those who drive the cars, I can completely understand those who don't wish to buy them and help further his wealth. In reality it probably makes little difference, but as said...it's the principal.
 
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Conscript said:
Perhaps long enough that whoever was involved in the scandal can no longer profit from your decision. Musk is still a major shareholder in Tesla, and while I don't agree with attacking or criticising those who drive the cars, I can completely understand those who don't wish to buy them and help further his wealth. In reality it probably makes little difference, but as said...it's the principal.
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I get that. But I find it weird to have some political stance agaisnt Musk (which is justified. I want a Tesla but that doesn't stop me thinking musk is a word I can't say on here) but willingly drive around in a VW who tried to hide how badly their cars were polluting the environment.

I suppose we all have to pick our own poison.
 
I was thinking about VW as I typed that, funnily enough. When we were recently shopping for a new car, a couple of VWs were on the list because they objectively make some good cars that would be suitable for us. But in the back of my head I do remember thinking about that scandal and how I wasn't particularly comfortable giving my money to a company that did that, though I'm not sure my convictions were strong enough that we wouldn't have bought one if it was the best choice. I guess you could say that at least in their case they were found out, fined, and have hopefully discovered it's not something they can get away with again.

Unfortunately, with a company like VW which owns so many brands, it's difficult as a consumer to boycott them entirely and not completely restrict your choice. So as you say...pick your poison.
 
Conscript said:
Unfortunately, with a company like VW which owns so many brands, it's difficult as a consumer to boycott them entirely and not completely restrict your choice. So as you say...pick your poison.
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That's the crux of it, really. It's why I thought in the UK we were a bit more sensible and saw cars as vehicles and not vessels for political statements or votes of support for the oligarchy

That and I've loved all my cars from the VAG :p
 
Minato said:
I did one because there's some great deals on them atm.

Absolutely bizarre design choices recently. You have to swipe the touch screen to change from drive to reverse, and there's no indicator stalk anymore. Put me right off.
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Imma gonna buy a used one.
Eyeing up a couple already.
 
Junglist said:
That's the crux of it, really. It's why I thought in the UK we were a bit more sensible and saw cars as vehicles and not vessels for political statements or votes of support for the oligarchy

That and I've loved all my cars from the VAG :p
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Well most car makers don't have a very visible founder paying people millions to vote for Trump and espousing extreme views but we live in a free world and you have every right to buy a Tesla, just as others have every right not to buy one.
 
Diagro said:
It's built in China. Likely with Chinese parts.
Dont be one of those people who thinks buying a tesla is a direct link to musk. Its ridiculous.

I've had 1 person shout nazi at me so far, and a couple spat on my car whilst mumbling some nonsense about musk.
Oh and it was keyed.

These people are pathetic. Musk has nothing to do with the UK... its just stupid.
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Irrelevant. It funds the pocket of someone who I don’t believe is a net contributor to this planet.


I could go into many other reasons why I don’t like the car too, but even if they started to make good ones I wouldn’t touch one.
 
chanjy said:
Well most car makers don't have a very visible founder paying people millions to vote for Trump and espousing extreme views but we live in a free world and you have every right to buy a Tesla, just as others have every right not to buy one.
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I don't think I've ever stated otherwise? I absolutely dislike the way Musk has used his influence billions of money to get himself involved with a democratic process in a country he isn't even from, no less.

However, I find it amusing that in the same breath of saying Musk is a reason they wont buy a Tesla, someone would willingly drive a VW. If anything I would say what VW had done is far worse than what Musk has/is doing. They literally tried to hide the fact that their cars were putting out 40-50x more pollutants than allowed. They sold their polluting cars worldwide directly impacting our environment and our world. Most of Musks impact was to the US, not the UK.

That and it's not like Tesla is some little family owned (granted he has his family on the board) company where we put in an order and little Elon runs out the back to design and make our hand made cars for us. He may be the front man with the money but there are hundreds of smarter people working behind him who likely don't share the same views as him. At least that is how I rationalise it.

Either way, buy a Tesla or don't buy a Tesla. It makes little difference to me.
 
Anyway, Musk bickering aside...I need OCUK's EV team's help again.

Choice 1: M3 LR AWD 2022
White, bog standard
Yokohama tyres

Choice 2: M3 LR AWD 2022
Red, enhanced autopilot, performance boost
Michelin pilot spot 4
1 year warranty included
But is £3,500 dearer than option 1

WWOCUKD?
Personally, the tyres in choice 1 = automatic £600 increase as I would change them out pretty sharpish. That means its £2,900 for the red paint, enhanced autopilot and performance boost.
So, I'm leaning towards option 2...need a sense check please :cry:
 
Option 2, I’d say. Something about white cars, unless it’s exceptionally nice, makes me think you’ll look like an estate agent

Unless you are already an estate agent then look the part and be the part :P
 
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